Takeaways from the Bucs game.

[Texansphan]

Texans were more than lucky to win. Thank goodness Winston couldn't stop throwing the ball to the wrong team.

They had their chances.
For example, Brate put one down that would have secured at the very least a field goal with 3:34 left on the clock.
Texans do however need to get excited and lift their game if they hope to go anywhere in the postseason.

 

[thunderkyss]

Ehh, this is all in a fans’ mind. The truth is it really doesn’t and hasn’t mattered a whole lot. in recent sports history what a team does in the regular season here or elsewhere.

I look at it a little differently. To me, the regular season is to prepare a team for the postseason.

The preseason is mostly meaningless. It helps you fill a starting roster. From week one you're learning who you are. After Thanksgiving you're building on what you've learned. The post season is when we should see who you really are.

I believe this is the way the Patriots have approached the season for years. They, & teams like the Saints have an advantage over teams like the Texans because they're building on what they did last year & the year before that & the year before that. Where we seem to start over every year & then again halfway through the season.

Hopefully that is over & we have a foundation to build on.

Every now & then you have a team like the Ravens who breaks the mold & change things up so much it takes teams a while to adjust.

We've seen this before in San Francisco with Harbaugh & Kaepernick. Yes, John is a better HC, sure... Jackson is a better passer than Kaepernick. But it's the same thing until they win a Super Bowl.

Teams will figure them out. How they approach a 2nd game against Buffalo, Houston, & New England will be interesting.

 

[Texansphan]

If u think that either of those guys can replicate what WFV does for this offense, then u haven’t been paying attention.

its Not simply replicating “downfield” plays, its his route running ability..its him being able to win downfield and create that win fast as hell, it’s the spacing he creates, it’s the chemistry DW4 loses without him on the field, it’s the threat of him on the field that allows your 3rd guy in Stills/Coutee to see 1 on 1 when all 3 are on the fieltogether..

you may be able to make some of those things up without him on the field and the other guys in his place, but not all of them at the same time...like u would have WITH him.

THAT is the total impact.

Why cant Watson develop the same chemistry with those players? There is no reason.
Just look at how Brady turns ordinary receivers into pro bowlers.
It comes down to coaching - speed is not coachable but route running and catching is.

 

[ShinobiMusashi]

I too am frustrated about Will Fuller staying injured but as poorly as we play without him the last thing I want is to get rid of him. He will be another Jacoby Jones, he'll go off and win a Super Bowl for somebody.

He's kinda like our Bo Jackson, dangerous weapon that we only have access to part time, instead of baseball its injuries. We should just save him for after baseball season for playoff runs if he can only play 9 games every year, just save him for when you really need him.

 

[Texansphan]

Maybe I’m in the minority but I honestly don’t care about division championship. That’s a participation trophy if we’re trounced in the playoffs again.

There will be 20 teams that won't be participating in the postseason that wish they had the opportunity.
I'm hoping the Texans can appreciate the moment and play their best ball.
If they do, they will be competitive and win or lose can hold their heads up high.
Only one team will win the grand prize so 31 fan bases will be disappointed.
How would you like to be a Rams fan right now?
At least we played better than our original projections so far so there is that.

 

[thunderkyss]

only the Patriots have won more division titles since 2011.

Thank God Ricky drafted Jj Watt. Can't nobody be more frustrated than him.

For years it's been that defense that won those division titles in spite of BO'b & his QB potluck.

Now we got a QB. Now we have spent high draft picks on offense, future draft picks on offense, & FA capital on offense.

Like most of you, I thought finally our offense will carry this team.

But no...

We need someone to step up & get us to the AFCCG in spite of BO'b. Any takers?

 

[Mr.Scarface]

We could have won the division and tried to get closer to the second seed. Instead OB didn’t do a good job in the Denver game.

They almost lost a game that looked like both teams sucked, but one team had more excuses because they were missing key players.

The Patriots have 3 losses. They were never getting the 2 seed. Relying on the Bills and Dolphins to give the Pats losses at home? Na.

