View Full Version : Official Texans @ Ravens Game Thread, 9/22/2013
The Texans (2-0) will trot off to Baltimore this Sunday for an early game with the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens (1-1). The Ravens lost in Week 1 to Denver 49-27 but picked up their first win last week defeating Cleveland 14-6.
TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon Sunday
Announcers (http://506sports.com/nfl.php?yr=2013&wk=3) = Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
The line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) = Texans by 2.5
HPF Bob
09-18-2013, 07:53 PM
I'm still stunned the Texans are favorites here. After the way Houston has played the last two weeks, do they think playing a tougher team on the road is going to result in a win?
IF AJ is out and Rice plays, the Texans will be at a further disadvantage.
Still, this isn't Ray-Ray's Ravens. It isn't Ed Reed's Ravens (say, Ed, how about sharing with us some of their defensive signals?). It's Haloti Ngata's Ravens. It's Terrell Thuggs' Ravens. They aren't as good as last year.
Ya, I pegged the Ravens to go about 8-8 this year. Flacco just became very wealthy and so many times I've seen a "star" sign a big 'ol contract and then not play well the first year in...
Ravens have new faces everywhere and I think they're still in gel mode. The Texans really should beat the Ravens but a few bad bounces and anything can happen.
Still waiting for the Texan's secondary to get their first INT..... Not enough turnovers coming out of the defense so far. Cushings' INT vs. San Diego is the lone take-away so far....
I'm still stunned the Texans are favorites here. After the way Houston has played the last two weeks, do they think playing a tougher team on the road is going to result in a win?
IF AJ is out and Rice plays, the Texans will be at a further disadvantage.
Still, this isn't Ray-Ray's Ravens. It isn't Ed Reed's Ravens (say, Ed, how about sharing with us some of their defensive signals?). It's Haloti Ngata's Ravens. It's Terrell Thuggs' Ravens. They aren't as good as last year.
Even without Battle Red Glasses on, I'm not stunned. Two weeks into the season, and the Ratbirds don't look like they will even make the playoffs. Granted, they'll get on a run later, and I'm assuming will catch a wild card at the end, but right now, they aren't that impressive.
The loss of Boldin and Pitta are killing them. Now Rice goes down and his gimpy? I'm thinking double digits (yes, I just put my glasses on.....)
Eeesh, Walter of Walterfootball.com (http://walterfootball.com/nflpicks2013_03early.php) like the Ravens so much that he made it his September Pick of the Month... Some fair reasoning but I hope he's wrong....
RECAP: This is my September NFL Pick of the Month. I love the Ravens for the following reasons:
1. This spread makes absolutely zero sense. Texans -2.5 at Ravens would translate to Texans -8.5 at home versus Ravens. Houston was -8 over Tennessee, so this is saying that the Titans are a half point better than Baltimore. What?
2. That brings me to the misconception the public has of these two teams. Average bettors think the Ravens are garbage because they can't score, but as noted above, that's simply not true. Baltimore put together some quality drives against a tough Cleveland defense last week. In the opener, the Ravens struggled because Michael Oher suffered an injury, and the coaching staff couldn't adjust for a fifth-round rookie tackle blocking Shaun Phillips. Baltimore has a great defense and a solid running attack, even if Rice is out.
Meanwhile, the Texans could very easily be 0-2. They needed a crazy comeback and help from the officials to beat the Chargers. They then were trailing in the second half at home against the Titans. Why are they road favorites against a decent team?
I have Houston and Baltimore Nos. 7 and 11 in my NFL Power Rankings. The Texans are slightly better, so my calculated line would normally be maybe Ravens -2. So, why is it -3.5? Read on...
3. The Texans just won in overtime. Home teams that prevail in an extra session and then have to travel usually struggle in terms of covering.
4. The Ravens have a pretty strong homefield advantage. They're a ridiculous 24-3 as hosts since 2010, with only the Packers (25-3) maintaining a better record in that span. Two of the three defeats have been to the rival Steelers, who know how to play in Baltimore, while the other was to Peyton Manning last year. Last time I checked, Matt Schaub was no Peyton Manning.
5. This is a big revenge game. Houston beat Baltimore last year, 43-13. Do you think a prideful team like the Ravens will let something like that go? The Texans were obviously not 30 points better than Baltimore last year, so what happened? Well, that was the first game in which Ray Lewis was out. Suggs happened to return from an Achilles that contest, but he wasn't himself quite yet. The Ravens were simply out of sorts, while Houston was out for blood after losing to Baltimore in the playoffs the year before. Well, it's the Ravens' turn for vengeance.
6. While the Ravens will be hyped up to get a victory here, the Texans don't really need this game. They're 2-0 right now. Following this contest, they have to deal with the 49ers and Seahawks. Those are non-conference foes, but they're perceived to be the top teams in the NFL (perhaps aside from Denver). Houston may have one eye on those two tilts.
7. Home underdogs seem to be the way to go this season. It's a small sample size, but thus far, they're 6-3 against the spread.
8. There's a great trend that supports the Ravens: Home underdogs who will be road favorites (Baltimore is at Buffalo next week) are fantastic bets in between Weeks 2-10: They were 61-26 against the spread since 1989 (that's how far back my records go).
