Battle Red Blog
The Day After the Day After…when the raw, immediate emotions from the aftermath of a game diminish into the realm of clarity and the proverbial (or literal) hangover no longer haunts the mind. With that, a review of Week 15:
Special Teams dominated this one for Houston: For Houston, all three parts of the game had their moments of strength. However, if there was a unit that truly dominated, it must be Frank Ross’ special teams. The tone got set early. Jaylin Noel’s 39-yard kickoff return jump-started Houston early. Following their quick strike Stroud-to-Collins TD two plays later, the subsequent Texans’ kickoff saw Houston’s Jamal Hill force a fumble that Ogunbowale easily gathered up, setting up a short field and Houston going up 10-0 before Arizona ran an offensive snap. On the next kickoff, Arizona muffed the kick, allowing Houston’s coverage unit to get down the field and stop the Cardinals at their 22. After a quick 3-and-out, Houston got a poor Arizona punt and the ball inside positive territory. This allowed Houston to go up 17-0, and from there, Houston maintained total strategic control. Houston’s kickoffs and coverage were stellar, not allowing Arizona to start the ball beyond their 30 for most of the game. Fairbairn only had one touchback, and that was late in the 4th quarter when the game was effectively over. The kick returns for Houston just as well. Noel later added a 69-yard kick return in the second half, which set up a Houston FG. Tommy Townsend didn’t punt until the 4th quarter, but even then, he placed his sole punt inside the Cardinals’ 5. Other than the blocked FG at the end of the 1st half, Houston’s special teams had arguably their best overall game of the season.
About those TEs: Historically for Houston’s defense, they don’t tend to cover TEs well. Enter Cardinals TE Trey McBride. If Arizona is tanking, someone forgot to tell him. McBride lit up Houston for 12 catches/134 yards/2 TDs. These weren’t garbage time stats either. McBride logged 5 receptions and a TD on Arizona’s first scoring drive in the 1st half. He shredded the Houston defensive backfield, regardless of who was on him. A LB or S, didn’t matter. McBride got his. Perhaps the most effective defender of McBride was DE Will Anderson Jr, who on a 4th quarter defensive play, shoved (legally) McBride hard to the ground to prevent him from running his route. It is possible that McBride is the best TE in the NFL, so Houston might be ok. However, for a team that prides itself on dominant defense, the way McBride abused them is a matter of concern. This will come into focus next week when Houston must contend with TE Brock Bowers, who is just as capable of wrecking a defense. Also recall that the Colts have Tyler Warren awaiting in that season finale.
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