The Houston Texans are at the second half of what might be their toughest stretch of the season. Star Wide Receiver Nico Collins was injured in the Week 5 victory over the Bills, and now the team has to figure out ways to win without him. While the team is only 1-1 without Collins, his absence was definitely felt last week in their loss against Green Bay. There is one player on the roster who could make this offense still feel like they’re 100% though: Tank Dell.
Dell Struggling To Stand Out This Season
In terms of production, Tank Dell has taken a big step back from where he was last season. The only game where Dell stood out was against the Patriots, where he made seven receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown. Dell has not found the endzone in any of the other games of the season.
Given how the Houston Texans roster is built, it’s understandable that Dell would have an off-year. He has to compete for targets with Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins. With Collins out, though, this has allowed Dell to have a higher target share. Even with that opportunity, Dell had his worst performance of the season against the Green Bay Packers. He caught none of the four targets thrown his way, resulting in no yards.
Dell Needs To Get Going Against the Colts
Dell is going to need to have a big game against the Colts if the Houston Texans want to right the ship without Collins. Houston cannot simply rely on Stefon Diggs to carry all of the receiving load. Historically, the Houston Texans play much better when Dell is in on the action.
In the last meeting between the Colts and Houston Texans in Week 1, Dell was able to catch three of his targets for 40 yards. Those stats may not look bonkers, but it’s a good day considering Diggs had two touchdowns and most of the yardage went to Collins that day. The Colts defense was struggling to figure out the Texans three-pronged attack. With Collins out, however, the Colts might do everything they can to shadow Diggs and keep him to short receptions. This formula seemed to work for the Packers, who held Diggs to only 23 yards. None of this will work, though, if Dell has a big game.
It may not seem like it due to how the season has gone, but Indianapolis is only one game behind the Houston Texans. If the Colts win this week, both teams will be tied and will have split the season series. Whoever loses will be hoping for a Wild Card spot, but they would have to contend with the Steelers, Bengals, Broncos, Chargers, and who knows how the Dolphins finish if Tua gets back and stays healthy. This all makes Sunday’s game practically a playoff game, and Tank Dell is needed if the Houston Texans hope to win.
