According to Jeff Howe, there isn't a single coach or player who likes Thursday NFL games. While that may generally be true, you know that Rex Ryan was jealous that the Texans were getting to play New England this week. Can you imagine the incredible sound bites which would have come from him this week if the Patriots were playing the Bills?
With it being a short week, I too have had a hard time getting ready for tonight. I mean we are creeping up on 2:00 and I'm on paragraph two of my blog. I better get my butt in gear and share my list of things the Patriots need to do tonight before Bill, Josh and Matt power down their laptops for the day.
Running Game- The running game has to be there today. This season LeGarrette Blount has made some people who thought he was extinguished look very stupid. This week it's time for him to make people wonder how good the Texans defense really is. While Houston is one of the top defensive units out there, they have given up their fair share of big running plays (5) this season. Quietly the Patriots have had 9 big running plays which puts them as second best in the NFL. With the Patriots having the best third down efficiency percentage in the NFL, the Texans are going to need to keep the Patriots at 3rd and long.
Special Teams- Other than that huge Gostkowski miss last week, the Patriots' special teams has been great. Field position will be key tonight, so no giving the Texans a short field to work with. Since they sack their opponents 12% of the time they drop back, the Patriots can not afford to be forced to slinging the ball around the field.
Mental Errors for Veterans- The Patriots are starting some rookies on the offensive line and at quarterback. They will have enough mental lapses and need for timeouts to cover the rest of the team.
Running Game- The running game has to be there today. This season LeGarrette Blount has made some people who thought he was extinguished look very stupid. This week it's time for him to make people wonder how good the Texans defense really is. While Houston is one of the top defensive units out there, they have given up their fair share of big running plays (5) this season. Quietly the Patriots have had 9 big running plays which puts them as second best in the NFL. With the Patriots having the best third down efficiency percentage in the NFL, the Texans are going to need to keep the Patriots at 3rd and long.
Special Teams- Other than that huge Gostkowski miss last week, the Patriots' special teams has been great. Field position will be key tonight, so no giving the Texans a short field to work with. Since they sack their opponents 12% of the time they drop back, the Patriots can not afford to be forced to slinging the ball around the field.
Mental Errors for Veterans- The Patriots are starting some rookies on the offensive line and at quarterback. They will have enough mental lapses and need for timeouts to cover the rest of the team.
Defense- The defense played like crap during the second half on Sunday. They need to get back to playing like they did to start out the Miami game. Three and out after three and out. Let's get the Texans out of the game by half. And then at halftime let's keep them out of it by making plays and knocking the ball lose instead of knocking our teammates out of position. If we could maybe get to Brock Osweiler a couple times today, that would make things a lot easier.
Play-Calling- While everyone is ready for some tricky play calling tonight, maybe being as vanilla as possible will keep the Texans off their guard. Make it look like we are running some crazy reverse or statue of liberty and just alternate between Blount up the middle and Hogan to the sideline for a quick out. Another viable plan is to continuously have Our tightends double team JJ Watt. Once Watt thinks that's the plan and starts to make some evasive moves, hit Bennett in the middle of the field. Chip away after chip away, down the field and in for paydirt.
Play-Calling- While everyone is ready for some tricky play calling tonight, maybe being as vanilla as possible will keep the Texans off their guard. Make it look like we are running some crazy reverse or statue of liberty and just alternate between Blount up the middle and Hogan to the sideline for a quick out. Another viable plan is to continuously have Our tightends double team JJ Watt. Once Watt thinks that's the plan and starts to make some evasive moves, hit Bennett in the middle of the field. Chip away after chip away, down the field and in for paydirt.
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