 

[thunderkyss]

5:50 2nd Qtr
3rd & 13



What is Watson waiting on here? I know we like to blame BO'b for everything, but that's Hopkins at the line to gain breaking in. Watson is thinking. The ball should be gone, if he reads the safety who hasn't left the hash. That's a first down right there

Or he could throw the ball to Hyde who has all kinds of green in front of him. Maybe he picks it up. Maybe he doesn't.

Instead he dances for a little bit then throws the check down to Duke to the right. He's got a man 3 yards in front of him, has to juke one guy & beat another to the corner.

Tunsil gets called for a hold after Watson should have gotten rid of the ball.

 

[Lucky]

Why cant Watson develop the same chemistry with those players? There is no reason.
Just look at how Brady turns ordinary receivers into pro bowlers.

Brady is struggling going to receivers other than Edelman and White. That was exposed vs. the Texans. And the Texans probably have the most diverse receiver group since Schaub was throwing to AJ, Daniels, Walter, and Foster.

 

[TheKDog]

5:50 2nd Qtr
3rd & 13

View attachment 5196

What is Watson waiting on here? I know we like to blame BO'b for everything, but that's Hopkins at the line to gain breaking in. Watson is thinking. The ball should be gone, if he reads the safety who hasn't left the hash. That's a first down right there

Or he could throw the ball to Hyde who has all kinds of green in front of him. Maybe he picks it up. Maybe he doesn't.

Instead he dances for a little bit then throws the check down to Duke to the right. He's got a man 3 yards in front of him, has to juke one guy & beat another to the corner.

Tunsil gets called for a hold after Watson should have gotten rid of the ball.

I'm not sure Hopkins is open there. Hard to tell without the video to see where guys are breaking. Hyde is basically at the LOS and he hasn't shown anything as a receiver. He's open there because teams are not afraid of him getting a first down out of that.

 

[Lucky]

I'm not sure Hopkins is open there. Hard to tell without the video to see where guys are breaking. Hyde is basically at the LOS and he hasn't shown anything as a receiver. He's open there because teams are not afraid of him getting a first down out of that.

Hyde isn't even looking back to the QB. And he is well short of the marker. It would have taken a perfect throw between 3 defenders to get the ball to Hop. It's a weird play to call out Watson. The sack on the previous play was the killer.

 

[JB]

I'm always glad to win the division but we haven't even been to the AFC championship.

You have to win the division first

Bucs had off the street dudes playing, “first game in the NFL” and one of them got almost a hundy receiving yards. Arians can coach an offense, OB not so much.

They didn't have street dudes playing defense

We can all agree that we didn't play well but are happy to be the AFCS champs again.

FIFY

I'm betting those 15-1 and 14-2 and 13-3 and 12-4 winners looked pretty damn competent in the regular season.

I'm willing to bet that most of those wins were by 4-5 teams at most

 

[txtx]

I look at it a little differently. To me, the regular season is to prepare a team for the postseason.

I think the Patriots believe the regular season goal, besides improving up to the end of it, is to achieve home field advantage throughout the playoffs, which they achieve a majority of the time, since they're in the weakest division in football almost every year (worse than AFC South).

On that note, confidence building aside, the Texans' win vs New England meant nothing, as they coughed up its worth the next week and have ended up behind the Patriots in playoff seeding yet again. Since the Texans' last game is at home and the Texans feel happy laying their biggest eggs on Houston fans, I expect the Texans to lose next week by 20, losing their confidence; then I can't see them beating the Bills. The Steelers, yes, but they may not.

But to be positive, the Tampa Bay win was solid, including a 2nd blocked FG! Maybe this year the Texans will break the end-of-year letdown streak and decide they'd like to fulfill their potential and win. You'd think they'd be motivated to win just to keep O'Brien and the rest of the coaching staff and not have to learn new systems all around.

 

[Thorn]

Superbowl winners from the 16 game era:
View attachment 5195
I'm betting those 15-1 and 14-2 and 13-3 and 12-4 winners looked pretty damn competent in the regular season. The Texans have been nothing but inconsistent.

Could the Texans win the superbowl? Sure, there is a chance. I hope they do.

Do fans have reason to complain about O'Brien? Yes, they do.

Yep.

I hope the Texans keep winning, and I hope OB gets fired. Both. That would make my frigging day.

