Official Texans vs. Redskins Game Thread, 9/7/2014

[Nconroe]

I really enjoyed going to the game yesterday since we won. There were quite a few Washington fans around where I was so it was extra nice win.

Pregame National Anthem was sung by Clay Walker, Toro swung down from rafters some how, and had a nice salute to firemen first responders, and veterans and wounded warriors. nice to see those guys smiling and being recognized. Nice little half time show as well.

One nice thing of being there is you can see the whole field, not just what TV and announcers want you to see or hear. Although replays on the big screen was nice.

Overall, I thought Fitzpatrick did ok, had reasonable zip on the ball, and didn't try to force ball into tight coverage. and he had two good runs for first down. Fitz ended up with passer rating of 109. Only 1 sack.

Foster did real good with several runs in the 6 to 9 yd area, but then quite a few places where OL seemed to not give any running room at all. Total of 103 rushing yds could have been more, but for a few dumb penalties. Plus he had receiving yds. One fumble on Redskins 10 yd line could have been a score to put game out of reach a little earlier.

Andre Johnson and Hopkins both looked very good, AJ most on quick slants and Hopkins mostly on the one 76 yd TD catch and run. TE didn't seem to be open very much.

Obviously JJ Megawatt had a great game and a major contributor to why we won the game. I'm not sure if the Skins running success was DL or Linebacker issues, but runs up the middle needs to get fixed. Front 7 did put a lot of pressure on RGIII throughout the game.

And then the two fumble recoveries inside Texans 10 yd line changed the game and must of really frustrated Washington.

I thought Swearinger especially, but also the CB's Joseph, Jackson, and Bouye had reasonable coverage and tackling. not sure why we seem to give up short passes so easily but deep coverage overall was good. more to work on.

Two big Special Teams plays, was a welcome change from last year. First JJ blocked an extra point, and then Blue blocked a punt, recovered the ball and ran it in for a touchdown, very nice with all those Redskins sitting in front of me.

Since we won, won't mention much on ref's and they did seem to balance out their bad calls for most part other than on Swearingers sack, roughing call.

I guess I could say the coaching of offense and defense and ST seemed solid.

Due to we won the turnover battle, seemed a little easier than it really was.

And I thought fans did an excellent job of getting loud when Washington was on offense , atleast from what I could hear.

And exit escollators weren't working, so that was a small hassle along with drizzling rain to get to vehicle. Thunder was pretty loud during late part of game. The white Out T-shirt and towel are appreciated.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

I really enjoyed going to the game yesterday since we won. There were quite a few Washington fans around where I was so it was extra nice win.

Pregame National Anthem was sung by Clay Walker, Toro swung down from rafters some how, and had a nice salute to firemen first responders, and veterans and wounded warriors. nice to see those guys smiling and being recognized. Nice little half time show as well.

One nice thing of being there is you can see the whole field, not just what TV and announcers want you to see or hear. Although replays on the big screen was nice.

Overall, I thought Fitzpatrick did ok, had reasonable zip on the ball, and didn't try to force ball into tight coverage. and he had two good runs for first down. Fitz ended up with passer rating of 109. Only 1 sack.

Foster did real good with several runs in the 6 to 9 yd area, but then quite a few places where OL seemed to not give any running room at all. Total of 103 rushing yds could have been more, but for a few dumb penalties. Plus he had receiving yds. One fumble on Redskins 10 yd line could have been a score to put game out of reach a little earlier.

Andre Johnson and Hopkins both looked very good, AJ most on quick slants and Hopkins mostly on the one 76 yd TD catch and run. TE didn't seem to be open very much.

Obviously JJ Megawatt had a great game and a major contributor to why we won the game. I'm not sure if the Skins running success was DL or Linebacker issues, but runs up the middle needs to get fixed. Front 7 did put a lot of pressure on RGIII throughout the game.

And then the two fumble recoveries inside Texans 10 yd line changed the game and must of really frustrated Washington.

I thought Swearinger especially, but also the CB's Joseph, Jackson, and Bouye had reasonable coverage and tackling. not sure why we seem to give up short passes so easily but deep coverage overall was good. more to work on.

Two big Special Teams plays, was a welcome change from last year. First JJ blocked an extra point, and then Blue blocked a punt, recovered the ball and ran it in for a touchdown, very nice with all those Redskins sitting in front of me.

Since we won, won't mention much on ref's and they did seem to balance out their bad calls for most part other than on Swearingers sack, roughing call.

I guess I could say the coaching of offense and defense and ST seemed solid.

Due to we won the turnover battle, seemed a little easier than it really was.

And I thought fans did an excellent job of getting loud when Washington was on offense , atleast from what I could hear.

