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Official Texans vs. Raiders Playoff Game Thread, 1/07/2017
The NFL playoff season is upon us and the 9-7 Texans will be hosting a Wild Card game this Saturday @ NRG. The opponent is the 12-4 Oakland Raiders. The Raiders will be without QB Derek Carr (leg fracture) and whether Matt McGloin (sore shoulder) or rookie Connor Cook will start is still up in the air - might see both during the game. Expect to see quite a bit of rushing from the Raiders with Latavius Murray (788 yds, 4.0 avg), Jalen Richard (491 yds, 5.9 avg) and DeAndre Washington (467 yds, 5.4 avg) carrying the load. The two main targets in the passing game are Amari Cooper (1153 yds, 13.9 avg) and Michael Crabtree (1003 yds, 11.3 avg). Many more are available including TE Clive Walford (359 yds, 10.9 avg). The Raider defense is 26th giving up 375.1 yds/game but they have a few stars: LB Malcolm Smith leads the team in tackles with 103. DE Khalil Mack has 11 sacks and LB Bruce Irvin has 7. The Raider defense gives up 24.1 pts/game (20th). Overall the defense is last (32nd) in sacks with 25 but where they really shine is causing turnovers: 2nd in takeaways with 30 for an excellent give/take of +16 (tied for 1st) - obviously, the Texans will have to find a way to deal with this opportunistic defense.....
The Texans will have to depend on their own defense to keep the Raiders in check. The Texan defense finished #1 giving up 301.3 yds/game. However, they were 11th allowing 20.5 pts/game and are not particularly good at creating turnovers (26th w/17). The Texans major weakness is their offense rating bottom 5 in many categories. They won't blow you out and if they don't turn the ball over, their defense can keep them in the game with just about anybody. QB Brock Osweiler is expected to start. If he struggles, the Texans may turn to either Tom Savage (if Savage passes the concussion protocol) or Brandon Weeden. These two teams met in Mexico City in Week 11 with the Raiders winning 27-20. The Texans are 7-1 (4-3-1 ATS) at home; the Raiders are 6-2 (6-2 ATS) on the road. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- TV = ESPN (possibly ABC), Saturday, 3:35 pm CST, 1/07/17 Announcers = (probably) Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden The line = Texans by 3½ to 4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Other playoff action: NBC - Saturday, 7:15 pm CST, Detroit @ Seattle CBS - Sunday, 12:05 pm CST, Miami @ Pittsburgh FOX - Sunday, 3:40 pm CST, New York Giants @ Green Bay |
That line has been growing since the Sunday games completed. Despite all the "buts", I feel confident the Texans can confuse Cook into mistakes as long as they don't let the Raiders dominate on the ground.
The Mexico City game was one of Osweiler's best if you watch the game instead of the stat sheet. Beware of Reggie Nelson, though, the former Bengal who is a true ballhawk over the middle of the field. Work some sideline routes with D-Hop into the mix and provide a steady dose of ball control. I hate to be a jinx but I feel optimistic. I keep wishing J.J. were lining up this year. |
I wish J.J. could make a playoff comeback, too. I imagine that even if his back were healthy enough, he is nowhere near football shape though. He probably lost quite a bit of muscle.
Cook passed the eyeball test with me during his college years and before any off the field talk came up about him was a player I really admired. So he has the potential tools to make things happen, but I am sure the #1 defense will give him very few opportunities. Short of Osweiler throwing four picks, this should be a winnable affair for the Texans. |
Video - Texans vs. Raiders TRT = 7:29
Teddy Covers breaks it down. Teddy is big on using the chatter/comments coming out of the locker room in his handicapping... |
It's one thing for O'Briens old boss Bill Belichick to beat him with a third-string QB in New England, but it's something else entirely different if the Raiders were to come into NRG in a PO game with a third-string QB who's also a rookie with practically no starting experience and beat him.
