As the NFL season approaches its fifth week, the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans, both previously seen as Super Bowl contenders, find themselves struggling with disappointing performances. In response to these challenges, head coaches Sean Payton and DeMeco Ryans have decided to reclaim play-calling responsibilities, hoping to reignite their teams’ potential.
The Broncos, who have been underwhelming offensively, currently rank 27th in both points and yards per game. After a series of lackluster outings, Payton has publicly acknowledged the need for change, stating, “Everyone is disappointed in the unit itself. We’re 2-2, but we feel like there’s more there.” By reassuming play-calling duties, he aims to tighten the offense, which has struggled to sustain drives and create explosive plays.
Meanwhile, the Texans, facing an alarming 0-4 record, are equally desperate for a turnaround. Ryans is shifting the defensive play-calling from coordinator Matt Burke to himself, a move he believes is necessary to address the team’s current struggles on that side of the ball. Historically, only one team has made the playoffs after starting 0-4, adding urgency to Houston’s situation.
Ryans emphasized the difficulty of this decision, stating, “I have to do what’s best for this team and make sure I’m leading in that way.” Players like defensive end Will Anderson have expressed confidence in Ryans’ approach, noting his direct coaching style as a positive influence.
Both teams are set to face winless opponents this week—Denver against the 0-4 Los Angeles Chargers and Houston against the 0-4 Tennessee Titans. The upcoming games present a critical opportunity for both franchises to reverse their fortunes. If they fail to find success against struggling teams, the question of whether the play-calling changes are sufficient may become the least of their concerns.
Photo credit: Justin Edmonds
