ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 23: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints makes a call at the line during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
NFL power rankings, Week 3: Saints make move, Vikings slide
HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 23: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans sacks Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
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Houston Texans 0-3
Last week: L, 27-22 vs NYG
Last rank: 29th
Recap: Off to a 0-2 start for the second times in four seasons, the Texans hosted the equally-winless New York Giants and were hoping to get their pass rush on track against Eli Manning and company. And that was certainly the case as defensive end J.J. Watt totaled three of the team’s four sacks. But the club failed to turn over Manning and company, while the mistake-prone Houston offense once again shot itself in the foot on a few occasions. Quarterback Deshaun Watson looked comfortable for the first time this season, throwing for 385 yards and two scores (1 interception) and running five times for 36 yards. But there simply weren’t enough bright spots.
Next Week: For the third time in four weeks, the Texans hit the road. And for the second time in three Sundays, they’ll face a divisional opponent in the Indianapolis Colts. A year ago, O’Brien’s club was swept in this rivalry for the first time since 2014. And the Texans own a dismal 2-14 lifetime road record in this series dating back to ‘02.
Playoff hopes: The Texans’ losing streak now stands at nine games after the home loss to the Giants. At 0-3, keep in mind that only five teams in NFL history have been able to dig themselves out of such a deficit and make the playoffs. Then again, it was a very rough Sunday for the majority of the AFC South so it’s not time to panic…yet.
