The Land Lock Week 15 Grades for the Win Over the Dolphins

Plenty to like on one side of the ball

Heading into this game, Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans both said this team needed to lean on its strengths, and that’s exactly what it did Sunday against Miami.

With its elite talent, the defense and solid special teams played carried the load and minimized the dependency on the flawed offense.

Turnovers forced by the defense and a fake punt provided C.J. Stroud and company with drives starting at the Miami 28-yard-line once and five-yard-line, twice. This led to 17 of the 20 points and was where the game was won. This was the difference.

Fortunately, the offense wasn’t asked to do a lot, but Stroud and Nico Collins were able to connect twice in the red zone. Caserio told me finishing in the red zone was a specific emphasis for this team and they did it.

Sunday’s win Recipe: Elite defense + solid special teams + Collins and Stroud in the red zone.

Here are this week’s Land Lock grades.

Quarterback: B+

Aka Brad +, as in Brad Johnson in 2000 +.

The 2024 Houston Texans offense isn’t going to light it up and carry the team to victory often, if ever. It’s just not realistic and built to do that. That’s not Stroud’s fault and once they focus on improving the surroundings this may change, but for now, that’s reality.

The recipe for ultimate, high-level success in 2024 centers around the defense. Stroud is going to have to make big plays when given the opportunity by the defense, which he did Sunday.

Running Backs: C-

Joe Mixon was limited and ineffective behind this offensive line but did lead the team in receptions with five. There’s not a viable running option behind Mixon.

Based on the Mixon dependency and the AFC South wrapped up it would be nice to see Mixon get some rest in the next 10 days. If he plays against both Baltimore and Kansas City, I will have a lot of questions.

The best play by a running back was Dare Ogunbowale’s run on the fake punt for 35 yards, which was enough for him to lead the team in rushing.

Wide Receivers: D-

Nico Collins had two touchdowns, but just four catches for 17 yards. He also had a drop on what could’ve been a first down late in the game.

The receivers after Collins have continued to produce at an extremely low level.

John Metchie had a drop that could’ve been a long touchdown and Tank Dell had two catches for 26 yards, which is sadly only his fourth least productive game of the season.

Robert Woods chipped in with two catches for 12 yards, which is his fifth most productive game of the season. He also had a fumble in Dolphins territory that was fortunately recovered by rookie tackle Blake Fisher.

After WR1 this is as bad as the Texans have been at receiver.

Tight Ends: F

Wanna throw up?

The Dolphins signed Jonnu Smith to a two-year, $8 million deal in the offseason. The same offseason the Texans signed Dalton Schultz to a three-year, $36 million deal.

It’s hard to imagine what Schultz looks like next season and the season after, which is when the Texans could get rid of the contract.

This tight end position isn’t asked to do a lot and they provide even less. There’s nothing dynamic and the blocking is poor.

Hopefully, when given opportunities when it counts Schultz can make a big play, or two, but up to this point this position is not good and it’s even harder to watch when you see what the Dolphins get out of Smith.

Offensive Line: Complete

I want to see Blake Fisher develop, for better or worse, from here on out. I want him in the starting lineup every Sunday for the foreseeable future.

Tytus Howard is the same at guard as he is at tackle and a highly-priced depth piece at this point.

I am intrigued by this version of the offensive line and like the makeup of Fisher. I have strong doubt that the Woods fumble gets recovered if he’s not on the field.

Defensive Line: A+

Tim Settle told me after the game that this is the best defensive line in football. I don’t know if that’s the case, but I know there aren’t many better.

Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter both had sacks, Anderson had a strip sack that led to a Collins touchdown and the pressure clearly had Tua Tagovailoa uncomfortable.

Ryans has turned this into one of the best units in the NFL.

Linebackers: A

Christian Harris was immediately on the field and working off the rust. Henry To’o’To’o led the team in tackles and had a solid game. This group is going to be scary when Azeez Al-Shaair comes back and regardless of who is, or isn’t, on the field they put out solid efforts every Sunday.

Defensive Backs: A+

Derek Stingley is the best corner in the game right now and put on a clinic with two interceptions.

Calen Bullock’s interception was MASSIVE and prevented a second-half disaster.

The Texans have elite edge guys and corners, which is a recipe for an elite defense.

Special Teams: A-

Tommy Townsend's punting was the only thing that prevented this from being an A+.

The fake punt may have won the game and provided the team with their leading rusher for the day.

Coaching: A

Bobby Slowik’s offense is still blah, but the personnel is limited. The defensive and special teams game plans were elite.

I also had no issue with Ryans taking the field goal on fourth and two, although I know Cody Stoots did.

Solid game plan overall.

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