Why the Texans lost.

[dream_team]

I re-watched the game... and here's my reasons why I think we lost this game. (in order of significance)

1) Pass protection. Unfortunately for Yates, Dan O simply got better pass pro. Seemed like we had to blitz in order to get pressure. It seemed like the only times Yates had any time to throw was when we ran a naked boot. Which is probably why we saw so much of it.

2) Their 3rd string QB simply played better than our 3rd string QB. Particularly when it came to looking to make plays downfield (probably because of the poor pass pro). But re-watching the naked boot plays, Yates had two options. Throw underneath to Dreesen, or to the guy running the deep post. Every time, the deep post was open, but he opted for Dreesen underneath. Makes you wonder how many other times someone deep is open but Yates simply misses it?

3) What happened to our secondary? Was Wade our best defensive back? In the past two games, even Jojo hasn't been as dominant.

4) Refs. Right after watching the game, I would have put this #1. But after watching it a 2nd time, I cut them some slack. They called a lot of crappy ticky-tack stuff in the end, they missed a couple of calls in the 1st half, they missed a big intentional grounding by Dan O in the red zone... but still, in the end, Colts made the big plays, and we didn't.

Notice I don't have Kubiak at all in my list, despite the general feeling in this forum. I thought he called a decent game. When Yates went back to pass, I saw poor pass pro, and Yates making poor decisions of where to go with the ball. I can't blame him for leaning towards running the ball more, since the Colts were giving up 6.9 ypc to Foster. You would also think the Colts can't drive 80 yards, under 2 min, with no timeouts... We are now a defensive team. Our defense is better than our offense. So isn't it better to try to win with the strength of your team?

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by dream_team

I re-watched the game... and here's my reasons why I think we lost this game. (in order of significance)

1) Pass protection. Unfortunately for Yates, Dan O simply got better pass pro. Seemed like we had to blitz in order to get pressure. It seemed like the only times Yates had any time to throw was when we ran a naked boot. Which is probably why we saw so much of it.

2) Their 3rd string QB simply played better than our 3rd string QB. Particularly when it came to looking to make plays downfield (probably because of the poor pass pro). But re-watching the naked boot plays, Yates had two options. Throw underneath to Dreesen, or to the guy running the deep post. Every time, the deep post was open, but he opted for Dreesen underneath. Makes you wonder how many other times someone deep is open but Yates simply misses it?

3) What happened to our secondary? Was Wade our best defensive back? In the past two games, even Jojo hasn't been as dominant.

4) Refs. Right after watching the game, I would have put this #1. But after watching it a 2nd time, I cut them some slack. They called a lot of crappy ticky-tack stuff in the end, they missed a couple of calls in the 1st half, they missed a big intentional grounding by Dan O in the red zone... but still, in the end, Colts made the big plays, and we didn't.

Notice I don't have Kubiak at all in my list, despite the general feeling in this forum. I thought he called a decent game. When Yates went back to pass, I saw poor pass pro, and Yates making poor decisions of where to go with the ball. I can't blame him for leaning towards running the ball more, since the Colts were giving up 6.9 ypc to Foster. You would also think the Colts can't drive 80 yards, under 2 min, with no timeouts... We are now a defensive team. Our defense is better than our offense. So isn't it better to try to win with the strength of your team?

Good breakdown
...and rep for having the stomach to watch it again so soon.
I actually watched the last few plays again to see if there was any justification in those calls. Actually, in two of them, there was. Only the call where Watt got blocked into the QB was an epic fail. The other two were ticky-tacky but technically correct.

After rewatching those calls I deleted it. But I'm pretty sure that NFLN will make that a replay game so they'll have reason to show Major Forehead's face over and over again. Maybe I'll be calm enough to rewatch it.

[eriadoc]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

Good breakdown
...and rep for having the stomach to watch it again so soon.
I actually watched the last few plays again to see if there was any justification in those calls. Actually, in two of them, there was. Only the call where Watt got blocked into the QB was an epic fail. The other two were ticky-tacky but technically correct.

I don't see how the PI call on Quin was technically correct at all. Within 5 yards, you're supposed to be able to manhandle the WR. The play started at the 6 and the call was made at the 1.5 yard line.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by eriadoc

I don't see how the PI call on Quin was technically correct at all. Within 5 yards, you're supposed to be able to manhandle the WR. The play started at the 6 and the call was made at the 1.5 yard line.

Actually, I think the wussified, modern-day NFL rule is that you get one chuck and one chuck only in first five yards. Plus Quin maintained contact while the ball was in flight. And contact while the ball is in the air was pass interference even back before the wussification took effect. I'm afraid that call was somewhat legit. To his credit, the ref didn't throw the flag until the ball was in flight.

Edit: damn it was hard typing that last sentence.

[mussop]

We lost because the refs made more than one questionable call on the last drive.

Chicken **** play calling.

Chicken **** QB play.

And last but not least, stupid ass defensive adjustment allowing Jackson to be one on one with Wayne. People can say he has improved this year but the fact is he still cant beat out a player ( Allen ) that was cut by a horrible team and he still hasn't learned how to turn and look for the ball after two years. He sucks and ther is no way he should not be replaced next year.

