“Football is about controlling the line of scrimmage and running the ball.”

Those of are the words of the immortal Vince Lombardi and they still hold true today. While the NFL has become a passing league, running the ball is still a cornerstone of winning games in the NFL. We are all amazed when we see incredible quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes extend plays and make dazzling aerial displays that look other-wordly, but running the ball is about more than just gaining yards – it’s about controlling the game. When a team effectively runs the ball they control the clock and limit opportunities for the opposing team’s offense.

In the upcoming prime time clash against the Indianapolis Colts, Bobby Slowik, the coordinator for the Houston Texans, must heed Lombardi’s wisdom. Choosing to run the ball does not mean he is preventing C.J. Stroud from making explosive plays. It means Slowik is executing a balanced offensive strategy that will allow the Texans offense to methodically drive down the field, much like it did against the Tennessee Titans last week. This will keep the entire offense in a rhythm and make it harder for the Colts to make defensive adjustments.

The Houston Texans have favored passing plays, which have constituted 59% of their calls. This can easily be attributed to the subpar blocking upfront. However, in last week’s game against the Titans, Slowik opted for passing plays just 54% of the time. It resulted in numerous successful drives down the field, commanding time of possession and sent the Titans home crying. C.J. Stroud, Houston’s franchise quarterback, threw 32 times, while the ground game accumulated 27 runs for 111 yards. This strategic shift not only controlled the clock but also set up play-action opportunities, benefiting Stroud which allowed him to connect with Nico Collins for an impressive 80 yards.

The Titans have the 7th best rush defense in the league allowing 3.8 yards per carry and yet they still struggled to stop Devin Singletary, who ran for 80 yards with 5 yards-per-carry. Dameon Pierce, who showcased his ability to be effective in the return game with a return touchdown during the Cleveland Browns game, apparently earned some playing time from Slowik. However, Pierce still struggled in the run game with just 5 yards-per-carry. Even with Pierce struggling as he tried to run the ball, the run game showcased its effectiveness which should have dispelled any misconceptions about its ability to be successful against a stout rush defense. It was so effective that Devin Singletary had the longest Texans run of the year (24 yards) and he did it against the 7th ranked rush defense in the league.

Now facing the Colts with a weaker rush defense (allowing 4.2 YPC, ranked 15th in the NFL) but a formidable pass rush, the game plan is crystal clear – run the ball. The Colts boast the 6th best pass rush win rate and the 5th most sacks in the league, making a robust rushing attack the key to protecting Stroud, especially given his recent return from a concussion. With the loss of Tank Dell and Noah Brown who will not be active against the Colts and the potential loss of Robert Woods, who has not practiced all week, Bobby Slowik can make the offense thrive by aggressively using the run game against the Colts.

Some fans believe that a strong rushing attack signifies a lack of faith in a quarterback, but NFL legends like Joe Montana, Troy Aikman, and Tom Brady thrived in systems that emphasized a balanced offensive approach, including a robust rushing attack.

With limited receiving options against the Colts, the game plan becomes even clearer. Nico Collins will once again be Stroud’s go-to receiver. John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson haven’t demonstrated their ability to be a productive receiver in 16 weeks, making it unwise to rely on them in such a high-stakes game. The strategy is straightforward – run the ball, control the clock, and leverage play-action passes and rollouts to secure a playoff berth.

Bobby, simplicity is key. Stick to the plan, and the Texans could find themselves in the playoffs come Saturday.