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There is a LOT to unpack from this game. So many trains of thought running through my mind as I start this opus. It's hard to know where to start. The end result was about what I expected, but how we got to that endpoint wasn't nearly as satisfying... at least to me. But that isn't totally true. The defense was outstanding. They pounded out 5 TO's and there were 2 or 3 more that could have been TO's if the bounces were a little luckier. And ST's played great, especially KO coverage and punt coverage. Make a note to find a KO return threat for next year. Maybe Gibby will be back to full strength next year. But in the end, despite the fact if you were told Maye would have 3 TD passes all over 13 yds and no picks you would have been thrilled. But Maye never seemed to be comfortable in what he was seeing all night. The only exception to that was that 2nd TD drive before the half where we pretty much drove down the field. On THAT drive, Maye looked assured and decisive all the way down the field, and I thought it boded well for what we would see the 2nd half....and didn't
In the 2nd half we saw the same indecision. The best drive of that half was the 4 first downs we got running the ball off our GL and regained back field position. The only score was kind of a one-off great throw, better catch between Maye and Boutte for our ONLY score of the 2nd half. Even the great Josh McDaniels didn't have one of his finest moments IMHO this game. He did a good job setting up chips and immediate protection for Drake, but for some reason REFUSED to give Maye any movement via designed runs, bootlegs (until the 4th quarter), or half rolls, etc. Maye was about immobile as Payton and Rodgers in their 40's, the Texans rush knew EXACTLY where to find him all night. Even the play action pass game looked halfhearted to me.
Now Josh has been BRILLIANT all season in unlocking Drake's potential, and I look forward to watching him grow and become a much better QB down the road. Let's be honest here. Drake has a LONG way to go before he has "all the answers to the test". Brady was well into his second DECADE before he made that declaration, not in his 1st year in the offense. So, while it was disappointing to a certain extent, these last 2 games, it should be far from surprising, if we are being honest. How Drake rebounds from games like this will be the true measure of his future. Now when I mean "rebound", I don't mean next week he will fix all his issues and be the perfect QB. This process will take years, and we as fans have to be patient with it. We need to be comfortable with the term "INCREMENTAL improvement, because that's how it happens.'
It also should be noted that the Texan Defense was as good as it was hyped up to be. It should be a blueprint of how to build a defense. They have speed, toughness, and are highly skilled and fundamentally sound. We are very unlikely to find a DE like those we saw tonight in the draft when we pick, but we COULD find a LB. Also we should also note that the weather played its part in tonight's sloppy offensive performance. It's beautiful when it's snowy and windy, but it makes everything everyone does on offense just that much harder. I was disappointed that Maye's completion percentage was just under 60%, and then looked and saw that his completion % was better than any other QB who played tonight by 10%
It's a shame but another Hail Mary completion will make Caleb William overshadow what Maye did, but it will and I can deal with that. He's had a remarkable season. Admit it, we would have loved it if Drake had brought our team back from the brink so many times. It's a much cooler narrative.
Now that being said, this was NOT Josh's best effort of the season. It's hard for all of them to be gems. Hopefully next week we will see more series where WE dictate the tempo and not let the defense set the pace. In other words, I issue my 18th weekly call for a return to the hurry up offense, even if it's only for 2 or 3 series
Given the 5 sacks and 4 fumbles there will be a lot of scrutiny on Campbell again. Again I think it isn't going to turn out to be as bad as it looked. I'm going to go over my recording of the game in the next day or two, but on one of the Maye fumbles where Macdonald knocked the ball loose as Maye was about to throw, I thought Maye did a good job riding him passed Maye, and if Maye had had the ability to step up one step, it would have been considered a win for Campbell. That is how fickle blame is. There are a lot of factors that Campbell has no control of that can sometimes be the difference in his individual success or failure. But I've have been preaching this for years. What I love about the game of football the most is that in NO other team sport is individual success so dependent on the efforts of so many others. For those other watchers of film, let me know what your gather from your look back. How do you assess blame for the sacks and fumbles.
You know when you watch Caleb scoot out of trouble so often, kind of makes you wonder why a guy who has the athletic ability of a Drake Maye can't be more elusive.
