Terrance Mitchell recovered in time from a concussion and an illness to return to the Texans’ starting lineup last Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
What unfolded against the Bills, besides a solid individual performance from the veteran cornerback after missing one game and other defensive players, including safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. intercepting his first regular-season pass, was substandard overall.
The Texans absorbed a 40-0 defeat to a top Super Bowl contender for the most lopsided defeat in franchise history.
Despite the setback, Mitchell expressed confidence that the 1-3 Texans are primed to bounce back and deliver better performancesstarting Sundayat NRG Stadium against the New England Patriots as they try to halt a three-game losing streak.
“No doubt, no doubt,” Mitchell said. “Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”
The defense allowed 450 yards of total offense, but yielded just 3 of 7 efficiency in the red zone. If not for an offense that lost five turnovers, perhaps the game would have at least been closer. The defense held its own until the fourth quarter when it allowed three touchdowns.
“It’s just football, complementary football,” Mitchell said. “As a defense, we just kept working hard, trying to do what we can, executing our plays and just holding them.”
Photo: Getty Images
Mitchell is eager to turn the page from a humiliating defeat.
“They have an old saying: ‘Yesterday’s news doesn’t mean anything in today’s paper,’” Michell said. “You know, it was a game, things happen we just have to get back to work. We’re real confident in what we do, we stand together, our coaches are great, we are all good and we’ll be back.”
In his first game back, the former Cleveland Browns starter had five tackles, one pass defensed and a forced fumble for a respectable 75.5 Pro Football Focus grade, including an 81.6 mark in pass coverage.
“It felt good to be back playing with my teammates, you know playing football,” Mitchell said. “I love it, so it’s always good.”
Texans defensive coordinator Lovie Smith shook up the secondary, inserting Desmond King as an outside corner as the replacement for Vernon Hargreaves and having Tavierre Thomas step in for King as the primary nickel back.
“It’s the NFL, we all here for a reason,” Mitchell said. “Our mentality is always next man up, and we feel everybody that’s put in a position can make the task and handle their business.”
Aaron Wilson has covered the NFL for 20 years and has previously written for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun. He’s on Twitter: @AaronWilson_NFL and Instagram: @aaronwilson7128