And exit escollators weren't working, so that was a small hassle along with drizzling rain to get to vehicle. Thunder was pretty loud during late part of game. The white Out T-shirt and towel are appreciated.

That has always been a hallmark of Bellichek defenses (including the ones Crenell coordinated). I think the stat is that Bellichek's defenses have finished higher in points allowed than yards allowed for like 20 straight years. I am assuming Crenell is similar (never paid close enough attention to him in CLE/KC to say for sure). Give up the short stuff and rely on the fact that at some point on a 10+ play drive, the other team is going to get behind the chains and you are going to stop them. It sure worked great yesterday. Very few NFL offenses execute at a level to matriculate down the field with no big plays. And even fewer can do so with JJ Watt ruining about %25 of the plays in on way or another. I hope we give up the short stuff all year. It was especially impressive against a team with some guys who can really get deep.

[HPF Bob]

It was a great to get a win, particularly in O'Brien's debut. But we beat a dysfunctional team that was barely better than us last year.

Fitzpatrick is like the Scott Feldman of NFL quarterbacks. He's a .500 pitcher that is largely a game manager not a game winner. But we knew that. He's good enough to beat the teams in the NFC East and the AFC South (excluding Indianapolis) and a couple others but he'll be overmatched when we play good teams.

For right now, that's okay. When the surrounding cast gets better, we're going to want a better QB. Mallett? Savage? Not sure about either one but Fitz will at least keep 2014 manageable.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Fitzpatrick is like the Scott Feldman of NFL quarterbacks. He's a .500 pitcher that is largely a game manager not a game winner. But we knew that. He's good enough to beat the teams in the NFC East and the AFC South (excluding Indianapolis) and a couple others but he'll be overmatched when we play good teams.

Agreed, but what is fascinating is how poor the Texans 2014 opponents seem to be as a group, especially now after week 1 in how overrated the NFC East seems to be, I mean they're more-than-normal overrated this season. There's maybe a bit of a tough stretch in October-ish schedule for the Texans, but there's nine wins on this slate for a team that has no business winning even six.

Believe me, I am not getting over-excited after a 1-0 start over a 3-14 team... the two touchdowns the Texans scored (the punt block and the one deep ball to Hopkins) could be chalked up to flukes. Take away those two plays and maybe the team loses 6-3, ick.

But this team has a run game and a defense, and maybe some hope for a positive turnover margin. And teams have done good things when it has those three things in its favor.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by Keith

Agreed, but what is fascinating is how poor the Texans 2014 opponents seem to be as a group, especially now after week 1 in how overrated the NFC East seems to be, I mean they're more-than-normal overrated this season. There's maybe a bit of a tough stretch in October-ish schedule for the Texans, but there's nine wins on this slate for a team that has no business winning even six.

Believe me, I am not getting over-excited after a 1-0 start over a 3-14 team... the two touchdowns the Texans scored (the punt block and the one deep ball to Hopkins) could be chalked up to flukes. Take away those two plays and maybe the team loses 6-3, ick.

But this team has a run game and a defense, and maybe some hope for a positive turnover margin. And teams have done good things when it has those three things in its favor.

Yep, yep. The ball really bounced in our favor (for a change) on Sunday. But I'm glad to put that losing streak to rest, so I'll take it.

I think what we're seeing right now is an evolving team. While the defense looked pretty sharp, they're probably a long ways away from being fined tuned. At this stage, I think you could see a real stinker from them (I'm looking at you secondary) or they might play adequate to good.

The passing offense just looks scrappy at this point. No rhythm. I would like to see Arian not take so much of the load in the run game..... Let some of the other guys have a few carries....

If they go up to Oakland and win that one to go 2-0, I'll have to check myself from thinking ahead too much. As always, the critical games will be against our fellow AFC South opponents.

[Arky]

Video: O'Brien mic'ed up during the Redskin game

[barrett]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

It was a great to get a win, particularly in O'Brien's debut. But we beat a dysfunctional team that was barely better than us last year.

Fitzpatrick is like the Scott Feldman of NFL quarterbacks. He's a .500 pitcher that is largely a game manager not a game winner. But we knew that. He's good enough to beat the teams in the NFC East and the AFC South (excluding Indianapolis) and a couple others but he'll be overmatched when we play good teams.

For right now, that's okay. When the surrounding cast gets better, we're going to want a better QB. Mallett? Savage? Not sure about either one but Fitz will at least keep 2014 manageable.

Actually, Fitzpatrick is the opposite of a game manager. He is a high turnover risk taker. He makes plays with his legs and he'll try to put the ball in places his arm can't make happen. He is a homeless man's Brett Favre more than he is a game manager. He has never managed games for anyone.

But I agree 100% with your 2nd paragraph.