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WK1: Colts at Texan Gameday & Discussion

thunderkyss said:
Cowardly, or honest. I’m thinking Lovie knew what he had.
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Right now, “in the moment”, I would’ve rather gone for it and lost than punt and tie. Now if this game becomes crucial to them making the playoffs, credit to Lovie.

Lovie coached a team with Rex Grossman at qb to the Super Bowl so I get it. He’s managed questionable offense at the highest level.
 
Mills has been inaccurate with
vtech9 said:
To be honest, I'm not really worried about Mills. All of the high passes show nerves were an issue. Likewise, the underthrown flea-flicker showed nerves were the issue. We've all seen him make the throws before, but since he was throwing high, all game, his nerves got the best of him on the flea-flicker, so he took some off of it so we wouldn't over throw it. He didn't trust himself. Since he didn't trust himself, Pep didn't seem to trust him much either. Unfortunately, Pep also didn't seem to have any trust in Dameon Pierce either. Pierce has good hands, but he was only thrown the ball once. Down the stretch, the playcalling was too vanilla, and the best weapons weren't used in needed situations.
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Mills has been inaccurate with his throws since the beginning of preseason. It’s been a problem that doesn’t seem to be getting better. Kyle Allen was much better with ball placement in the preseason than Mills. He should get a shot if Mills continues to miss receivers in the slot or sails balls over receivers heads.
 
TheRealJoker said:
Play to the whistle Britt!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1569143852102991875
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Also on this play there’s no way that shouldn’t have been a huge gain.

That was actually a good play design against that defense. Texans had the numbers in their favor.

I don’t know if the initial point of failure was on Britt or Pierce. Not sure exactly how they coach it, but I lean towards pierce should have not bounced it outside or at least not bounced it outside so fast.

Olinemem aren’t as fast as lbs they are trying to block generally so it’s all about angles.

If pierce is a little more patient there and slows down just a bit, the LB would have to take Britt head on instead of beating him to the edge.

And if he ends up on the outside anyways, If pierce follows his convoy inside, Britt could just easily wash that guy to the sideline and Buckner probably easily ends up blocked.

Looks good by pierce on first glance because of the broken tackle but I’d bet they are telling him not to bounce that.

Still, the original point of TheRealJoker posting it remains. Regardless the online can’t stop blocking and start watching the RB unless he’s way out in front of them.
 
Mills has been inaccurate with
vtech9 said:
To be honest, I'm not really worried about Mills. All of the high passes show nerves were an issue. Likewise, the underthrown flea-flicker showed nerves were the issue. We've all seen him make the throws before, but since he was throwing high, all game, his nerves got the best of him on the flea-flicker, so he took some off of it so we wouldn't over throw it. He didn't trust himself. Since he didn't trust himself, Pep didn't seem to trust him much either. Unfortunately, Pep also didn't seem to have any trust in Dameon Pierce either. Pierce has good hands, but he was only thrown the ball once. Down the stretch, the playcalling was too vanilla, and the best weapons weren't used in needed situations.
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Mills has been inaccurate with his throws since the beginning of preseason. It’s been a problem that doesn’t seem to be getting better. Kyle Allen was much better with ball placement in the preseason than Mills. He should get a shot if Mills continues to miss receivers in the slot or sails balls over receivers heads.
 
Texans’ tie against Colts after squandering big lead triggers ‘bittersweet’ and ‘devastated’ emotions
Texans left NRG Stadium with a 20-20 tie after building a 20-3 lead and falling flat in the fourth quarter and overtime against the Colts.


HOUSTON — Inside a somber, subdued Texans locker room Sunday night, emotions ran the gamut. They ranged between disappointment, frustration, and a bit of confusion following a squandered opportunity for a victory to more encouraging big-picture thoughts about improvement and plenty of football games ahead for an overhauled team.

Texans finish Week 1 with a disappointing tie against the Colts

It was that kind of day for a rebuilding Texans team that tied the heavily favored Indianapolis Colts, 20-20, at NRG Stadium. Houston allowed 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter after being up 20-3, and they were held scoreless in overtime.

Ultimately, Texans coach Lovie Smith punted in overtime rather than risk a potential loss in the first game of the season because of a defense that appeared tired and an offense that ceased to be effective after a solid start.

“We’re devastated,” Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil said. “It feels like we took an L, but it’s better than a loss. It was our fault. There’s some things on film we’ve got to fix. We’ve got 24 hours to let it go. You’ve got to give respect to us. You’ve got to earn it.”

Led by veteran quarterback Matt Ryan and All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor, the Colts took control in the fourth quarter and didn’t relinquish it until overtime, when they squandered a prime chance to put the Texans away and complete their comeback. Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship shanked a 42-yard field goal wide right of the upright.


