Coach Gary Kubiak backs Houston Texans for home-field advantage, bye in playoffs – NFL News
Irrespective of the fact that the Houston Texans are through to the playoffs they are in a must-win situation against the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday (Dec. 30) to avoid losing a home-field advantage and first week bye in the second round.
If the Texans lose to the Colts they can end up at third spot in the American Football Conference (AFC). This will end up them without a home-field advantage and also a week’s bye.
Only chance for them to lose the game and still claim the home-field advantage is that the Denver Broncos lose their game, while the New England Patriots lose or tie their game.
Defensive end J.J. Watt says of the situation:
"We know what it takes. We're going to get focused, and then we're going to come out there and earn ourselves home-field advantage."
In spite of their impressive 12 wins, three losses have exposed the Texans’ as vulnerable in many areas. For example, their inability to run the ball from third downs on the offence has reflected on their offence weaknesses.
The team’s strategy to run the ball has become a force to reckon with, but they have not improved on third downs. They could manage to convert only one of 11 opportunities from that position and coach Gary Kubiak has admitted that they have to do a lot of
work to improve in that area.
He said:
"Obviously, we've got a problem on third downs right now. It has not been good the last three weeks. If there was one problem, we'd go address that. There's many, many issues going on. But there is one consistent issue and the consistent issue is third-and-long."
The coach has not mentioned the playoffs, but he insisted on trying to overcome the problem to an extent in the Colts’ game. He admitted it has become a worry for the team lately and possibly can cost them more games, not a good sign when they are just in
the playoffs.
The Colts have lost their previous game to the Texans and there is a greater possibility the latter again walk over them easily.
However, with head coach Chuck Pagano back in the coaching role, the Colts are capable to stage a surprise victory.
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