Broncos HC Sean Payton Delivers Reality Check About Texans After Win

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton did not mince words about the Houston Texans and the area that his team and staff wanted to attack. They did so, and now the Texans are looking for solutions while awaiting further updates about C.J. Stroud’s (concussion) status.

The Texans entered the contest 3-4, and they were underdogs despite being at home

If the Texans want to salvage their season, heeding Payton’s remarks could go a long way towards that.

Sean Payton Delivers Critical Reality Check After Broncos Beat Texans

GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before facing the Houston Texans.

Neither team was able to get much going offensively, with the Texans ultimately falling 18-15 on a game-winning field goal by Broncos kicker Wil Lutz. However, Payton said his team “controlled” the trenches defensively.

The Texans have faced myriad questions about their offensive line, which they retooled over the offseason. On Sunday, they only outgained the Texans by 3 yards.

Still, Payton touted his group’s efforts.

“I thought we controlled the line of scrimmage, really,” Payton told reporters on November 2. “If you want to know one thing, we controlled the line of scrimmage. We felt like there was a big advantage for us in this game: our front versus their offensive line.

Payton did lament that the Texans were able to begin drives closer toward midfield than the Broncos, but his message is a strong one, particularly in light of Stroud’s concussion.

Making matters worse, two of the Texans’ starting offensive linemen also suffered injuries.

Starting right guard Ed Ingram (shin) and right tackle Tytus Howard (concussion) also left early with injuries, with the Texans ruling the latter out during the game. The Texans have already rotated Ingram and Juice Scruggs, and Howard’s replacement, Blake Fisher, is experienced.

DeMeco Ryans Laments Texans’ Shortcomings vs Broncos

GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans reacts against the Denver Broncos.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans called out his team’s “willpower” against Payton’s Broncos team that moved to 7-2 on the season with the win. Ryans’ Texans are 3-5 with plenty of questions.

For the head coach, the Texans’ showing simply “wasn’t good enough,” despite their injuries.

“We were in the red zone multiple times as an offense, there at the 1-yard line. Had multiple opportunities to get it in. That’s just about – it’s sheer willpower to me. It’s at the 1-yard line. We got to find a way to displace guys at the line of scrimmage and punch the football in, right? And that’s what it takes in that situation. We didn’t get it done. Multiple other opportunities in the red zone. We came up short, right? We made it in the red zone three times. Like to see us convert and get in the end zone versus a really good Denver team,” Ryans told reporters postgame.

“Credit to those guys. They did a outstanding job defensively. They did a good job of getting stops when they needed to get stops. We didn’t play well in the red zone. We didn’t play well on third down. So, if you don’t win in those situational, critical moments of the game, it’s going to be hard to win it.”

Up next, Ryans and the Texans take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for the second time this season.

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