Texans vs. Commanders Preview: Can Houston Stop Its Tumble?

If the NFL season was over today, the Texans would own the No. 1 overall pick of the draft, meanwhile the Commanders are in a fight for a wild card playoffs spot.

The Houston Texans host the Washington Commanders in Week 11 from NRG Stadium. The Texans have a chance to end a four-game losing streak, while the Commanders are on a short week of preparation after upsetting the previously-undefeated Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. 

The Texans are fresh off a 24-16 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in which Houston committed two fourth-quarter turnovers in the red zone and seven penalties. Sunday marked the eighth time in nine weeks that Houston scored 20 points or less, as well as the fifth time this season that they have scored 17 points or less.

Many of those issues began in the first half, where Houston was held to less than 100 yards of offense, more than half of which came on a 44-yard rush from rookie Dameon Pierce. While the loss further cemented Houston's NFL worst record, Pierce continues to be a bright spot regarding the future of the franchise.

If the NFL season was over today, the Texans would own the No. 1 overall pick of the draft, meanwhile the Commanders are in a fight for a wild card playoffs spot. The Taylor Heinicke-led Commanders also will get defensive end Chase Young (ACL) back on the field for the matchup against Houston.

IN OTHER NEWS: Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson returns to practice this week after serving 11-game NFL suspension. His first game back is against the Houston Texans, his former team, on Dec. 4 at NRG Stadium.

RECORDS: Houston Texans (1-7-1) vs. Washington Commanders (5-5)

ODDS: The Texans are 3.5-point underdogs to the Commanders.

GAME TIME: Sunday, November 20th, 2022, at 12 p.m. CT

LOCATION: NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas)

TV/RADIO: FOX|KRIV 26, SPORTS RADIO 610 | 100.3 THE BULL | MEGA 101

THE FINAL WORD: After missing the previous game essentially due to his frustration following the trade deadline, veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks returned to the Texans lineup in the loss to the Giants. Cooks on his red zone frustrations:

"That’s the name of this game. The games in the league come down to the wire, and not coming out on the other side consistently is frustrating ... You get in the end zone, and it gets called back — regardless of who, it’s a tough one. The game is so close, and to not be able to capitalize in the red zone a couple times is definitely tough."

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