HPF Bob
09-20-2013, 09:54 AM
What the above review is talking about is the gambling side of it - the point spread. I actually agree. The Texans have done nothing to deserve a 2.5 favorite status against the Ravens on the road. But the Texans *could* win by one or two points and this reviewer would still "win" by picking the Ravens.
But I don't follow the idea that the Texans are looking past last year's SB champions who could have a head-to-head tie-breaker over playoff seeding against them because they are looking ahead to two NFC opponents. I was ready to agree up to that talking point, which is stupid.
In the NFL, you play one week at a time. The Texans may lead the AFC South but their biggest rival just added a stud RB so do you think the Texans are going to relax?
The Ravens, I'm sure, feel just as comfortable that their biggest rival is a game behind them and they can tell themselves their one loss was against the probable "class" of the conference that needed to get revenge for last year's playoff blunder.
While the Texans stomped the Ravens at home last year, I'll bet many of them remember their last trip to Baltimore (playoffs '11) and feel they still have something to prove. At least I hope so.
But, in reality, the game boils down to match-ups which is why it matters if Duane Brown, Andre Johnson and Ed Reed are healthy. Can Myers hold down Ngata? Can our RG/RT keep out Thuggs? Will our FG kicker find himself in time or keep adding to his own pressure?
The Ravens also have injury issues to key players and will their guys be ready or will their backups? There are also some former Texans (Jones, Leach) who are probably going to be pumped for this game.
Gamblers try to look for numerical trends to base their decisions. That's what this review is basing their decision on. I'm sure by the same logic, they were betting on the Eagles to cover last night because almost everything they are saying about the Ravens could have been said about the Eagles (home game, need the win, fired up to play ex-coach, more explosive offense, etc.) and most of what they are saying about the Texans applied to Chiefs (on the road, lucky to be 2-0, etc.). EDIT: BTW, Philly was -3 to -3.5 favorite last night.
I just hope it doesn't come down to field goals.
barrett
09-20-2013, 12:32 PM
People get caught up a ton with what the point spread should be and the 3 points for the home team, but Vegas doesn't do anything on accident. If the "extra" points convince people to bet on the Ravens when it really should have been a pick em', than the only way Vega loses is a 1 or 2 point Ravens win. And since anything under a FG is really a pick em already, all those 2.5 points do is get people to put money on Baltimore.
I would predict Houston to win so I would also predict Houston to win by 2.5.
And I agree with Bob it is stupid to think the Texans are looking past this game.
nunusguy
09-20-2013, 01:49 PM
And I agree with Bob it is stupid to think the Texans are looking past this game.
Texans really have a bit of a rivalry with the Ravens at this point, they are the defending SB champs, and most important of all they and not the Seahawks or 49ers are in the AFC. All of these things point to the Texans viewing this as a bigger game for tfhe team than the following 2 weeks.
But with it looking more and more likely that Duane Brown doesn't play Sunday, I'm not feeling the least bit confidant about this game with Newt & Harris facing Dumervil & Suggs.
Picking the correct winner against the spread (ATS) is a very tough thing to do. It is even hard to maintain a 2:1 ratio (67% correct) picking straight up (SU) as those entered in the pickem contests will verify (It blows my mind how good some of the people in the ESPN pickem contests are. Some of these guys should go straight to Vegas). Picking against the spread is just that much tougher. A lot of smart men can be made to look silly... A monkey can get it right at least 50% of the time, right?
But I don't follow the idea that the Texans are looking past last year's SB champions who could have a head-to-head tie-breaker over playoff seeding against them because they are looking ahead to two NFC opponents. I was ready to agree up to that talking point, which is stupid.
I wouldn't call it stupid. Maybe faulty logic would be better. One thing I've learned is I want to have a really good reason why I made my pick so in case it loses, I can still feel somewhat justified about the pick. Quirky things happen sometimes (fumbles, INT's, a DB that knocks down a hail Mary pass straight into the hands of the wrong team). Picking the Chargers because they got cool looking uniforms is not a really good reason.
Gamblers try to look for numerical trends to base their decisions. That's what this review is basing their decision on. I'm sure by the same logic, they were betting on the Eagles to cover last night because almost everything they are saying about the Ravens could have been said about the Eagles (home game, need the win, fired up to play ex-coach, more explosive offense, etc.) and most of what they are saying about the Texans applied to Chiefs (on the road, lucky to be 2-0, etc.). EDIT: BTW, Philly was -3 to -3.5 favorite last night.
I just hope it doesn't come down to field goals.
Actually, Walt had the Chiefs last night (see first game at the link (http://www.walterfootball.com/nflpicks2013_03early.php)).
There are some that rely heavily on trend data. Some of this data can get quite obscure (home team coming off a road loss in a Monday night game in the month of October). Most use some combination of trend data and logic, team "hotness", injuries, a feel for team psychology, Ouija board (j/k), etc. You've heard the expression "past performance is no indication of future performance"? That's both true and false in the world of picking ATS.
Though Walt has been slumping the last couple of years, he had a nice run before that. He's not off to a good start this year but what one can't accuse him of, is not doing his homework.....
That said, I hope he's wrong but I would not be shocked if the Ravens won. If the Texans win by 3 or better, at least Walt has some pretty good reasons for picking the way he did.