 

[TejasTom]

5:50 2nd Qtr
3rd & 13

View attachment 5196

What is Watson waiting on here? I know we like to blame BO'b for everything, but that's Hopkins at the line to gain breaking in. Watson is thinking. The ball should be gone, if he reads the safety who hasn't left the hash. That's a first down right there
...

Who’s the player directly in front of Watson? Why is he running towards Hop at the same depth? Without being able to see the right side of the field, it seems like this guy is in the wrong place. That would take defenders toward the throw.

To your point, in this frame the ball should be half way to Hop.

But what do I know? I’m not an offensive genius.

 

[TejasTom]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1208472055823421442

 

[steelbtexan]

Why cant Watson develop the same chemistry with those players? There is no reason.
Just look at how Brady turns ordinary receivers into pro bowlers.
It comes down to coaching - speed is not coachable but route running and catching is.

DW4 ain't no Brady.

You cant coach that.

 

[Texansphan]

Brady is struggling going to receivers other than Edelman and White. That was exposed vs. the Texans. And the Texans probably have the most diverse receiver group since Schaub was throwing to AJ, Daniels, Walter, and Foster.

This offense has shown the ability to score lots of points.
I can't out my finger on it but something is probably wrong with Watson's timing. Or his footwork.
He needs to learn to step up into the pocket occasionally and throw on that step instead of looking to run so often.
That will come with maturity.

 

[Texansphan]

DW4 ain't no Brady.

You cant coach that.

My point was that it can be done with lesser name receivers and Brady isn't the only example.

 

[TheKDog]

Tweet from @SeanTPendergast: Just re-listening to O’Brien’s press conference.... this is about as close to his wit’s end as I’ve heard O’Brien sound publicly regarding Will Fuller’s health issues.



Great, let's get rid of the one guy that can make OBriens scheme not look like a complete dumpster fire

 

[steelbtexan]

There will be 20 teams that won't be participating in the postseason that wish they had the opportunity.
I'm hoping the Texans can appreciate the moment and play their best ball.
If they do, they will be competitive and win or lose can hold their heads up high.
Only one team will win the grand prize so 31 fan bases will be disappointed.
How would you like to be a Rams fan right now?
At least we played better than our original projections so far so there is that.

I would be very happy to be a Rams fan right now.

Their OL got hurt and that's the reason they missed the playoffs. A return to health and a couple of draft picks the hit on and they will be fine.

 

[steelbtexan]

My point was that it can be done with lesser name receivers and Brady isn't the only example.

DW4 aint as good as those guys in your mind either.

 

[steelbtexan]

Tweet from @SeanTPendergast: Just re-listening to O’Brien’s press conference.... this is about as close to his wit’s end as I’ve heard O’Brien sound publicly regarding Will Fuller’s health issues.



Great, let's get rid of the one guy that can make OBriens scheme not look like a complete dumpster fire

If he cant play what's the use of having him?

 

[Texansphan]

I would be very happy to be a Rams fan right now.

Their OL got hurt and that's the reason they missed the playoffs. A return to health and a couple of draft picks the hit on and they will be fine.

Injuries are a part of the game and all teams suffer to some extent.

 

[Texansphan]

DW4 aint as good as those guys in your mind either.

It is obvious he has taken a step back in recent times so something obviously isn't right.
Just take how accurate we have seen him throw while running in past games.
I see Nuk has consecutive 100 reception seasons. Someone threw him those passes.

 

[ROO]

Injuries are a part of the game and all teams suffer to some extent.

But with Fuller, it just seems his body isn't up to the rigors of the NFL. Most of his injuries are hamstrings and groin pulls, not injuries from being hit. If an NFL player can't run and make his cuts without getting hurt, he isn't of much use.

 

[steelbtexan]

And another truth is:

Barely getting by and looking like crap in the regular season has even less of a chance of a guaranteed championship or even a deep playoff run.

You do know the Bucs have a very good team and had won 4 of their last 5 before yesterday and that's despite Jameis incredibly bad QB play. The Bucs front 7 is very good.

To expect anything but a close game at Raymond James isn't being realistic. IMHO

 

[ROO]

You do know the Bucs have a very good team and had won 4 of their last 5 before yesterday and that's despite Jameis incredibly bad QB play. The Bucs front 7 is very good.