With that scenario we'd have a real indictment of O'Briens ability of being a successful NFL coach which sure sounds like a fireable offense to me. |
Pendergast breaks it down: NFL Playoffs, Wild Card Round: Raiders-Texans — Four Things to Watch For
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Here we go.............
---------------------------------------------------- Raider won the toss and defer. Hunt brings the kickoff back to the Texan 25. Texan's ball. ---------------------------------------------------- L Miller up the gut for 3. Checkdown pass to L Miller too hot to handle, inc. 3rd and 7 coming up. Pass to Griffin good for the 1st down at the Texan 39. L Miller goes right side for 7. Pass to Griffin goes to the Raider 42, 1st down. Delay to L Miller gets 1. On 2nd and 9, pass to Griiffin off the mark, inc. Brings up 3rd and 9. Oz pressured, scrambles for about 5 yards. Texans going to punt. Punt is fair caught at about the Raider 6 yard line. Raider's ball. 11:18 left in the 1st qtr. |
Murray carries for 1. Ball at the 8 yard line of the Raiders.
Clowney deflects the pass, inc. Brings up 3rd and 9. Screen to Cooper only gets about 1. Raiders will have to punt. Punt goes out of bounds about the Raider 40 yard line. Great field position. Texan's ball. 9:49 left in the 1st qtr. |
Quick pass to Hop gets 3.
L Miller caught for a loss of 1. 3rd and 8 coming up. Pass to Griffin gets 6...... Texans going for the FG. Novak's 50-yarder is good. Texans 3, Raiders 0 7:57 left in the 1st qtr. |
The ensuing kickoff is brought back to the Raider 23. Raider's ball.
---------------------------------------------------- Murray for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up. Richard gets caught for a loss of 3. 3rd and 12 coming up. Clowney with the deflection and the pick! Texans ball at the Raider 4! |
L Miller rolls left for the TD! 4 yards!
Texans 10, Raiders 0 6:16 left in the 1st qtr. |
JJ would have scored on that. JD's got to up his game.
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The ensuing kickoff is a touchback. Raider's ball at their 25.
---------------------------------------------------- Pass to Crabtree goes for 19. Reader with the sack! Loss of 6! Pass to Crabtree off the mark, inc. Brings up 3rd and 16. Pass to Crabtree is ruled inc. Raider's challenge that it was a catch. Would be a 17 yard gain and a 1st down if overturned... Wow, play is confirmed. Raiders to punt.... Punt sneaks into the end zone for a touchback. Texan's ball at their 20. 4:27 left in the 1st qtr. |
L Miller for 2.
L Miller for 2. Not this.... On 3rd and 6, pass to Fido off the mark, inc but a flag is down......PI on Fido is declined. Texans will have to punt. Punt gets returned all the way to the Texan 38. Raider's ball. 2:56 left in the 1st qtr. |
Gonna need more points - no time to go conservative...
------------------------------------------------------- Murray gets loose for 18. Murray for 6. Pass to Walford goes to the Texan 7. 1st and goal. Murray goes to the 1 yard line. 2nd and goal coming up. Murray punches it in. Texans 10, Raiders 7 1:01 left in the 1st qtr. That didn't take long.... |
This offense sucks so bad. Blocking sucks and then on top of that you have to overcome Os's ineptitude.
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Blue brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Texan 18. Texan's ball.
-------------------------------------------------- Oz bobbles the snap and falls on it. Loss of 2. Blue for no gain. Brings up 3rd and 12. End of the 1st qtr. -------------------------------------------------- On 3rd and 12, quick screen to Fuller gets blown up. Loss of 4. Texans to punt. Raiders bring the punt back to their 43 yard line. Raider's ball. 14:19 left in the half. |
Pass to Crabtree good for 14.
Murray for 1. Pass to Crabtree is dropped, inc. Brings up 3rd and 9. Pass to Cooper broken up by JJo, inc. Raiders will have to punt. Punt is downed by the Raiders at the Texan 5. Texan's ball. 13:09 left in the half. |
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Pass to Fido goes to the 24 yard line. 19 yards.
