Game Preview, Week 11: Washington at Houston
November 18, 2022
by Steve Thomas
Still excited following Washington’s big win over the Eagles last Monday? I don’t blame you if that’s not the case, as it was one of the biggest regular season wins the team has had in a long time. This week, the principal task is to follow up an emotional performance against the best team in the NFL on prime time TV with yet another quality performance. Fortunately, this week’s opponent is the sad-sack Houston Texans, so Washington has about as good of an opportunity as exists in the 2022 NFL to keep the train rolling. They can always mess it up, as we’ve seen countless times before, but Washington should have a good shot at win #6 on Sunday.
Game time & location: Sunday, November 20, 2022, 1:00 p.m. ET, NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas; Gates open 10:30 a.m. ET (earlier access to premium seating and facilities); parking lots open 9:00 a.m. (Platinum lot opens 8:00 a.m.)
Television: FOX
Television announcers: Chris Myers, Robert Smith
TV broadcast map: click here
DC-area radio: BIG 100 (WBIG-FM)
Washington radio network: click here
Texans radio network: click here
Satellite radio: SiriusXM: 226 (Texans broad.) / 381 (Wash. broad.); internet: 831
Washington roster: click here
Washington depth chart: click here
Texans roster: click here
Texans depth chart: click here
Records: Washington 5 – 5 (away: 3 – 2); Houston 1 – 7 – 1 (home: 0 – 3 – 1)
All-time head-to-head record vs Texans: 2 – 3 – 0 (streak: 0 – 3)
Last meeting: L, November 18, 2018, 21 – 23
Early odds: Washington, -3.5
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Avoid the hangover game
One common trait among mediocre to bad teams is a stumble after a big, important win. The most important factor to this game for Washington is to guard against that sort of regression against the Texans on Sunday. If Washington can keep up the energy and continue to play at the level they did this past Monday, then have a decent shot at getting the victory.
Contain Dameon Pierce
Rookie running back Dameon Pierce is Houston’s most successful offensive weapon. Admittedly, that distinction doesn’t come with a high bar when it comes to the Texans, but Pierce appears to be legit. He’s gained 772 rushing yards on 165 carries this season, for 4.7 yards per carry. The Texans are in trouble without Pierce, so Washington’s focus should be to slow him down and dare everyone else to beat them.
Keep the rushing offense going
The Texans rushing defense is . . . lacking. They are surrendering rushing yardage at a significant rate, 5.2 yards per carry, which is ranked 29th in the NFL. Considering that they’ve had much more success against the pass, Washington’s gameplan should be similar to last week’s plan: run the ball, control the clock, and keep Dameon Pierce off the field. If Washington continues to play as they have been for the past several weeks, that really ought to be enough.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
It’s the return of Chase Young, part 2. There was a chance that Young was going to return last week, but I think it’s legitimately going to happen this week against Houston. Young has quite a bit to prove, even above and beyond his recovery from his knee injury. Young’s second year in the NFL last season left quite a bit to be desired, as everyone knows. Assuming he actually comes back this week, he will want to immediately make an impact in what’s left of the season. Laremy Tunsil is the guy standing in the way this week.
Benjamin St-Juste vs. Nico Collins and Brandin Cooks
Brandin Cooks is the bigger name, but given Cooks’ usage, it’s more likely that we’ll see St-Juste matched up against Nico Collins more often. St-Juste has been making significant progress this season as Washington’s top corner, particularly since William Jackson’s departure. Watch out for how well St-Juste fairs against two fairly good wide receivers.
Jonathan Allen vs. Kenyon Green
Frankly, there aren’t very many “highlight level” matchups this week, principally because the Texans lack talent. In a situation like this, Washington fans should feel free to divert to keeping an eye out on the defensive leader, Allen. He has a good opportunity to have an impact on the game by clogging up the middle and keeping Dameon Pierce under wraps. Kenyon Green will be his opponent.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only) (starters in bold)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful NL – not listed
| Washington | Texans |
| LB C. Holcomb, foot; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | CB D. Stingley Jr, hamstring; Wed: LP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| RB J.D. McKissic, neck; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | LB N. Hewitt, hamstring; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: O |
| C T. Larsen, back; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP | DL M. Collins, chest; Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| LB D. Mayo, hamstring; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q | WR N. Collins, groin; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| TE A. Rogers, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: DNP; game: O | WR B. Cooks, groin; Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| WR C. Samuel, shin; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | OL K. Green, shoulder; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| TE L. Thomas, rib; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | LB C. Kirksey, neck; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| RB A. Gibson, knee; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | RB D. Ogunbowale, foot; Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| RB J. Williams, knee; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: LP; game: Q | LB J. Reeves-Maybin, groin; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| CB C. Holmes, hamstring; Wed: NL; Thurs: NL; Fri: LP; game: Q | DL M. Addison, NIR (rest); Wed: DNP; Thurs: NL; Fri: NL |
| DL J. Hughes, NIR (rest); Wed: DNP; Thurs: NL; Fri: NL | |
| DL R. Green, illness; Wed: NL; Thurs: NL; Fri: DNP; game: Q |
Steve’s Prediction
Washington wins this one 24 – 17. Washington is the better team and is playing well, whereas the Texans are mostly a trainwreck. Assuming that they can manage to avoid a letdown game, Washington really ought to be able to get a victory this week. They are favored in this game for a reason.
Inactives
CB Rachad Wildgoose
LB David Mayo
LB Cole Holcomb
G Chris Paul
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