Texans don’t understand football, decline penalty so they can punt

The Houston Texans forgot that they’re playing to win after declining neutral zone infraction penalty at 4th & 1. 

As if the Houston Texans don’t have enough of a challenge today taking on the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium, they forgot that they’re supposed to actually try to win the game. After the Texans gained 14 yards on 3rd & 15, the Browns were hit with an offsides flag and at 4th & 1 Houston declined the penalty.. and punted?

It’s still early, but this sequence of events may very well win the award for the most questionable coaching call during Week 2.

Houston Texans make questionable coaching call after declining Browns’ penalty

David Culley is in his first season as Houston’s head coach, but declining the offsides penalty and a shot at another third down opportunity at midfield isn’t an excusable mistake for a rookie coach.

It is the NFL, after all. Mistakes such as that one are what will sneak up on you and bite you in the back at the end of the game.

Maybe Houston is just riding a high after a 37-21 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 after an offseason full of doubt in news regarding the status of quarterback Deshaun Watson, but the entire concept of sports revolves around winning.

Texans fans are in for a long year if this is a glimpse into the types of decisions that the coaching staff will be making, even after winning last week.

I’m sure that we’ll be revisiting this decision later on in today’s game. Houston fans have been put through a rollercoaster of emotions leading up to the season and it looks like the ride hasn’t ended just yet.