Jalen Pitre, a safety for the Houston Texans, has shed light on the breakdowns in communication that contributed to the team’s defensive struggles in their Week 12 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite a valiant effort from the offense, it was the defense that faltered, preventing the Texans from clinching a victory and a chance at winning the AFC South.
In the game against the Jaguars, reminiscent of their Week 3 encounter, the Texans’ defense allowed the visitors to capitalize on explosive plays. Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars’ quarterback, exhibited a stellar performance, amassing 364 yards on 38 attempts and securing two touchdowns, including one rushing touchdown. The Jaguars’ receivers, including Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk, consistently broke away for substantial gains, with four targets producing plays of 42 yards or more. The lack of a limiting factor in Jacksonville’s passing game was evident, as no pass catcher recorded a reception for less than 10 yards.
Jalen Pitre identified communication breakdowns and a lack of oneness as major factors contributing to the defensive lapses. He emphasized the need for better execution and improved communication to prevent explosive plays. The Texans’ defense has faced challenges with continuity, as key players like cornerback Derek Stingley and safeties Jimmie Ward and Pitre himself have missed significant time. Despite the presence of young talent on the roster, the expected cohesion has yet to materialize.
While the Texans managed to limit the Jaguars to just two offensive touchdowns, the impact of the explosive plays proved costly, especially considering issues in special teams and an offense rendered one-dimensional. Pitre, despite his limited NFL experience, maintains an optimistic outlook on the team’s short-term future, emphasizing the need to learn from both successes and mistakes.
Looking ahead, the Texans have a relatively favorable schedule, but Pitre acknowledges the importance of making adjustments on the fly and seeing progress from the team’s young, talented players. With significant investment in the defense through draft capital, there is an expectation for improvement sooner rather than later. The development process may not follow a linear path, but the Texans’ defense currently ranks 24th against the pass in terms of expected points added and success rate. Pitre recognizes the significance of focusing on execution, attention to job details, and continuous improvement as the team moves forward under head coach DeMeco Ryans. Despite the recent loss, Pitre maintains a forward-looking perspective, understanding the long season ahead and the potential for improvement.
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