What Will It Take for Texans to Stop Taylor?

The Houston Texans exorcized their running back demons. In three weeks, they played the Tennessee Titans and running back Derrick Henry twice. He’s made them a victim of a 200-yard rushing performance four times during his reign. Threatening to end the Texans’ season, Houston needed to prevent an elite running back from breaking open the game. Henry rushed 28 times across those two contests. He gained 51 yards. With one star AFC South running back conquered one more remains. Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is the most dangerous weapon standing in the way of the Texans and a playoff berth.

A win and they live on. A loss and the season ends. The stage is set for Saturday, where stopping the run will once again be a priority. On Friday. head coach DeMeco Ryans spoke about the challenge Taylor presents. “He’s a very tough runner, physical runner. Also has the speed, just a dynamic player in all phases,” Ryans said. “As a defense, guys have to be in position, you have to be ready to tackle him because he is a physical player and it’s knowing it’s not just going to take one guy to get Jonathan down … It’s going to take everybody. Taylor missed the beginning of the season as he held out for a contract extension and rehabbed an ankle injury. He missed the Colts’ Week 2 game when they visited Houston and won 31-20. In that game, it was backup Zack Moss who ran 18 times for 88 yards in

a score. Indianapolis gained 126 yards on the ground at a rate of 5.5 yards per carry. Related: Texans Will Rely on ‘Winning Mindset’ and ‘Confidence’ in Week 18 vs. Colts Since Taylor’s return in Week 5, he’s rushed for 553 yards and six scores. Just last week, he came the closest to the century mark as he has all year, finding 96 yards and a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders. Texans linebacker Blake Cashman held a similar sentiment to his coach

We talk about that swarm mentality. We want to see 11 helmets at the football,” Cashman said. “When you turn on the tape, I feel like more and more each week you see a lot of helmets getting to the ball. “Guys finishing off ball carriers and making them feel what Houston Texans football is about, what our brand is.” Houston has one more opportunity to prove itself worthy of a spot in the AFC playoffs. Leaning into its quarterback advantage and forcing the issue upon Gardner Minshew starts with stopping the run and ends – potentially – with the opportunity to play next weekend.