HPF Bob
09-21-2013, 08:45 AM
Trending well on the injury front: Andre Johnson has been cleared and will play.
Ray Rice and DL Chris Canty are both listed as doubtful. If Rice cannot go, his backup is the underrated Bernard Pierce but I'd rather see Pierce than Rice.
D Brown is officially out. Did not make the trip.
Suggs and Dumervil vs. Harris and Newton. :(
3 steps, boots, screens and draws a plenty.
@McClain_on_NFL: Ed Reed is starting against the Ravens.
@MarkBermanFox26: Texans inactives: QB Case Keenum, WR Lestar Jean, OLB Sam Montgomery, OT Duane Brown, ILB Justin Tuggle, DE Tim Jamison, G Cody White
Ravens win the toss and defer. Texans to receive. Martin brings the kickoff back to about the Texan 22.
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Screen to OD loses 2. 2nd and 12 coming up.
Foster up the gut for about 8. 3rd and 4 coming up.
Pass to OD in the flat good for 5 and the 1st down.
Screen to Tate goes to the Texan 40. 2nd and 4 coming up.
False start Texans -5. 2nd and 9 coming up.
Tate gets 4 back. Makes it 3rd and 5.
Pass to AJ goes to near midfield, 1st down.
Foster for 4.
Deep pass to Hopkins too long. Flags down.... Illegal contact on Ravens +5, auto 1st down. Ball at the Raven 42.
Pass to OD over the middle gets about 12.
Tate for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up. Cody (Ravens) down on the play. Injury timeout.
Tate for about 5. Ball at the Raven 23. 3rd and 4 coming up.
Pass to OD off the mark, inc. Texans have to go for the FG.
Bullock on for the 41-yarder. Flags down. Illegal substitution on Ravens, +5 gives the Texans a 1st down.
Foster for 10. Ball at the Raven 8. 1st and goal.
Foster for no gain or loss of 1.
Oy, Schaub's pass off the mark, inc. Makes it 3rd and goal from the 9.
Pass to OD broken up, inc. Texans to go for the FG.
Bullock is good on the 27-yard FG.
Texans 3, Ravens 0
7:06 left in the 1st quarter.
Ravens bring the ensuing kickoff back to their 17. Flags down, holding on Ravens. Places the ball at the Raven 7.
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Pierce gets 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.
Pierce for 3.
Pass to Brown over the middle goes inc. Brings up 4th and 3 and the Ravens will punt.
Punt goes out of bounds at the Texan 40. Texans ball.
Schaub is pressured but throws it away. Flags down. Illegal formation Texans -5. Replay 1st down, 1st and 15 coming up.
Tate for 6.
Down goes Schaub. Flags down.... holding on Texans is declined. Makes it 3rd and 17 coming up.
Foster gets about 8. Texans have to punt on 4th and 9.
Goodness, Lechler's punt is downed at the Raven 1 yard line. Ravens ball.
Warren
09-22-2013, 12:33 PM
You can't appreciate how good Lechler is until you watch him every week. He really is an impact player.
Leach for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.
Pierce gets 2. 3rd and 7 coming up.
Flacco's pass too tall for Clark in the flat, inc. Ravens to punt.
Martin brings the punt back to the Raven 42 but flags down..... Late hit on Ravens +15. Places the ball at the Raven 29.
Foster for 2 or 3. Flag down... offsides Ravens +5. Makes it 1st and 5.
Foster goes left for about 8 yards. 1st and 10 at the Raven 17.
Foster up the gut for 4.
Foster slashes for 3. 3rd and 3 coming up.
Pass to AJ bobbled but caught and loses 1. Texans to go for the FG.
Bullock's 29-yarder is good.
Texans 6, Ravens 0
14:56 left in the half.
Ravens bring the ensuing kickoff back to their 24. Ravens ball.
-----------------------
Pass to Leach goes for 7.
Pierce for no gain. 3rd and 3 coming up.
Pass to Brown in the flat gets 2..... Flag down.... Unsportmanlike conduct on Joseph, 15 yards. Places the ball a the Raven 48.
Pass to Dixon goes for big gainer but comes back because of a facemask on the Ravens. Makes it 1st and 25.
Dumpoff pass to Pierce gets 2.
Pass to Smith in the flat gets 5. 3rd and 18 coming up.
Pass to Clark gets about 5. Flag - another facemask on the Ravens. Makes it 3rd and 33 coming up.
Flacco nearly sacked by Mercilus results in a fumble recovered by the Ravens. Ravens to punt.
Martin brings the punt back to about the Texan 28. Texans ball. 10:54 left in the half.
Schaub pressured, throws it away. 2nd and 10 coming up.
Tate for about 3. 3rd and 7 coming up. Timeout Texans.
Pass to Martin gets 7 and the 1st down. Flag down....holding maybe on the Texans, -10.
Foster for about 4. Texans to punt on 4th and 13.
Ravens bring the punt back to their 28. Ravens ball.
Pierce for 1.
Short pass to Clark off the mark, inc. 3rd and 9 coming up.
Pass to Clark goes to midfield, 1st down.
Short pass over the middle is inc. but holding on Ravens makes it 1st and 20.
