Official Texans @ Patriots Game Thread, 9/24/2017

[Keith]

Originally Posted by chuck

some typically terrible play calling

There of course was some typically terrible playcalling. That series in the middle of the 4th quarter with three straight pass plays, at a time when it was unseasonably warm and the Pats D was gassed, at a time when the Texans finally had a late lead and you knew you didn't want to give Brady extra time, just inexcusable. Keep pounding with Foreman.

Honestly, I was pleasantly shocked until then at how the offensive playcalling was going. It accentuated Watson's talent. I really never thought O'Brien would open it up as much as he did in - gasp - the rookie's second start. As Watson's downfield accuracy improves, he will really elevate this team. It made everything look better on Sunday, from the OL to the running game.

But yes, some typically terrible playcalling might have cost the Texans the opportunity from winning.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Keith

There of course was some typically terrible playcalling. That series in the middle of the 4th quarter with three straight pass plays, at a time when it was unseasonably warm and the Pats D was gassed, at a time when the Texans finally had a late lead and you knew you didn't want to give Brady extra time, just inexcusable. Keep pounding with Foreman.

Honestly, I was pleasantly shocked until then at how the offensive playcalling was going. It accentuated Watson's talent. I really never thought O'Brien would open it up as much as he did in - gasp - the rookie's second start. As Watson's downfield accuracy improves, he will really elevate this team. It made everything look better on Sunday, from the OL to the running game.

But yes, some typically terrible playcalling might have cost the Texans the opportunity from winning.

I don't have a big problem with the 3 passes other than it didn't work. I like being aggressive there. I would have had a bigger problem with 3 straight runs in that situation. And I have a much bigger problem running Lamar Miller on 3rd and 1 and then kicking the FG on 4th and 1.

[Keith]

It was an interesting strategy given how conservatively O'Brien called plays down the stretch in Cincinnati. I expected he would do something similar at New England once he had the lead to maintain time of possession, especially since it seemed like a 3-headed rushing attack of Watson, Miller, and Foreman would be tough to contain.

As for running Miller on 3rd and 1, agreed. Either run Foreman on that play or perhaps throw something short, esp if you plan to go for it on fourth down anyway.

I was absolutely in favor of kicking the FG though. What Brady had to accomplish to win that game was not a given; it was not easy. In fact, he nearly blew it if Corey Moore hangs on to that pick. And I'm still not sure the scoring catch is still ruled a catch outside of Massachusetts. The odds are in the Texans defense's favor to keep the Pats out of that end zone.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Keith

It was an interesting strategy given how conservatively O'Brien called plays down the stretch in Cincinnati. I expected he would do something similar at New England once he had the lead to maintain time of possession, especially since it seemed like a 3-headed rushing attack of Watson, Miller, and Foreman would be tough to contain.

As for running Miller on 3rd and 1, agreed. Either run Foreman on that play or perhaps throw something short, esp if you plan to go for it on fourth down anyway.

I was absolutely in favor of kicking the FG though. What Brady had to accomplish to win that game was not a given; it was not easy. In fact, he nearly blew it if Corey Moore hangs on to that pick. And I'm still not sure the scoring catch is still ruled a catch outside of Massachusetts. The odds are in the Texans defense's favor to keep the Pats out of that end zone.

Against any team other than NE I kick the FG.

As for running Miller on 3rd down I cannot come up with any reasonable explanation. He's a terrible short yardage runner. Run Foreman or simply spread them out and go QB lead. But why run the guy who hates contact into the middle of the line on the biggest play of the game? That to me is far worse than staying aggressive and putting the ball in Watson's hands 3 times after he just marched down the field.

[Arky]

Sure miss Arian Foster. On short yardage plays, he always seemed to find a weak crack to dive through....

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Arky

Sure miss Arian Foster. On short yardage plays, he always seemed to find a weak crack to dive through....

At the time we all knew he was great but still I think he was incredibly underrated. A lot of that is his having only four great years, and a lot of that was his own fault having jerked around in college so much. Had he had his act together and come out of a big school after his junior year, who knows what he might have done. He was old enough his rookie year that you had to wonder if he'd spent time on a Mormon mission in Papua New Guinea or some shit. Good luck with that, by the way, Devin. Let's see you pedal that Schwinn through the jungle mud when Septugon and Iriputiz are hot on your trail, spears in hand.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by chuck

At the time we all knew he was great but still I think he was incredibly underrated. A lot of that is his having only four great years, and a lot of that was his own fault having jerked around in college so much. Had he had his act together and come out of a big school after his junior year, who knows what he might have done. He was old enough his rookie year that you had to wonder if he'd spent time on a Mormon mission in Papua New Guinea or some shit. Good luck with that, by the way, Devin. Let's see you pedal that Schwinn through the jungle mud when Septugon and Iriputiz are hot on your trail, spears in hand.

There have not been many more complete backs in NFL history. I can't think of anyone who was as good at so many things (running, catching, blocking, big plays, short yardage, route running, etc). And he was huge in the playoffs. He carried Matt Schaub teams to victory in two playoff games. Over 650 total yards and 6 TDs in 4 playoff games. And all against loaded boxes and good defenses (Bal, Cin, NE).