[rush2112mn]

Our 3rd down conversion rate was terrible.
We would start out a drive....get 1 first down...then start up again....and get 0 yards on first down and have MANY AND I SAY MANY 2nd and 3rd and Long......
Not getting any yards or 1 or 2 on first down was terrible....

Ben Tate.......what the hell......he was terrible..... run production was bad.....

Arian Foster.....did what he could......looked great to me......

Jacoby Jones.....I have to rethink what I said last week......Because he was open down the field according to Andre Ware and did not get thrown to during the game....

Eric Winston.... What the hell man.....he has some explaining to do....he was someones little B*&tch last night.....

Offensive Line....Blocking was spotty.....on both run and pass.....

TJ Yates.... is either being told not throw it down field.....told not to thrown sideline routes.....told not to throw it on long post patterns.......told not to thrown it to wide reciever screens......Until Andre comes back.....

Maybe Yates is being held back by Kubiak.....for the playoffs.....so teams do not have any game film of him throwing all those passes as a surprise.....I dont know....

JJ Watt.....got picked on by the refs.....plain and simple.....those were some bad calls by the refs.....he played great......

Brian Cushing.....another great game too...

Kareem Jackson.....turn around and look at that last play.....

Thats my take.......
or is waiting for Andre to come back.....

[IDEXAN]

Sorry guys, but we lost because we got outplayed on the field.
We've still got a shot at winning our wild-card game because all indications are
we get an opponent like ourselves which means not much offense, not much scoring: the Patriots will be getting a bye. And we'l have that vaunted 12th man at full-strength.
I'd forget about next weeks game vs the Titans - play your starters at most a half, treat the game like the last preseason game before the regular season opener.

[amazing80]

Im not sure I believe he is holding him back for the playoffs....for a few reasons

- Why would we do that? A first round bye lets our team get healthier and we REALLY need that right now.

- We did not throw deep in the Bengals game until the 4th quarter, we did not have the division locked up until AFTER the game, so why baby him that game?

- I don't think Gary is smart enough to gameplan "not throwing the ball deep to surprise teams in January"...sorry just don't think he is

[Texan_Bill]

Why the Texans lost.

A) Yates is NOT the next coming of Tom Brady
B) Kubiak was too conservative with the play calls.
C) Defense is not the same without Wade on the sidelines.
D) Officiating sucked ass. (although I'm generally not one to ***** about officiating)

Playoffs baby!! WoooHooooo one and done!

[Señor Stan]

This pretty much sums up how I feel as a Texans fan right about now...

Buzz Lightyear after he finds out he is just a toy and busts off his arm trying to fly

[Playoffs]

Originally Posted by Texan_Bill

A) Yates is NOT the next coming of Tom Brady
B) Kubiak was too conservative with the play calls.
C) Defense is not the same without Wade on the sidelines.
D) Officiating sucked ass. (although I'm generally not one to ***** about officiating)

I agree.

Something has been missing the last 3 games. We're too often flat. And the play calling seems to be limited. T.J. not seeing the field. DBs need to figure out whatever they need to figure out and tighten it up.

Sh!t, without Andre the Rookie doesn't have much to throw to. O.D. is nicked. Jacoby & Walter just don't put a lot of fear in others.

Still, 10-5 with one to play floats my boat. These are my boys. We're playoff bound. Go Texans!

[kiwitexansfan]

Originally Posted by dream_team

I re-watched the game... and here's my reasons why I think we lost this game. (in order of significance)

1) Pass protection. Unfortunately for Yates, Dan O simply got better pass pro. Seemed like we had to blitz in order to get pressure. It seemed like the only times Yates had any time to throw was when we ran a naked boot. Which is probably why we saw so much of it.

2) Their 3rd string QB simply played better than our 3rd string QB. Particularly when it came to looking to make plays downfield (probably because of the poor pass pro). But re-watching the naked boot plays, Yates had two options. Throw underneath to Dreesen, or to the guy running the deep post. Every time, the deep post was open, but he opted for Dreesen underneath. Makes you wonder how many other times someone deep is open but Yates simply misses it?

3) What happened to our secondary? Was Wade our best defensive back? In the past two games, even Jojo hasn't been as dominant.

4) Refs. Right after watching the game, I would have put this #1. But after watching it a 2nd time, I cut them some slack. They called a lot of crappy ticky-tack stuff in the end, they missed a couple of calls in the 1st half, they missed a big intentional grounding by Dan O in the red zone... but still, in the end, Colts made the big plays, and we didn't.

Notice I don't have Kubiak at all in my list, despite the general feeling in this forum. I thought he called a decent game. When Yates went back to pass, I saw poor pass pro, and Yates making poor decisions of where to go with the ball. I can't blame him for leaning towards running the ball more, since the Colts were giving up 6.9 ypc to Foster. You would also think the Colts can't drive 80 yards, under 2 min, with no timeouts... We are now a defensive team. Our defense is better than our offense. So isn't it better to try to win with the strength of your team?

