Houston Texans’ Arian Foster got the majority of plays
By Mike Dyce
The Houston Texans have had a double headed running attack with Arian Foster and Ben Tate. There has been some disagreement over the running game with Tate wanting a bigger role and out form Foster’s shadow. Despite that the Texans seem content with using Foster, the 2010 leading rusher in the NFL, as the feature back. Sunday he got the majority of the carries
59:23 snap edge for Arian Foster. Still has a stranglehold on the backfield, but Tate has looked good.
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) September 16, 2013
In the first game Tate was more efficient running the ball, in week two that trend carried over. Ben Tate carried the ball 9 times for 93 yards and a 10.3 yards per carry average. Foster got more than twice as many carries, 19, and carried the ball for less yards, 79, or a 4.2 yard per carry average.
Tate’s gaudy numbers are in part a result of Foster being in the backfield as well. Teams are less inclined to think run when Tate is in but maybe they shouldn’t. Out of Tate’s 23 snaps played, he carried the ball 39.13% of the time. Out of Foster’s snaps he carried the ball 32.2% of the time.
Those numbers go up when you factor in passes, Tate caught three balls and Foster caught one, but were targeted 4 times each.
Including passes Tate was the focal point of the offensive plays 56.5% of the time he was on the field compared to Foster who had his number called on 38.98% of the snaps he played.
Defenses would be wise to key in on Tate when he is on the field.