Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: Report Cards, Final Grades for Houston

The season is over for the Houston Texans with a 41-28 loss to the New England Patriots. New England advances to the AFC Championship Game where they will face the Baltimore Ravens.

The game began with a hopeful start with a 94-yard kickoff return by Danieal Manning to the Patriots' Texans three-yard line. But the inability to get into the end zone was another chapter in a story that spanned the last five games of the 2012 campaign. It would take more than field goals to beat New England on their home field.

When it was all over, Tom Brady had passed for 344 yards and three touchdowns. He was aided by a defense that bent but refused to break. It held Arian Foster to under 100 yards in a playoff game for the first time in his career.

By denying the Texans their primary offensive weapon, the burden fell on QB Matt Schaub. The Houston offense is not designed to operate with a pass-first approach, particularly when their best wide receiver is held under 100 yards. Andre Johnson has had some incredible performances over the course of his 10th season, but today was not one of them.

The coaching staff will have many questions to answer after this game, the most pressing of which is how can this team progress to the level of the Patriots. How they respond between now and the start of the 2013 season will be a heated topic of conversation for months to come.

Quarterback— C-

Tom Brady threw for one more yard than Matt Schaub, but the gulf between these two quarterbacks might as well be one light year. The field general for the Texans made most of his yardage coming from behind, while his counterpart had done just the opposite. 

The turning point was the one turnover committed in the entire game. It was entirely due to Schaub looking right at Rob Ninkovich, but not seeing him standing three feet in front of his intended receiver. It was a rookie mistake by a nine-year veteran. 

When the Houston QB signed his contract extension just before the start of the season, Houston fans drew a collective sigh of relief. So what if he is not top 10 at his position. Who are you going to get that is better, anyway? 

Now all these same people can think is, “How can we get rid of this mediocrity and move on to bigger and better things?” The silence expected from the Texans front office will be deafening.

Running Backs— B

Arian Foster— B

This slide should be titled “Running Back,” as in singular ball carrier. Ben Tate and Justin Forsett did not see the field today. 

The only man to carry the football did what he could to keep Houston in the game. But it was clear from the outset that if the Patriots could keep him from getting something close to his usual 100-plus playoff yards, the victory would be theirs. 

He had 22 total carries: on 11 he gained one yard or less, including six carries or zero or miuns-1 yards. Mission accomplished, and game won. 

Why was Foster the only back to make an appearance? This is another question that has no satisfactory answer. But the Patriots clearly had the answer to how to stop the Texans offense.

James Casey — C-

His only job as a running back is to block, but  his job at sealing off the edge from the oncoming linebackers was ineffective. He could not keep Brandon Spikes or Jerod Mayo from fowling up the works for Arian Foster.

Three catches for 29 yards is not sufficient to offset what is supposed to be his chief task. It is time to think of bringing back a straight-line fullback like Vonta Leach or Lawrence Vickers for next season.

And put Casey at tight end where he belongs.

Wide Receivers— B-

Andre Johnson — B+ 

The best reception of the day for the Texans was the two-point conversion to Johnson, where he just went up and snatched the ball. Those of us who have watched him his entire career wonder why he does not get more shots at these throws in the end zone. 

For that matter, why does he get so many catches but so few touchdowns? Almost 1600 yards this season and only four TDs does not add up. It is like so many other aspects of the Texans offense. 

Was he imagining himself playing with Tom Brady today? Could he be thinking, “I would be thought of as the second coming of Jerry Rice?” 

I am just speaking my own mind, but have to think the thought has crossed his mind.

Kevin Walter — C 

Walter has likely played his last game as a Texan. He is due to make $4.5 million in 2013, and the free agent receiver class this offseason is plentiful and talented. 

He catches just about everything thrown his way, but does not get many targets. His problems with getting separation is the reason, but his blocking is what supposedly keeps him employed. 

In any case, today he contributed little on either front. Two catches and less than 100 yards rushing for Arian Foster makes his outright release from this organization a foregone conclusion.

DeVier Posey — B 

This was his best game of his rookie season. His first touchdown of his career, a fumbling, bumbling catch on his back along with three receptions should make for a promising future. 

Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles tendon late in the game and could be lost for the entirety of next season. It was that kind of day for everyone on the team. 

Tight Ends— C+

Owen Daniels — B 

Nine catches should be thought of a pretty good day for any receiver. But those catches need to amount to something more than 81 yards. 

Besides the catch in the red zone that got the Texans a first-and-goal at the four-yard line, his other receptions had little effect on the game. He needed to be a difference-maker today, along of the lines of Aaron Hernandez. No one expects him to be like Rob Gronkowski. 

But he can only be Owen Daniels, and his team needed more to pull this game out.

Garrett Graham — C 

His absence from the first Patriots was supposed to make his participation in this game a big plus. Two catches for 13 yards to not going to capture anyone’s attention. 

To compare the two tight-end sets Houston runs against those of New England’s offense is unfair. But on the same field they are like night and day. On this particular occasion, the Texans were working in the dark.

Offensive Line— B-

Duane Brown— B 

Most games, Brown plays like the All-Pro he is. In this one, he merely played like a plain old pro. The New England pass rush did not record an individual sack on Matt Schaub, but they were in his kitchen much too often. 

Rob Ninkovich is an undersized defensive end, but he beat Brown to the outside of more than a few times. Arian Foster did not run well in any direction, including over the Texan’s left tackle. 

The Patriots seem to be in the head of the Texans, even the one that belongs to their best offensive linemen.

