Texans @ Patriots, pregame analysis

[maineman209]

Also to note the other 3 Cards on the starting D-line (Golden, Pierre, Peters and Nkemdiche) combined are $6.5m and had 6.5 sacks and 55 tackles last year.

Clearly the Cards put all their chips on Chandler Jones.

And they made the ...... no, wait. They went 8-8 and were 19th in points allowed.

 

[RobertWeathers]

And they made the ...... no, wait. They went 8-8 and were 19th in points allowed.

I swear people that have followed this team for 19 years still don't understand the philosophy of how BB builds the roster.

Maybe that will help.

 

[ivanvamp]

I think this is going to be a very tough game. The Patriots' defense is being reshaped - new pass rusher, young linebackers, new CBs. Watson is a stud who shredded the Pats last year. As a brand new player in the league, he threw for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns, and also ran for 41 yards. Very very dangerous.

Offensively, they're thin at WR, but fortunately, Gronk is ready to go. The last three times Brady has faced Hou (including playoffs):

12-13-15 (road): 22-30, 226 yds, 2 td, 0 int, W, 27-6
1-14-17 (home): 18-38, 287 yds, 2 td, 2 int, W, 34-16
9-24-17 (home): 25-35, 378 yds, 5 td, 0 int, W, 36-30

Averages: 22-34, 297 yds, 3 td, 1 int, 32 points scored

I feel confident that Brady will play well, but it's still going to be a difficult game. It's a good thing it's home, but that will only make it worse if they lose.

 

[Deus Irae]

The Patriots paid both Seymour and Wilfork top money at one point or another in their careers.

Easy examples of high end money spent at the various positions:

QB - Brady
TE - Gronk
WR - Moss
DT - Wilfork
DE - Seymour
LB - Hightower
CB - Gilmore
S - McCourty
ST - Slater
OG - Mankins

The Patriots have paid big money to pretty much every position except running backs and, arguably, left tackle (Solder got lower first round draftee money, but that's not huge LT money). And even the argument at RB took a bit of hit when the Patriots spent a pretty good amount to have Burkhead/White/Gillislee last year.

So trying to pimp something about frugality because of some version of "the Patriots don't spend at that position" is really not an argument of any value.

 

[Love The Drake]

Expecting a Texans win by a large amount would be thrilled with a Patriot win.
If Watson goes off we lose.
Their defense has a better chance of making game ending plays compared to ours if its a shootout.

 

[JMC00]

young linebackers, new CBs

Hightower and Van Noy are not young linebackers

Gilmore & Rowe are the outside CBs
Jonathan Jones most likely will be the Slot CB (People talk about Butler not playing in the SB but I and several others have the opinion that Jones being out hurt almost as much, maybe even more)
None of them are new.
J. McCourty is likely the top back up outside CB and he's played solid in pretty much every defensive system he has played in.

who shredded the Pats last year. As a brand new player in the league,

There was 1.5 games of film on Watson in the Texans offense when the Pats played them. Now there is 8.5 games of film including them getting an up close look.

 

[Triumph]

Shelton's been hit or miss to the point in his career, and it's been more miss than hit. Patriots fans are hoping he plays well, and I consider him the key to the run defense. But that's hope, not certainty.

How has Shelton been a miss at this juncture?

He was a factor in the Browns defense last season. Did he suddenly forget to play football?

That's the hope, not a certainty. There's a big difference between those two.

I am certain Shelton will improve this defense.

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

They have to hit on certain players in the draft and they haven’t. I am not expecting miracles from this defense. I expect the Texans to score points. If they get more than 24 they will win this game.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

"How has Shelton been a miss at this juncture?

He was a factor in the Browns defense last season. Did he suddenly forget to play football?"



Hijacked threads & dumbass posters are killing this MB.

I really hope Mods get on the ball when the real games start. If it's not related to the thread/x-o talk posts should be deleted.

 

[Triumph]

It will likely be another ' Its ovah" Pats season opener.

