Texans RBs vs NE Front Seven – Razor’s Edge New England
Lamar Miller was a steal in free agency for the Texans as they snatched him away from Miami with a four-year deal worth $26 million. He’s been their workhorse carrying the ball 53 times thus far for 189 yards. Like New England, they stuck with the running game and were rewarded with Miller having a solid 4th quarter against KC. They’re still having some issues with the offensive line, 2nd round draft pick, center Nick Martin was lost for the season. They’re trying to sort things out there.
The Patriots have been very good against the run thus far in 2016, allowing just 81 yards per game. Alan Branch and Malcom Brown have been very good in the middle. Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower (if he plays this week), are outstanding at reading the play, flowing downhill and plugging the gaps.
I expect Houston to be patient as well with the run this week. Miller is a very good back and he’ll get better as the game wears on.
Texans WRs vs NE Secondary- Razor’s Edge New England
Brock Osweiler was a needed upgrade at the QB position for the Texans this season. Brian Hoyer and T.J. Yates weren’t going to get the team over the hurdle into being a title contender. He’s still learning the new offense of O’Brien’s and his progress is steady. Houston now has a viable option opposite DeAndre Hopkins in the person of Will Fuller. The speedster from Notre Dame has been electric thus far and both of them were over 100 yards receiving last week.
The Patriots secondary laid an egg in the second half on Sunday. After frustrating Ryan Tannehill and going up for four TDs early in the third quarter, everything changed. Going to a no-huddle, Miami picked them apart. Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan and Justin Coleman were probably not happy coming out of the film session from Sunday’s game.
The Patriots will need the pass rush to step up this week, Chris Long, Jabaal Sheard, and Trey Flowers on the edge will have to disrupt the timing of Osweiler and his receivers, especially if they attempt to stretch the field. Hightower, Collins, and Barkevious Mingo can help by blitzing in the gaps this week.
Osweiler has thrown three TDs but also three picks, early in games. The Patriots can use one or two of these to help the offense get a short field this week. I look for the secondary to have a much more solid effort this week.
Special Teams- Razor’s Edge New England
The Patriots special teams went from the penthouse (Week 1) to the outhouse in Week 2 with generally subpar play all around including a field goal miss at crunch time by the normally reliable Stephen Gostkowski. Texans kicker Nick Novak made all four attempts last week in the win over KC.
Houston’s coverage units were awful in 2015, which is why they hired former Patriots STs maven Larry Izzo as their ST’s Coordinator. After a good Week 1, they reverted to last year’s form against KC. They allowed 158 yards on six kickoff returns a week ago, an average of over 26 yards. Their punt coverage team struggled as well. KC averaged nearly 16 yards per punt return. The Pats punt return game got a boost from Danny Amendola who averaged 11 yards (3 for 33), per return against the Dolphins.
Next up, who wins and why…
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