Pierce for 3. 2nd and 17 coming up.
Pass to Smith gets 7. Brings up 3rd and 10 with under 7 minutes left in the half.
Flags presnap. Neutral zone infraction on the Texans. Makes it 3rd and 5.
Pass to Stokely gets 9 and the 1st down. Ball at the Texan 36.
Pierce for no gain.
Deep pass to Brown is inc but they're going to get KJ for PI. Auto 1st down at the Texan 15.
Flacco's pass into the endzone goes inc. Flag down......offsides on Cushing makes it 1st and 5 at the 10 yard line.
Pass in the endzone to Clark is inc.
Pierce for no gain. Brings up 3rd and 5.
Flacco pressured throws it out of the endzone, inc. Ravens to go for the FG.
Tucker's 28-yard FG is good.
Texans 6, Ravens 3
4:11 left in the half.
Martin downs the ensuing kickoff in the endzone, touchback. Texans ball at their 20.
--------------------------------
Dink pass to AJ gets 7. 2nd and 3 coming up.
Pass to AJ in the flat gets 8 and the 1st down.
Schaub's pass is complete to the Ravens for a pick 6. 37 yards.
Ravens 10, Texans 6
2:39 left in the half.
BigBull
09-22-2013, 01:19 PM
Is Schaub blind?:confused:
Martin brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Texan 22. Texans ball.
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Tate goes right side for about 10. A little over 2 minutes left in the half.
Tate for 3. 2nd and 7 at the Texan 35.
2 minute warning.
Is Schaub blind?:confused:
He needs to throw to somebody besides AJ and OD.
On 2nd and 7, down goes Schaub. Loss of 9. 3rd and 16 coming up.
Screen to Foster loses 2. Ravens call timeout with 1:05 left in the half. Texans to punt.
Lechler's punt is returned all the way for the TD. 82 yards.
Ravens 17, Texans 6
45 seconds left in the half.
Big Texas
09-22-2013, 01:25 PM
Shaub literally picks THE WORST times to throw picks...it's not that he throws a lot of them...he just gets very complacent and makes a LAZY ASS throw...
Big Texas
09-22-2013, 01:27 PM
So their defense and special teams has out scored our offense...
popanot
09-22-2013, 01:28 PM
Texans stinking it up again. Unbelievable.
Big Texas
09-22-2013, 01:28 PM
He needs to throw to somebody besides AJ and OD.
He's afraid to...
Big Texas
09-22-2013, 01:30 PM
I wonder what Wade Phillips is thinking...probably I'm outta here next year these bastards are gonna make me lose my mind
barrett
09-22-2013, 01:32 PM
He needs to throw to somebody besides AJ and OD.
The real problem is the ball isn't going past 10 yards so there whole team is creeping up. But anytime we try to pass protect for 3 seconds we get killed. Our OL is in trouble and we have the wrong QB for OL trouble.
Martin downs the ensuing kickoff in the endzone. Texans ball at their 20.
------------------------------------
Dink pass to OD good for 8.
Pass to Hopkins goes for nice gainer. Timeout Texans with 20 seconds left. Ball at the Texan 46.
Pass to Hopkins gets to the Raven 37. 14 seconds left.
Pass to Posey gets to the Raven 29. Texans setting up for a FG with 4 seconds left.
Bullock's 47-yarder is good.
Ravens 17, Texans 9
Halftime.
BigBull
09-22-2013, 01:36 PM
Looks like Bullock brought his A game today.
Halftime stats:
Passing: Schaub 13/18 for 96 yards, 0 TD's, 1 INT
Rushing: Foster 9/46, Tate 7/32
Receiving: OD 4/25, AJ 4/24, Hopkins 2/34, Posey 1/9, Tate 1/6, Foster 1/-2
Tackles: Manning/Cushing/Watt/Reed 3 each, A Smith/KJ/Swearinger/Mercilus 2 each
Time of possession: Texans 18:21, Ravens 11:39
1st downs: Texans 11, Ravens 4
Total yards: Texans 157, Ravens 65
3rd down efficiency: Texans 2/8, Ravens 2/7
Red zone: Texans 0/2, Ravens 0/1
Penalties: Texans 7/66, Ravens 8/77
Turnovers: Texans 1, Ravens 1
2nd half kickoff goes out of the endzone. Ravens ball at their 20.
------------------------------------------
Flacco is sacked by Watt. Loss of 9.
Screen to Pierce goes for 6. 3rd and 13 coming up.
Deep pass to Smith goes for big gainer. Ball at the Texans 35.
Pierce for 3.
Deep pass to Smith is complete at the Texan 9. Play is under review......
Pass is ruled incomplete! Makes it 3rd and 7 at the Texan 32.
Spot of the ball is being reviewed....
HPF Bob
09-22-2013, 01:56 PM
Nice to see Bullock have some confidence-builders but I knew those early squandered opportunities would come back to bite us.
Ball is spotted at the Texan 33. 3rd and 7 coming up. 12:49 left in the 3rd quarter.
Pass to Smith goes all the way to the Texan 8. 1st and goal.
Pierce for 1.
Pass in the endzone is inc but PI on KJ. Makes it 1st and goal at the 1 yard line.
