Head coach Bill O’Brien isn’t looking for scapegoats or excuses to explain the inconsistent play that has left the Houston Texans with a 4-3 win-loss record when many analysts projected that this is the year they might challenge the AFC’s elite teams to make a run at a Super Bowl appearance.
But after winning their first two games – both at home over the Bears and Chiefs – the Texans have been anything but elite.
They’ve struggled on offense under new starting quarterback Brock Osweiler, and the defense hasn’t been able to stop the run. Both of those deficiencies were glaringly apparent in Monday night’s 27-9 road loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos.