Official Texans vs. Patriots Fake Game Thread, 8/19/2017

[Keith]

Game 2 of the 2017 preseason. National media really pushing for Watson, but this could be an opportunity for Savage to stake his claim on the QB1.

Interesting to keep an eye on WR2. Fuller out for awhile, Braxton has a bad ankle, Strong inconsistent, Williams unproven.

[chuck]

Is Nuk even going to play does anyone know?

[HPF Bob]

I'm sure Belicheat will have some wrinkles for the rook. Will have to watch on replay. Thankfully, NFL Network lets me DVR.

[Arky]

Texans recently picked up WR Bruce Ellington who I believe is a pretty decent player if not a little smurfy @ 5'9"...

Also, a fellow named Germone Hopper, a 6'0" rookie WR from...... Clemson.....hmmmm

I believe DHop is out till maybe Real Game #1.... and they should play it super safe with him....

[Arky]

Texans drive to the Patriot 6 yard line but turn the ball over on downs. L Miller up the middle on 4th and 6 no bueno.

About 10 mins. left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Savage to Strong in the back of the end zone for the 2 yard TD.

Texans 7, Pats 0

1:13 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Pats tack on a TD and FG and take a 10-7 lead with about 10 mins left in the half.

Garoppolo and Watson in as the QB's.

[Arky]

Fairbairn adds a 31 yard FG to tie the game up.

Texans 10, Pats 10

5:07 left in the half.

[Arky]

Pats tack on a FG, kick to Texans, Texans do a quick 3 and out and punt it away, Pats ball at their 9 with 1:13 left in the half.

Pats 13, Texans 10

[Arky]

Pats add a FG but the Texans come back with good drive highlighted by Donta Foreman's excellent run. Watson scrambles in from 2 yards for the score.

Texans 17, Pats 16

4:12 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Fairbairn adds a 35 yd. FG after the turnover.

Texans 20, Pats 16

[Arky]

Pats drive down and connect on 25 yd pass to Foster for the TD.

Pats 23, Texans 20

[Arky]

Donta Foreman punches it in from 4 yards after the INT.

Texans 27, Pats 23

11 minutes left.

[Arky]

Texans hold off Pats.

Final Score:

Texans 27, Pats 23

[Keith]

Satisfying as far as any preseason week 2 wins go, especially over the Patriots. Would like to see Savage not hold onto the ball so long, but at least he's patient. Lets routes develop. Worry of course that his body won't take this abuse over a full season.

Ellington was a nice vet pickup for a depleted position. Will be interesting to see what other WRs hit the waiver wire over the next couple weeks. I liked the TD from Strong... he asked for it up, and credit to Savage for putting the ball up there for him.

Can't worry too much about preseason scheming, but the Pats passing offense to their RBs killed the Texans last season, and it happened again tonight. Newsflash, most of the LBs suck in coverage, as do most of the safeties. Aside from special teams woes, this is rinse-and-repeat commentary every year around here.

[nunusguy]

Watson is an excellent athlete and an exciting player when he takes off with the ball but still not seeing enough consistent accuracy with his passing to ease concerns about him having an NFL arm ?
On the other hand Savage was sharp today, very good accuracy and even though he was sacked once the Oline looked better than last week re pass pro.
Just preseason but still a petty satisfying performance for the Texans.
Also I think we came out of the game without any significant injuries, hope
I'm right about that ?

[chuck]

So, Watson... Was he terrible or was that a result of the utterly identity-free "offense" that BOB has installed?

[barrett]

Originally Posted by chuck

So, Watson... Was he terrible or was that a result of the utterly identity-free "offense" that BOB has installed?

I finally watched the replay.

Watson was high and hard on a few. I'm not sure if that is just accuracy issues that won't go away, or maybe keyed up. Either way he seemed to make good decisions, just didn't put it where he needed to. But the pass to Foreman with an empty backfield was nice.

Plus when you have a running QB, it makes every RB better. Every time Watson handed off there was at least 1 defender accounting for Watson. I'm not just talking on zone read handoffs, even on regular handoffs the backside stays home every time. I wish we had Kubiak and the zone read offense to take advantage of Watson's mobility and resulting cutback lanes.

Ellington was very good. Backup DL was very bad.

[HPF Bob]

Ellington sold me. He's a playmaker. He is what we've wanted Ervin to be and isn't. I think he's the same guy that was making plays for the Cardinals a few years ago then got injured and fell off the map. I love how he finds an extra gear once the ball gets in his hands and fought for the ball against bigger DBs.

Quessenberry got looks at tackle and center. If he survives (sorry about that) on the roster, it will be due to his versatility. Martin played but I didn't notice him.

Wasn't #41 supposed to be a speed guy at LB? Wasn't that what we drafted? Seems every RB the Patriots had he was watching the dude run right past him and catching passes behind him.

I don't think we win this game if Brady plays all four quarters. Just a hunch.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Ellington sold me. He's a playmaker. He is what we've wanted Ervin to be and isn't. I think he's the same guy that was making plays for the Cardinals a few years ago then got injured and fell off the map. I love how he finds an extra gear once the ball gets in his hands and fought for the ball against bigger DBs.

I was confused about this, too. Andre Ellington plays for the Cardinals. Still plays for the Cardinals. RB converted to WR this year. Went to Clemson (how did we miss him?).

Bruce Ellington saw action with the 49'ers in 2014 and 2015. Did returns for special teams. Was IR'ed the entire 2016 season. Waived by the 49'ers on August 3. Failed a physical with the Jets on August 5. Signed with the Texans on August 11. Played college ball at South Carolina.

They are cousins from Moncks Corner, SC. Both 5'9" and do kind of the same thing. Andre is 3 years older (28).