12 Final Thoughts Before Tonight's Showdown Between the Patriots and Texans

[PatsFans.com Article]

12 Final Thoughts Before Tonight's Showdown Between the Patriots and Texans
By: Ian Logue

Here are 12 final thoughts heading into tonight's showdown between the Patriots and Texans....

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[mayoclinic]

Nice stuff.

As you note, Houston likes to run left, and that sets up their play action. So a healthy Chandler Jones will be huge. Jones is a great edge setter, and the run defense suffered greatly in his absence.

 

[BelichickFan]

One point on rushing defenses, Ian's numbers on Miami and Houston are based on yards per game; the more important (IMO) yards per carry actually shows Miami better at 3.9 YPC vs. Houston's 4.1.

 

[shmessy]

Great stuff and some interesting stats.

The part about where the Texans run and their production in each slot of line position on avergae yards per carry is compelling when matched to the Pats average yards given up in the facing slots. Looks like we'll really need Chandler Jones to step up his edge-setting game tonight!

 

[JR4]

Good thoughts!

I'm hoping Big Vince has a Big game. If PATs' front seven can
significantly limit the effectiveness of Texans run game for 60 minutes I think PATs wins this game. Long Tall CJ with a big reach could be important
here especially if they like to run left.

 

[Thunderkyss]

One interesting point.

12) We’ll find out if Brandon Spikes is ready for Arian Foster - Spikes has been absolutely unreal this season and is clearly playing his best football so far as a Patriot. He’s been terrific against the run, and has been more physical than we had seen him be during his first two seasons.

Spikes will have to deal with Chris Myers. I know as the center, you'd think Wilfork will match up with Myers more than not, but the way we run our ZBS, Myers' game is not to stop Wilfork. Myers will try to free himself from Vince to get to the MIKE. If that happens, it opens the doors for Foster.

Our running game suffers when our Center gets bogged down at the LOS.

 

[Wax Frog]

Looks like we'll really need Chandler Jones to step up his edge-setting game tonight!

When it comes to edge setting tonight, better the Pats ends than my teeth