Pierce for about a half yard. 2nd and goal coming up.
Pierce walks in for the TD.
Ravens 24, Texans 9
11:05 left in the 3rd quarter.
popanot
09-22-2013, 02:09 PM
Well, you give up a pick-6, a ST TD, have a dink-and-dunk Offense, and then can't covert redzone opportunities into TD's, and this is what you get.
The ensuing kickoff goes out of the endzone. Texans ball at their 20.
------------------------------
Pass to AJ good for 12.
Foster for 2.
Foster for 8 and a 1st down.
Pass to Hopkins good for 6.
Tate for 1. Ball at the Texan 49. 3rd and 3 coming up.
Schaub's pass goes inc but flag on the play. Illegal shift on Texans is declined. Texans to punt.
Ravens fair catch at their 11 yard line. Flag down..... Holding on Ravens backs it up to their 6. Ravens ball.
popanot
09-22-2013, 02:18 PM
Meltdown in full swing.
Pierce for 1.
Pass to Clark gets 5. 3rd and 4 coming up.
Pass to Leach gets 4 and the 1st down. Roughing the passer on Mercilus, 15 yards and an auto 1st down.
Pierce for no gain. Ball at the Raven 31.
Flags presnap. Neutral zone on Texans... makes it 2nd and 5.
Pierce for 4. Brings up 3rd and 1.
Pierce gets hammered by Mays for no gain. Raven to punt.
Martin fair catches at the Texan 19. Texans ball. 4:04 left in the 3rd quarter.
Ball is placed at the Texan 20.
Pass to Martin goes for nice gainer. 17 yards.
Foster loses 2. 2nd and 12 coming up.
Pass to Martin goes to the Ravens 47.
Pass to Hopkins gets about 9. 2nd and 1 coming up.
Tate rolls right for about 3 and the 1st down.
Pass to Tate in the flat loses 5.
Deep pass down the sideline sails inc. 3rd and 15 coming up. 37 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.
Timeout Ravens.
On 3rd and 15, pass to Martin off his hands, inc. Texans to punt.
Punt is downed by the Texans at the Raven 3 yard line. Ravens ball. 24 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.
Pierce gets loose for big gainer. Ball at the Raven 29.
End of the 3rd quarter.
popanot
09-22-2013, 02:36 PM
It's bad when your P and K are the game MVPs entering the 4th QTR.
Cushing offsides, 5 yards. 1st and 5 coming up.
Pass to Brown gets 4. 2nd and 1 coming up.
Deep pass to Smith is inc. Brings up 3rd and 1.
Draughn rushes for 2 and the 1st down.
Pass to Smith gets 9.
Pass to Clark gets nice gain and a 1st down. Ball at the Texan 39.
Flags presnap. Offsides Texans -5. 1st and 5 coming up.
Draughn TFL'ed by Watt for loss of 2.
Draughn for 1. A little over 11 minutes left in the game. 3rd and 6 coming up.
Pass to Clark gets 8 and the 1st down at the Texan 26.
Pierce for no gain.
Pierce loses 1. 3rd and 10 coming up.
Flacco's pass sails inc. Ravens to go for the FG on 4th and 10.
Tucker's 45-yarder is good.
Ravens 27, Texans 9
9:09 left in the game.
Big Texas
09-22-2013, 02:45 PM
So the addition of Hopkins was supposed to make our offense explosive right...then why does it look so ridiculously slow? Does the loss of one OL deplete our offense? If so, we are not ready for the Super Bowl...
The ensuing kickoff goes out of the endzone. Texans ball at their 20.
---------------------------------------
Pass to Posey over the middle is broken up, inc.
Dumpoff pass to Tate gets 6. 3rd and 4 coming up.
Pass to Hopkins gets 5 and the 1st down.
Dink pass to Hopkins gets 6 more.
Pass to OD gets 4 and the 1st down. A little over 7 minutes left in the game.
Down goes Schaub. Loss of 7.
Pass gets 7. 3rd and 10 coming up.
Flags presnap..... False start OD. Makes it 3rd and 15.
Pass to Posey gets 13. Texans going for it on 4th and 2.
Timeout Texans. 5:03 left in the game.
Schaub's pass off the mark, inc. Ravens takeover on downs. Ball at midfield.
barrett
09-22-2013, 03:02 PM
So the addition of Hopkins was supposed to make our offense explosive right...then why does it look so ridiculously slow? Does the loss of one OL deplete our offense? If so, we are not ready for the Super Bowl...
Our OL looked that bad for large stretches of the Tennesee game and Brown was awful in SD. Wade Smith was attricious in pass protection today. We look bad across the board offensively.
Pierce for no gain.
Pierce goes right for about 10 or 11, 1st down.
Flags presnap. Illegal substitution on Texans, 5 yards, makes it 1st and 5.
Pierce for 4. 2nd and 1 coming up. Ball at the Texan 31.
Pierce gets close to the 1st down..... Makes it 3rd and 1. Ravens challenge the spot of the ball....
Play is ruled a good spot - still 3rd and 1.
Leach for 1 and the 1st down.
Pierce for 3...... 3 minutes left in the game. No timeouts left for anyone.
Pierce for 3. Ball at the Texans 24.
