NFL: 5 takeaways from Week 3

Sep 21, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) greet in the middle of the field after the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Denver 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 7, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the game against the Washington Redskins at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Texans Defense Exposed

How a team with J.J. Watt on its defensive line can be so damn bad at defending the run is amazing to me. In three games the Texans have allowed 232 yards on 40 carries, good for a 5.0 yards per carry.

In Week Three Giants running back Rashad Jennings was given the ball 34 times and exploded for 176 yards.

You could see this coming if a team dedicated to running the ball against Houston. In Week One Redskins running back Alfred Morris was putting up 6.5 yards a pop, but for some weird reason only had 14 carries. The defense was better Week Two against the Oakland Raiders — it’s the Raiders so that doesn’t really count for anything.

The Texans defensive deficiencies were hidden this first two weeks by an incredible amount of turnover luck. Oakland and Washington turned the ball over six times including four lost fumbles. New York only turned the ball over once and the difference showed on the scoreboard.

Houston has a lot of work to do if they want to hide an offense run by the below average Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback.

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