Misfiring and not in sync. Greater NE will panic and the Brady is all done narrative will hit the presses. Time caught up with Tom. Belichick will get his too as the cheapest GM in the league letting Solder, Almendola, Cooks, Butler, Lewis all leave. Trying to make do with cast offs like Dorsett, Patterson and guys like Brown so he can save Kraft a buck.

If Houston does win. I will rack it up to them being due and Pats still in the process of putting it together.

 

[Triumph]

"How has Shelton been a miss at this juncture?

He was a factor in the Browns defense last season. Did he suddenly forget to play football?"



Hijacked threads & dumbass posters are killing this MB.

When do you plan to stop posting?

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

It will likely be another ' Its ovah" Pats season opener.

Misfiring and not in sync. Greater NE will panic and the Brady is all done narrative will hit the presses. Time caught up with Tom. Belichick will get his too as the cheapest GM in the league letting Solder, Almendola, Cooks, Butler, Lewis all leave. Trying to make do with cast offs like Dorsett, Patterson and guys like Brown so he can save Kraft a buck.

If Houston does win. I will rack it up to them being due and Pats still in the process of putting it together.

They gonna do what they always do and that’s because of the QB. Unfortunately he will have to play with what bill gave him. Let’s just hope the defense can do enough. I expect the Texans to play heavy man coverage until these wrs can show they can beat it.

 

[Triumph]

They gonna do what they always do and that’s because of the QB. Unfortunately he will have to play with what bill gave him. Let’s just hope the defense can do enough. I expect the Texans to play heavy man coverage until these wrs can show they can beat it.

Shelton was dealt because Cleveland now runs a 4- 3 and when he was drafted they used a 3 - 4. They switched defenses when Greg Williams took over in 2017.

Shelton does just not fit in with what Williams is doing and the Browns are deep in young defensive talent. The Browns D would have good last year if Kizer didnt fumble and throw INTs in spades.

 

[Deus Irae]

How has Shelton been a miss at this juncture?

He was a factor in the Browns defense last season. Did he suddenly forget to play football?





I am certain Shelton will improve this defense.

You don't even know Shelton's history, but you're sure he'll improve the defense?

 

[supafly]

Expecting a Texans win by a large amount would be thrilled with a Patriot win.

“By a large amount?”

I think the game will be highly competitive and expect the Texans to fight tooth and nail, but I’d be shocked if Houston wins by a large amount.

 

[supafly]

I expect the Texans to play heavy man coverage until these wrs can show they can beat it.

I wouldn’t hold my breath for our WRs to show that they can consistently beat man coverage, but Brady will take advantage of man coverage by utilizing the running backs vs. LBs.

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

“By a large amount?”

I think the game will be highly competitive and expect the Texans to fight tooth and nail, but I’d be shocked if Houston wins by a large amount.

If we hold them under 24 we have a possibility of winning.

 

[supafly]

If we hold them under 24 we have a possibility of winning.

Or...we could end up winning in a shoot out. Say, something like 36-33?

 

[micronin127]

Texans offensive line is not expected to be great. Julie'n Davenport is their best tackle. And they signed Seantrel Henderson from the Dolphins who was at best average. A 3rd round pick this year Martinas Rankin is the backup. Interior line isn't much better.

Their RBs are Lamar Miller, a Dolphin castoff, and Alfred Blue who is getting older. D'onta Foreman is on the PUP list.

On the plus side (for them): WRs are pretty good and pretty fast. And their QB is mobile.

Defense is built up front. Lots of high draft picks at the first two levels. Clowney, Watt, Mercilus, McKinney, Cunningham are all 1st or 2nd rounders. And they signed Tyrann Mathieu this offseason.

On the plus side (for us): defenses often start out slow due to lack of padded practices and limited offseason. Tackling can be spotty and players often can't go top speed for 50+ plays in the first week.

I hope we can put together some long drives and get the play count up there. I think that our conditioning could come into play in a positive way if we can get over 60 offensive plays.

I think we win this game in the 4th quarter, but it is a one score game at half time.

 

[Triumph]

You don't even know Shelton's history, but you're sure he'll improve the defense?

OK I will play.

Tell me about Sheltons history.