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

The 1-1 Houston Texans travel to Foxboro, MA to play the 1-1 New England Patriots this Sunday in an early game. There's not too many scenarios where the Texans can come away with a win - most involve the defense playing a perfect game complete with pick 6's, turnovers and numerous sacks with the Texan ground game finding itself and mowing down the Pats front seven. Many more scenarios have the Patriots cruising to an easy victory....

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TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon Sunday, 09/24/2017

Announcers = Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts

The line = Patriots by 13½ to 14½

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Other Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

Yahoo!/Go90 = Sunday Morning: Baltimore vs Jacksonville (in London), Andrew Catalon, James Lofton

CBS (late) = Cincinnati @ Green Bay, Jim Nantz, Tony Romo

FOX (late) = Seattle @ Tennessee, Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis

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Prime time:

TNF = LA Rams @ San Francisco (NFLN)

SNF = Oakland @ Washington (NBC)

MNF = Dallas @ Arizona (ESPN)

Interesting to flip back to the playoff loss to the Pats in January since not much has changed beyond the Texans having swapped QBs and adding Watt, and the Pats losing WR Edelman... which could all be significant changes although the Texans offense has proven thus far to be about as inept as it was with Osweiler. Gronk missed practice yesterday but was out there today.

Playoff Game thread, big thanks to Arky for the commentaries.

So stopping the Pats O is about not giving up PI penalties deep and covering the RBs out of the backfield. JJo is expected to play, but can't help but notice he is losing a step. The Texans will need Kareem to cover Brandin Cooks (gulp!) and hope JJo and the others can handle the rest. Then have rookie LB Cunningham use his speed to stick with the Pats RBs. The Pats knew to pick on McKinney in coverage. Don't put him in that situation again. Doing this should help keep it close.

Offensively, letting Watson audible and generally letting him play his game is going to be both a risk and an opportunity. Osweiler's picks in the playoff killed them, so hope Watson is both smart with the ball but plays with necessary swagger. The Texans won't win a shootout - heck, can they even score 20? - but they can get first downs and eat up time of possession to keep it close.

Belichick knows how to find a weakness (like McKinney in coverage) and how to take away your best weapon (Hopkins). So the gameplan BOB comes up with must account for this. Offensively, feed Foreman and dump passes to Lamar in the flat. Get Brax involved. Let Watson dictate. Defensively, keep one safety on Cooks and keep McKinney in the box. Hope Gronk is more of a decoy but double him in the redzone.

Oh, and 4 quarters of special teams coverage shouldn't be too much to ask, right? Pats had a kickoff return for a TD (98 yds) near the end of Q1 in the playoff... that would be a death blow if it happened again on Sunday.

That was pretty fun.

We don't win this game without scoring 21, so we don't win this game.

But seriously, we probably need half a dozen 1st downs with our QB's legs or multiple Defense/ST scores. We also absolutely positively must play with a lead and run the ball.

If we fall behind by more than 2 scores get Savage in to be hit and let Watson watch the rest.

How pathetic for CBS to pick up the Bengals on the road for the dh game. Do they realize Cincy is 0-2 with all of nine points scored in their first two games? Aaron Rodgers normally gets 9 points by halftime.

Pats win the toss and defer, Texans to receive.

Irvin brings the kickoff back to about the Texan 21. Texan's ball.

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L Miller goes left side for 1.

Watson rolls out right and can't find a receiver, runs out of bounds. Loss of 2. 3rd and 12 coming up.

Low pass to B Miller goes inc. Texans will have to punt.

Amendola brings the punt back all the way to the Pat 49. Pat's ball.

13:32 left in the 1st.

Gillislee caught for loss of 2.

White caught for loss of 1. 3rd and 13 coming up.

Deep pass to Cooks goes for 44. Ball at the Texan 10.

Gillislee for no gain. 2nd and goal coming up.

Pass goes for a gain but holding on Banks makes it 1st and goal from the 5.

Pass in the end zone is broken up by KJ, inc.

On 2nd and goal, pass to Gronk too high, inc. 3rd and goal coming up.

Pass to Gronk good for the TD.

Pats 7, Texans 0

10:33 left in the 1st qtr.

Ugh, Dan Fouts....

