Official Texans @ Redskins Game Thread, 9/19/2010

[Bigtinylittle]

Houston will have a twenty yard field goal attempt to win in the last 10 seconds, and Rackers will miss it.

[dalemurphy]

Here's the Texans Bull Blog preview of the game:

I’m having a difficult time breaking this game down. The Texans have never been in this position before, really. They physically dominated the Colts in week one and are a road favorite heading into week 2. Not only are they a road favorite, there is nothing about tomorrow’s matchup that favors the Redskins. Perhaps the Texans are due for an emotional letdown after that win versus Indianapolis. However, the Redskins had an even more intense and emotional win versus Dallas on Sunday night. So, let us focus on some key matchups on the field and ignore intangibles for week two, since I simply can not figure them out:

Keys to the game:

1. Texans’ offensive line and TEs versus Redskins front 7: The size of the Redskin front 3 could create problems for the O-line, and the ability of Orakpo and A.Carter to rush on the edge will keep the Texans honest and force Schaub to make some quick decisions. I expect a lot of two TE sets. My guess is OD and Dressen will each see significant snaps and they will often play on the line of scrimmage or flanked just behind the Brown and Winston. The TE blocking was a key versus Indianapolis. Even moreso this week, the ability to use TEs to reach the LBs in the run game is a key against 3-4 defenses. Also, Daniels, Dressen, and Casey all will have a significant matchup advantage in the passing game versus Redskin LBs. Carter and Orakpo are essentially DEs… and, Fletcher has lost a step and is at a height disadvantage against the Texan TEs.

2. Better play from Matt Schaub- The Texans don’t have a clear advantage running the ball against Washington as they did versus Indy. In addition to a couple poor throws, Schaub forced some balls into tight spaces and missed open WRs. He may need a cleaner game to win on Sunday. Also, Jacoby Jones needs to catch the ball better. Two balls hit off his hands and almost led to turnovers last week. Last season against New England, Schaub bounced a ball off of Jones’ hands that led to a 70 yard interception return. A couple mistakes like that could turn this game in the Redskins’ favor.

3. Deep Passing Game- Given the aggressive and inexperienced nature of the Redskins safeties, the Texans will have a number of opportunities downfield. Watch for the Andre Johnson deep cross and up. The Texans frequently run a play where AJ reads the safety and either continues on a 15 yard cross or takes it upfield, depending on his read of the safety. That play will be there against Landry and Reed Doughty. Also, the TEs are going to end up with some one on one matchups with LBs. Look for some seam routes from OD and Dressen with Redsking LBs trailing and the safeties out of position in cover 2.

4. Adibi versus Redskin running game- This will be Adibi’s first significant action since early last season. If you recall last preseason, Adibi often overpursued his assignment and was responsible for some long TD runs. The key to the Texans’ success versus the run since week four of last season has been their discipline in the scheme. When everyone does his job along the front 7, even if they can’t make a play, an unblocked Bernard Pollard is there to clean up the trash. Missed assignments more than physical beatings are what lead to big plays in the running game. This is probably my greatest concern… other than turnovers.

5. Texans Front 4 Versus another poor O-line- Once again, Mario and Antonio Smith will have a significant matchup advantage against Redskin tackles. Trent Williams is a rookie, starting his second game and Jamal Brown is a shell of the player he was three years ago. Brown also has injury issues and may not play. If the Texans can control the line of scrimmage with the front 4 and pressure the QB, the lack of playmakers on the Redskin offense will be exposed. However, if the Redskins can somehow push around the Texans, TEs Cooley and Fred Davis will find some room in the middle of the field.

It is hard to imagine the Texans not controlling this game. However, it is also a rather new concept that the Texans are a consistently good team. I am nervous about this game but not because I think they will lose it. Instead, I’m nervous about how awful it will be if they do… They would have to play so poorly, it would be unbelievably frustrating and disappointing. Texans 27 Redskins 13

[jcp]

...but I will be surprised if we don't take this game buy 2+ touchdowns. In my eyes the overrated team is Washington. There D is marginally better than Indy but the offense is slow and discombobulated. Cooley will rack up yards but McNabb will eventually kill drives throwing at receivers feet. We should be good for a couple of picks as Washington will be playing catchup all afternoon.