You make some really good points.

I agree especially about the bootlegs, there were many times in the game in other situations also where Yates could of thrown the corner route to a guy who had a step on his man and the shallow zone guy couldn't have gotten back to him.

I thought the secondary looked ok as long as we were being aggressive with the front 7, as soon as we eased off the DBs went back to being toast.

I understand Kubiak's playcalling too, except right at the very end, could't we at least try some trickeration to win it?

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by amazing80

Im not sure I believe he is holding him back for the playoffs....for a few reasons

- Why would we do that? A first round bye lets our team get healthier and we REALLY need that right now.

- We did not throw deep in the Bengals game until the 4th quarter, we did not have the division locked up until AFTER the game, so why baby him that game?

- I don't think Gary is smart enough to gameplan "not throwing the ball deep to surprise teams in January"...sorry just don't think he is

I don't think he's that kind of guy. I think he's like most of us, in the way he does his job. He knows what tools he's got to work with & he puts them together the best way he knows how.

We've found a few more areas of Tj's game that isn't where it needs to be. We've had a few more snaps of Cardwell & our OL to watch. We've got more film on our secondary against 2 pretty good receivers.

No, everything isn't fine. But I think we're pretty good at correcting our mistakes. Winning this game is not as important (to me) as winning in the play-offs or winning a Super Bowl.

We had a chance to win this game, regardless of all that other crap that went wrong. 1:56 to go, no time-outs, 80 yards to go.

I'm not talking about moral victories, I know it sucks that the Colts are now a 2-13 team, but big picture, no reason to jump ship or freak out. They new we were going to run the ball.... they didn't stop us. They new we would try to pressure their QB... I think we did a pretty good job.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

I don't think he's that kind of guy. I think he's like most of us, in the way he does his job. He knows what tools he's got to work with & he puts them together the best way he knows how.

We've found a few more areas of Tj's game that isn't where it needs to be. We've had a few more snaps of Cardwell & our OL to watch. We've got more film on our secondary against 2 pretty good receivers.

No, everything isn't fine. But I think we're pretty good at correcting our mistakes. Winning this game is not as important (to me) as winning in the play-offs or winning a Super Bowl.

We had a chance to win this game, regardless of all that other crap that went wrong. 1:56 to go, no time-outs, 80 yards to go.

I'm not talking about moral victories, I know it sucks that the Colts are now a 2-13 team, but big picture, no reason to jump ship or freak out. They new we were going to run the ball.... they didn't stop us. They new we would try to pressure their QB... I think we did a pretty good job.

If we can't even beat the worst team in the NFL when it could give us a bye week in the playoffs then what makes you think we have a chance to beat a team that makes the playoffs? Your optimism is borderline insanity.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by mussop

If we can't even beat the worst team in the NFL when it could give us a bye week in the playoffs then what makes you think we have a chance to beat a team that makes the playoffs? Your optimism is borderline insanity.

I'm treating every game after we clinched the division as a preseason game. We're going to try to win, but the most important thing is to find our weaknesses & fix them before we get to the play-offs.

[Textan]

Originally Posted by Texan_Bill

A) Yates is NOT the next coming of Tom Brady
B) Kubiak was too conservative with the play calls.
C) Defense is not the same without Wade on the sidelines.
D) Officiating sucked ass. (although I'm generally not one to ***** about officiating)

Playoffs baby!! WoooHooooo one and done!

Kubiak has always been overly conservative in his play calling. Last night highlighted something I can't stand in his coaching.
I also agree that the defense seems lost without Wade on the sidelines. Although I know his schemes and ideas are probably not completely lost just yet.

[ArlingtonTexan]

The defense did not make a stop/did commit silly penalities at key moments of the game. They were put into a good situation with less than two minutes and a third string QB with no time outs having to score a TD to win. Yes, the offesne could (should) have scored more points, but the defense wasn't an innocent victim. That's a situation where the defense has to bring home the win and they did not.

On the premise that Herring is not equal to Son of Bum, well no spit. The individual player's job is to perform in the absense of the SOB, not worry about who is better or not. Wade probably would have appreciated those guys stepping up, not waiting for him to waddle out of his recovery.

[Wolf]

defense was out of gas.. we have some high motor guys and the offense didn't do crap to help them rest a bit.

two games in a row where the defense failed in the 4th

and if I remember correctly 4 drives of 75 yards or more in the 4th

[SuperSerial]

Originally Posted by mussop

We lost because the refs made more than one questionable call on the last drive.

Chicken **** play calling.

Chicken **** QB play.

And last but not least, stupid ass defensive adjustment allowing Jackson to be one on one with Wayne. People can say he has improved this year but the fact is he still cant beat out a player ( Allen ) that was cut by a horrible team and he still hasn't learned how to turn and look for the ball after two years. He sucks and ther is no way he should not be replaced next year.

Like your sig pic. Right there with Obama.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by mussop

And last but not least, stupid ass defensive adjustment allowing Jackson to be one on one with Wayne.

Wayne had only caught one ball on Kj before that.