When you amass more wins in one month than you had all of last season, it is hard to complain. The defense still has some run issues but they are fairly good, at least against mediocre or worse offenses. J.J. Watt was everywhere on defense today. I can only imagine what we can do when we get Clowney back. Cushing has been quietly solid so far as well which has been a big help.
Special teams: Lechler and Bullock are both above average. Still not impressed with our kick returning but the rest of the units have definitely earned their keep and we haven't seen nearly the penalties on special teams that we saw under Marciano.
The offense? Oy vey! Fitzpatrick sometimes looks like a 10-year veteran and sometimes he looks like a 10-week veteran. Makes too many bad throws, especially on the run or to receivers out in the flat. The run game looked great for two weeks and then got stuffed these last two weeks which apparently turns Fitz from being a decent quarterback to one who takes unnecessary risks.
I'd like to see them work some screens to the backs into the offense to slow down the pass rush. Until we have a dependable quarterback, what we have seen so far is really the only script that can win for us - solid defense, solid special teams and a really iffy offense.
With the AFC South still on their schedule, they have a chance to sneak into the playoffs as a 9-7 team if they catch some breaks but, more likely, they will come in between 6-10 and 8-8 and get a 12-18 draft choice in the first round.
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