Lovie Smith says ‘safe to say’ Texans haven’t met their goals in 2022

The Houston Texans were expected to have another rebuilding season, but perhaps one that could build off their 4-13 campaign under rookie coach David Culley.

Instead the Texans took a step back as their 31-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17 ensures Houston (2-13-1) will finish with a record worse than 2021 — regardless of what happens in their season finale with the Indianapolis Colts.

Coach Lovie Smith stated the obvious Monday when asked if the club had met their goals for the 2022 campaign.

“I think it’s safe to say we haven’t,” Smith said. “Everybody has high goals for winning every game, winning the division. There’s a lot of things that we didn’t get accomplished. Was that realistic? I don’t know, but those were our goals.”

With the Texans having a game to go and a 2-2-1 record in the division, Houston could finish with a winning record in the division for the first time since 2019 with a victory over Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“There’s a game left to go in the season, and what you can get accomplished, I think as long as you get a chance to keep playing, you can add something to this 2022 season story, and that’s what we’re going to do,” Smith said.

With regards to Smith’s future with the organization, the 64-year-old said he is in frequent communication with general manager Nick Caserio and chairman and CEO Cal McNair.

Said Smith: “The message has been we talk and meet daily, Nick and I. Of course, Cal at least weekly. Everybody that’s connected to Houston Texans football is disappointed in where we are, but not losing hope or anything like that. I think we all see that better days are ahead.”

The Texans have not beaten the Colts on the road since 2018 and have nine total wins against their AFC South rivals.