Battle Red Blog
In last week’s broadcast, Chris Myers, the commentator voted most likely to sound like an exaggerated cartoon character, said something along the lines of “the team with the #1 defense at the end of the season has never failed to make the playoffs…” /paraphrase
While this may/may not be true, it’s hard to recall a team with such polar opposites when it comes to defense and offense.
Per ESPN, the NFL average points scored per game is 23.3, while the average surrendered is 22.9,
For context, the Tennessee Titans have the 24th worst defense in the league, yet Nick Caley failed to come anywhere near the league scoring average against them last weekend.
Blaming the performance on personnel is a copout. Davis Mills, Woody Marks and the rest don’t consistently choose to run A gap headers inside the 2-yard line week in and week out.
In fact, it’s more likely this roster wins in spite of the offensive coordinator, not because of him.
Now, trying to install a new offense right now would effectively give up on the season. And, there’s still a chance this historically good defense hasn’t been wasted. So, firing Caley right now might not make sense.
But maybe, just maybe, there’s a better play caller in the building? Or, if not, maybe they can find one who is familiar with the current offensive model and hire that person to call plays going forward? I mean, they’ve shown zero trouble with finding an ex-Patriot and/or Patriot-adjacent coach in the past.
Chances are there’s already someone on the staff who can play call circles around Caley. Someone who should have been given a shot at it after the Bye Week. Or, should be given one after this game against the Buffalo Bills, since the Houston Texans will have an extended 10-day break before facing the division-leading Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, 11/30.
Unfortunately, the Texans have a history of hanging onto bad things too long to the detriment of great things >cough< Jack O’B-Easterby-Brien >cough<.
Rolling into this week’s Thursday Night Football matchup, the visiting Bills bring their not too shabby brand of football to town.
What about the x-factor you say? The 1 decider that seems to predict playoff success even more than defensive ranking? The turnover differential.
Also:
Nick Caley will be the deciding factor in this game.
Doesn’t matter that C.J. Stroud is still out due to concussion. Doesn’t matter that Joe Mixon seems to have vanished into the Bermuda Triangle. Doesn’t matter how good Josh Allen may...
