Official Texans vs. Saints Fake Game Thread, 8/20/2016

[Arky]

The Texans will be home playing game #2 of the preseason against the Saints on Saturday Aug 20 @ 7pm CST.

Looking to see some gains with Oz's development though he will probably be confined somewhat to short passes and dump offs...

One player that stood out in the 1st preseason game was Iowa State pickup WR Josh Lenz. Another good performance and he could really throw a monkey wrench into the crowded wide receiver competition....

Side note: Brian Hoyer was 4/14, 85 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 22.6 rating for the Bears last night vs. New England.

[barrett]

Side note: Brian Hoyer was 4/14, 85 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 22.6 rating for the Bears last night vs. New England.

So you're saying he's already in postseason form.

[Arky]

So you're saying he's already in postseason form.

Haha!

---------------------

[chuck]

So you're saying he's already in postseason form.

1 INT

Not quite yet.

[Nconroe]

I'm hoping we see enough good from Osweiler this game to feel like maybe we found a QB going forward.

[Arky]

Line movement suggests a lot of people backing the Saints in this one - Texans opened as a 3 pt favorite and it's now down to a "pickem" game........

Might need some more 2nd half magic from Savage to win this one....

[HPF Bob]

What if Savage continues to outplay Ostrich? Would we demote Mr. $17 million? I forgot we had Savage on the roster but he was clearly the best QB we had last week.

BTW, last night Arian Foster looked like he lacked the burst he had before achilles surgery and Mario Williams looked like he lacked the motivation he had before signing that contract with Buffalo. Both are with Miami now.

[nunusguy]

Line movement suggests a lot of people backing the Saints in this one - Texans opened as a 3 pt favorite and it's now down to a "pickem" game........

Might need some more 2nd half magic from Savage to win this one....

So there's really action on PS games ? That's probably much more about the gamblers than the NFL fans.
Yea if Savage continues to impress more than Brock in the PS games, then that's gonna make things uncomfortable for a few people.

[chuck]

What if Savage continues to outplay Ostrich? Would we demote Mr. $17 million? I forgot we had Savage on the roster but he was clearly the best QB we had last week.

BTW, last night Arian Foster looked like he lacked the burst he had before achilles surgery and Mario Williams looked like he lacked the motivation he had before signing that contract with Buffalo. Both are with Miami now.

I have watched bits of many of the games so far and I have seen some seriously awful football.

And no, they will not bench BO at the first sign of trouble. This is Houston, not Denver. That reminds me, Scantron Mallett and his Ravens are going to play here in a little bit agains the Colts. Maybe I'll catch the first quarter or so.

[barrett]

If you are picking a QB based on preseason play then you don't have a QB. You pick your QB in the offseason based on body of work. I would guess at this point O'Brien's job is tied to Osweiller, so I suspect he has a very long leash.

[Big Texas]

I was about to be upset about that first drive...but I reserved judgement and it turned out well...

[Nconroe]

Ok, reasonable start to game.

Fumble recovery on punt. Good turnover.

First down to TE Anderson.

One sack, but overall pass protection by Oline good .

Then, 30 yd TD strike to Fuller. Very nice throw by Osweiler and catch.

[Nconroe]

Looked to me like Demps caused a fumble, but anyways 4th down punt practice to fair catch on 11 yd line.

Osweiler zipping that ball in there to a variety of receivers for couple first downs.

Punt fair caught on 14 by Saints.

Texans forcing loose balls so far.

First Mercililus caused a fumble that Saints retained.

Then Jonathan Joseph intercepted a pass.

Another good pass to Fuller.

Probably time for backups pretty soon, keep everyone healthy.

Nice 49 yd field goal by Novak.

Texans up 10-0.

[barrett]

Fuller looks like a WR who is fast rather than a fast guy trying to play WR.

[Nconroe]

Clowney being pretty disruptive. Big sack for loss of 10 by Clowney back to 5. Kevin Johnson nice open field tackle. Punt to Texans . Defense tackling better this presentation season game compared to last week.

Texans swimsuit calendar looks nice too.

Osweiler still in, about 12th min left second quarter.

[Nconroe]

On 4th and goal at 3 Texans went for it.

Well, ball was intercepted, and Texans called for silly face mask. I guess wouldn't happen in a real game , but it's preseason.

SuaFilo only starter on Oline, so lots of Oline backup experience tonight. Shows some, but ok.

[chuck]

Fuller looks like a WR who is fast rather than a fast guy trying to play WR.

He looks more like a football player than I had expected. But he's still not really winning me over, I have to say. Braxton Miller, though, I am really liking that guy.

[Nconroe]

I like both those young receivers.

With 5 min left first half, Savage in.

I thought Osweiler showed fair progress.

[Keith]

He looks more like a football player than I had expected. But he's still not really winning me over, I have to say.

I'm trying to think of a Texans first rounder for whom I had lower expectations and can't. So yeah, pleasantly surprised he looks like more than a one-dimensional speed/deep threat.

Stunned Clowney is still on the field. Looks great, I just cringe every time he moves his knee.

[Nconroe]

We dodged a bullet on that backward pass, recovery by Saints.

Hunt as done the best on kickoff returns for 4th quarter in preseason.

Weeden in now with 8 or so minutes to go. Weeden, all three QB have strong arms .

[chuck]

The health of the OL is a real concern. Otherwise I think we're in pretty good shape across the board.

[barrett]

Fuller ran a good route on the deep out before the redzone INT. He also showed a willingness to go over the middle and then some after catch ability in the 2 minute drill with Savage. I don't know how good he'll be yet, but he is definitely more than a speed guy. I think he will be a good #2 WR/deep threat/complimentary piece to Hopkins. Whether that is worth a #1 is a good question.

[HPF Bob]

The OL is still a hot mess and, you must remember, this is the Saints defense we are talking about, but you could see Ostrich and his new receivers starting to build a rhythm. Let's cut Cecil Shorts today and offer that money to D-Hop.

I think it will be interesting if Watt has to sit a few games what opposing d-coords will do. They are so used to being obsessed with Watt but there's still Clowney and Mercilus to disrupt out there.

Sad that our rookie center is missing valuable development time.

[Arky]

I think the defense has been the "surprise" so far. Just one TD allowed in two preseason games. Would love to see them keep it going into the regular season.....

Both defense and offense will have their work cut out for them next week against Arizona - a team that is as good as any in the NFL.....

[Nconroe]

Overall, preseason game 2 looked better than preseason 1, all phases. Nice to see Clowney and Cushing back.

A few reviews from around the Web, the game stats in ESPN link are interesting.

http://www.battleredblog.com/2016/8/22/12583674/preseason-notebook-44-thoughts-on-saints-texans-jadeveon-clowney

http://torotimes.com/2016/08/21/top-14-observations-houston-texans-vs-new-orleans-saints/

http://m.houstontexans.com/s/30862/embeddedNewsPath?newsGuid=b2157268-92d7-4dab-86a9-bc9dbecc87be

http://www.scout.com/nfl/texans/story/1698205-the-rundown-texans-take-a-positive-step

http://m.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-Saints-rewind-Five-up-five-down-9175650.php#photo-10806439

http://houston.cbslocal.com/2016/08/20/texans-defense-holds-saints-without-touchdown-in-16-9-win/

http://www.espn.com/nfl/matchup?gameId=400874799

http://m.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/Game-recap-Houston-Texans-16-New-Orleans-Saints-9/0b152c78-9aa5-43a8-8dd0-781685d13081

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2016/08/saints_blocking_woes_lead_to_u.html