In addition,Deshaun Watson, the starting quarterback since 2017, was inactive the entire season due to several allegations of sexual assault.[2][3] Though he was never released, suspended, or placed on any reserve list, he was ruled out each week for "non-injury-related" reasons.[4][3] Veteran free agent signingTyrod Taylor and rookieDavis Mills split time as the starting quarterback in Watson's stead throughout the season. Due to injury and poor performance by Taylor,[5][6][7] Mills would be the starting quarterback for most of the season. Mills would finish the season with 2,664 passing yards, breaking the franchise record for most passing yards in a season by a rookie quarterback.[8][nb 1]
After winning their season opener against theJacksonville Jaguars, the Texans would go on an eight-game losing streak before winning against theTennessee Titans in week 11. After a Week 13 loss to theIndianapolis Colts, the Texans became the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention for the second consecutive year. With a 41–29 upset victory over theLos Angeles Chargers in week 16, the Texans matched their win total from the previous season, at four.
Following the season, head coach David Culley and offensive coordinatorTim Kelly were fired.[9][10] Watson would also be traded to theCleveland Browns in the following off-season.[11]
On January 7, 2021, the Texans hiredNick Caserio as the team's new General manager. Caserio spend 20 years with theNew England Patriots.[12] On January 29, 2021, the Texans hired Ravens assistant head coach, wide receivers coach and passing coordinatorDavid Culley as the team's new head coach.
Tyrod Taylor started at quarterback for the Texans, leading the team 57 yards downfield on his first drive, before the drive stalled at Green Bay's 19-yard line; the Texans would settle for a 37-yard field goal fromKaʻimi Fairbairn to take a 3–0 lead. This was the only drive Taylor would play, going 4-of-4 for 40 yards. Rookie quarterbackDavis Mills entered the game on Houston's next drive, being sacked once and throwing an incomplete pass as the Texans went three-and-out. After the rough start, Mills would settle in and lead the Texans on two scoring drives, resulting in ten points. Late in the 2nd quarter, Green Bay quarterbackJordan Love was sacked and fumbled the ball, withJaleel Johnson recovering for Houston at the Green Bay 17-yard line; however, Mills would throw an interception on the very next play. Mills would briefly appear in the 2nd half beforeJeff Driskel took over midway in the 3rd quarter. Driskel would remain the Texans' quarterback for the rest of the game; Driskel would only complete one pass out of six attempts for 2 yards. Late in the 4th quarter, Houston cornerbackTremon Smith intercepted aKurt Benkert pass.
The three Texans' quarterbacks finished with a combined 16/32 for 149 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception.
The Cowboys received the opening kickoff, with Houston defensive endJacob Martin causing a fumble on the third play of the game, withCharles Omenihu recovering it for the Texans.Tyrod Taylor started at quarterback for Houston, leading the offense on a short drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run fromMark Ingram II Taylor would play for most of the 1st quarter beforeDavis Mills came in with 0:22 left; Taylor finished 2-of-5 for 10 yards. In the third quarter, cornerbackLonnie Johnson Jr. intercepted aBen DiNucci pass and returned it 53 yards for apick six touchdown. Shyheim Carter picked off a DiNucci pass in the 4th quarter, returning it 5 yards to the 50-yard line.Jeff Driskel took over at quarterback on the next drive, leading the team down to the red zone before the drive stalled, settling for a 24-yard field goal fromKaʻimi Fairbairn to give the Texans a 20–14 lead. Late in the 4th quarter, with the Cowboys trying to win the game, strong safetyTerrence Brooks intercepted DiNucci, sealing the victory for the Texans.
The Texans only had 220 yards of offense versus the Cowboys' 308, but committed no turnovers while Dallas turned the ball over four times. The three Houston quarterbacks finished for a combined 13-of-23 for 131 yards.