2 minute warning.
The O laid an egg today, it happens.
Next....
On 3rd and 5, flags presnap.... False start Ravens makes it 3rd and 10.
Leach for 4 or 5. Brings up 4th and 5. Ravens to go for the FG.
Tucker's 43-yarder is good.
Ravens 30, Texans 9
1:08 left in the game.
Wood downs the ensuing kickoff in the endzone. Texans ball at their 20.
----------------------------------
Wood for 1 yard.
Wood for about 4.
Time runs out.
Final Score:
Ravens 30, Texans 9
HPF Bob
09-22-2013, 03:44 PM
Not a lot to say. The Pick 6 changed the momentum and then the punt return iced it. Texans had little fight after that. I'm really not surprised.
Hey, Ed Reed. Which team gave you a big contract this year? So how about you stop laughing and smiling on the sideline as if your side is winning? Oh, that's right. YOUR side is winning. Congratulations, bastard.
TheMatrix31
09-22-2013, 05:18 PM
Just one of those days.
This team will not be successful if the offensive line stays as atrocious as it is.
popanot
09-22-2013, 05:55 PM
This team is in serious trouble, IMO.
Offensively: OL sucks, QB can't get out of the pocket and can't hit a deep ball (w/o the D making a mistake), no physicality and can't effectively play finesse ball, slow doesn't even begin to describe most of our offensive 'talent', Kubiak's scheme appears slow and outdated.
Defensively: No pass rush, can't create turnovers, horrible backend play, teams look to have figured out how to exploit Wade's scheme, anyone not named Watt or Cushing is playing like sh&?...
It really ticks me off this team can't play physical football. I absolutely cannot stand wimpy teams, and unfortunately, we've become one. I see a team that will be lucky to win 9 games this year. Ugh, my head hurts...
Watching the Colts v SF game. The Colts are WAY better than we are.
barrett
09-22-2013, 06:34 PM
This team is in serious trouble, IMO.
Offensively: OL sucks, QB can't get out of the pocket and can't hit a deep ball (w/o the D making a mistake), no physicality and can't effectively play finesse ball, slow doesn't even begin to describe most of our offensive 'talent', Kubiak's scheme appears slow and outdated.
Defensively: No pass rush, can't create turnovers, horrible backend play, teams look to have figured out how to exploit Wade's scheme, anyone not named Watt or Cushing is playing like sh&?...
It really ticks me off this team can't play physical football. I absolutely cannot stand wimpy teams, and unfortunately, we've become one. I see a team that will be lucky to win 9 games this year. Ugh, my head hurts...
Watching the Colts v SF game. The Colts are WAY better than we are.
They weren't more physical than us, we ran the ball effectively and completely shut down their running game. We lost the game on 2 terrible plays. We let an offense that couldn't get a 1st down off the hook by spotting them free TDs. Being phyical had nothing to do with it.
popanot
09-22-2013, 06:52 PM
I'm not talking about just this game, I'm talking about what this team has become. It's been going on for awhile now. As for this game, IMO, the Ravens were definitely more physical than us. When I came time to hit someone and make a stop, they did it and we didn't. Yes, our offense shut them down the in the 1rst QTR, but after that, they didn't do squat to slow down the Ravens. Yes, they gave up that pick-6 and punt return, but even after that they were still in the game. They did nothing and were no threat at all offensively or defensively after the half despite still being within striking distance.
I'm not talking about just this game, I'm talking about what this team has become. It's been going on for awhile now. As for this game, IMO, the Ravens were definitely more physical than us. When I came time to hit someone and make a stop, they did it and we didn't. Yes, our offense shut them down the in the 1rst QTR, but after that, they didn't do squat to slow down the Ravens. Yes, they gave up that pick-6 and punt return, but even after that they were still in the game. They did nothing and were no threat at all offensively or defensively after the half despite still being within striking distance.
Soft, Really?
The same team that out slugged TN last week is soft?
The same team that squashed SD in the 2nd half in week 1?
The same team that allowed less than 240 TOTAL yards today?
Totally disagree.
We played like shit today. Period, exclamation point. I still don't think we suck, and I don't think the Colts are better than us. I have no idea where they got that defensive effort from, but they played well today. San Fran is taking a nose dive, and are about to lose their major pass rusher.
Its week 3, and we're 2-1. Regardless of how we got there, we're there. Surely you didn't thing we were going to go thru the entire season without laying an egg.
News flash, we're probably going to do it again too. And so is just about every other team. It happens.
TheMatrix31
09-22-2013, 07:39 PM
They weren't more physical than us, we ran the ball effectively and completely shut down their running game. We lost the game on 2 terrible plays. We let an offense that couldn't get a 1st down off the hook by spotting them free TDs. Being phyical had nothing to do with it.
Yep. Just like we spotted them 7 free points with that loser Jacoby Jones' muffed punt in the playoffs. Our defense shuts down their offense, gift them free points, and don't do anything offensively. That's how they won the playoff game. That's how they won today.
For what it's worth....SF, GB, and Atlanta all lost (and looked horrible, especially SF) today and all have Super Bowl expectations like we do. Like I said, it's just one of those days.
