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TEXANS KICKOFF 2020 SEASON AGAINST THE CHIEFS

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Since no one else started a thread on the upcoming game, here it goes..............




McClain: Texans need to come up with a plan to stop Chiefs’ Travis Kelce
John McClain Sep. 1, 2020 Updated: Sep. 1, 2020 8:33 p.m.

Beginning with the first two games of the season against Kansas City and Baltimore, the Texans better improve their coverage against tight ends, or they’ll get roasted like last season.

In 2019, the Texans surrendered 10 touchdown passes to tight ends, and the most notable culprit was the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce.

In the Texans’ 51-31 loss in the divisional round of the playoffs at Arrowhead Stadium, Kelce collaborated with quarterback Patrick Mahomes for 10 catches, 134 yards and three touchdowns.


Including the Texans’ 31-24 regular-season victory at Kansas City, Kelce had 14 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns in two games against them.


If starting the season against Kelce isn’t tough enough, the Texans have to cover the Ravens’ Mark Andrews in their first game at NRG Stadium.

Like Kelce, Andrews is 6-5 and weighing in the 260-pound neighborhood. Both are coming off Pro Bowl seasons, and both feasted on the Texans last season.

THE REST OF THE STORY
 
Should be a very close game and high scoring. I see KC with a 48-44 win. Texans limit Kelce but Hardman has a big day and Mahomes rushes for 75 yards.
 
IMO, you cannot let TE get more than six points let alone 3 TDs. Also put mirror on Mahommes. Easier said than done. If Fulton earns his newly GTD $5 m and David can run to his right we could have an offense this season.
 
The Texans can only hope to contain the Chiefs offense and keep the scoring within reason, IE: 35 points or so. The Texans offense is going to have to be creative and in sync if the Texans want to have a chance. I really hope that Tim Kelly has been studying Josh McDaniel's use of multiple sets from the same personnel grouping the way NE does. IMO, that's what makes NEs offense "multiple". OBs offenses have tended to be much more traditional and conservative when it comes to personnel groupings.
 
At this point, I feel totally divorced from football and sports. I have no idea what to expect. I have no idea who is going to be playing what positions or why. This is going to be very strange.

Pretty much the same players as last year will playing plus a few draft picks and they will be playing the same positions they were playing last year.
 
At this point, I feel totally divorced from football and sports. I have no idea what to expect. I have no idea who is going to be playing what positions or why. This is going to be very strange.

That's why you should come to Texans Talk more often! Now new & improved with less hostility. :fans::friends: :gotexans1:handshake: :texflag:

Based on the last game we saw, I'm just hoping for four quarters of competitive football from our hometown team.

:texans::texan::texans:
 
The Chiefs Oline may have some concerns, although they are trying to play it down. Kelechi Osemele who was signed to a 1 year contract to replace Laurent Duvernay-Tardif at LG has missed several recent practices with a "stiff neck" would have me worried if I were the Chiefs. Earlier this camp, he missed several practices to a "shoulder injury." And last year, his season was cut short with a shoulder injury. Despite 2 orthopedic surgeons saying that Osemele required surgery, the Jets refused to let him do so. There was an agree conflict between the two entities. Osemele went on to have surgery at which time a significant labrum tear was identified and repaired. And the Jets quickly thereafter released him. The reason I bring all of this up is that neck stiffness and/or pain is commonly a sign of a shoulder problem.
 
McClain: Texans need to come up with a plan to stop Chiefs’ Travis Kelce

1) All teams need to come up with a plan to stop Chiefs’ Travis Kelce. He’s pretty good, not just against the Texans.

2) Texans need to come up with a plan to stop any upper tier TE. Something that has plagued them for years.

It's interesting to see Vegas, who started the game in July at Texans +10, have already moved them Tuesday to +8.5. There's still a week to see things change.

Got in on +10. Just need a cover boys.
 
I honestly haven't even got the least bit excited about this game yet. Normally I'd be antsy already. Going over the starting lineups, matchups, etc. I can't even bring myself to do that yet. I just have a feeling the NFL is going to get about 5 to 8 games in and the Rona is gonna rear its ugly head and shut his thing down.

Now, I'm sure come Tuesday and Wednesday I'm goin to be my usual fired up homer self. I'll be glued to the game Thursday night and hoping for the best......always with that 51-7 meltdown in the back of my mind. I just don't think the defense has enough to keep up with the skill players of the Chiefs. I think the offense should be able to move the ball and score points.

