Things have not started out the way theHouston Texans want them to on either side of the ball. Offensively, they could not get into a rhythm last week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Defensively, Houston has yet to record a single turnover. Defensive coordinator Matt Burke addressed how the Texans can start getting takeaways heading into Week 3’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.
"It's like anything, if you're chasing things, chasing sacks, you start cheating to go make a pick, then you're going to be in a bad position. We've had opportunities. We've been in the positions that we need to be in and we either haven't finished on the ball or we've had a couple on the ground we haven't got to, those sort of things. So, we've had opportunities,”
Burke said. “Obviously, it's something that we preach and we practice and we believe in in terms of how it affects the game. Again, you start chasing and cheating to go try to make a pick, then it's going to cost you. The messaging is be in the right positions, be in your leverage, be where you need to be and then when the plays come we've got to make them and we've had opportunities. We had 'D-Hunt' [Danielle Hunter], Will [Anderson Jr.] and 'Rank' [Sheldon Rankins], I think all three of them had the ball loose in the pocket last week on the quarterback. I feel like we're close. At the end of the day it's just about putting shots on net and the more opportunities, the more attempts we get on the ball, then hopefully those numbers start changing. But, we're due."
The fact that the Texans do not have a takeaway yet is not a reason for fans to panic. In fact, this is not much different from last season when Houston only had one takeaway through the first two games.
They finished the season with 29, including a pair of scoop-and-score touchdowns from Rankins and defensive lineman Tommy Togiai. Indianapolis also has a turnover in each of its first two games, so this is a good opportunity for Houston to get their first takeaway of the season.
Kickoff from Lucas Oil Stadium is set for Noon CT.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans DC Matt Burke discusses team's lack of takeaways early in season
