Official Texans @ Saints Game Thread, 9/9/19

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by barrett

I've got no problem with the last drive. If you told me the Saints would reach the 41 on that last drive I'd take it 100 times out of 100. If you told me we'd give up a 58 yard FG try I'd take it every time. Drew Brees is going to move a team in that situation. We lost on a guy doing something he's never done in his life.

The bigger concern is the absolutely non-existent pass rush for 4 quarters. Too bad we couldn't have added a high level pass rusher to this team in the last week.

Or better yet don't give a high level pass rusher already on your roster away to another NFL team a week before the season starts.

[chuck]

They simply conceded 60-70 yards on the most important drive of the game. If you have no problem with that, well, I have nothing more to say about it.

[HPF Bob]

This was a carbon copy of the loss last year in Philadelphia where we got a miracle TD in the final minute only to watch the defense piss away the game in the closing seconds.

Six sacks on Watson tonight when all was said and done - the most crucial blew right by Tunsil.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

This was a carbon copy of the loss last year in Philadelphia where we got a miracle TD in the final minute only to watch the defense piss away the game in the closing seconds.

Six sacks on Watson tonight when all was said and done - the most crucial blew right by Tunsil.

That was a terrible one by Tunsil. I can't blame a guy who's been here 5 days but I can blame the Texans for making a trade 5 days before the season started when the same deal could have been made 5 months ago.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by chuck

They simply conceded 60-70 yards on the most important drive of the game. If you have no problem with that, well, I have nothing more to say about it.

The Saints went from the 25 to the 41. That's 34 yards.

But don't let silly things like facts get in the way of your opinions.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by barrett

The Saints went from the 25 to the 41. That's 34 yards.

But don't let silly things like facts get in the way of your opinions.

Great, well, that doesn't seem so bad then.

Just kidding. You're still a caricature for thinking that it's ok. I put an asterisk in my post above so I could refer to it when you showed up and went full barrett. Which you did. Like you always do.

[Arky]

Watson really needs to have one of these type of games go his way. Pendergast pointed out on the radio last night that four times in Watson's 23 starts, he has given the team a 4th quarter lead only to have the defense blow the game. Seattle and New England in 2017, Philly last year and last night. McClain takes it deeper:

Defense lets down Watson, again

What happened to the Texans on Monday night was similar to what happened in Philadelphia last season – a defeat that cost them a 12-4 record and a first-round bye in the playoffs. In both cases, the defense couldn't stop the offense one last time to help preserve a victory.

Against New Orleans, Deshaun Watson's 37-yard touchdown pass down the middle to Kenny Stills gave the Texans a 28-27 lead, but the defense let the Saints go 35 yards in 35 seconds, setting up a 58-yard Wil Lutz field goal attempt with two seconds remaining. He connected with no time remaining.

In the 15th game last season at Lincoln Financial Field, Watson threw two touchdown passes late in the game to overcome a 29-16 Eagles lead. The Texans led 30-29 after his 35-yard scoring pass to Vyncint Smith. The Eagles got the ball at their 11 with two minutes remaining, and quarterback Nick Foles made one big play after another to set up Jake Elliott's 35-yard field goal with no time left for a 30-28 victory.

Texans never out with Watson

In his third season, Watson still hasn't lost a regular-season game by more than one score. The 30-28 loss to the Saints was the ninth regular-season loss of his career. The Texans' average margin of defeat is four points in those games. Watson's most decisive loss was a 42-34 primetime defeat to Kansas City in NRG Stadium during 2017, his rookie year.

The only time Watson has lost a start by more than one score was Indianapolis' 21-7 victory over the Texans in last season's wild-card playoff game at NRG Stadium. The Texans picked a bad time to have their worst offensive performance of the season.

I suppose he will just have to be content with the fact that he did what he had to do and that he only can control what he can control....

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I'm liking what I'm seeing with the new running backs. Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde were showing some moves not seen in these parts in a while. It's early but the future looks bright.

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That sound you heard in the late 4th quarter was all the Debbie Downer's heads exploding on social media when Watson engineered the 2-play 75 yard drive to take the lead. Yep, they (the Texans) eventually lost but what a beautiful mess....

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Next up is the Jags and the early line is Texans by 10.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

Watson really needs to have one of these type of games go his way. Pendergast pointed out on the radio last night that four times in Watson's 23 starts, he has given the team a 4th quarter lead only to have the defense blow the game. Seattle and New England in 2017, Philly last year and last night. McClain takes it deeper:



I suppose he will just have to be content with the fact that he did what he had to do and that he only can control what he can control....

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I'm liking what I'm seeing with the new running backs. Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde were showing some moves not seen in these parts in a while. It's early but the future looks bright.

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That sound you heard in the late 4th quarter was all the Debbie Downer's heads exploding on social media when Watson engineered the 2-play 75 yard drive to take the lead. Yep, they (the Texans) eventually lost but what a beautiful mess....

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Next up is the Jags and the early line is Texans by 10.

Hyde was fantastic and Johnson was solid, especially receiving. RB went from a negative to a positive and all it took was a terrible injury for a good guy. Run Blocking was almost as good as the pass blocking was bad.

[Keith]

Lots to pick at in a tight game.

Second half defense? 27 points allowed. Kinda have to think Romeo got out-maneuvered here. Colvin seems to be who we thought he was. On that last pass completion to set up the game-winning FG, the DBs were all back but collapsed to their man... all except Colvin.

Watt double teamed all night. Couple LB blitzes worked ok, but pass rush is going to be an issue. Probably going to be an issue against guys like Brees (and Brady) anyway.

That drive with about 4 mins remaining. 2nd and long? Draw play for no gain. Third and long? Sacked (was this the Tunsil sack? I think so). Then go ahead and let that clock run while the punt team finishes their smokes before taking the field. I mean... yeesh.

And how about we let Duke Johnson run between the tackles more than he has in his NFL career? Or give the ball back to Hyde immediately after he busted a nice run (and was probably a little gassed)?

Taking a timeout only to then challenge a (yes, poor) spot in the first half... only to then lose the challenge and a second timeout. Hey, at least O'Brien didn't lose another 2021 draft pick there.

A lot of positives though. Tunsil was otherwise really good. I hope the Texans don't ruin him. Hyde was a welcome surprise. Watson is who we thought he was. Hopkins finally scored some "drops" but was still his amazing self. Some sweet luck on poor refs hating on the Saints (that end of 1st half time runoff was piss poor and the roughing the kicker call on Fairbairn's missed XP was fortunate).

A road loss to a non-conference opponent. If Watson's back is just a bruise, then the team came out relatively healthy. Looked like a squad capable of taking the division. Defense would stilll seem to be a matchup nightmare with the Pats offense.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Or better yet don't give a high level pass rusher already on your roster away to another NFL team a week before the season starts.

Yep. That's the one I was referring to.