To expect anything but a close game at Raymond James isn't being realistic. IMHO

Yeah, Tampa Bay is awesome. Maybe the Buccaneers should be going to the play-offs instead of the Texans?

With 5 turnovers, the Texans should have won by more than 3 points. Without the turnovers, the Texans get blown out. Watson wasn't good yesterday, and the OC's play-calling was even worse. The Texans truly need a real offensive coordinator.

 

[steelbtexan]

If u think that either of those guys can replicate what WFV does for this offense, then u haven’t been paying attention.

its Not simply replicating “downfield” plays, its his route running ability..its him being able to win downfield and create that win fast as hell, it’s the spacing he creates, it’s the chemistry DW4 loses without him on the field, it’s the threat of him on the field that allows your 3rd guy in Stills/Coutee to see 1 on 1 when all 3 are on the fieltogether..

you may be able to make some of those things up without him on the field and the other guys in his place, but not all of them at the same time...like u would have WITH him.

THAT is the total impact.

As bad as they need an edge, if a fast WR like Hamler falls to them in the 2nd rd I probably would draft him. That's how important a WFV style WR is to this team.

 

[JB]

How would you like to be a Rams fan right now?

Rams fans have Superb Owl Trophies to admire

 

[steelbtexan]

Yeah, Tampa Bay is awesome. Maybe the Buccaneers should be going to the play-offs instead of the Texans?

With 5 turnovers, the Texans should have won by more than 3 points. Without the turnovers, the Texans get blown out. Watson wasn't good yesterday, and the OC's play-calling was even worse. The Texans truly need a real offensive coordinator.

Look at Winston's game last week and the Bucs still won. In fact they would be in the playoff hunt if Jameis hadn't played most of the yr like he did yesterday. Arians is a great HC. He's building a culture and I think he signs Dalton plus drafts a QB high in the draft.

 

[ROO]

Look at Winston's game last week and the Bucs still won. In fact they would be in the playoff hunt if Jameis hadn't played most of the yr like he did yesterday. Arians is a great HC. He's building a culture and I think he signs Dalton plus drafts a QB high in the draft.

Question: If the Bucs had Watson instead of Winston, would they be a better team?

 

[steelbtexan]

Question: If the Bucs had Watson instead of Winston, would they be a better team?

Yes,

Would they win a SB ever?

Probably not

 

[ROO]

Yes,

Would they win a SB ever?

Probably not

How about this one... if the Texans had Arians instead of O'Brien, would the Texans be better?

 

[steelbtexan]

How about this one... if the Texans had Arians instead of O'Brien, would the Texans be better?

Yes

But they wouldn't be winning a SB until DW4 makes much improvement.

 

[FuzzyLogic]

5:50 2nd Qtr
3rd & 13

View attachment 5196

What is Watson waiting on here? I know we like to blame BO'b for everything, but that's Hopkins at the line to gain breaking in. Watson is thinking. The ball should be gone, if he reads the safety who hasn't left the hash. That's a first down right there

Or he could throw the ball to Hyde who has all kinds of green in front of him. Maybe he picks it up. Maybe he doesn't.

Instead he dances for a little bit then throws the check down to Duke to the right. He's got a man 3 yards in front of him, has to juke one guy & beat another to the corner.

Tunsil gets called for a hold after Watson should have gotten rid of the ball.

Great post and view - I think we can see this scenario a lot, and where Watson does need to improve... to often he just doesn't trust the play or isn't on the same page, whatever the case - Brady, Bree's, Rodgers that ball is out already

 

[Texansphan]

Yes

But they wouldn't be winning a SB until DW4 makes much improvement.

Defense can and does win championships.

 

[austins23]

Edit

 

[thunderkyss]

Hyde isn't even looking back to the QB. And he is well short of the marker.

Hyde had already looked back for the ball, then turned & kept running. The play appears as it was designed for the ball to have already been thrown by the time that picture was taken.

On this play he throws to Duke on the right side of the field with two defenders in front of him.

Watching the game in real time, following the ball the way TV does, it would look like a poorly designed play negated because Tunsil was called for a hold.

