Without Tank Dell, the Texans are counting on Joe Mixon and the run game to step up.
The Texans’ rushing attack, which has been a backbone for an inconsistent offense this season, has struggled lately. Joe Mixon, who averaged 95.5 rushing yards per game in his first eight outings, has seen that number drop to 50.8 in his last four games. This includes a disappointing performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he managed only 57 yards on 14 carries.
Since Week 12, Mixon’s carries have decreased to an average of 15, down from 21.5 through Week 11.
“Joe is not going to get 100 yards when I am giving him the ball 12 times,” said Houston’s offensive coordinator on Monday. “In playoff football, the run game is going to be a huge part.”
From a tactical perspective, the Texans have also lost their second-best receiver, Tank Dell.
Dell was a key player, running a team-high 310 routes from wide alignments, according to Next Gen Stats. His absence will be particularly felt in the intermediate passing game, where he accumulated 323 of his 667 receiving yards this season, translating to 48.4% of his total. His impressive catch rate over expected and significant expected points added highlight his impact. Dell and Nico Collins were the only Texans wide receivers with notable catch rates and receiving EPA, indicating the loss of vital playmaking ability for Houston.
For context, quarterback C.J. Stroud has targeted the intermediate level of the field on 23.3% of his passes this season, ranking as the 10th-highest rate in the league. This area has been crucial for Stroud’s success, especially during his record-setting rookie season.
“You’ve got to keep chopping wood, keep carrying water,” Stroud remarked. “In our current position, there’s not much time to sulk. You have to keep rolling.”
To fill the gap left by Dell, the Texans claimed Diontae Johnson off waivers from the Ravens on Monday.
In 2023, during his last full season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnson excelled in intermediate passing, with 310 of his 717 receiving yards (43.2%) coming from that area. His route alignment suggests he could effectively replace Dell at this critical juncture of the season.
However, Johnson faces a challenge; he may only have two guaranteed games with Houston, limiting his time to adapt to the playbook and develop chemistry with Stroud.
“Just because we’re in this position doesn’t mean you get to feel sorry for yourself,” Stroud added. “Winning helps, but we need to take these next weeks seriously and focus on one thing at a time.”
“That’s the recipe for what the rest of the season could be.”