Nconroe
09-22-2013, 07:55 PM
For sure the pick six changed the momentum. Followed by the punt return for six really made it tough against a good defense at home on Ray Rice day.
It seems end of second quarter and start of third quarter the team has had a let down all three games so far.
Our defense did hold Ravens to less first downs, less yards, and less time of possessions than Texans. But they aren't getting turnovers despite pretty good pressure on opposing QB.
Then consistency really was hurt by 14 penalties for 113 yds, both offense and defense. For a reasonably experienced team that was a lot of penalties, many just stupid penalties.
Colts and Titans are 2-1 just like Texans. Texans are bound to get more consistency as games go by, although next two games could be difficult as well.
Foster looked a lot better but didn't get that many carries. And nice to see Posey out there again.
I thought Mercilus, Sweringer, and Manning showed up on defense.
OL I'm hoping a few more games will get healthy and jell into a very good OL going through Nov, Dec and Jan
popanot
09-22-2013, 09:15 PM
Soft, Really?
The same team that out slugged TN last week is soft?
The same team that squashed SD in the 2nd half in week 1?
The same team that allowed less than 240 TOTAL yards today?
Yes. And yes, that team. I'll give you they played physical smash-mouth football in the 2nd half of the SD game, but that's about it. You're not going to convince me this is a physical team that imposes their will on either side of the ball. Shoot, I'd be happy if just one side of the ball did it somewhat consistently. Maybe the D did 2 years ago in Wade's fist year, but that's been a loooong time ago.
We played like shit today. Period, exclamation point. I still don't think we suck, and I don't think the Colts are better than us.
I don't think we suck, but I don't think we're very good right now. And do think the Colts are better right now. JMHO. And believe me, it hurts to say that.
Its week 3, and we're 2-1. Regardless of how we got there, we're there. Surely you didn't thing we were going to go thru the entire season without laying an egg.
Never said that they'd go 16-0. However, this team is supposed to be a SB contender and I expect them to show up. They got asses kicked today. I don't care if it's pick-6's, ST TD's, whatever. It's a team game and they all got their asses kicked. 30-9, ZERO points in the 2nd half when they were still in the game - in spite of the 1rst half egg laying. And BTW, I don't care about what SF, GB, ATL, or anyone else does. They're a non-factor. I care about our team and they're not playing well..
They've played basically 30 minutes of good, quality offensive and defensive football (2nd half in SD) so far in 3 games. I'm glad they have 2 wins, wish it was 3, but I'm not happy with what they're doing and will express it. Other than the 2 wins, I can't imagine what positives people can pull out of what they're doing right now. Great, 2 wins, but how many more wins can we expect with how they're playing? That's my concern. They better figure it out soon.
barrett
09-22-2013, 10:19 PM
You can rant and wine after an ugly loss all you want. You can see about purcahsing Firekubiak.com . You can bemoan Matt Schaub's lack of mobility and arm strength. You can burn Bob McNair in effegy and remember the good old days when Wade's defense was tough. Good for you if that's how you deal with a loss. I deal with a loss by getting cranky and disagreeing with the specific content of posts meant to express general displeasure. I look to be 'reasonable', and to poke those who aren't. And someone else is not posting and just drinking. To each his own.
But your idea that we are soft is still more football cliche than truth. People love to talk soft and physical without anything real to back up either. The Ravens couldn't run the ball, didn't stop the run, made no big tackles, got absolutely stuffed on 3rd and 1 in the 2nd half, and won on a few big plays from fast players. They were as finesse as it comes. And they were the far better team. It wasn't even close who the better team was today and it had nothing to do with hitting hard.
As for Indy, there season was in jeopardy 24 hours ago. They inched by Oakland at home, got beat by Miami, and then panic traded for a guy who has 2 runs over 20 yards in 300 career carries (and that guy ran for 2.7 YPC today, just like he did in Cleveland). Then they got a great win today in SF and the whole narrative changes. That is the nature of the NFL. You only play 16 games, so everyone matters. A loss means the sky is falling and a win means you're super bowl bound. Except all that matters is getting into the playoffs and being hot in January.
I am very worried about our OL right now. I continue to be permanently nervous about our QB. I don't know why our coaching staff hasn't had our guys ready to play yet. And I am totally confused about our mostly missing in action OLBs (should we file a missing persons report for Brooks Reed?). But I am not the slightest bit worried about how physical we are.
Early line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) vs. Seattle next Sunday is Seahawks by 3.
TheMatrix31
09-23-2013, 12:44 AM
I brought up SF, Atlanta, and Green Bay because they're in in an even worse position than we are and they have "legitimate QBs" which we supposedly do not. The point is, everyone seems to lament us having Schaub but look what having Kaepernick, Ryan, and Rodgers gets ya!
The point is that it's Week 3. The regular season is to work out the kinks. Do we want to look like this? Of course not. Neither do they. After what the Giants pulled in the last five years, and after all the other countless examples, you'd think we'd learn not to freak out about the regular season.
