Houston Texans
Against Dallas and Cincinnati, favorable yardage measures did not secure a win. Against Indianapolis and Cincinnati, sacks lengthened conversion distances before possessions ended with a punt or on downs.
4 reviewed games through Oct 4, 2026. This profile summarizes Upon Review's reviewed sample, not every game the team played.
What we keep seeing
Yardage measures and results diverged
StrongHouston averaged more yards per play than Dallas and Indianapolis but lost both games. Against Cincinnati, it had more yards and first downs in a 20-6 defeat.
Sacks lengthened conversion distances
ModerateSacks lengthened Houston's conversion distance on one possession in each of two reviewed games, before a punt against Indianapolis and a possession ending on downs against Cincinnati.
Strengths
Higher yards per play in two reviewed games
ModerateHouston averaged 7.6 yards per play to Dallas's 5.5 and 4.4 to Indianapolis's 4.2, though both opponents gained more total yards.
Turnover advantage against Indianapolis
ThinHouston recorded no turnovers to Indianapolis's three; a late sack-fumble recovery preceded a scoring sequence that put Houston ahead.
Weaknesses
Lost distance on sack-affected possessions
ModerateAgainst Indianapolis and Cincinnati, sacks lengthened conversion distance on specific possessions that later ended with a punt and on downs, respectively.
A penalty created a goal-line opportunity
ThinAgainst Buffalo, Houston's 46-yard pass-interference penalty gave the opponent first-and-goal at the 1 before a touchdown.
Opponent plan
ModerateDeny
We do not have enough reviewed evidence to suggest this yet.
Attack
Seek sacks to lengthen the distance needed for a conversion.
Avoid
We do not have enough reviewed evidence to suggest this yet.
Player spine
Will Anderson Jr.
Defensive DisruptorThinAgainst Indianapolis, he recorded 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hits and three tackles for loss, providing disruption in that game.
Differences in reviewed games
Moderatecontrasting game totals
Against Dallas, Houston had fewer first downs but a higher yards-per-play average; against Buffalo, it had more first downs but a lower average.
Reviewed games
Lassiter's penalties gave Dallas fresh chances at the goal line
Oct 4, 2026 · NFL · Dallas Cowboys · 30-34
Shrader's four field goals carried the Colts past their mistakes
Sep 27, 2026 · NFL · Indianapolis Colts · 19-17
Houston Outgained Cincinnati but Kept Coming Up One Yard Short
Sep 20, 2026 · NFL · Cincinnati Bengals · 6-20
Walker and Rousseau Turned Houston's Last Chance Into a Turnover
Sep 13, 2026 · NFL · Buffalo Bills · 31-36