Houston Texans Week 10 report card

Everyone knows that the Texans are in rebuild mode and that it will take some time to get the team back on track. They didn’t expect the team to regress and almost look as bad as the 2021 team, who only won four games. Houston has played very well for most of every game but has had issues finishing games, which has led to many close losses.

Coach Lovie Smith has to shoulder much of the blame for the 1-6-1 record since everything on Sundays starts and stops with him. As the defensive coordinator, he must take on the brunt of most of the criticism with his play calling. 

First-year offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton has had his fair share of ups and downs this season from an offensive play-calling perspective. Many have questioned his short-yardage calls of screenplays to running back Rex Burkhead when you have big targets like Nico Collins, O.J. Howard, and Jordan Akins. 

Not electing to have running back Dameon Pierce in the game during crunch time at the beginning of the season or not giving him a large number of touches early may have cost the Texans a couple of victories. That responsibility falls directly on Smith and Hamilton.

Special Teams coach Frank Ross has done an outstanding job of having his position group ready to play each game.