Excellent coverage on both passes...but again Brady with the precise passing...

Ervin brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Texan 22. Texan's ball.

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Deep pass to Hop draws the PI flag. 1st down at the Pat 43.

Pass to Anderson gets 14.

Misdirection handoff to Ellington loses 1.

Pass to Ellington goes for 5. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Watson keeps for 4 or 5. Brings up 4th and 2, Texans going for it.

Watson call a timeout. Texans going for the FG instead...

Fairbairn's 39-yarder is good.

Pats 7, Texans 3

7:22 left in the 1st qtr.

The Pats look beatable..... not sure the Texans can get 'er done, though...

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback. Pat's ball at their 25.

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Pass to Allen is dropped, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

White gets 5. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Pass to Hogan gets 4. Pats have to punt.

Ervin doesn't get much on the punt return. Texan's ball at their 18.

5:58 left in the 1st qtr.

Foreman for 2.

Deep pass to Anderson just a tad too long, inc. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Eeesh, Watson can't find a receiver and scrambles for 6. Texans will have to punt.

Punt rolls to the Pats 6 yard line. Pat's ball.

5:17 left in the 1st qtr.

Gillislee goes for 5.

Brady trips and gets sacked at the 2 yard line. Brings up 3rd and 14.

White gets about 7. Pats have to punt.

Punt is downed at the Patriot 44. Texan's ball in Patriot territory.

2:31 left in the 1st qtr.

Opportunity knocks.....

Pass to B Miller gets 15.

Woohooo! Pass to Ellington in the end zone good for the TD!

Texans 10, Pats 7

1:51 left in the 1st qtr.

Gotta like seeing Clowney get a backside sack on Brady.

Single coverage on Gronk by Corey Moore in the end zone... predictable outcome there. Not terrible coverage by Moore, but the Pats are winning that matchup every time.

Belichick picking on the new guy Banks in coverage.

Pats bring the ensuing kickoff back to their 25 yard line. Pat's ball.

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Jeminy, pass to Gronk goes for nice gain but Gronk fumbles and the Texans can't fall on it. Still Pats ball at their 47.

Brady's pass to tall for Allen, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Hogan gets 11, 1st down.

Lewis runs for 3.

Clowney with the sack! Loss of 6. Brings up 3rd and 13.

End of the 1st qtr.

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On 3rd and 13, flags come out presnap. Neutral zone infraction against the Texans, 5 yards.

Pass to Gronk is short of the 1st down. Pats will have to punt.

Ervin fair catches at the Texan 11. Texan's ball.

14:16 left in the half.

Short pass to L Miller gets 7.

L Miller goes right side for 7, 1st down.

Oy, Watson's pass is picked off and brought all the way back to the Texan 11. Pat's ball.

12:57 left in the half.

Pass to Amendola gets 6 but flag is down.... holding on the Texans changes it to 5 yards and an auto 1st down...

Brady's pass to Hogan in the end zone is good good for the 7 yard TD.

Pats 14, Texan 10

12:25 left in the half.

Texans bring the ensuing kickoff back to their 23. Texan's ball.

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L Miller goes left side for 12.

L Miller for 3.

Flags presnap, off sides Ellington, -5. 2nd and 12 coming up.

Watson takes off....7 yards but holding on X brings it back. 10 yard penalty makes it 2nd and 20.

Pass to Hop goes for 15. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Watson scrambles for just enough for the 1st down.

Pass to Hop gets nice gain... flag on the Pats for personal foul. Add 15 yards. Ball at the Pat 26.

Watson under a lot of pressure throws complete to Griffin for no gain. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass too high for Griffin, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Watson pressured, gets it out to Ervin for short gain. Texans to go for the FG.

Fairbairn's 40-yarder is good.

Pats 14, Texans 13

7:01 left in the half.

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback. Pat's ball at their 25.

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Pass to Lewis gets 3.

Woohoo! Brady sacked and fumbles! Clowney catches the ball midair and takes it in the for the TD!

Texans 20, Pats 14

6:15 left in the half.

I meant to ask if the Texans could even score 20 in the first half. I guess they can.

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback. Pat's ball at their 25.

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Gillislee goes right side for 8.

Gillislee for 3 and the 1st down.