Watching it again from this angle it's a play that "worked" to get our QB two good looks, he declined both & decided to get the ball to Duke who has just as much green in front of him as Hyde plus two defenders.

You know I'm not a fan of BO'b. But that's a well chosen play that should have worked much better than it did & another case where Watson's poor decisions put our OL in a bad spot (had he thrown the ball when he should have, Tunsil would not have been called for a hold).

To your point, in this frame the ball should be half way to Hop.

Exactly.

 

[texanhead08]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1208472055823421442

Sounds like a normal game from OB to me. I bet those passes that weren't successful on first down were followed by runs up the middle too.

 

[Texansballer74]

This is what bothers me. Other teams lose their star players (Bucs, Steelers) and they seem to keep on moving.

The Eagles are missing all but 1 of their receiver weapons. They still managed to beat the Cowboys.

 

[Earl34]

I too am frustrated about Will Fuller staying injured but as poorly as we play without him the last thing I want is to get rid of him. He will be another Jacoby Jones, he'll go off and win a Super Bowl for somebody.

He's kinda like our Bo Jackson, dangerous weapon that we only have access to part time, instead of baseball its injuries. We should just save him for after baseball season for playoff runs if he can only play 9 games every year, just save him for when you really need him.

I can't even get frustrated with Fuller. The Texans knew this guy was coming off an injury and we need him for the playoffs. So, why did he have to play 94% of the snaps against the Titans? Couldn't he have played 50% of the snaps while we ease him back by utilizing the TEs and Coutee? I know Coutee is running wrong routes and making mental errors. But he did have 5 Recs for 68 yards against the Broncos. Can't we use him to prevent Fuller from having to play 90% of the snaps on an injured hamstring?

You don't need to have the expertise of @CloakNNNdagger to understand Fuller needs to be on a snap count. It should be obvious.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1208757577925959680

 

[thunderkyss]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1208472055823421442

Is it possible BO'b called all passing plays & Watson checked to that basic run?

 

[Texansballer74]

My point was that it can be done with lesser name receivers and Brady isn't the only example.

Man we know what you were saying. Steel tripping lol

 

[banned1976]

Is it possible BO'b called all passing plays & Watson checked to that basic run?

I think your devils advocacy is a little out of control with this take.

 

[thunderkyss]

I think your devils advocacy is a little out of control with this take.

Whatever dude. I just know it's not BO'bs fault & he'll tell you as much.

 

[Earl34]

Yep.

I hope the Texans keep winning, and I hope OB gets fired. Both. That would make my frigging day.

Marty Shottenheimer got fired after leading the Chargers to a 15-1 record. A winning coach, can be fired.

 

[ROO]

Whatever dude. I just know it's not BO'bs fault & he'll tell you as much.

It all makes sense now. O'Brien's system is extremely creative and innovative and designed to take advantage of the players' strengths. The problem is that when he sends in the innovative plays, Watson just checks out of O'Brien's calls at the line of scrimmage and just runs the vanilla plays that he feels comfortable with. That must be it.

 

[Earl34]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1208472055823421442

I can understand going into a game and wanting to establish the run, but to run the ball on 10 out of 13 first downs, borders on the ridiculous. Don't the Texans have members on the coaching staff for quality control and even analytics? Is anyone charting the plays, checking tendencies?

You watch the Saints, Patriots, 49ers, Ravens or any of the top NFL offenses and they are still using a FB. Still running off tackle. Still running I formation plays, but we get this repetitive shotgun zone read runs and a spread offense that resembles anything we can watch on a Friday night at any local high school. SMDH.

 

[steelbtexan]

I can understand going into a game and wanting to establish the run, but to run the ball on 10 out of 13 first downs, borders on the ridiculous. Don't the Texans have members on the coaching staff for quality control and even analytics? Is anyone charting the plays, checking tendencies?

You watch the Saints, Patriots, 49ers, Ravens or any of the top NFL offenses and they are still using a FB. Still running off tackle. Still running I formation plays, but we get this repetitive shotgun zone read runs and a spread offense that resembles anything we can watch on a Friday night at any local high school. SMDH.

Agreed about the running on 1st down.

They're running the offense DW4's most comfortable running.