Predicting the playbook : Texans edition
It’s now unofficially official — Jimmy Garoppolo will be inactive for tonight’s game vs. the Houston Texans. Jacoby Brissett is the next man up and will attempt to lead the Patriots to their third 3–0 start in four years.
Here are five keys the Patriots must accomplish if they want to walk away victorious:
- Defense
Everyone is talking about the Patriots QB situation heading into tonight when ultimately tonight’s game rests in the hands of the Patriots defense. The Pats allowed 21 points to a high-flying Cardinals offense and 24 points to a sub-par Dolphins attack. Their 22.5 pts/g average ranks 14th in the league while their 400.5 yds/g ranks 22nd. The Texans offense ranks in the bottom half in both categories, yet Texans QB Brock Osweiler beat this Patriots defense last season as a member of the Denver Broncos. The Patriots are hoping signal-calling linebacker Dont’a Hightower (knee) will be healthy enough to go tonight as his presence would be greatly felt in stopping Houston’s running back Lamar Miller who ranks fifth in rushing yards this season. The addition of first round pick WR Will Fuller (Notre Dame) has been key in advancing the Texans passing game as opposing secondaries now have to worry about Fuller and elite receiver DeAndre Hopkins. In last years’ Week 14 meeting (in which the Patriots earned a 27–6 victory), Malcolm Butler rarely lined-up on Hopkins and will most likely find himself one-on-one with Fuller tonight. Chris Long, Jabaal Sheard, and Trey Flowers will have to pressure Osweiler and the Patriots defense will be asked to create a couple turnovers to help out Brissett.
2. The offensive line
The young and improving offensive line will need to have their best performance of the season tonight against a hungry Houston front seven. Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel loves to pressure the quarterback and will surely send creative blitzes and schemes this evening. Lead by a terrifying JJ Watt, the Texans also boast former number one pick Jadeveon Clowney and aggressive OLB Whitney Mercilus on what is one of the best front sevens in the game. Interior players like rookie Joe Thuney (guard) and David Andrews (center) will have their hands full with Watt, while tackles Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon will be asked to slow down Houston edge rushers. This unit must give Brissett adequate time to read the defense and must (and maybe more importantly) create running lanes for running backs LeGarrette Blount and James White. Tonight’s game will be won in the trenches.
3. The clock
If the Patriots want to eke out a victory tonight Josh McDaniels will have to shorten the game and make the 60 minutes feel like 6. Three-and-outs, turnovers, and quick TD drives will ultimately hurt the Patriots as Brissett and the offense will want to limit the amount of Houston scoring chances. Productive runs on first and second downs will be key and Brissett will have to keep the chains moving on third downs with either his arm or his legs.
4. Special Teams
Field position is everything in games like this. Patriots punter Ryan Allen must consistently push Houston back into their own end zone and allow the Patriots defense room for error. Stephen Gostkowski can not afford to miss any extra points or field goals and must do his part pinning the Texans back on kickoffs. Lead by special teams captain and 5-time Pro-Bowler Matthew Slater, this unit is always sound on Bill Belichick teams.
5. Yards After Catch (YAC)
Julian Edelman, Martellus Bennett, Chris Hogan, James White, and (hopefully) Rob Gronkowski will all have to be on their best tonight if the offense hopes to score any points. Brissett has a cannon for an arm, yet he will win tonight’s game by throwing simple and short routes to his big time playmakers and letting them rack up yards after the catch. We saw it on Sunday against the Dolphins when Bennett racked up 52 yards on two catches early in the third quarter despite neither pass being thrown more than 3 yards past the line of scrimmage. Expect a creative and complex route tree near the line of scrimmage in order to free open receivers and create big YAC opportunities.
If the Patriots can slow down the Houston offense and win the battle in the trenches offensively, Bill Belichick and the Pats will ride into Week 4 looking like kings.