L Miller for 6. L Miller changes direction and runs all the way to the Texan 48, 1st down. Pass to Fido goes to Raider 35, 1st down. L Miller slips and loses 2. 2nd and 12 coming up. Pass to Hop gets about 13 and the 1st down at the Raider 24. Pass to Hop along the sideline near the end zone is over his head, inc. Blue runs hard for about 4. 3rd and 6 coming up. Pass to Fido is incomplete. Texans will go for the FG. Novak's 38-yarder is good. Barely. Texans 13, Raiders 7 8:43 left in the half. |
The ensuing kickoff is bobbled but still brought back to the Raider 27. Raider's ball.
--------------------------------------------------- Murray for 2. Pass to Crabtree is broken up, inc. 3rd and 8 coming up. Pass to Cooper broken up by JJo, inc. Raiders will have to punt. Ervin brings the punt back to the Texan 22. Texan's ball with 7:39 left in the half. |
L Miller for 1.
Pass to Hop is inc. Hop wants PI. Brings up 3rd and 9. Oz misses Fuller but holding on the Raiders = 5 yards and an auto 1st down. L Miller gets caught for a loss of 7. Pass to Hop good for about 11. 3rd and 6 coming up. Oz pressured, scrambles for the 1st down at the Texan 44. Draw play to L Miller gets 3. L Miller works for 3. 3rd and 4 coming up. Grimes only gets 2. Texans to punt on 4th and 2. Lechler's punt goes out at the Raider 11. Flag down.....looks like offsetting..... replay the punt... Punt goes into the end zone for a touchback. Raider's ball at their 20 with 2:52 left in the half. |
That third down draw was about as bad as it gets. I would love to know if Godsey called it or if BO audibled into it at the LOS. Either way it was shockingly stupid.
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Washington for 3.
Sweep to Washington gets stopped for a loss of 1. On 3rd and 8, Cook's pass nearly INT'ed by Hal but inc. Raiders will have to punt.... Punt is touched by the Raiders at the Texan 40. Texan's ball with 2:25 left in the half. |
Pass to Fuller gets 19.
2 minute warning. -------------------------------------------------- Let's get 7, boys..... -------------------------------------------------- Deep pass to Hop complete for 38! 1st and goal at the 3! L Miller slips but still gets a yard..... 2nd and goal from the 2½. Quick slant to Hop is good for the TD! Texans 20, Raiders 7 1:20 left in the half. |
Those last three throws make BO look like he knows exactly what he's doing. I don't know whether that's a mirage or a sign of things to come.
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2 TDs! Count 'em, 2 TDs! Woohoo! ;)
-------------------------------------------------- Raiders bring the ensuing kickoff back to their 23. Raider's ball. -------------------------------------------------- Cook pressured, throws it away, inc. Murray wrapped up for a loss of 6. 3rd and 16 coming up. Delay to Murray gets about 11.... Raiders will have to punt with 50 seconds left in the half. A Raider (Hudson) injured on the play. Ervin brings the punt back to the Texan 35. Texan's ball with 42 seconds left in the half. |
Oz pressured, scrambles for about 1 yard but holding on Clark backs it up 10. 1st and 20 coming up.
Texans decide to kneel it out. Halftime. Texans 20, Raiders 7 |
The 2nd half kickoff is a touchback. Raider's ball at their 25.
-------------------------------------------------- Cushing catches Murray for a loss of 2. Pass downfield is broken up, inc. but a flag is down. Holding on KJ. 5 yards and an auto 1st down. Ball at the Raider 28. Pass to Roberts off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up. Flags presnap.....false start offense, -5. Makes it 2nd and 15 coming up. Sack by Mercilus! Loss of 6! 3rd and 21 coming up. Floater to Murray gets 12. Raiders will have to punt. Ervin muffs the punt but falls on it. Flag is down... holding on the Texans backs it up. Texan's ball. 12:43 left in the 3rd qtr. |
Ball is marked at the Texan 20.
