Lol. Too bad they couldn't close. So close... almost had it. I'm used to saying crap like that in regards to the Texans against real contending teams. My only hope is Watson saying screw BOB and truly taking over.
This team should be 14-2 but bad coaching made it 11-5. That's what I'm saying. A lot of close games we won and lost should have been blowout wins for us. We are too safe at the wrong times and you got a coach talking about complimentary football when his bad playcalling and decisions lead to complimentary football success for the opponent and not for him. Eagles game exposed that badly.
You're clueless if you think they have the personnel in the trenches or in the secondary to sniff 14-2. They haven't had a consistent WR2 all year. They were playing a backup QB in the slot WR role 3 weeks ago. But, I guess that's what a franchise QB does for you... because when he's on, it almost doesn't matter who he's throwing to or who's blocking for him. Its just hard for him (and the coaching staff) to be consistently on when there are that many holes everywhere else. Now, they do have a very good foundation of stars... which is the hardest thing to acquire for an NFL roster. They now merely need to draft and sign starters for O-line, secondary, and depth.
Like I said with this schedule this team was good enough to go 14-2 now with a average schedule I say 10-12 wins. The difference is innovation and having the balls to take greater risks... not rocket science.
Its hard to take greater risks or innovate when you take a deep look at the quality of talent on the line and the drop-off after Hopkins. This also begets the fact that they were unable to consistently run the ball again due to line deficiencies, which made it far easier for defenses to key in sending extra defenders. Again, things that should improve towards next year with more invested in those deficient areas. Also, considering that the Texans did not play the easiest schedule amongst playoff teams, your logic figures to have two or three 16-0 or 15-1 teams, if you really feel the Texans "should" have gone 14-2.
Even with a bad oline we should be able to get the ball thrown for quick roll outs and screen plays but I know there is always excuses for why not but with QB like Watson you can also change a lot of why nots to this is why it works but I dont expect this because with an average coach every area of your team has to be perfect or close to it to be successful.
There aren't many teams with bad o-lines winning 10+ games in the NFL, regardless of the scheme you're running. Yes, Watson may be that good.... but he can't do it by himself. Also, their passing offense has showcased a ton of quick WR screens or setting up the screen to Miller on a weekly basis...eventually defenses catch up to that. The offense is far more effective with the threat of the running game, which then opens up the RPO or play-action.
KC is up there as well... although Oakland somehow winning 4 games this year may have "helped" them. Patriots played 6 games vs. the weakest division foes in football, along with getting to play the second worst division in the NFC North. The Saints also played in a division with no other team above .500. Rams and Seahawks each had 4 games against the two worst teams in football. In the end, NFL schedules are what they are... the teams have zero control over them and it usually all events out. Claiming that a NFL team's record is only good because of the "schedule" is one of the least validated arguments out there.
If he truly wants a chance to be considered one of the best coaches to do it then then he better sit back and ( enjoy the ride) shut up ! Watson is good.
If the Browns clean house like some are saying they may do, the Texans need to give Freddie Kitchens a call immediately. The guy got great results from Mayfield, which I'm sure is fairly akin to working with Watson. He was inventive and his players seemed to love him.
Don't think anybody will be calling next year's schedule weak (though I have no idea the validity of the website I found this on): HOME AWAY Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Oakland Raiders Los Angeles Chargers Atlanta Falcons New Orleans Saints Carolina Panthers Tampa Bay Buccaneers AFC East AFC North I'm assuming those last 2 are New England and Baltimore eta: sorry the formatting sucks but I'm not going to fix it.
Things change every year. People thought the NFC East was bad, then good, then bad, then good again.... and that was just this year. But yes, on paper playing the AFC West and NFC South seems more challenging than this year's AFC East and NFC East. Then again, the bulk of every team's schedule strength remains rooted in the quality of their division opponents.... and the Texans play in a division with some of the most year to year bipolar teams (themselves included).
Add Miami and that's all the teams that had an easier schedule than the Texans (.471 opponent average). That being said, there are a few very good teams that were close, including the Chargers (.477), KC (.480), LA Rams (.480), NE (.482), and Saints (.482).
Yes of course most fans understand how our offense works but the challenge is scheming it in a fashion that confuses or takes advantages of the weak spots in the opposing teams defense. We do a terrible job of being unpredictable that has nothing to do with how poor our oline is... granted our line is below average.
