McClain: Randall Cobb got it right. Texans played some ‘bad ball’
John McClain Sep. 17, 2020 Updated: Sep. 17, 2020 9:22 p.m.
Veteran receiver Randall Cobb said his first game with the Texans was some ‘bad ball’ and that offense needs to improve and play with sense of urgency.
The Texans’ offense was a huge disappointment in the opening loss at Kansas City and must show substantial improvement against Baltimore to avoid an 0-2 start.
Because the defense couldn’t stop the Chiefs’ running game, allowing 166 yards rushing, the Texans had the ball for 25 minutes, 13 seconds compared to Kansas City’s 34:47. Now the Texans play the Ravens, who set an NFL record last season for yards rushing. Baltimore ran for 256 yards in its 41-7 victory over the Texans.
“We can’t go out and play like we did on Thursday night,” receiver Randall Cobb said Thursday. “That’s bad ball. That was bad ball across the board, and we can’t put that on film because that’s the film we’re putting out for the rest of the league to see.”
Cobb is a 10-year veteran in his first season with the Texans, and he speaks from experience — eight years with Green Bay and one with Dallas. He knows the Texans looked in mid-preseason form at Arrowhead Stadium, and the defending Super Bowl champions looked in midseason form.
“Every game, especially right now, is important as far as us getting on track,” said Cobb, who had two catches for 23 yards in the fourth quarter. “Having a win, obviously, builds a lot more morale around the team. We’ve got to be better as a group and individually. I hope to get involved a little earlier and do everything I can to help put us in a better position.”
Against Kansas City, the offense looked discombobulated, and the defense was close to helpless against the running game. The Texans were underdogs at Arrowhead Stadium, but trailing 31-7 in the fourth quarter was an embarrassment, especially for an offense that’s supposed to be more productive.
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