Despite that misfire, the Texans still were unable to put the Colts away.

“It’s very bittersweet,” defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo said. “We’ve been working really hard, and we wanted to get a win and finish the game out. We didn’t get it done, but a lot of bright spots.

“I feel like this game was very winnable, but finishing is the name of the game. There were some plays I want back. We’ve got to move on to next week. There’s a lot of football left. We’ll make a lot of corrections. We’ll be a lot better next week.”


Lovie Smith makes critical decision to punt

On 4th-and-3 at the Colts’ 49-yard line, Texans coach Lovie Smith had seen enough, making a critical decision. After watching running back Rex
Burkhead get stuffed for a loss of two yards on 3rd-and-1, Smith opted to have Cameron Johnston punt the football with the knowledge that the Texans were unlikely to get the ball back with 20 seconds remaining.

“Obviously, we didn’t lose the game, but it kind of feels that way,” linebacker Christian Kirksey said.

It was a conservative choice, but Smith went for the tie. The game ended after two Ryan incompletions.

Smith saw what everyone else in the stadium witnessed: Ryan had taken command, completing 32 of 50 passes for one touchdown and one interception after a rough start. And Taylor was building momentum with a lot of downhill runs, gaining 161 yards on 31 carries with one touchdown after rushing for just 68 yards in the first half.


“There’s a lot of football left in the season — it’s kind of as simple as that,” Smith said. “I feel like a tie was better than a potential loss. Defensively, we weren’t really stopping them an awful lot at that point.

“At the time, it’s not like we were playing our best defense. We were drained. We were gassed a little bit. … I didn’t coach my best ball at the end. We didn’t finish the way we need to.”

Jonathan Taylor bowled over Houston’s defense
THE REST OF THE STORY
 
Porky said:
Maybe I’m the lone wolf on this, but I just don’t see what y’all do in Davis Mills. 45 years of watching nfl qb’s don’t lie.

Yes he is worthy of an NFL roster, but he is bottom 4 or 5 of nfl starters. That’s what we aspire toward? To put it another way, how many NFL teams are swapping their starter for Mills straight up?
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Ok then let me ask you this, in the last 2 years or so since we drafted Mills who would you have preferred at QB? To add to that which QB could we have brought in this year that would have been worth the truck ton of money we would have paid them for a one year contract?
 
One thing very obvious to me was that beginning in the 2nd half, Lovie played a bend don't break defense, and the offense played conservative. The play calling was strickly don't play to win, play not to lose. We usually see this in old-timer HCs, seldom in the new breed. I hope that Lovie gets a good kick in the pants by all who can make a difference, This team should always be playing only to win.....................whether they win or lose. .A tie or a loss or a win is a ultimately just a "loss" if your only goal is to play not to lose.
 
Jack Burton said:
NO. WRONG. Mills should have been playing defense and making tackles, dammit.
Its all Mills fault. Throwing 2 TDs to a TE who wasn’t even on the team last week, the tie yesterday, the virus, the Queens death, the Cowboys loss.…
This guy is a F’ing cancer and he needs to go.…
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To be honest if Mills hadn't turned the ball over and the offense had been able to get a couple of 1st downs then it would have been game over.

Just to mess with Lucky, they didn't play complimentary football.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
One thing very obvious to me was that beginning in the 2nd half, Lovie play a bend don't break defense, and the offense played conservative. The play calling was strickly don't play to win, play not to lose. We usually see this in old-timer HCs, seldom in the new breed. I hope that Lovie gets a good kick in the pants by all who can make a difference, This team should be playing only to win.....................whether they win or lose...........a tie or a loss or a win is a ultimately jst a "loss" if your only goal is to play not to lose.
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Yep, with that said, punting was the correct call.
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
I would’ve rather gone for it and lost than punt and tie. Now if this game becomes crucial to them making the playoffs, credit to Lovie.
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I think it’s more about not being 0-1, or maybe 0-2 next week facing 0-3 the week after.

not that he’s already thinking of losing two or three weeks in advance. But for this team going to Denver undefeated is better than going on the road 0-1
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
One thing very obvious to me was that beginning in the 2nd half, Lovie played a bend don't break defense, and the offense played conservative. The play calling was strickly don't play to win, play not to lose. We usually see this in old-timer HCs, seldom in the new breed. I hope that Lovie gets a good kick in the pants by all who can make a difference, This team should always be playing only to win.....................whether they win or lose. .A tie or a loss or a win is a ultimately just a "loss" if your only goal is to play not to lose.
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I feel that the best comparison is that the call Lovie made, to punt, may have been the same call the Kubiak would have made.

