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

[Keith]

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.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Keith

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

That was pretty fun.

[barrett]

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.

[HPF Bob]

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.

[Arky]

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.

[Arky]

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....

[Big Texas]

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

[Arky]

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.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Keith

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.

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