The lost factor in all of this is how much we got dominated on special teams. We had zero return game, the Ravens' punter put on a clinic, their coverage was awesome, ours was spotty at best, and Rackers missed what turned out to be a game-deciding fieldgoal from 52 yards out thanks to Matt's token "take a loss on a critical down" play of the game. We got owned in field position, and it killed us.
Here's what I think you're missing.... we were playing the BALTIMORE RAVENS....and we still put up 28 points. Coming into last night's game the Ravens were giving up an average of 16.75 points per game. We eclipsed that by nearly 2 TD's. You have to look at the context of who we're playing. On the flip side, they put up 3 TD's on us in the first half with relative ease. Need a big 3rd down conversion? No problem..you'll get it. The Texans defense gave up 21 points in the first half to a team that averages scoring about 17 points per game. The defense isn't alone in this...the special teams bites ass, too. Seriously, we get NOTHING out of them. Nothing at all. But I'm not gonna put a loss against the Ravens on the shoulders of the offense when they go for 28 points. 28 points should be enough to win just about any game you play in the NFL....but it should definitely be enough against the Ravens.
Call me crazy here but. . . HOW ABOUT DEMANDING 2nd HALF MATT SCHAUB-type PLAY FROM 1st HALF MATT SCHAUB!!!!!!???? Rocket River
PUL-LEASE People b*tch that people expect Schaub to PLAY LIKE BRADY TO WIN but The Defense is expected to pitch a shut out when the other team starts every drive on the Texan's 45!?!?!?!?!??! Rocket River
Absolutely. That 3rd-and-16 touchdown to Mason was a killer. I've never seen a team give up as many 3rd-and-long's as this one. It's maddening! To play so well on 1st and 2nd down...... The defense played markedly better; and flat-out great in the second half. And they were absolutely not helped by the offense through the first two Qs. But they still gave up 21 points to a pretty pedestrian offense. Even if the offense isn't clicking, you can't dig yourself a bigger hole.
Shouldn't pitch a shutout...but again, the Ravens, like every other team we've played, put up better numbers than they usually do. They scored more points in the first half than they typically do in an entire game. The defense didn't need a shutout. Hold the Ravens to what they typically score (around 17 points) and you win that game going away. But once again...you needed 30. And only the NE Patriots put up 30 ppg in the NFL. We need that EVERY WEEK to win. I don't think it's difficult to see what the problem is.
Let's not pretend *field position* is to blame; you're talking about an historically bad defense. If Baltimore had needed 20-30 additional yards on each of their 3 scoring drives, they would have gotten 'em. They converted a 2nd and 14, 2 2nd and 9's, a 2nd and 11 and a 3rd and 16 on their 3 scoring drives and faced a a grand total of 2 third downs among their 18 plays (and converted both). They practically did whatever they wanted in the first half. Field position didn't help - but, come on...
To those pointing the finger at Matt Schaub's first half: The problem is so obvious after last night and such an easy fix, yet our coaching staff ignores it. STOP CALLING PLAY-ACTION every single pass play in the first half (they do this every game, until we are down multiple scores and the other team knows we are passing). Schaub is slow-footed, so by the time he fakes the hand-off and looks up, his timing is off with the receivers and the pass rush is there. Is there any wonder why he got so hot in the second half? Stopped running play-action, and all of a sudden his timing was perfect! And every time we do that PA roll-out, Schaub ends up throwing behind the deep receiver. I wondrer why? Could it not be because he is slow-footed and can't get out to make the throw in time? How can they not see this?! Fix that, and run the ball 75% of the time on 1st and 2nd down in the first half and we'll see different results, even for the defense. The offense will stay on the field longer, will put the defense in better field position, and score more first half points. Unfortunately it's too late now.
And a big reason for that is the offense mounting 16-, 10-, 15- and 12-play scoring drives in the second half. The defense undoubtedly played better. But you can't shove the 21-point first half under the rug and pretend it didn't happen.
No they didn't... Before last night, the Ravens had scored 260 points in 12 games. 21 of those points came directly from the defense. So the Ravens offense had scored 239 points over 12 games. That averages out to less than 20 points per game. Last night they had 21 points in the first half.
You CAN NOT ignore field position, Ravens' scoring drives started at their 48, our 44 and 38...you can not give quality teams this type of Field possession and except any defense to limit them.
Do you *honestly* believe *that's* why they scored? Did you see the #s I posted earlier detailing the ease with which Baltimore moved the ball on those 3 drives?
Your right, I forgot NFL.com updated their stats...still we held them to 1 point above their average and below their rushing average.
The other drives they started with normal field position they did nothing...how can you say it doesn't matter.
Sorry, rockets934life; I agree the offense didn't help last night. But you can't honestly believe, had they just backed Baltimore up 20-30 yards, that that would have made a difference. And here's an thought: Hold 'em to a FG! What, because they get favorable field position, we should concede TDs? Do you think the Ravens' defense would trot that excuse out if they were 0-for-3 in that same situation?
1 point above...not including special teams. i hope you're not saying that's the offense's fault. again...you're asking the offense to HAVE to score 30 points to win. it's ridiculous. they need that week in and week out. there's just no way you can expect an offense to do that and win more games than you lose.