I'm really anxious to see this offense and to see if OB really let Kelly install his own stuff and get more creative.
 


I think the Texans offense is better than the ranking (until those receivers start to drop).

It should be a slugfest, but not quite as bad as the playoffs.
 
At this point, I feel totally divorced from football and sports. I have no idea what to expect. I have no idea who is going to be playing what positions or why. This is going to be very strange.
One main difference in the D.
The big guy Reader is replaced by a penetrating NT/DT #90 Ross Blacklock. He's a rookie and a bit small at 290.
I'm thinking we may see more of #97 Angelo Blackson at the nose on running down with #90 at 3-Tech.
#90 could slide inside on passing downs, but that's just my guess.
We'll see how they use him.

The offense will be very different though, with 3 more speedy/quick guys: David Johnson at RB, Randall Cobb in the slot and Brandin Cooks on the outside (besides Fuller and Still).

I see more passes with receiver crossing the middle and fewer fade routes.
 
One main difference in the D.
The big guy Reader is replaced by a penetrating NT/DT #90 Ross Blacklock. He's a rookie and a bit small at 290.
I'm thinking we may see more of #97 Angelo Blackson at the nose on running down with #90 at 3-Tech.
#90 could slide inside on passing downs, but that's just my guess.
We'll see how they use him.

The offense will be very different though, with 3 more speedy/quick guys: David Johnson at RB, Randall Cobb in the slot and Brandin Cooks on the outside (besides Fuller and Still).

I see more passes with receiver crossing the middle and fewer fade routes.

I read somewhere Blacklock is up over 300 lbs.
 
Since no one else started a thread on the upcoming game, here it goes..............




McClain: Texans need to come up with a plan to stop Chiefs’ Travis Kelce
John McClain Sep. 1, 2020 Updated: Sep. 1, 2020 8:33 p.m.

Beginning with the first two games of the season against Kansas City and Baltimore, the Texans better improve their coverage against tight ends, or they’ll get roasted like last season.

In 2019, the Texans surrendered 10 touchdown passes to tight ends, and the most notable culprit was the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce.

In the Texans’ 51-31 loss in the divisional round of the playoffs at Arrowhead Stadium, Kelce collaborated with quarterback Patrick Mahomes for 10 catches, 134 yards and three touchdowns.


Including the Texans’ 31-24 regular-season victory at Kansas City, Kelce had 14 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns in two games against them.


If starting the season against Kelce isn’t tough enough, the Texans have to cover the Ravens’ Mark Andrews in their first game at NRG Stadium.

Like Kelce, Andrews is 6-5 and weighing in the 260-pound neighborhood. Both are coming off Pro Bowl seasons, and both feasted on the Texans last season.

THE REST OF THE STORY

We were waiting on JamTex. But hey you got it Doc. Good stuff

Let’s go Texans!
 
I have never seen less hype for a Texans season opener. The majority of fans just don't care especially after the curb stomping they took from the Chiefs last January. I was just watching Florio and Simms talk about this game and they seem to think the season could come off the rails if the Texans get blown out again.

I don't know what to think the offense has the talent to be good, but can they overcome BOB's conservative nature and who is going to get yards in the running game. We are depending on a guy who hasn't been good in 3 yrs and the backup is never shown to be more than a 3rd down receiving threat.

Defense was bad a year ago and they have done little to get better.

We have a new play caller on offense and defense, but both are unproven in those roles so we have no idea if they are good,bad, or in over their heads.

If the offense struggles for lets just say a month or so does BOB get impatient and take over play calling or does he let the OC sink or swim.
 
I have never seen less hype for a Texans season opener.
Don't you think that's mainly due to the times we are living in?

If you look at the betting odds and the TV experts, the Texans have no shot. The biggest blowout of opening week. Everyone is forgetting that the Texans won at Arrowhead in the regular season and had a 24-zip lead at one point in the divisional playoff game. The Chiefs should be favored. They're the Superb Owl champs, opening at home. But no shot? Biggest blowout of the week? I don't see it.

Edit: No preseason has not helped in developing hype for the season. I hope the NFL sees this and brings at least 2 preseason games back next year. I'd prefer 3, and eliminate that worthless 4th game a week prior to opening weekend.
 
