Texans rookie RB Pierce has helped revamp NFL’s worst run sport – Houston Texans Weblog

HOUSTON — “D.P. for president.”

These are the phrases proper deal with Tytus Howard and left deal with Laremy Tunsil mentioned as they sat facet by facet at their lockers after the Houston Texans had received their first sport of the season Sunday.

“D.P.” stands for Dameon Pierce — the Texans’ fourth-round select of Florida final April who has helped revamp Houston’s speeding 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 sport knotted at 6-6, he scored the game-winning landing with 3:11 to go.

Pierce is first amongst rookies in speeding yards (412) and touchdowns (three). However he hasn’t solely been one of many prime rookie operating backs, he’s been probably the greatest on the place. He’s at present fifth within the NFL in speeding.

The spotlight play of Week 5 occurred with 5:02 remaining on second-and-5 from the Jaguars’ 22-yard line. After receiving the handoff from quarterback Davis Mills, Pierce shed a number of defenders en path to a 20-yard achieve. He broke six tackles and ran for 22 yards after contact to get the Texans to the 2-yard line earlier than scoring a couple of performs later.

Throughout that massive run, Pierce solely had one factor on his thoughts: “Go, nation boy, go.”

“It’s all about getting that landing,” Pierce mentioned. “I do know I had them massive boys coming defensively. They had been going to rally behind me in some unspecified time in the future, so I attempted to combat and get ultimately zone.”

What was most spectacular about Pierce’s efficiency was throughout 22 of his 26 carries, he confronted a seven- or eight-man field. These 22 carries had been tied with New Orleans Saints operating again Alvin Kamara for essentially the most in Week 5, and regardless of the additional assist in the field, Pierce nonetheless managed 78 yards.

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

However coach Lovie Smith took a distinct method.

“It’s somewhat early,” Smith mentioned with a smile. “He’s a rookie, and he’s enjoying properly. I haven’t seen all the rookies on the market. I simply know that our rookie, we’ve cherished him from the beginning. It’s not a bandwagon-type factor. We believed on this man and what he can do. He’s letting different folks type of see it somewhat bit.

“Once more, for us to be speaking that method, the offensive line and the fellows which might be blocking for him, they need to be doing their job. I simply know after 1 / 4 of soccer, we like the place he’s. Rather more to go, however I like the best way he’s trending.”

The way in which the Texans offensive method is heading, Pierce is turning into the workhorse.

Over the past three video games, Pierce has turn out to be the engine of a balanced assault. He’s averaging 20 carries per sport, third-most within the league over that span, whereas quarterback Davis Mills is averaging 30 move makes an attempt (twentieth).

“Anytime you bought a operating again who can run the ball the best way that he does, it opens up all the things to your offense,” Cooks mentioned.

Heading into their Week 6 bye, the Texans are at present tied for twenty second in speeding yards per sport (99.2) with the Los Angeles Chargers and rank twenty sixth in passing yards (192).

Pierce’s 4.8 yards per carry has helped bolster a speeding assault that ranked second to final in 2020 (91 yards per sport) and final in 2021 (83 per sport).

“That mentality that he brings the power that he brings, it is contagious. He’s by no means finished operating,” Cooks mentioned. “Even when it seems to be somewhat muddy or regardless of the case could also be, he’s capable of just about discover a method.”