Texans rookie RB Pierce has helped revamp NFL’s worst run game – Houston Texans Blog

HOUSTON — “D.P. for president.”

Those are the phrases proper take on Tytus Howard and left take on Laremy Tunsil mentioned as they sat facet by means of facet at their lockers after the Houston Texans had received their first game of the season Sunday.

“D.P.” stands for Dameon Pierce — the Texans’ fourth-spherical select of Florida ultimate April who has helped revamp Houston’s dashing assault. Pierce and the protection helped the Texans (1-3-1) knock off the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3), 13-6.

Pierce rushed for 99 yards, and with the game knotted at 6-6, he scored the game-winning landing with 3:11 to move.

Pierce is first amongst freshmen in dashing yards (412) and touchdowns (3). But he hasn’t best been one of the crucial best rookie operating backs, he’s been one of the crucial highest on the place. He’s lately 5th within the NFL in dashing.

The spotlight play of Week 5 passed off with 5:02 ultimate on 2d-and-5 from the Jaguars’ 22-backyard line. After receiving the handoff from quarterback Davis Mills, Pierce shed more than one defenders en path to a 20-backyard acquire. He broke six tackles and ran for 22 yards after touch to get the Texans to the two-backyard line sooner than scoring a couple of performs later.

During that massive run, Pierce best had something on his thoughts: “Go, country boy, go.”

“It’s all about getting that touchdown,” Pierce said. “I know I had them big boys coming defensively. They were going to rally behind me at some point, so I tried to fight and get in the end zone.”

What was most impressive about Pierce’s performance was during 22 of his 26 carries, he faced a seven- or eight-man box. Those 22 carries were tied with New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara for the most in Week 5, and despite the extra help in the box, Pierce still managed 78 yards.

Pierce’s early success led Texans receiver Brandin Cooks to proclaim there’s “no question,” in his thoughts, that his operating again is the chief for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

But trainer Lovie Smith took a unique manner.

“It’s a little early,” Smith mentioned with a grin. “He’s a rookie, and he’s enjoying neatly. I haven’t observed the entire freshmen in the market. I simply know that our rookie, we’ve liked him from the beginning. It’s now not a bandwagon-kind factor. We believed on this man and what he can do. He’s letting other folks more or less see it a bit of bit.

“Again, for us to be talking that way, the offensive line and the guys that are blocking for him, they have to be doing their job. I just know after a quarter of football, we like where he is. Much more to go, but I like the way he’s trending.”

The way the Texans offensive approach is heading, Pierce is becoming the workhorse.

Over the last three games, Pierce has become the engine of a balanced attack. He’s averaging 20 carries per game, third-most in the league over that span, while quarterback Davis Mills is averaging 30 pass attempts (20th).

“Anytime you got a running back who can run the ball the way that he does, it opens up everything for your offense,” Cooks said.

Heading into their Week 6 bye, the Texans are currently tied for 22nd in rushing yards per game (99.2) with the Los Angeles Chargers and rank 26th in passing yards (192).

Pierce’s 4.8 yards per carry has helped bolster a rushing attack that ranked second to last in 2020 (91 yards per game) and last in 2021 (83 per game).

“That mentality that he brings the power that he brings, it is contagious. He’s by no means performed operating,” Cooks said. “Even when it appears a bit of muddy or regardless of the case could also be, he’s in a position to just about have the ability.”