I got involved in a debate this morning about what NFL team has the best offensive line.
There was no consensus, but the Texans got the most votes. I tend to agree, but it’s hard to explain why they struggle so much in the red zone.
Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle notes that the team especially struggles to run near the end zone. They ran five times for eight yards in the red zone against New Orleans. In 26 red zone runs this year, the Texans have gained one yard or less 11 times.
The team’s red zone struggles have been alarming this year. They have three touchdowns in 13 trips.
It’s not like this is a new problem for Gary Kubiak’s team. For the last three years, the team has on average ranked third in the league in yards gained. They have averaged 12th in points scored.
They are a better fantasy offense than reality offense, and we’re not exactly sure why. Does their zone blocking work less in tight quarters? Is it all Arian Foster? (Houston was much better in the red zone than usual last year.)
Whatever the reason, Kubiak needs to fix it to avoid being the same old inefficient Texans.