For those wondering if Houston Texans offensive coordiantor Nick Caley is leaving anytime soon, head coach DeMeco Ryans gave a definitive answer entering Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Sitting at 0-3, the Texans need an offensive spark. That could include firing Caley three games into the season and changing up the philosphy on how to better approach attacking the offense with what little resources are left.
For now, Ryans has no intent to relieve Caley of his play-calling duties.
"We're all in this thing together," Ryans said.
For now, even if fans hate the move, it's perhaps the right call. In a week, things could change as the Texans look to climb out of the NFL cellar and back into contention.
Entering Sunday's must-win game against the Dallas
Cowboys, Houston's rankings are low on offense. Through three games, the Texans rank 28th in rushing yards per attempt and 30th in rushing yards per game
The 3.6 yards per attempt is even lower than last season's total without David Montgomery, while the 84.6 yards per game is 10 yards fewer than last season's total entering Ocotober.
But it's not just rushing. Houston's passing attack ranks ninth in passing yards (241.3), but 24th in passing touchdowns (3). It also ranks 24th in yards per pass attempt (6.6) and 19th in first down conversion.
“We can’t just play conservative,” C.J. Stroud told reporters after the game in Indianapolis on Sunday. “We’ve got to be aggressive and attack, and not be the attacked.”
What's the plan moving forward for the offense? For starters, something has to get going in the ground game just to save Stroud's arm from throwing it 2,000 times in a season.
Stroud, who has been consistent to begin the year, has thrown for 794 yards and three touchdowns while completing 60% of his passes. The only problem? His 120 pass attempts ranks third in the league through three games, while his average pass attempts per game of 37 is second.
The second thing is getting healthy. Houston is expected to have back offensive lineman Ed Ingram and wide receiver Nico Collins, who have missed the past two games with injuries. Of course, having others on the line and around the passing attack step on up would also be beneficial.
“The thing for me about offensive football is you have to make sure you move the ball and try to score as many points as possible,” Ryans said. “How that looks to me, it really doesn’t matter. You can think or want to be a certain thing. But if you’re shown that that’s not the case and it’s not getting done, then you have to adjust."
The Texans kickoff Sunday at Noon on CBS.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Will the Texans make a change at OC after an 0-3 start? DeMeco Ryans weighs in