Pass to Hogan is broken up, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Gillislee for 1. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Pass to Amendola goes for nice gain. 1st down. Flag on Pleasant for holding is declined. Ball at the Texan 47.

Texans use a timeout.

Brady has all day and finds Hogan for the 47 yard TD.

Pats 21, Texans 20

3:58 left in the half.

Can we never run Lamar Miller in short yardage again?

Ervin brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Texan 16. Texan's ball.

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Pass to Hop in the flat gets 5.

L Miller for almost 4. Brings up 3rd and 1. Flag on the Texans for illegal formation, -5. Makes it 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Hop gets 5. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Pass to Griffin gets the 1st down at the Texan 32.

2 minute warning.

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Watson rolls out and scampers for 4.

Watson runs for 5. 3rd and 1 coming up.

L Miller can't get a yard. Texans to punt on 4th and 1.

Punt is brought back to about the Patriot 30 yard line. Pat's ball.

1:02 left in the half.

There's been quite a bit to like this half, but also quite a bit of the same old stupid bullshit.

Brady runs for about 5. Flag on KJ for holding adds 5. Ball at the Pat 41.

Brady's pass to Cooks off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Brady's pass too low over the middle, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

White rushes for 6. Pats will let the clock run out.

Halftime.

Pats 21, Texans 20

We started the game with a lot of misdimisdirection and counter game. We've got to continue that because our Online is simply put unpredictable.

2nd half kickoff is brought back to about the Patriot 19. Pats ball.

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Pass to Cooks gets 2.

Pass to Gronk gets a 1st down at the Pat 35.

Pass to Lewis gets 4.

Pass to Hollister gets 20. Ball at the Texan 42. Hollister shaken up on the play.

Pass to Cooks goes for the TD. 42 yards.

Pats 28, Texans 20

12:45 left in the 3rd qtr.

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback. Flag on the play..... Pats offsides on the kickoff. Add 5 yards. Ball placed at the Texan 30.

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Flat pass to Hop gets 4.

L Miller gets 5 yards. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Watson keeps for about 5 and the 1st down.

Watson sacked and fumbles but the Texans fall on it. Loss of 7. Brings up 2nd and 17.

Play clock runs out. Make it 2nd and 22.

Watson pressured, throws back to Griffin for big gainer. Ball at the Patriot 31.

L Miller for about 9.

L Miller for 2 and the 1st down.

Short pass to Griffin gets 3.

Pass to Ellington is off the mark but flag on the Pats for illegal contact, 5 yards and an auto 1st down. Ball at the Patriot 12.

Watson pressured, throws inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Griffin in the end zone is good for the TD!

Pats 28, Texans 27.

7:12 left in the 3rd qtr.

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback. Pat's ball at their 25.

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Gillislee for 7.

Gillislee caught for a loss of 3. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Pass to White gets 11 and the 1st down.

Gillislee for 4.

Lewis for 2. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Flags presnap, too many men on the Texans, 5 yards and a 1st down.

Pass to Gronk goes the Texan 35. 14 yards.

White for 1.

Brady sacked and fumbles! Pats hop on it though, still Pat's ball. Loss of 7. 3rd and 16 coming up.

Brady sacked and flips the ball to Gronk. Gronk gains a few yards.... OB challenging that Brady was down before he flipped the ball to Gronk. Play stands as called, completed pass. Pats have to punt.

Punt goes into the end zone, touchback. Texans will have the ball at their 20.

1:42 left in the 3rd qtr.

Foreman for 3.

Watson's pass off the hands of Ellington, inc. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Pass to Ellington gets 7 and the 1st down.

Ervin for about 4.

Foreman for 5. 3rd and 1 coming up.

End of the 3rd qtr.

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On 3rd and 1, Foreman powers for 4 and the 1st down. Ball at the Texan 43.

Foreman for 3.

Flat pass to Foreman goes for 34 yard catch and run. Ball at the Pat 20.

Foreman for 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Foreman for about 2. Makes it 3rd and 3 coming up.

Watson's pass to Anderson in the end zone is too high, inc. Texans to go for the FG.

Fairbairn's 31-yarder is good.

Texans 30, Pats 28

12:13 left in the game.