Now is the time, you would think, that our defense would start to get some national attention. We watch our defense get better and better each week. and while we watch our future opponent have players drop by the wayside, WE seem to be getting more of them BACK. Milton Williams didn't rack up many stats, but his work DIRECTLY affected others getting THEIR stats. Tonga's return was noticeable. The key to the Texan offense was their success of their run game. Well, they didn't have any to put it succinctly and neither will Denver. And it's not just the DT's and LB's who are the reason. The Jennings, Landry's, and Ponders of the world set those edges and contained Stroud and set those picks to free other on the rush all night and should be commended.
I also need to mention Chassion. He's had a career year statistically, but I found him to be kind of underwhelming as a guy who could provide fast pressure off the edge. I saw him as a guy with a good motor, but still someone who needed scheming if he is going to get pressures, hits and sacks. He was never going to actually beat a decent OT or even be able to bull rush someone more than halfway back to the QB, Give him a great raise, maybe even double his pay, but do NOT pay him "edge rusher" money.
Well tonight I have to say that this was as explosive as I have seen Chassion all year as well as the most impactful. HE made the pick six happen. He had one of the 3 sacks. More importantly, he had FOUR of the 9 QB hits. He upped his game in a key movement. of the season. Now I'd be good with giving him $10MM with incentives for another $5MM if he continues to improve his game. I still think he needs to get stronger and add 5-10lbs.
I was hoping that TWilliams would be able to be at the game tonight. To be in the booth if not on the sidelines. Maybe next week.
Well on this magical run we have to go to Denver, where, as I mentioned, we haven't EVER won a playoff game. Granted they won't have a QB of any stature, but I always liked Stidham. I think I mentioned him as a possible #2 for Drake, given his familiarity with Josh and his system. I also respect Sean Payton's coaching ability to have Stiddy put up numbers that will be around what Stroud put up and without the 4 TO's. It is never a one-man game. The fact is the defensive game plan is likely to be the same as it would have been for Nix. Never let him get comfortable with what he is seeing, keep "spinning that dial". We are doing a great job of keeping the overall structure of the defense when we do attack the QB. But I worry that Davis is going to in the protocol all week and might not be available. Can we be as diverse with one of the backups playing man. Will it limit our flexibility?
As we go on the road to an AFCCG to a place we are 0-4 in all time in playoff games, we should remember that now we have reached this point, success is NEVER guaranteed. Just ask any Commander fan this time last year if he thought his team in 2025 would be out of the playoff hunt in November and a nonfactor with a top 10 pick in April's draft. So, enjoy this ride folks and understand how fragile the ground is that EVERY NFL team stands on.
In the 2nd half we saw the same indecision. The best drive of that half was the 4 first downs we got running the ball off our GL and regained back field position. The only score was kind of a one-off great throw, better catch between Maye and Boutte for our ONLY score of the 2nd half. Even the great Josh McDaniels didn't have one of his finest moments IMHO this game. He did a good job setting up chips and immediate protection for Drake, but for some reason REFUSED to give Maye any movement via designed runs, bootlegs (until the 4th quarter), or half rolls, etc. Maye was about immobile as Payton and Rodgers in their 40's, the Texans rush knew EXACTLY where to find him all night. Even the play action pass game looked halfhearted to me.
Now Josh has been BRILLIANT all season in unlocking Drake's potential, and I look forward to watching him grow and become a much better QB down the road. Let's be honest here. Drake has a LONG way to go before he has "all the answers to the test". Brady was well into his second DECADE before he made that declaration, not in his 1st year in the offense. So, while it was disappointing to a certain extent, these last 2 games, it should be far from surprising, if we are being honest. How Drake rebounds from games like this will be the true measure of his future. Now when I mean "rebound", I don't mean next week he will fix all his issues and be the perfect QB. This process will take years, and we as fans have to be patient with it. We need to be comfortable with the term "INCREMENTAL improvement, because that's how it happens.'
