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

[PatsFan2]

As I pointed out in the thread about last night's game, where the Texans are not as good as the Chargers (or the Pats for that matter) is defending the deep ball. The Chargers are second in the league with giving up passing plays over 20 yards while the Texans are middle of the pack.

Hell, if you looked last night, there were times where Rodgers had receivers deep and he either missed them or they dropped the ball. Most notably the dropped pass by DK Metcalf below.



Also, the deep pass to Austin which was arguably PI would have been a TD if Rodgers didn't underthrow the ball. Austin had to slow down for the ball.



And on this strip sack, Metcalf was wide open down the field Maye might have been able to get open to throw to him or got the ball out faster since he is younger and more athletic than a 42 year old Rodgers.



There were deep plays to be had on the Texans defense last night. A better QB and better receivers could have capitalized on them.

Deep plays Mmmmmmm.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

To be honest, I haven't seen a lot of Texans games.

Has anyone attacked them with tempo? Going no huddle is often a good way to wear down a top defense. Probably paired with short passing. Downside is maybe your own D gets tired from time of possession, but don't see that as a big concern with Houston's offense being so pedestrian.

 

[bakes781]

Wish we had saved that Trick play for them: we could have had it if Chism threw a better football. Speaking of Efton Chism I hope we use him more than Pop on Sunday. We Need guys who can get open quickly: this Defense do not give Offenses a lot of time.

Trick plays need time to develop and they won't have time in this game. They could try double screen action but the LBs and DBs usually cheat so you are better off trying something deep.

 

[bakes781]

To be honest, I haven't seen a lot of Texans games.

Has anyone attacked them with tempo? Going no huddle is often a good way to wear down a top defense. Probably paired with short passing. Downside is maybe your own D gets tired from time of possession, but don't see that as a big concern with Houston's offense being so pedestrian.

Everyone underestimates Houston's offense but they have high skilled players. Granted they are almost all rookies but by now they are seasoned vets.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

 

[patfanken]

 

[pats99]

How do you think they counter that?

Certainly McDaniels & company can not just rely on them to successfully block for themselves.

At this point the O-line is what it is, no time to fix that, need to scheme around it, How, i have no idea...

 

[Ring 6]

Trick plays need time to develop and they won't have time in this game. They could try double screen action but the LBs and DBs usually cheat so you are better off trying something deep.

Let’s pump the brakes on the idea that the Texans get sacks on every pass attempt. They averaged less than 3 sacks per game this year. The 2022 Patriots had more.
Yes they have good pass rush. Yes AT TIMES they will get to the QB. This year they did 47 times out of 585.
We can’t scrap our entire offense and change what we do because one time out of 13 they sack the qb.
There will be plenty of opportunities to throw the ball when we have them blocked. We really just need to accept that sacks happen. And this is the best offense i have ever seen at coming back from a sack and converting a first down.

 

[PatsFan2]

To be honest, I haven't seen a lot of Texans games.

Has anyone attacked them with tempo? Going no huddle is often a good way to wear down a top defense. Probably paired with short passing. Downside is maybe your own D gets tired from time of possession, but don't see that as a big concern with Houston's offense being so pedestrian.

Sam Darnold had 213yds - Josh Allen had 253 sacked 8 Times: one of Josh Allen's play came late on a trickplay for 48yds to Shakir. So if Drake Maye can pass for 213 or more yards I think we win.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Everyone underestimates Houston's offense but they have high skilled players. Granted they are almost all rookies but by now they are seasoned vets

Still, that "tale of the tape" analysis shows that the gap between our O and theirs is far larger than the gap between our D and theirs. So perceived talent by them on O isn't really translating

 

[Real fan 02]

I didn't like Higgins for us Pre Draft: I preferred KW or J Noel. Really glad he's proved me wrong and doing well.

He is big play guy. C. DAVIS had trouble with no name wr in last game against Miami remember? CJ i stroud is going to exploit that match up..

 

[patfanken]

Aside from the TO's the numbers are remarkably close with a slight advantage on offense for us and and a slight advantage on D for them. Just using those #'s, the key is obviously hang on to the ball and we win a tight low scoring game. Simple. Now that should free up a lot of time during the week and as a matter of fact a lot of time Sunday afternoon. The numbers have SPOKEN. We'll meet up hear again on Monday to discus the winner of the Bills/Broncs game after a surprisingly productive week.

 

[PatsFan2]

He is big play guy. C. DAVIS had trouble with no name wr in last game against Miami remember? CJ i stroud is going to exploit that match up..

I'm hoping Bryce Stroud shows up: if he does we won't have to worry about Higgins because he'll miss him.

 

[Ring 6]

Aside from the TO's the numbers are remarkably close with a slight advantage on offense for us and and a slight advantage on D for them. Just using those #'s, the key is obviously hang on to the ball and we win a tight low scoring game. Simple. Now that should free up a lot of time during the week and as a matter of fact a lot of time Sunday afternoon. The numbers have SPOKEN. We'll meet up hear again on Monday to discus the winner of the Bills/Broncs game after a surprisingly productive week.

5 more points and 52 more yards of offense per game is not remarkably close. It’s the difference between top 3 and mediocre.

 

[DC Patriots]

Everyone underestimates Houston's offense but they have high skilled players. Granted they are almost all rookies but by now they are seasoned vets.

I’ve watched a bunch of Texans games trying to convince myself that rookie CJ Stroud is still in there somewhere, but O think he’s just gone. Not sure what happened to him but he, and his throws just look terrible

 

[Vindicate]

I am pretty sure Hendo has four home runs this year.

Fair enough!

 

[PatsFan2]

Still, that "tale of the tape" analysis shows that the gap between our O and theirs is far larger than the gap between our D and theirs. So perceived talent by them on O isn't really translating

IF we can get Bryce Stroud to struggle; get some TO's deep and convert we got this. Stroud haven't been that same Rookie year Stroud: he seem to have regressed some.

 

[bakes781]

I’ve watched a bunch of Texans games trying to convince myself that rookie CJ Stroud is still in there somewhere, but O think he’s just gone. Not sure what happened to him but he, and his throws just look terrible

He definitely isn't afraid to throw into coverage. I think they allow him to be reckless knowing how good their D is. That said if they have the lead early it will be their running game we need to.worry about.

 

[PatsFan2]

I’ve watched a bunch of Texans games trying to convince myself that rookie CJ Stroud is still in there somewhere, but O think he’s just gone. Not sure what happened to him but he, and his throws just look terrible

Dude I just posted the same thing: talking about that Rookie Year Stroud who looked Great. The current C.J. Stroud is a head scratcher.

 

[203Pat]

Will Campbell and Jared Wilson will need to step it up this Sunday. That pass rush gets a decent amount of sacks but a lot of pressure. One of the few flaws in Drake's game is feeling the pressure a split second too late and getting stripped so he needs to make sure to tuck it if it's a busted play.