Or do you think Kubiak had more guts and would have gone for it?
 
TexansBull said:
I feel that the best comparison is that the call Lovie made, to punt, may have been the same call the Kubiak would have made.

Or do you think Kubiak had more guts and would have gone for it?
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I don't think it was about guts. You just lost 2 yards on the previous 3rd and 1 play, so why the hell would you think you could make 3 yards when you couldn't make 1 yard the play before. Britt got worked on the 3rd and 1 play. Do you think he would suddenly grow a pair in-between plays? If you don't think your OLine can get enough push to get you 3 yard, you punt, and hope for the best.
 
thunderkyss said:
I think it’s more about not being 0-1, or maybe 0-2 next week facing 0-3 the week after.

not that he’s already thinking of losing two or three weeks in advance. But for this team going to Denver undefeated is better than going on the road 0-1
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Going to Denver 1-0 is even better, but he didn't trust his team enough to even try.
 
thunderkyss said:
From the middle of the 4th qtr to the end of the game, did you trust the Texans to win that game?
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Doesn't matter who or what I trust. I'm not the HC. The Texans are a football team that no one outside this forum thinks they're going to win many games. So what does it matter if you go for it, don't make it, then lose? What would have mattered is trusting your team to pick up the 1st down and give themselves a chance to BEAT the consensus favorites to win the division. Lovie didn't see it that way.

Then again, if you're using Rex Burkhead in these situations, you might as well throw in the towel. Hell, even bringing Driskel in would have been a better option. Be aggressive, play to win, give yourself a chance. Instead they keep it conservative and play not to lose, like it's going to mean something down the road.
 
thunderkyss said:
I know it's a demonstration of the gnads we have a s a team to go for it on that 4th down.

But do any of you think the Texans had a good chance of making it?
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Do you think making it is the point? Seeing Mills have the opportunity is the point most are trying to make. Mills should have thrown on 3rd down, and then again on 4th. Give him two shots to make a play.
 
thunderkyss said:
I know it's a demonstration of the gnads we have a s a team to go for it on that 4th down.

But do any of you think the Texans had a good chance of making it?
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Good Question.

I think they could have. Play caller could have found something that really worked well, guys could have dug down deep...I'm not sure...

Not many people thought there was even a chance that they'd win the game, let alone be up 20-3 in the fourth quarter so that'd just have been another doubt they put to bed.
 
I honestly think the 3rd down was a good shot for Pierce and Driskell. They were 2-0 on short yardage with Super-J running those plays, so this is where I fault the staff. I get what Lovie was saying, my team was spent and I went for the tie. In general I agree with those saying go for it, what do we have to lose, but Lovie saw a defeated team on his sideline, so he took the tie. Heck, there was a 3% chance the kid muffs the punt too
 
thunderkyss said:
Didn't realize how bad that was. Britt should have blocked the LB, Pierce could have exploded upfield, no way Buckner should have caught him.

But Britt missed that block & Pierce did what he was supposed to do & break the tackle. Had Britt kept playing & blocked Buckner that play could have been salvaged.
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I thought Britt played poorly throughly the game. I think the running game suffered because of his play. Hopefully he’s just rusty from playing at all in the preseason
 
Porky said:
I trust my eyes not some meaningless number. If you can’t hit Cooks for a TD on a wide open flea flicker you have no business starting. That’s a play a good QB makes with his eyes closed and it’s 6 points. Even though it’s woefully under thrown it shows up good on passer ratings because it was completed.

you got multiple gifts late because their kicker is crap, and you do absolutely nothing with them. Not to mentions all of the terrible sideline passes all day long. That’s not a QB I want. He is a backup, nothing more and nothing less. The sooner the rest of you acknowledge the obvious, the faster we can move on and find the right guy. Fortunately, I think Nick sees what I do and isn’t into the excuses you guys keep espousing. We will have a new QB next year.
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I trust my eyes as well. I also trust stats when them and my eyes show that there was solid improvement for Davis Mills last season as the season progressed! Davis Mills Stats Last 5 Games Of 2021 Season | StatMuse Four of those five were pretty good!
 
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I'm getting tired of listening to the radio today and everyone just wants to complain about the PUNT and how Lovie cost them a victory. That's not why this team didn't win...

The last SIX offensive drives by the Texans gained a TOTAL of 64 yards!!! That's it! Not to mention, TWO of those drives started at the FORTY!!! Even if they don't score. Simply not turning the ball over, or eating 2 more minutes of clock, would have been enough to win that game. That to me is the travesty.
 
