There's a lot of work for the Texans to do.
Following their third straight loss to begin 2020, several Houston players detailed what has to happen between now and this time next Sunday for the Texans to get win number one of the season.
After dropping a 28-21 decision at Heinz Field to the Steelers, the Texans are now 0-3 and at the bottom of the AFC South. It's far from ideal, but also far from hopeless if you listen to the team's quarterback.
"We can't dwell on the negativity," Deshaun Watson said. "There's a lot more football to go. We've got 13 more games, so who knows what can happen in 13 more games? We haven't even played our divisional teams. There's a lot of opportunities out there."
After taking a 21-17 lead into halftime, the Texans wouldn't score again. The offense had four drives, three of which ended in punts after going 3-and-out. The other was of the 8-play variety, but it resulted in a Steelers interception. The defense, meanwhile, was bludgeoned after the break, as the Steelers ran the ball 21 times in the second half. All told, Pittsburgh picked up 169 yards on 38 carries in the victory.
Defensive end J.J. Watt and linebacker Benardrick McKinney both said a focus on hard work and positivity is a must.
"You really have no choice," Watt said. "We're coming into work and tomorrow we're going to have film to watch of this game to get better, and we're going to have Vikings film to watch for next week. Wednesday we're going to have practices. You don't have any choice but to come in and try and improve and get better."
For McKinney, who finished Sunday with a game-high 11 tackles, it's very simple what must be harped upon this week.
"We've just got to keep guys being positive", McKinney said. "Me as a leader on defense, I've got to just keep telling them to stay focused and just get better every day and try to get a turnaround."
Receiver Brandin Cooks was one of six different Texans who caught a pass for 17 yards or more against Pittsburgh. Cooks wound up with three receptions for 23 yards. He pinpointed "inconsistency" as the main problem for Houston in the defeat, and knows what must be done.
"We've got to continue to have that fire coming out," Cooks said. "From a receiver standpoint, we look at ourselves and we've just got to be more consistent, and make bigger plays when we can."
The Texans host Minnesota at NRG Stadium next Sunday at noon CT.