We're not the ****************ing Pittsburgh Steelers, here. It's ugly but jeez, have some patience.
popanot
09-23-2013, 06:28 AM
We're not the ****************ing Pittsburgh Steelers, here. It's ugly but jeez, have some patience.Relax. No one, certainly not me, said the team totally sucks or that the season is over. All I did was point out the GLARING weaknesses this team has had since well into last season and continue to have this season. I also said this team lacks physicality. Whether our voice of 'reason', barrett, thinks so or not, I do and I'll say so. Sorry that seems to have upset some folks.
popanot
09-23-2013, 07:03 AM
You can rant and wine after an ugly loss all you want. You can see about purcahsing Firekubiak.com . You can bemoan Matt Schaub's lack of mobility and arm strength. You can burn Bob McNair in effegy and remember the good old days when Wade's defense was tough. Good for you if that's how you deal with a loss. I deal with a loss by getting cranky and disagreeing with the specific content of posts meant to express general displeasure. I look to be 'reasonable', and to poke those who aren't. And someone else is not posting and just drinking. To each his own..Nothing like taking one comment of mine and blowing it totally out of proportion. I appreciate you allowing me to voice my displeasure how I want.
But your idea that we are soft is still more football cliche than truth. People love to talk soft and physical without anything real to back up either. ..Whether you think it's real or not, that's how I, and I'm sure many others, perceive this team. It's called an opinion.
As for Indy, there season was in jeopardy 24 hours ago. They inched by Oakland at home, got beat by Miami, and then panic traded for a guy who has 2 runs over 20 yards in 300 career carries (and that guy ran for 2.7 YPC today, just like he did in Cleveland). Then they got a great win today in SF and the whole narrative changes. That is the nature of the NFL. You only play 16 games, so everyone matters. A loss means the sky is falling and a win means you're super bowl bound. Except all that matters is getting into the playoffs and being hot in January...Again, totally blowing what I said out of proportion. Never once did I crown them champion. I said, as of right this moment, I think the Colts are better than we are. I understand that upsets people.
I am very worried about our OL right now. I continue to be permanently nervous about our QB. I don't know why our coaching staff hasn't had our guys ready to play yet. And I am totally confused about our mostly missing in action OLBs (should we file a missing persons report for Brooks Reed?).Thanks for reiterating every concern I brought up in my original post. I'll let you know when firekubiak.com is live. Promise, free to the public and no advertising.
HPF Bob
09-23-2013, 10:00 AM
I said back when the season began that some will panic if the Texans start 2-3. But fear not. Even if we start 2-3, we basically have four tough games after that for the rest of the schedule (Indy twice, NE and Den and three of those are home games). I presume Duane Brown is back soon and we get back to teaching K-Jack not to interfere on passes.
If we split with Indy, I see us no worse than 10-6 and a wild card.
Interesting to note that, in the NFC (the allegedly superior conference), they don't have enough teams over .500 to fill out a playoff bracket while the AFC has four undefeateds and ten teams over .500. So there is a lot to shake out and the skies will probably get darker before it gets brighter.
Seattle spends the next two weeks at Houston then at Indianapolis so they should be a good barometer of where we stand vis-a-vis the Colts.
chuck
09-23-2013, 01:09 PM
... and we get back to teaching K-Jack not to interfere on passes.
I'm sure those lessons will start to sink in right about the time he signs as a free agent with Atlanta.
I don't see the Texans as soft. I simply see a team whose OL blows, whose QB is a statue, whose play caller is an idiot and whose owner protects and coddles the coach of the worst special teams unit in football. Other than that they're doing great.
Joshua
09-23-2013, 02:49 PM
I'm sure those lessons will start to sink in right about the time he signs as a free agent with Atlanta.
I don't see the Texans as soft. I simply see a team whose OL blows, whose QB is a statue, whose play caller is an idiot and whose owner protects and coddles the coach of the worst special teams unit in football. Other than that they're doing great.
I tend to agree with this, although I think Kareem got screwed on at least one of those penalties and is actually a pretty good player at this point. At least he's running stride for stride with his guy where he can interfere. More than we can say for Joseph these days.
Unfortunately, the Texans probably are what they are. An above average team, but one with a fairly low ceiling due to their QB's limitations. So, I suspect they'll go 10-6 or somewhere around there and make the playoffs, but I just don't see how they're going to "get hot" come January. Getting hot generally means your QB starts playing out of his mind. Even at his best, I don't think Schaub is capable of much more than "efficiently running the offense."
chuck
09-23-2013, 05:07 PM
If the team goes 10-6 this year it will be a miracle.
Nconroe
09-23-2013, 10:12 PM
If the team goes 10-6 this year it will be a miracle.
I don't believe in miracles, but perhaps a magic spell could help.
nunusguy
09-25-2013, 08:55 AM
At the beginning of the year with this years schedule I was thinking 10-6 and 4-2 in the division, and now I'm wondering if achieving both of those goals is starting to look downright ambitous ? However I realize that we were just 2 plays away from being in Sundays game to the way end, but wow were they big plays.
Watching Kubiak settle for those field goals in the first half was really frustrating and although I know the Ravens offense hasn't been a juggernaut this year, I wondered just what the HC was thinking ? I expected Kubiak to come out in a full single-wing formation any series. Did the Texans throw the ball down field one time ?
I just hope somebody tells the HC to think TDs first and then FGs this Sunday in Reliant vs Seattle.
And I'm still trying to figure out the Indy in San Fran game ? What was that about ?
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