Patriots Pregame Thread Pre-Game - Divisional Round Texans at Patriots

[KCSVEN]

Pats run game is plain flat better.

If Jennings can add something its going to be a quiet plane ride back to Texas.

I think this could be a key. Texans are good against the run but not world beaters like against the pass. Patriots rush offense has been great since the Giants game. I wouldn't be surprised to see Pats have success running and to run a lot early. That Raiders game with the Texans really makes you think the run defense can be had. Allowed Geno Smith to get a 107.3 QB Rating because the Raiders could run the ball.

 

[yukon cornelius]

sell out to shut down the run, if gonzo plays pats are going to be able to go man all day......force stroud to win the game without his best receiver.......i smell multiple picks

 

[slash83]

sell out to shut down the run, if gonzo plays pats are going to be able to go man all day......force stroud to win the game without his best receiver.......i smell multiple picks

Barring an unforeseen setback Gonzo is playing.

 

[Rob0729]

Drake is in a league of his own on second read efficiency.

 

[patchick]

OK, from this thread I've learned that the Patriots' path to victory on offense is going five wide, committing to the running game, focusing on short passes to TEs and RBs, and both running and passing out of jumbo. Meanwhile I've been wishing for more 2-RB sets.

And you just know that on Monday we'll all say "I told you so!"

 

[Triumph]

Texans defensive performance over their 10 game win streak. Texans last defeat was at home 15 - 18 vs Denver.

Texans rank 13th offense and 2nd defense.

They are not a particularly good rushing team ranked 22nd in rush yds, 27th in TDs and 29th in yds per att.

Houston loves a close dog fight as you can see from these scores. That's where they want you. The only blowout wins being AZ w/Jacoby and PITT. Dameco Ryans is not a gambler and takes the points with his Kicker. Texans redzone offense reflects that ranked 30th. So, its doubtful that Houston will be going for it on 4th down.

 

[ErniesPinkStripes]

sell out to shut down the run, if gonzo plays pats are going to be able to go man all day......force stroud to win the game without his best receiver.......i smell multiple picks

With the way he handled the ball against Pitt, I want some warm apple fumble all over that field

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Without Nico, Schultz has been the only other major receiver threat for Stroud this season. If we shut him down, Stroud is going to struggle with throwing the ball.

I think it was Kirk against the Steelers (8 receptions for 144 yards). The rookies seem to only flash, not produce consistently, but Kirk and Schultz might step up.

 

[Rob0729]

The Pats were the best in the fewest missed tackles this year.

 

[p8ryts]

If you haven't seen this, I recommend a viewing. On Patriots.com

Patriots Gameplan: 3 Keys to Victory in Sunday's Divisional Round Matchup vs. the Texans​

 

[PatsFan2]

I think it was Kirk against the Steelers (8 receptions for 144 yards). The rookies seem to only flash, not produce consistently, but Kirk and Schultz might step up.

Kirk wasn't good last year and the year before that: career lows. I guess a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while.

 

[PatsFan2]

Texans defensive performance over their 10 game win streak. Texans last defeat was at home 15 - 18 vs Denver.

Texans rank 13th offense and 2nd defense.

They are not a particularly good rushing team ranked 22nd in rush yds, 27th in TDs and 29th in yds per att.

Houston loves a close dog fight as you can see from these scores. That's where they want you. The only blowout wins being AZ w/Jacoby and PITT. Dameco Ryans is not a gambler and takes the points with his Kicker. Texans redzone offense reflects that ranked 30th. So, its doubtful that Houston will be going for it on 4th down.

We know what kind of game Demeco Ryans wants to play: Maye needs to make some BTT = Big Time Throws. IF we get up a couple of scores we got this: I don't think Houston can play from behind.

 

[patfanken]

Ken - Could you look specifically at the sacks? I don't remember which one specifically, but I thought it was in the 1st half. But on one it looked like a Stunt that brought the Edge guy from outside of Campbell's left shoulder, across the O-line to the Right Side "A" gap and gave him a straight shot at Maye. I don't have access to the All-22, but the way I remember the play is that, when Bradbury snapped the ball, his guy drove deep on the Left Side "A" gap. Bradbury engaged him, dropped his head, turned his body, and went with the defender back and towards Wilson. In doing so, it prevented Wilson from Mirroring the Edge guy and allowing him that free shot at Maye.

When I first watched the play, I though Wilson was the issue because he looked lost on the play.. But when I saw the replay and how Bradbury had turned, it seemed more like Bradbury was the issue in that he called the wrong protection for him and Wilson. It COULD be a combination of both. But you're one of the guys who knows and understands O-line blocking concepts better than anyone on this board.


As for my comment on Campbell. It doesn't matter to me that Anderson is better now than he was in college in that video. Campbell is Ybetter now than he was in that video. So I expect him to handle Anderson and Hunter in the game. And that if he does that, I'll be satisfied. Yeah. it's a high bar. But that doesn't mean I'll hate the kid if he fails. I'm expecting him to succeed is all.

Your post and this discussion only point out the myriads of reasons why it is so hard to point the blame to a specific OLman or DB in a specific failed play, yet we do it so readily and so often. It's why PFF is at best just an indication of play and not an accurate score. It does have value, but only if you keep it in context and are aware of its limitations.

BTW- I don't have the all-22 (I wish I had).

 

[p8ryts]

Bill wouldn't have left Henry on the bench in the 4th quarter.

 

[Triumph]

 

[yukon cornelius]

Barring an unforeseen setback Gonzo is playing.

looks like it, but these days i trust nothing lol

 

[Vindicate]

For sure.

Just don't allow this game to turn into a Texas sackfest. Pitt ran the ball 18 times and gave up. Rodgers never had a prayer harassed all game as he tried to generate offense throwing. Sacked only 4 times, but he threw the ball away numerous times for a 53% completion rate. Pitt converted 2 - 3rd downs out of 15.

Oddly enough, LV gave Houston a game only losing 21 to 23. LV ran the ball for 145 yds and a TD, LV passed for a 69% completion rate and 2 TDs.

I think you're giving Rodgers more credit than he deserves. Texans didn't make it easy, but he didn't help himself - or his team.

 

[upstater1]

Buffalo Bills radio announcers say that the Bills will need to go through the 3 toughest defenses in the NFL to get to the Super Bowl, and a 4th to win it likely with Seattle.

It'll be the hardest road in NFL history, but they can do it.

Jax, then Denver, then Houston, then Seattle likely.

Across the nation, New England is an afterthought in these discussions.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Buffalo Bills radio announcers say that the Bills will need to go through the 3 toughest defenses in the NFL to get to the Super Bowl, and a 4th to win it likely with Seattle.

It'll be the hardest road in NFL history, but they can do it.

Jax, then Denver, then Houston, then Seattle likely.

Across the nation, New England is an afterthought in these discussions.

It really is weird how no one is talking about us at all. But I'm also ok with it, as long as we keep winning.

 

[Toofy]

Lots of jumbo personnel with munford .. Stevenson and Henderson to again have a field day.

X factor - Chism and Williams to have couple of deep pass touchdowns .

Diggs no TD or major yardage but will have at least 3 + 3rd down conversions in critical times.

henry will be the receiving yards leader in this game.