Texans 34
Skins 13

Foster runs for 120yrds/2tds
Schaub throws for 280yds/2tds
Johnson catches 10 for 140yds/1td

Wash will repeatedly try to stack the line and Johnson will repeatedly burn the 1 on 1 coverage....forcing them to back off where foster takes over

[HPF Bob]

Keep in mind, this will be Kubiak/Dennison vs Shanny/Shanny so there will be few secrets and we'll be ready when the Redskins run a slow white boy reverse or a dump pass to the fullback in the flat.

[Joe Joe]

Originally Posted by jcp

...but I will be surprised if we don't take this game buy 2+ touchdowns. In my eyes the overrated team is Washington. There D is marginally better than Indy but the offense is slow and discombobulated. Cooley will rack up yards but McNabb will eventually kill drives throwing at receivers feet. We should be good for a couple of picks as Washington will be playing catchup all afternoon.

Texans 34
Skins 13

Foster runs for 120yrds/2tds
Schaub throws for 280yds/2tds
Johnson catches 10 for 140yds/1td

Wash will repeatedly try to stack the line and Johnson will repeatedly burn the 1 on 1 coverage....forcing them to back off where foster takes over

While I don't agree with the stats, I feel this is a game that the Texans can blow a team out. I expect the Texans Defense to dominate. I just know that the Texans have always disappointed me when I feel they should mop the floor with someone. Granted, the Texans really haven't looked good enough to me for these disappointments to be statistically relevant.

[Arky]

Correction: 3:15 pm CST kickoff.

[TheMatrix31]

Let's get it done, boys!

[HPF Bob]

Titans lose. Pittsburgh is now 2-0 without a quarterback.

[Bigtinylittle]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

Houston will have a twenty yard field goal attempt to win in the last 10 seconds, and Rackers will miss it.

Hey, I predicted that we would 1. have the ball at the twenty 2. at the end of the game and 3. Rackers would miss. I got two out of three right. Not bad, hey?

[NBT]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

Houston will have a twenty yard field goal attempt to win in the last 10 seconds, and Rackers will miss it.

WRONG - 36 yarder, and Racker made it easily! Whew!! Hey I'll take it.

[today]

Looks like my suspicion was correct, Kubiak referenced the wind as a reason why he chose to punt:

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/ar...2-1922978a8574

(on why he didn't attempt the 52-yard field goal in overtime) "There was a little breeze coming that way on that end. If you miss that, they’ve got to go 20 yards and beat us. I just felt good – I thought our defense had made a few nice stops in the fourth quarter. I expected us to pin them. We didn’t do it. It just worked out. It’s one of those things, if it doesn’t work out, it’s not good. But it worked out."

(on if K Neil Rackers didn't feel comfortable kicking the field goal) "No, he said, ‘Coach, I’m OK. I’m good.’ But there’s obviously a little breeze coming from that end…I just had to go with my gut. It worked out today."

Edit:
I'm listening to the Gary Kubiak show right now on SR610 and Kubes and when asked why he didn't attempt the FG, he noted the wind, saying that the 2nd half kickoffs were short.

[cadams]

the distance issue is not surprise. when the "competition" was going on it was no secret that the big difference between rackers and brown was brown's range. having someone who can hit from 50+ yards over 50% of the time would be fantastic, but that isn't rackers, so they will have to play the game accordingly.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by cadams

the distance issue is not surprise. when the "competition" was going on it was no secret that the big difference between rackers and brown was brown's range. having someone who can hit from 50+ yards over 50% of the time would be fantastic, but that isn't rackers, so they will have to play the game accordingly.

Unless I'm mistaken, I thought the talk was that even though Brown had more accuracy on longer range FGs, Rackers had greater distance on KOs ? Confusing ?

[Bigtinylittle]

Historically, Rackers is not as long on kickoffs. Apparently either he was doing a little better this year in camp or Brown was doing worse.

I think Brown's fascitis was an issue last year. I think the fascitis this year in the other foot was a part of why they let him go. But mainly, Brown just missed too many very easy kicks last year and the Texans felt that if Rackers looked as good or almost as good in camp, then the plan was to go with Rackers. There were times last year when Brown was horrible.

[Nconroe]

can see a replay of the game with Washington on NFL network at 8:15 PM CST tonight in case you missed it, wanna see it again, watch without all the breaks.