KickerKaʻimi Fairbairn suffered an injury during pregame warmups, with safetyJustin Reid handling the kickoffs for the Texans; Reid would not attempt any field goals or extra points, with the team opting to go for it on 4th down and attempt a two-point conversion after touchdowns.[13][14]Tyrod Taylor started at quarterback and played until midway of the 2nd quarter. Taylor left the game after losing a fumble on a sack, finishing 6-of-9 for 31 yards.Davis Mills would play for the rest of the game, going 10-of-27 for 106 yards with two touchdowns, but also threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. Taylor and Mills finished for a combined 16-of-36 for 115 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
The Texans kicked off the 2021 season and theDavid Culley era at home against AFC South rival theJacksonville Jaguars andTrevor Lawrence, thefirst overall pick in the2021 NFL draft. The Texans' defense picked off Lawrence three times while the offense committed no turnovers. With the win, the Texans started 1–0 for the first time since2016; additionally, the Texans were the only AFC South team to win during week 1.
Rookie quarterbackDavis Mills started his first NFL game asTyrod Taylor was still recovering from a hamstring injury. After a slow start, Mills would lead the offense on a quick scoring drive to end the half with a 1-yard pass toAnthony Miller, but kickerJoey Slye missed the extra point. The offense would continue to be inconsistent throughout the 2nd half, with Mills constantly being pressured by Carolina's defense.
The Texans committed five turnovers, with quarterbackDavis Mills throwing four interceptions and tight endJordan Akins losing a fumble and only had 109 yards of total offense. The Texans were shutout for the first time since2016. The 40 point loss is also the largest in franchise history.[16]
The Texans had a 22–9 lead early in the 3rd quarter, but the Patriots would score 16 unanswered points, includingNick Folk's game-winning field goal with 17 seconds left in the 4th. Houston kickerKaʻimi Fairbairn missed two extra point attempts and a 56-yard field goal.
With the loss, the Texans' dropped to 1–6, losing their sixth game in a row. Following the game, head coachDavid Culley announced that quarterbackTyrod Taylor, who suffered a hamstring injury in week 2, would be returning to practice during the week.[17]
Houston only had 190 yards of total offense compared to Tennessee's 420, but the Titans turned the ball over five times during the game and turned it over on downs twice. Tennessee quarterbackRyan Tannehill threw four interceptions, three of which happened in Houston territory. During a punt return,Chester Rogers muffed a punt that was recovered byTremon Smith for Houston at the Tennessee 5-yard line.
Starting quarterbackTyrod Taylor was benched in the third quarter in favor of rookieDavis Mills. Taylor finished 5-of-13 for 45 yards with an interception.[6] With the loss, the Texans were the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention. This loss also marked the first time in franchise history the Texans were shut out at home during the regular season, and their second home shutout loss after their 30–0 Wild Card Round loss to theKansas City Chiefs in the2015 season.[18]
With the win, the Texans swept the Jacksonville Jaguars for the fourth season in a row. This was also the first victory for rookie quarterbackDavis Mills.
The Houston Texans hosted the Los Angeles Chargers for the penultimate home game of the season, with both teams missing several players due to the NFL'sCOVID-19 protocols. The game was close for the first three quarters, but a 24-point fourth quarter by the Texans put the game out of reach for the Chargers, including scoring 14 unanswered points in under a minute. Running backRex Burkhead finished the game with a career high 149 rushing yards, the most by a Texans' running back sinceCarlos Hyde in week 9 of the2019 season.[20] With the win, the Texans improved to 4–11, matching their win total from the previous season.
^abTennessee finished ahead of Kansas City based on head-to-head victory, claiming the No. 1 seed.
^abLas Vegas claimed the No. 5 seed over New England based on win percentage in common games (5–1 vs. 2–4 against: Miami, Dallas, LA Chargers, Cleveland, and Indianapolis).
^abcIndianapolis finished ahead of Miami and Los Angeles based on conference record (7–5 vs. 6–6).
^abMiami finished ahead of LA Chargers based on win percentage in common games (5–1 vs. 2–4 against: New England, Las Vegas, Houston, Baltimore, and NY Giants).
^abCleveland finished ahead of Baltimore based on division record (3–3 vs. 1–5).
^abNY Jets finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
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