About the game itself...
The much-maligned OL has shown improvement the last couple weeks. Are they good now? Maybe not, but I will say this... I think they really were dealt an unfair set of circumstances at the start of the season. First, it was a newly formed unit, and they had very little game snaps to learn each other together. They also lost Henderson from the first game, making that desired cohesiveness even harder to achieve.
Second, the new unit had not worked much with a game-version of Deshaun Watson behind them. I think it is easy to forget how hard it is to block for a guy with Watson's maneuverability and escapability to extend plays. Without any measurable experience as a unit protecting a mercurial guy like Watson, it can be hard to know where he is. The eyes are up front, not in the back.
I fully understand the fear of not wanting to expose starters in the preseason to injury, but this 2018 preseason was an obvious blown opportunity to let the OL gel with each other and with their QB. Perhaps had the Texans better utilized the preseason games, the offense would not have started so slow and with an 0-3 record.
I would like someone to explain to me how it is possible the Texans DL (mostly Clowney and Watt it seems) are called for neutral zone infractions so frequently. I did not play DL as a youth, so I'm sure it seems to be an oversimplification to just check yourself along the line of scrimmage pre-snap. And yes, I know the line is straight but not always straight, yada yada… but c'mon... really?
Injuries... Fuller's is just going to be a tough blow if it's an ACL. If it's not, then I wish he could figure out how he can get his body to better hold up to an NFL grind. Clearly he's a first round talent, which is an embarrassment of riches when D-Hop is the WR1. And Coutee being inactive again is disappointing, too. Need healthy targets.
The injuries to the corners is getting downright scary now.
Cunningham hurt, too. When I didn't see him on the field, I first thought he was (deservedly) benched. Just not having a good season. I think it was Keyes who came in for him... and he had an immediate and positive impact. McKinney is just okay as a starter. Miss having Cole.
Remaining schedule is so favorable overall. Only 1 game in the next 23 or days. Only home games inside the division left. Could be favored or very close to it in 7 of the last 8 games? I mean... wow. Yet for a team that has lost at home to the Giants, can't overlook anyone. But in a watered down AFC, a ticket to the playoffs is all you need and the Texans seem poised to punch that ticket.
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