Texans ‘Believe In’ Running Game; Dameon Pierce Breakout Season Coming?

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans believes in running the football and that could lead to a big season for second-year back Dameon Pierce.

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce burst onto the NFL scene last year despite being a fourth round pick coming out of the Florida Gators football program. 

Rushing for 939 yards in his rookie season for the Texans, Pierce finished top 20 in the league and had the highest rushing total of all non-1,000-yard backs. 

This season, he’ll be looking to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark and become a top 15 back or better. 

Helping him do this will be Houston’s apparent dedication to the run game behind new coach DeMeco Ryans. 

“When it comes to running the football, it’s what I believe in, that’s how you win games,” Ryans said. “You have to run the ball to keep defenses honest so you can allow yourself to throw the ball and take shots when they’re available. But it all starts with the (offensive line)…also the backs who can finish. Make runs that are blocked for three…turn it into six (or) seven yard gains.”

© Troy Taormina, USA TODAY

Pierce knows a thing or two about turning three yard runs into six or seven yard gains. 

In 2022 he was 12th overall in yards after contact and finished 6th in the NFL among backs with 200 or more carries in yards after contact per carry. 

Pierce also finished fourth in the league among the same group of backs when it came to creating missed tackles and was one of only four to create 60 or more, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Texans brought Pierce some help this season with the addition of Devin Singletary, adding him to a running back room that also houses veterans Mike Boone and Dare Ogunbowale. 

Even with the added help Pierce figures to be a back that sees an increased workload this season compared to the last.

And that makes him a big name got watch when considering how Houston might surpass outside opinions of what the team will and won’t be able to do in 2023.