TexansFight said:
Mills has been inaccurate with


Mills has been inaccurate with his throws since the beginning of preseason. It’s been a problem that doesn’t seem to be getting better. Kyle Allen was much better with ball placement in the preseason than Mills. He should get a shot if Mills continues to miss receivers in the slot or sails balls over receivers heads.
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While I agree with your assessment, I disagree on pulling him for Allen. They need to give the kid enough rope to hang himself. He either sinks or swims on what he does this year. I say give him all 17 games. If he's still looking like something dead that the cat drug in, you've got all the ammo you need to go get your QB in 2023.
 
thunderkyss said:
Because in your disappointment you mention things that is not Mills type of play. He’s more like Stafford, Ryan, & Mac Jones. & he’s doing fine in that vein
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We go through this with whoever the quarterback is on our team. This forum is always very divided when it comes to those that like a quarterback starting on our team and those that don't. Time always tells us who is right and who is wrong. Davis Mills does have some accuarcy problems at times. Still, based on how last season played out, I am not anywhere near to passing final judgement on him.
 
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xtruroyaltyx said:
The whole oline in that frame is watching the rb lol.

Britt wasn’t the only one. There were three Texans linemen near him and he ran past all of them untouched to make the tackle.



Number 71 (Howard?) starts complaining to the ref about a face mask call before the play is even over.

I hope this was highlighted during the film session because that’s not a good look for that entire unit.

I’m a big technique above all else guy when it comes to o line, but right there they just lacked effort and nastiness.
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There is another play in the 4th quarter. It's just a 3 man rush and Howard gets beat at the snap and gives up a sack. A three man rush and the OL still allowed pressure. SMDH.
 
As Billy Ocean cowrote and performed...When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going!

Y'all want an example of a team that is mentally and physically tough? Watch highlights of the Philadelphia Eagles vs Detroit Lions game. The Lions lost but the game was close when they very easily could have given up and got blown out. We could have used their spirit when we were faced with adversity! Especially our offense!
 
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Porky said:
I trust my eyes not some meaningless number. If you can’t hit Cooks for a TD on a wide open flea flicker you have no business starting. That’s a play a good QB makes with his eyes closed and it’s 6 points. Even though it’s woefully under thrown it shows up good on passer ratings because it was completed.

you got multiple gifts late because their kicker is crap, and you do absolutely nothing with them. Not to mentions all of the terrible sideline passes all day long. That’s not a QB I want. He is a backup, nothing more and nothing less. The sooner the rest of you acknowledge the obvious, the faster we can move on and find the right guy. Fortunately, I think Nick sees what I do and isn’t into the excuses you guys keep espousing. We will have a new QB next year.
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Yeah, that was Matt Schaub esque. Cooks would've done the electric slide into the endzone. I think Mills is a solid starter/backup in the nfl. Nothing wrong with that, you can make alot of money and play a long time.
 
JB said:
Last year the Colts beat the Texans a combined 62-3 and then added a MVP QB so most were expecting more of the same today.
They had to score an unanswered 17 straight points to eke out a tie. I was very pleased with the game right up until the last 8 minutes.
I know the Texans should have won that game, but I'd much rather see a tie than a loss
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You think Ryan has played at an mvp level since he won the mvp back in the gap? The measure shouldn't be how they went from getting boat raced last year to a tie this year. The defense will keep the games closer and hopefully the offense can score more than 20pts. My thing is in a rebuild, Burkhead gets 71% of the snaps. Did you see the run at the end of the half to pad the stats? Might as well give that to the rookie.
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
Right now, “in the moment”, I would’ve rather gone for it and lost than punt and tie. Now if this game becomes crucial to them making the playoffs, credit to Lovie.

Lovie coached a team with Rex Grossman at qb to the Super Bowl so I get it. He’s managed questionable offense at the highest level.
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Not to mention they had arguably the greatest ko/pr in the history of the nfl. Lovie is always going to have suspect offenses.
 
Mr teX said:
Still waiting on some sound reasoning from those talking about going for it. So far all i've heard is a bunch of idealistic crap about "going for the win"....and LOLO type garbage that doesn't take into account the situation.

That same "going for the win" crap gave birth to this gem from BoB..was a stupid decision then & it's still a stupid decision now...but hey he was "going for the win so it was all good right? :rolleyes:



"going for the win" can be used to justify any decision made on the football field at any given point...still don't mean its not a stupid move though.
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You would expect your coaching staff not to make a call that would be called a “stupid move”. Running Burkhead right at Buckner/Stewart on 3rd and 1 was right up there with Wattfork and the Chris Brown pass on dumbest play calls in team history imo.
 
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