Meanwhile, in Houston, the Texans are even more desperate after an 0-4 start. Only one team in NFL history has reached the playoffs after losing its first four games. Houston has been close to this position before, having reached the playoffs after an 0-3 start last year.
The problem for the Texans has been their defense, as head coach DeMeco Ryans will take the reins from defensive coordinator Matt Burke when it comes to calling plays.
“It’s a difficult decision to make,” Ryans told reporters Wednesday. “It’s also that as a head coach, I have a lot of tough decisions to make, and they’re always my decisions, and sometimes they’re not always a popular opinion. I’m not in this role to please a lot of people’s opinions. I have to do what’s best for this team and make sure I lead that way.”
Defensive end Will Anderson said: “I think what DeMeco brings (is) that style of coaching where he’s going to challenge you. He’s going to make sure you know exactly what you’re going to do, what you need to do and what you haven’t done.”
Houston’s defensive decline was shocking, as the team was expected to have one of the best units in the league.
Last season, the Texans ranked at least sixth in points, total yards and passes allowed per game. This year, Houston enters Week 5 ranked 26th in points allowed, 20th in total yards allowed and 28th in passing yards allowed.
After quarterback CJ Stroud’s struggles in last winter’s playoffs, it was thought the Texans could dominate if Stroud simply had an average season. Instead, he’s been solid, and it doesn’t matter.
Houston is 15th in EPA in passing so far this season, as Stroud has thrown five touchdowns and no interceptions. In three of the team’s first four games, he led the fireworks in the fourth quarter.
But the defense gave up game-winning drives in each of those games. Entering Week 4, the Texans are 26th in EPA per play defense.
If there was ever a perfect time for Payton and Ryans to regain control of the game, it’s before Week 5 in particular. The Broncos and Texans will face winless teams on Sunday, as Denver faces the 0-4 Los Angeles Chargers, while Houston draws 0-4 against the Tennessee Titans.
If neither the Broncos nor the Texans can rebound against two of the worst teams in the league, then whoever calls the plays could end up being the least of their problems.
Gn headline
