In an effort to improve a Texans ground game that could finish as the worst in franchise history, quarterback Deshaun Watson has been running more in recent weeks.
In the Texans’ last three games, Watson has 25 carries for 124 yards. In their first six games, he ran 23 times for 109 yards.
“A lot of those are kind of a reaction and making plays happen,” Watson said Wednesday on a conference call. “It helps the offense to be able to expand what we do, especially opening up the run game a little.
“Most of those plays have just been naturally, kind of the pocket collapsing and me just making a play.”
Expect more of the same from Watson in Sunday’s game against New England at NRG Stadium. If the offense is going to move the ball on the ground — doubtful when you consider how unproductive the running game has been — Watson must continue to be a major contributor.
The Texans average only 87.9 yards a game, 31st in the NFL. The Patriots are 24th in run defense, surrendering 129.2 yards.
Only three times this season, including twice in victories over Jacksonville, have the Texans rushed for at least 100 yards. Only once have they generated more than 118, and that was 129 yards the first time they defeated the Jaguars.
You see why Watson is taking it on himself to run more. In Sunday’s 10-7 loss at Cleveland, Watson ran eight times for 36 yards. That was his second-most carries, behind the previous game against the Jaguars when he established season highs with 10 runs for 50 yards.
“I think the plays we call where he runs, he has a choice,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said. “He doesn’t have to run. Sometimes he can throw the ball to the guy in the flat and let that guy run, which he did a couple times (at Cleveland).
“Other times, if they (receivers) are covered, it means there’s some space on the inside and he can pull it down (and run). Or (if) the guy turns and blocks for him, he can run to the sideline and step out of bounds. It’s not a called quarterback run. There are options involved in the play.”
Crennel said last week he doesn’t have a problem with Watson’s running as long as he’s smart about it and doesn’t take unnecessary risks. Watson has been careful to slide and run out of bounds.
As a long-time defensive coordinator, Crennel knows what kind of problems a quarterback can create if he’s able to threaten a defense with his running ability — like Watson, the Patriots’ Cam Newton and so many current quarterbacks.
“Any time you have a quarterback who can run and is efficient in running, that means you have to put another guy down in the box to handle it,” Crennel said. “Sometimes that opens up the passing game for you.
“It opens up the play-action game because you have to have another guy (in the box). If you don’t have a guy down there, then he can run, and he’ll gain yards.”
It’s amazing to think how much the Texans’ running has deteriorated in one season despite five returning starters on the offensive line as well as the top two tight ends.
Through nine games, the Texans have 791 yards rushing, including 233 by Watson. At the same point last season, they had 1,285 yards rushing, including 279 by Watson. That’s 494 fewer yards rushing, or 54.9 yards a game.
Watson has scored one touchdown rushing this season compared to five through nine games in 2019. The Texans have rushed for five touchdowns. Only the Jets (three) and the Bears (two) have fewer.
By comparison, the Patriots have 14 touchdowns rushing, including nine by Newton. Only Arizona and San Francisco, with 15 each, have more rushing touchdowns than the Patriots.
One of the Texans’ biggest problems is not being able to run the ball close to the goal line. That issue was on full display in the three-point defeat at Cleveland, where they faced third and fourth down at the Browns’ 2 on an early drive in which they failed to score.
With a strong running game, the Texans could have run twice from the 2. That kind of running game would have forced the Browns to load the line of scrimmage. Without a productive running game, Cleveland figured Watson would try to throw on third down. Randall Cobb dropped the pass at the 1-yard line.
The Browns anticipated the fourth-down quarterback draw was coming and stopped Watson for a 2-yard loss.
The Texans finished the Cleveland game with 90 yards rushing on 22 carries, including 54 by Duke Johnson, who replaced David Johnson. The latter has to miss at least two more games because he’s on injured reserve with a concussion.
Even with David Johnson in the lineup and Duke Johnson coming off the bench, the running game was inadequate. In the seven defeats, the Texans average 79.2 yards rushing. No wonder only two teams have worse records than the Texans.
john.mclain@chron.com
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