It also should be noted that the Texan Defense was as good as it was hyped up to be. It should be a blueprint of how to build a defense. They have speed, toughness, and are highly skilled and fundamentally sound. We are very unlikely to find a DE like those we saw tonight in the draft when we pick, but we COULD find a LB. Also we should also note that the weather played its part in tonight's sloppy offensive performance. It's beautiful when it's snowy and windy, but it makes everything everyone does on offense just that much harder. I was disappointed that Maye's completion percentage was just under 60%, and then looked and saw that his completion % was better than any other QB who played tonight by 10%
It's a shame but another Hail Mary completion will make Caleb William overshadow what Maye did, but it will and I can deal with that. He's had a remarkable season. Admit it, we would have loved it if Drake had brought our team back from the brink so many times. It's a much cooler narrative.
Now that being said, this was NOT Josh's best effort of the season. It's hard for all of them to be gems. Hopefully next week we will see more series where WE dictate the tempo and not let the defense set the pace. In other words, I issue my 18th weekly call for a return to the hurry up offense, even if it's only for 2 or 3 series
Given the 5 sacks and 4 fumbles there will be a lot of scrutiny on Campbell again. Again I think it isn't going to turn out to be as bad as it looked. I'm going to go over my recording of the game in the next day or two, but on one of the Maye fumbles where Macdonald knocked the ball loose as Maye was about to throw, I thought Maye did a good job riding him passed Maye, and if Maye had had the ability to step up one step, it would have been considered a win for Campbell. That is how fickle blame is. There are a lot of factors that Campbell has no control of that can sometimes be the difference in his individual success or failure. But I've have been preaching this for years. What I love about the game of football the most is that in NO other team sport is individual success so dependent on the efforts of so many others. For those other watchers of film, let me know what your gather from your look back. How do you assess blame for the sacks and fumbles.
You know when you watch Caleb scoot out of trouble so often, kind of makes you wonder why a guy who has the athletic ability of a Drake Maye can't be more elusive.
Now is the time, you would think, that our defense would start to get some national attention. We watch our defense get better and better each week. and while we watch our future opponent have players drop by the wayside, WE seem to be getting more of them BACK. Milton Williams didn't rack up many stats, but his work DIRECTLY affected others getting THEIR stats. Tonga's return was noticeable. The key to the Texan offense was their success of their run game. Well, they didn't have any to put it succinctly and neither will Denver. And it's not just the DT's and LB's who are the reason. The Jennings, Landry's, and Ponders of the world set those edges and contained Stroud and set those picks to free other on the rush all night and should be commended.
I also need to mention Chassion. He's had a career year statistically, but I found him to be kind of underwhelming as a guy who could provide fast pressure off the edge. I saw him as a guy with a good motor, but still someone who needed scheming if he is going to get pressures, hits and sacks. He was never going to actually beat a decent OT or even be able to bull rush someone more than halfway back to the QB, Give him a great raise, maybe even double his pay, but do NOT pay him "edge rusher" money.
Well tonight I have to say that this was as explosive as I have seen Chassion all year as well as the most impactful. HE made the pick six happen. He had one of the 3 sacks. More importantly, he had FOUR of the 9 QB hits. He upped his game in a key movement. of the season. Now I'd be good with giving him $10MM with incentives for another $5MM if he continues to improve his game. I still think he needs to get stronger and add 5-10lbs.
I was hoping that TWilliams would be able to be at the game tonight. To be in the booth if not on the sidelines. Maybe next week.
Well on this magical run we have to go to Denver, where, as I mentioned, we haven't EVER won a playoff game. Granted they won't have a QB of any stature, but I always liked Stidham. I think I mentioned him as a possible #2 for Drake, given his familiarity with Josh and his system. I also respect Sean Payton's coaching ability to have Stiddy put up numbers that will be around what Stroud put up and without the 4 TO's. It is never a one-man game. The fact is the defensive game plan is likely to be the same as it would have been for Nix. Never let him get comfortable with what he is seeing, keep "spinning that dial". We are doing a great job of keeping the overall structure of the defense when we do attack the QB. But I worry that Davis is going to in the protocol all week and might not be available. Can we be as diverse with one of the backups playing man. Will it limit our flexibility?
As we go on the road to an AFCCG to a place we are 0-4 in all time in playoff games, we should remember that now we have reached this point, success is NEVER guaranteed. Just ask any Commander fan this time last year if he thought his team in 2025 would be out of the playoff hunt in November and a nonfactor with a top 10 pick in April's draft. So, enjoy this ride folks and understand how fragile the ground is that EVERY NFL team stands on.
