Official Texans @ Ravens Game Thread, 11/27/2017

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Keith

The Texans, meanwhile, refuse to use the entire width of the field. The Ravens D had a gameplan to blitz often and hold in the secondary, and it mostly worked. I would have liked to see the Texans put in a couple RB screens to keep the Ravens from overusing the blitz. Yes, Savage has a slow processor, but the Texans found a way to make Terrell Suggs look 10 years younger.

The middle of the field six, eight yards downfield was widefnopen all night long.

I'll laugh when they fire BOB because I don't think they're anywhere near smart enough to hire an upgrade but JFC WTF are these guys doing?

[Arky]

Early line has the Titans as a 7 to 7½ pt. favorite over the Texans next Sunday....

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Arky

Early line has the Titans as a 7 to 7½ pt. favorite over the Texans next Sunday....

Easy cover, just like tonight. I hope you degenerates took my advice. My rates are notoriously low.

[nunusguy]

Turn overs:Ravens = 0; Texans = 3. Just can't do anything but lose those games with those stats and Savage did throw a bad pic but the others were as much on the LT. Whether it's in the Draft or FA we've got to find a
LT in the upcoming offseason to replace the Clark/Lamm tandem and the rookie tackle Julian Davenport still appears to be a long ways from helping us in the starting lineup. On the other hand the overall pass-pro may have actually improved somewhat
since the beginning of the season.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Turn overs:Ravens = 0; Texans = 3. Just can't do anything but lose those games with those stats and Savage did throw a bad pic but the others were as much on the LT. Whether it's in the Draft or FA we've got to find a
LT in the upcoming offseason to replace the Clark/Lamm tandem and the rookie tackle Julian Davenport still appears to be a long ways from helping us in the starting lineup. On the other hand the overall pass-pro may have actually improved somewhat
since the beginning of the season.

The fumble was on the LT. Both picks are on Savage. We obviously need to upgrade LT, but when Watson was back there and the offense was functional we scored 35 ppg and protected our OL with a moving pocket, a running game, threatening teams downfield enough they paid for it when the rush didn't get home, and a QB who makes every DL remember there rush lanes instead of sprinting up field.

When your offense is incapable of big plays and can't run the ball, the defense will pin their ears back and make even the best pass blocking OL look bad. When those things are true AND your OL stinks, you end up with Tom Savage as target practice.

So yes we need to get better on the OL, but a great OL can prop up a QB (Cowboys last year, Minnesota this year) or a great QB can prop up an OL (Patriots the last 10 years, Houston under Watson this year).

[HPF Bob]

I didn't recognize half the guys they trotted out on defense but they just look slower than the Ravens, particularly on the edges. It's obvious where this team needs help for next year.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

I didn't recognize half the guys they trotted out on defense but they just look slower than the Ravens, particularly on the edges. It's obvious where this team needs help for next year.

Outstanding. With the seven picks they have in the fifth round they should really be able to beef up the team with guys they'll cut midseason for smoking cigars in the bathroom.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by barrett

The fumble was on the LT. Both picks are on Savage. We obviously need to upgrade LT, but when Watson was back there and the offense was functional we scored 35 ppg and protected our OL with a moving pocket, a running game, threatening teams downfield enough they paid for it when the rush didn't get home, and a QB who makes every DL remember there rush lanes instead of sprinting up field.

When your offense is incapable of big plays and can't run the ball, the defense will pin their ears back and make even the best pass blocking OL look bad. When those things are true AND your OL stinks, you end up with Tom Savage as target practice.

So yes we need to get better on the OL, but a great OL can prop up a QB (Cowboys last year, Minnesota this year) or a great QB can prop up an OL (Patriots the last 10 years, Houston under Watson this year).

Excellent analysis Barrett, very good !
But the Oline did start the season giving up double digit sacks vs the Jags (which we now know is one of the best Ds in the League), while they are now down to two sacks with a totally immobile Savage vs a good (maybe not =Jags) Ravens D, so some improvement IMO.
But I'm convinced that OT is easily our biggest need, followed by interior Olinmen & finally by Dbacks. What are your top priorites in FA & the Draft ?

[barrett]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Excellent analysis Barrett, very good !
But the Oline did start the season giving up double digit sacks vs the Jags (which we now know is one of the best Ds in the League), while they are now down to two sacks with a totally immobile Savage vs a good (maybe not =Jags) Ravens D, so some improvement IMO.
But I'm convinced that OT is easily our biggest need, followed by interior Olinmen & finally by Dbacks. What are your top priorites in FA & the Draft ?

It's so hard to evaluate the needs for a team that is going to rely on JJ Watt. You have to either take the hit and move on from him (will never happen), or you have to plan like he'll be there for 16 games (or close to it). This makes it nearly impossible to build a defense. I think this year's secondary was built with the idea that Clowney, Watt, and Mercilous would wreak havoc on QBs. Without 2/3 of those guys are secondary is terrible. So do you spend limited resources on DBs when your defense is built around pass rush and making DBs look good? If you don't improve the DBs and Watt is hurt again or just a shell of himself you have another year of getting beat in the passing game. Very tough call.

So I'd just load up on offense and helping Watson and cross my fingers for health on defense. Even if we are hurt and bad on defense I think Watson can win the AFC South and be very dangerous in the playoffs. So I go after OL, OL, and OL. After LT, I prioritize run blocking since that is probably the best way to protect Watson and the best way to capitalize on the fear he puts in the defense. I like Miller but I replace him if I can and spend the money elsewhere. I count on Foreman and a 2nd cheap option giving me all the production I got from Miller. I draft a slot WR who is what Miller was supposed to be. Maybe the Clemson kid or someone like him. Ellington is a not very good NFL player who looked really good in this offense. Put a real player in that role and look out.