L Miller for 2. L Miller for 2. 3rd and 6 coming up. Oz's pass can't find a home, inc. Texans to punt. Richard brings the punt back into Texan territory at the Texan 49. Raider's ball. 11:01 left in the 3rd qtr. |
Pass to Richard gets 5.
Richard carries for 2. 3rd and 3 coming up. Sack by Mercilus! 10 yard loss! Raiders to punt. Ervin fair catches at the Texan 11. Texan's ball. 8:57 left in the 3rd qtr. |
Pass to Hop broken up, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.
Draw to L Miller loses 1. Oz throws a deep one to Fuller but uncatchable, inc. Texans have to punt. Raiders bring the punt back to their 38 yard line. Raider's ball with 8:07 left in the 3rd qtr. |
Murray for maybe 1.
Pass to Crabtree off the mark, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up. Deep pass to Cooper is dropped, inc. Raiders have to punt. Punt goes out at the Texan 22. Texan's ball with 7:19 left in the 3rd qtr. |
More points.....
--------------------------------------------- Oz pressured, throws inc. Flag on the Raiders for holding. 5 yards and an auto 1st down. L Miller for 7. L Miller for almost 2. 3rd and 1 coming up. Prosch gets 1 and the 1st down. L Miller for 3. L Miller for about 3 more. Brings up 3rd and 4. Pass to Fuller over the middle just gets 3. Texans will have to punt. Punt is fielded and then tackled at the Raider 11. Raider's ball with 3:18 left in the 3rd qtr. |
Come on, Texans!! One more TD and this game is over. Sheesh!!!
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Raiders try the end around for no gain.
Washington gets loose for about 14, 1st down. Washington caught for a loss of 1. Checkdown to Washington is dropped, inc. 3rd and 11 coming up. Pass to Crabtree is good for the 1st down but PI on Crabtree backs it up 10. 3rd and 21 coming up. Flags presnap.... false start Raiders, -5. Brings up 3rd and 26. Pass to Roberts a little off the mark and inc. Raiders will have to punt. Oy, Ervin returns the punt for a TD but the Texans ran into the kicker. 10 yards and replay the punt. Wow, Ervin muffs the punt but Eddie-on-the-spot picks it up and gets a few yards. Texan's ball at their 47. |
Oz can't find a receiver and throws it away, inc. 10 seconds left in the 3rd qtr.
Grimes runs hard for about 12, 1st down. End of the 3rd qtr. ------------------------------------------------------ More points.... ------------------------------------------------------ L Miller for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up. Pass to Fuller good to the Raider 21, 1st down. L Miller for 3. Pass to Hop in the end zone is inc but draws the PI. Ball is spotted at the 1 yard line. 1st and goal. L Miller for no gain. Oz bootlegs out and keeps it for the TD! Texans 27, Raiders 7 12:28 left in the game. |
The ensuing kickoff is a touchback. Raider's ball at their 25.
--------------------------------------------------- Pass to Cooper broken up, inc. Deep pass to Cooper broken up, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up. Pass to Rivera is good for 10 and the 1st down. Pass to Roberts broken up by Nelson, inc. Checkdown to Richard gets 3. 3rd and 7 coming up. Pass to Holmes over the middle gets 20, 1st down. Olawale goes for 6. Pass to Holmes good for a 1st down at the Texan 27. Pass to Rivera goes to the 8 yard line.....but a flag is down... PI on Rivera. 10 yards, makes it 1st and 20. Pass over the middle to Holton is broken up, inc. 2nd and 20 coming up. Richard on the delay gets 4. 3rd and 16 coming up with about 8½ minutes left. Pass goes inc but PI on JJo... places the ball at the Texan 8 yard line. 1st and goal. Pass to Holmes in the end zone good for the TD. Texans 27, Raiders 14 8:10 left in the game. |
Remember when JJo was a Pro Bowler? Yeah, me too.
Let's pound the ball down the throats of these freaks and gtf out of here. |
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