Houston Texans

Texans vs. Cardinals: What To Look For On Offense

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Aug 20, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; General view inside NRG Stadium before a game between the Houston Texans and the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals are among the best teams in the NFL. They will challenge every aspect of the Texans’ offense and expose weak areas. Here’s what to look for against the Cardinals:

Before focusing on the offense a general question is appropriate. How do the Texans starters look compared to the Cardinals? The Cardinals are projected to be one of the elite teams in the NFL, with Head Coach Bruce Arians being one of the NFL’s top coaches. They represent what the Texans aspire to be–a Super Bowl contender. Playing them in the third preseason game, the game many teams consider a dress rehearsal for the regular season, is a great opportunity to take stock of where the Texans are at right now.

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It doesn’t require a detailed play-by-play breakdown to answer the general question. No film study is needed for a 10,000 foot comparison. Fans can simply apply the “eye test”. Does this seem to be a contest among equals or does one team appear clearly superior? After watching the first game would you bet the ranch on the outcome of a second? It’s said that “close” only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, but in the Texans current depleted state, close would be close enough for me…for now.

The Texans have key injured players on the mend and healthy young players who should grow rapidly as the season progresses. The Cardinals are a veteran team that will progress during the season, but not at the rate the Texans should. If the Texans are close now it bodes well for the postseason.

Aug 20, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Akeem Hunt (33) gets tackled for a loss by the New Orleans Saints in the second half at NRG Stadium. Texans won 16 to 9. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Zooming in from the 10,000 foot view, fans can watch certain key offensive players and position groups. Here’s what to look for against the Cardinals.

Do the Texans have a center on their roster who can hold the fort until Nick Martin returns? Update: Nick Martin has undergone surgery and is likely lost for the entire season. Greg Mancz is younger and stronger than Tony Bergstrom. Once he locks-in he holds his own against big, strong defensive linemen. However, he has allowed some free runners to the quarterback and incurred some penalties when getting beaten. He has the raw skill set to succeed but must clean-up the errors, both mental and physical.

Tony Bergstrom exhibits the same consistency problems as Mancz. In addition, he often gets blown back into the quarterback’s lap. A big, long striding quarterback like Brock Osweiler needs a clean pocket in front of him. The center is key to avoiding a collapsed pocket, so Bergstrom must lower his pad level and improve his leverage if he is to hold-up against bigger, stronger defensive linemen.

The Cardinals have a strong front seven and like to get penetration up the middle. If current Texans centers can’t control the middle, management will be shopping the waiver wire as teams make their last cuts. In fact, Rick Smith may be kicking himself right now for missing on Bryan Stork. The former Patriots starting center was just traded to the Redskins for a conditional seventh round draft choice.

Maybe the Texans like Mancz and/or Bergstrom better than Stork. Maybe they know something the Redskins don’t. Or, did the Texans just whiff?

Can the makeshift offensive line run block? Texan running backs took some heat for a lack of productivity against the Saints. However, most of the blame lies with the offensive line. They allowed too much penetration and failed to open running lanes. The line got blown off the ball.

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True, only one projected regular season starter, Xavier Su’a-Filo, played against the Saints. Projected starting right guard Jeff Allen comes back against the Cardinals. Maybe Derek Newton gets back to start the regular season against the Bears. But, the fact is that at least two projected back-ups, Chris Clark and Greg Mancz, are likely to start the season opener. Therefore, what you see against the Cardinals is pretty much what you get to open the season.

Texans fans should pay particular attention to the play of Clark and Mancz. While the Texans express optimism about Duane Brown‘s “progress”, Chris Clark should be considered the starting left tackle until Brown is full-go for at least a week. He has yet to take part in a practice. Clark is a competent swing tackle, but he is not Duane Brown.

Nick Martin is likely out for an extended period. That leaves the center position in the hands of a second-year undrafted free agent Greg Mancz. The coaches like him, but is he ready to start? Fans should focus on his performance against the Cardinals.

Aug 1, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) and Houston Texans wide receiver Jaelen Strong (11) take a quck break during receiver drills during Houston Texans training camp at Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

The receivers are even more important if the offensive line can’t run block consistently. Here’s what to look for against the Cardinals.

Can the young receivers continue to excel against a much better defense? The Cardinals defense is far better than the 49ers or Saints. Against the Saints Will Fuller and Braxton Miller combined for more than 100 receiving yards playing half the game. Second year receiver Jaelen Strong also figured prominently in the passing game.

DeAndre Hopkins will play more against the Cardinals. That gives the three young receivers the opportunity to prove they are ready to complement him. If all three have good games that will be good news for the Texans offense…not such good news for Cecil Shorts, Keith Mumphrey and Josh Lenz who will be fighting for the remaining one or two roster spots.

Fans should look for the route running ability and the pass catching success of the young receivers against a very good Cardinals secondary. Perhaps even more interesting will be observing the level of confidence that Brock Osweiler has in each of them. Who does he turn to in key situations? Who does he look for to escape trouble? Those answers will be telling in this game.

Next: What To Look For - Running Backs

Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) runs for a first down against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at Levi

The Texans have a stable of quality running backs. At least one, probably two, will not make the 53 man roster. Here’s what to look for against the Cardinals.

Which running backs emerge to complement starter Lamar Miller? In the Saints game I was looking for backs to display good vision getting to the hole and a burst to get through it. Because there weren’t any holes I ended up with no conclusions.

This week fans may look for the more subtle skills of a good running back. Pass blocking, route running, receiving skills and YAC (yards after catch) will be on display. If a ball carrier finds a hole, so much the better. Fans can look for improvement in the running game, but I think there will be a small sample size.

Aug 20, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) throws a touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

As he will be in every game this season, Brock Osweiler is under the microscope. Here is what should we look for against the Cardinals.

How much has Brock Osweiler improved game to game? The first two games were played against two of the NFL’s worst defenses. The Cardinals are one of the best. I don’t expect a lot of offensive production, but I do expect a competent passing game.

Completions will be obvious, but what fans should look for how well Osweiler has learned the offense. Does he get the team into the right play? Does he recognize where pressure is coming from? Is he getting the ball out of his hand on time? Is he in control?

Everyone expects that the Texans defense must carry the offense, especially early in the season. This game against the Cardinals is a good test of whether the offense can put enough points on the board to win games against good teams. If the Texans pass this test, the future looks good as sidelined starters return and rookies mature.

Come back tomorrow for what to look for on defense heading into the third preseason game.

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