I read somewhere Blacklock is up over 300 lbs.
His TCU coach Patterson felt Blacklock needed to put on more weight in the 320-pound range compared to the 290 pounds he weighed at the Combine. As an entering freshman at TCU, Blacklock weighed 330 pounds. However, he went on a strict diet plan and became a more muscular and explosive 290 pounds...............a weight at which he has stabilized and that he has maintained to date.
 
From McClain's Mailbag:

Q: That time is almost upon us. We have less than a week left before the Chiefs host the Texans to start this season. What do the Texans need to do in order to pull off the upset in Kansas City? — Rick T.

A: I think they need to do what they did in regular season, Rick. They ran 43 times for 192 yards and three touchdowns and made Patrick Mahomes spend a lot of time on the bench. They controlled the ball for 39:48 to the Chiefs’ 20:12. They outgained the Chiefs 472-309. Still, Mahomes threw three touchdown passes, and the Texans won by only seven. So I’d see if David Johnson and Duke Johnson can do what Carlos Hyde and Duke did last season.
 
McClain's prediction of the Texans final 53.................we are definitely looking like a veteran team, hopefully a significant advantage in this grossly foreshortened preparatory season.:

*************************************************************************************

OFFENSE (25)

Quarterbacks (2)
— Deshaun Watson, A.J. McCarron

Running backs (3) — David Johnson, Duke Johnson, Buddy Howell

Fullback (1) — Cullen Gillaspia

Wide receivers (6) — Will Fuller, Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb, Kenny Stills, DeAndre Carter, Keke Coutee.

Tight ends (4) — Darren Fells, Jordan Akins, Jordan Thomas, Kahale Warring.

Linemen (9) — Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard, Max Scharping, Nick Martin, Zach Fulton, Roderick Johnson, Brent Qvale, Senio Kelemete, r-Charlie Heck.

DEFENSE (25)

Linemen (6)
— J.J. Watt, Brandon Dunn, Angelo Blackson, Charles Omenihu, Carlos Watkins, r-Ross Blacklock.

Linebackers (8) — Whitney Mercilus, Benardrick McKinney, Zach Cunningham, Brennan Scarlett, Jacob Martin, Dylan Cole, Tyrell Adams, r-Jonathan Greenard.

Secondary (11) — Bradley Roby, Lonnie Johnson Jr., Gareon Conley, Keion Crossen, Vernon Hargreaves, Justin Reid, Eric Murray, A.J. Moore, Michael Thomas, Jaylen Watkins, r-John Reid.

SPECIALISTS (3)

K Ka’imi Fairbairn, P Bryan Anger, S Jon Weeks

[Note: r-rookie]
 
Here is Aaron Wilson's projected 53:
********************************************************

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (2)
Deshaun Watson, A.J. McCarron

Running backs (3)
David Johnson, Duke Johnson, Buddy Howell

Wide receivers (6)
Will Fuller, Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb, Kenny Stills, DeAndre Carter, Keke Coutee

Tight ends (4)
Darren Fells, Jordan Akins, Jordan Thomas, Kahale Warring

Offensive line (10)
Laremy Tunsil, Max Scharping, Nick Martin, Zach Fulton, Tytus Howard, Roderick Johnson, Brent Qvale, Senio Kelemete, Charlie Heck, Greg Mancz

Defense (25)

Defensive line (6)
J.J. Watt, Brandon Dunn, Angelo Blackson, Charles Omenihu, Ross Blacklock, Carlos Watkins

Linebackers (8)
Whitney Mercilus, Brennan Scarlett, Zach Cunningham, Benardrick McKinney, Jacob Martin, Dylan Cole, Peter Kalambayi, Jonathan Greenard

Secondary (11)
Bradley Roby, Gareon Conley, Lonnie Johnson Jr., John Reid, Vernon Hargreaves, Keion Crossen, Justin Reid, Eric Murray, A.J. Moore, Michael Thomas, Jaylen Watkins


Specialists (3)

Ka’imi Fairbairn, Bryan Anger, Jon Weeks
 
From McClain's Mailbag:

Still, Mahomes threw three touchdown passes, and the Texans won by only seven.
The Texans had the ball inside the Chiefs 20 and chose to run out the clock rather than put up more points. It's not like this was a nail-biting finish.