Need a turnover, defense....

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback. Pat's ball at their 25.

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Gillislee for 5.

Gillislee for 4. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Gillislee is stopped! Pats have to punt.

Punt is brought back to the Texan 13. Texan's ball with 10:28 left in the game.

L Miller for almost 5.

L Miller for 3. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Watson on the QB draw for 7 and the 1st down. Ball at the Texan 28.

Pass to Hop over the middle gets 13.

Watson's pass too tall for B Miller, inc.

On 2nd and 10, Watson is pressured but throws it away, inc. Brings up 3rd and 10.

Pass is too tall for B Miller, inc. Texans have to punt.

Punt is fair caught at the Patriot 6 yard line. Pat's ball with 7:32 left in the game.

Three straight pass plays. When the Pats D was exhausted and time needs to run.

O'Brien calling an unusually strong game up until then.

Turnover here would be nice......

Short pass to Amendola gets 4.

Flare pass to Lewis gets 5. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Pass to Gronk is broken up, inc. Pats have to punt.

Punt is brought back to the Texan 33 by Ervin. Texan's ball with 5:55 left in the game.

Run it down their throats, fellas.....

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Pass to Griffin gets 13 or so but PI on Griffin backs it up. 1st and 20 coming up.

Watson goes Houdini and passes to Foreman for a big gain! Penalty on the Pats for holding is declined.... Ball at the Patriot 46.

L Miller for 1.

Pass to Ellington gets nice gain, 18 yards, 1st down.

L Miller for 6. Ball at the Patriot 21.

On 2nd and 4, L Miller gets 3. 3rd and 1 coming up.

L Miller for no gain. Pats use timeout #2. Texans to go for the FG.

Fairbairn's 36-yarder is good.

Texans 33, Pats 28

2:24 left in the game.

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback. Pat's ball at their 25.

DEfenSe!

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Pass over the middle is broken up by Hal, inc. Hal shaken up on the play.

On 2nd and 10, pass to Cooks is broken up, but flag on the Pats for holding....-10 yards. Makes it 2nd and 20 coming up.

Pass over the middle to Gronk is good for 8. 3rd and 12 coming up.

2 minute warning.

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On 3rd and 12, pass to Gronk goes for 15 and the 1st down.

Pass to Cooks gets 18.

Brady stripped by Gilchrist! Still Pats ball.

Dang Cory Moore. Had the deep INT but lost it. Still Pats ball. 3rd and 18 coming up.

Texans use a timeout with 54 seconds left in the game.

Pass to Amendola goes to the Texan 25.

Pass to Cooks in the end zone goes for the TD.

Play is under review..... It will surely stand in New England...

Play stands, Pats going for 2.

Brady hits Cooks for the 2-point conversion.

Pats 36, Texans 33

23 seconds left in the game.

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback. Texan's ball at their 25.

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Pass to Hopkins gets 21. 3 seconds left in the game.

Hail Mary is INT'ed by the Pats in the end zone.

Final score:

Pats 36, Texans 33

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Well, shoot. Teasingly close loss.

What a bunch of goddamned retards.

I've been pretty negative the last year or so. And there was enough to complain about if I wanted to, but that was a heck of an effort by the Texans.

We looked like an NFL offense for once. Our terrible WRs other than Hopkins looked competent with a competent QB. Our patchwork OL even looked competent when the defense had to deal with a little fear and uncertainty. Our defense was not the 85' Bears, but that's 59 really good minutes against Tom Brady in Foxboro. The sack where Watt and Clowney converged from opposite sides and Mercilous came late up the middle was a thing of beauty.

But this is the NFL and it's a QB league, and for the first time in 5 years we didn't look like we brought a knife to a gun fight. We looked like we were trying to win games instead of trying to steal them. Watson did incredible things and he did them all without taking much punishment. His scariest moment was a non-contact cut he made. He did enough with his arm, mind, and legs to show a ceiling much higher than any Texans QB ever. The play he made to Foreman was amazing and there haven't been a dozen guys in NFL history that could have done that.

Losing a week 3 game in Foxboro won't hurt us (although it would have made up for the week 1 embarrassment). And for the first time ever I actually think we could go win that game 4 months from now in the playoffs.