I don't see the Texans running 40+ rushes in this game. But, they could send out Johnson & Johnson on short passes and make the Chiefs LBs cover. These guys don't impress me out in space. And if the Chiefs bring in extra DBs, that's when the Texans should hit them with the run.
 
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McClain's prediction of the Texans final 53

Wide receivers (6)
Will Fuller, Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb, Kenny Stills, DeAndre Carter, Keke Coutee
So Coutee over Coulter? Haven't we seen enough of Coutee to know he's not a 16 week NFL player?
 
I have never seen less hype for a Texans season opener. The majority of fans just don't care especially after the curb stomping they took from the Chiefs last January.

It might be that, it might also be there hasn't been a preseason. I was shocked when I realized we were 10 days away from the season. It just slipped my mind.


& I've been dropping in here pretty regular. Right now, football feels like a dream. but once games start being played I think interest will pick back up
 
If the offense struggles for lets just say a month or so does BOB get impatient and take over play calling or does he let the OC sink or swim.

As if the offense didn't struggle when he was calling the plays.

I hope he has a better plan B
 
What do the Texans need to do in order to pull off the upset in Kansas City? — Rick T.

I never like the "do what they did last year" answer. It usually comes from the same person who will say "every year is a new year."

They need to sack Mahomes is what they need to do. Can't just chase him around & let him buy more time. if we can't sack him three or four times & hit him another five or six, we don't have a chance
 
His TCU coach Patterson felt Blacklock needed to put on more weight in the 320-pound range compared to the 290 pounds he weighed at the Combine. As an entering freshman at TCU, Blacklock weighed 330 pounds. However, he went on a strict diet plan and became a more muscular and explosive 290 pounds...............a weight at which he has stabilized and that he has maintained to date.
It will be interesting to see how things shake out in term of his weight and play.
 
Texans big issue is they still have the same idiot as a coach. No reason to kick on 4th and inches and then a fake punt , leading by 17, on your side of the field. That game could have been 28 nothing.
Chiefs oline is a real question mark. Breeland and Pennel are suspended on defense.
Texans will stop Kelce but that opens up everything else. I see KC winning 48-44 . Mahomes will run for 65+ and throw 4tds & 350 Yards. Houstons offense will have a big day. Will come down to the turnover battle.
 
One main difference in the D.
The big guy Reader is replaced by a penetrating NT/DT #90 Ross Blacklock. He's a rookie and a bit small at 290.
I'm thinking we may see more of #97 Angelo Blackson at the nose on running down with #90 at 3-Tech.
#90 could slide inside on passing downs, but that's just my guess.
We'll see how they use him.

The offense will be very different though, with 3 more speedy/quick guys: David Johnson at RB, Randall Cobb in the slot and Brandin Cooks on the outside (besides Fuller and Still).

I see more passes with receiver crossing the middle and fewer fade routes.
I've been advocating for Blackson at Nose. For his size he is really quick.
 
Texans big issue is they still have the same idiot as a coach. No reason to kick on 4th and inches and then a fake punt , leading by 17, on your side of the field. That game could have been 28 nothing.
Chiefs oline is a real question mark. Breeland and Pennel are suspended on defense.
Texans will stop Kelce but that opens up everything else. I see KC winning 48-44 . Mahomes will run for 65+ and throw 4tds & 350 Yards. Houstons offense will have a big day. Will come down to the turnover battle.


BOB's a lot of things, an idiot isn't one of those things.
 
No preseason has not helped in developing hype for the season. I hope the NFL sees this and brings at least 2 preseason games back next year. I'd prefer 3, and eliminate that worthless 4th game a week prior to opening weekend.

I think no PS has played a big role in squashing the excitement level. At least for me because I have no information. Haven’t seen one single player take a snap. I know less about this roster than any season in their history.

Of course, that’s on top of OB killing any excitement I’ve had for the last couple of years or so. So much so I dropped my season tickets I’ve had since day 1.

I also agree that they should play some PS games, or better yet, scrimmages with other teams that replace the games. Not that I’ll be doing it anymore, but paying full price for those games and not getting to see the Watson’s and Watt’s take a single snap was just a ripoff. At least in a stadium scrimmage, and you can televise it too, you’d get to see the stars play some.
 
COMMENTS BY ANDY REID:

The Chiefs played the Texans twice last season — first in the regular season and then in the Divisional round — but the new year brings new versions of the teams. Even if there had been a preseason, it is not like teams show much when it comes to scheme and strategy.

Much is still a mystery when Week 1 rolls around.

“You’re never quite sure what the other team’s going to do; they’re not sure exactly what we’re going to do,” said Reid. “I mean, that’s just even with the preseason games, you know the first game is – really the first three games – you’re kind of up in the air and not sure exactly what you’re going to get presented. But that’s the way it works every year. Now, I’m curious to see how the teams play. You know I think it’s going to be, like I said, I think it’s going to be a well-played game, but I’ll be curious to see how it all goes.”

Reid noted he might be even more eager to see his team debut this season than any season previously.

“You normally have a little bit of a lead up and you have a good idea of the guys are going to react under the lights or on game day – in our case under the lights,” said Reid. “But we haven’t had that and so yeah, I’m curious to see how everything works out and how the team gels together and every year is a little different and you’ve got to work through all that.”

LINK
**************************************************************
So essentially, when the Texans and Chiefs take the field, Reid and O'Brien will be asking "What's behind door #.................

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I will not predict the score but I will say that those predicting a shoot out may be a bit off. I see this upcoming game a lot closer than the last time our teams met in the playoffs and lower scoring. I see our offense as starting slow. However signs of how good it could be will take place late in the game.
 
I dont see the Hous Defense slowing KC down and that will force them to play catch up. Thus a shoot out.
I will not predict the score but I will say that those predicting a shoot out may be a bit off. I see this upcoming game a lot closer than the last time our teams met in the playoffs and lower scoring. I see our offense as starting slow. However signs of how good it could be will take place late in the game.
 
I dont see the Hous Defense slowing KC down and that will force them to play catch up. Thus a shoot out.
I think it is more likely to be a blowout as apposed to a shootout. I think the Texans weakness will not be the defense per say as it will be an offense struggling to find itself. I see us losing but not in the fashion we did before. The defense is new more or less as well, "but unlike the offense," they will play well to start but the offensive struggles will catch up to them. I see the Chiefs winning by 10 to 14 points in a game where they score quite a bit less than they did the last time the two teams met.
 
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The Texans had the ball inside the Chiefs 20 and chose to run out the clock rather than put up more points. It's not like this was a nail-biting finish.

I don't see the Texans running 40+ rushes in this game. But, they could send out Johnson & Johnson on short passes and make the Chiefs LBs cover. These guys don't impress me out in space. And if the Chiefs bring in extra DBs, that's when the Texans should hit them with the run.
Yes. I want to see Watson being a chess master moving pieces all over the board. We should be attacking by land and by air. I want full speed offense and defense four quarters. I expect shootout despite Mcclain opinion.
We have TEs that can catch plus RBs. If O'Brien wanted pounding backs we should have went in different direction.
 
So Coutee over Coulter? Haven't we seen enough of Coutee to know he's not a 16 week NFL player?
I have Coutee making team and Coulter. I don't have Warring on 53. Perhaps IR? Also have? On Iguaweh offensive lineman. Perhaps practice squad?
 
The defense is new more or less as well

Is the defense new? New DC, sure, but how far is he really getting away from what RAC does, who is still in the building BTW?

A defense that arguably hasn’t gotten any better talent wise, and arguably less talented than they were in January.

And same on offense for that matter. New play caller, but I assume it’s still the same OB designed offense, right?

I do believe the offense will struggle at first. A ton of turnover at the skill positions, no off-season workouts, no preseason, no scrimmages against other teams, none of that.

I don’t see teams struggling as much that haven’t had a lot of changes, like the Chiefs.

I got the Texans at +10 so I’m hopeful it’s close, but my confidence level isn’t too high on that.
 
Is the defense new? New DC, sure, but how far is he really getting away from what RAC does, who is still in the building BTW?

A defense that arguably hasn’t gotten any better talent wise, and arguably less talented than they were in January.

And same on offense for that matter. New play caller, but I assume it’s still the same OB designed offense, right?

I do believe the offense will struggle at first. A ton of turnover at the skill positions, no off-season workouts, no preseason, no scrimmages against other teams, none of that.

I don’t see teams struggling as much that haven’t had a lot of changes, like the Chiefs.

I got the Texans at +10 so I’m hopeful it’s close, but my confidence level isn’t too high on that.
This depends on what you think of Blacklock and Reid for that matter.
 
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