Ryan Harris— B+ 

The presence of Harris was most noticeable when he replaced Derek Newton late in the second quarter, when Houston got itself back into the game. 

He opened the way on the touchdown drive where Foster gained every yard. But like Newton, he does not backpedal well in pass blocking. 

When Rashad Butler returns from IR next season, his status with the team may not be sustainable.

Derek Newton— C 

Newton was supposed to be a backup this year, continuing to hone his craft while Butler handled the starting duties. He played well enough in training camp to be possibly become the starter. 

But his progress has been erratic, sort of along the lines of his play in this game. Dont’a Hightower kept coming over his side on both the inside and outside. Perhaps by next season he can learn how to move his feet better. 

Chris Myers— C+ 

Vince Wilfork was not the force he was in the regular season loss to the Patriots, but Myers had trouble getting the blocks in the second level. 

He has had this trouble over the second half of the season, and the rushing game has suffered. His pass blocking is less of an issue because he knows how to move his lower body. 

But when the Texans get over 130 rushing yard, they are money. They need their center to lead the way for focus of their offensive philosophy.

Wade Smith— B+ 

Smith shares in the credit for keeping Wilfork in check, and played one of his better games of the year. His block on Foster’s longest run kept the Patriot’s DT from getting into the rushing lane. 

He has been on and off over the course of 2012, and was a surprising pick for the Pro Bowl. In this game, Smith looked as if he deserved the recognition. 

Ben Jones/Brandon Brooks— C

They get a composite grade because once again they split time at the position. DT Kyle Love was their assignment much of the game, and he got but one tackle. 

The idea of rotating players in the offensive line is baffling, since it is an area that requires as much coordination as any other. It would make more sense to settle on Brooks in 2013, and let Jones get tutored as Myers’ eventual replacement.

Defensive Line— B-

J.J. Watt— B+ 

The frontrunner for Defensive POY had an unforgettable season. But against New England he was not his dominating self. 

He set such a high standard that it takes a phenomenal performance to approach that mark. He was just plain good in this game when the Texans needed something more. 

The Patriots passing game does not take much time to get the ball downfield, and that extra half-second most team is where Watt makes his living. It also helps to have one of the best pair of offensive tackles in Sebastian Vollmer and Nate Solder.

Antonio Smith— B 

Smith was limited to one tackle, but got to Tom Brady than anyone else on the DL. He was caught out of position when Steven Ridley and Shane Vereen were blasting through the line. 

It is easy to get tunnel vision when Tom Brady is chopping you up like ground meat. Lane discipline is the key to stopping the run, and Smith needed better focus in this game

Earl Mitchell— C+ 

The present and future NT of the Texans was put in a difficult situation by having to battle C Ryan Wendell and still track the running backs coming at him. His four tackles made for a good day, but he missed the running lanes to his right too often.

Linebackers— C

Connor Barwin— B 

You cannot argue with the numbers, but the results are not what were desired from the OLB. Seven tackles but no sacks continue Barwin’s decline from his 2011 output. 

The Texans needed serious pressure form all directions today, and Barwin brought as much as anyone did. He failed to close the deal even once, and Brady had no reason to fear any blind side attack.

Brooks Reed— D 

When Reed returned from his midseason injury, it was supposed to restore some strength to a unit decimated by its losses. 

Based on his play in this game, it may take the entire offseason for him to get back to his previous form. He was nearly invisible in this game, and accomplish next to nothing in any phase of the game.

Whitney Mercilus— C- 

Barwin may not earn the eight-figure contract he hoped for. By the same token, Mercilus has not shown that he is ready to take over if Barwin does depart. 

He seemed unable to keep track of all the action in his area, and pass coverage is a skill that still eludes him. Not every team is going to pick you apart the way the Patriots can. However, you have to show you have a clue as to where to go when the QB drops back.

Barrett Ruud— C- 

If Ruud was as good in coverage as he is in stopping the run, he would have a ticket to Honolulu. The trouble is he is not, and probably does not know what the front of Aaron Hernandez’s jersey looks like.

 All he saw for most of the game was the back of it as Hernandez raced by with another reception.

Bradie James— D 

When your stat line shows 11 total tackles, the thought is you must have been doing your job. If your job is to chase players down after they have picked up significant yardage, that is.

If Stevan Ridley or Shane Vereen were not zipping by him, he was trying to drag someone down after a catch.  When James became Houston’s hope at ILB after Brian Cushing was lost for the year, it seems hope was equally lost. 

Defensive Backs— D

Kareem Jackson— D 

Wes Welker was Jackson’s responsibility for most of the game, but you would not know it based on the wide receiver’s statistics. 

Eight catches for 134 yards makes it look like Jackson is always one game away from regressing back to his rookie year. Welker is not a fleet pass catcher, but Jackson often seemed a step behind. Even when his coverage was good, the Patriots WR still seemed to come up with the catch.

Johnathan Joseph— B 

The best way to deal with Joseph is to not throw the ball in his direction. He covered Brandon Lloyd on most plays, and only gave up 32 yards on 5 receptions to him. 

But as a measure of how precise Brady is with his throws, Joseph did not have a single pass defended. In addition, the entire Texans defense was not officially credited with a single one. Amazing!

Brandon Harris— D 

Welker also had a field day because Harris is getting on the job training. If Brice McCain had not been lost for the year, it is entirely possible Harris might not have been active unless another injury had made it necessary. 

Aaron Hernandez is also someone who takes the same routes as a slot man, and he was too much for the diminutive cornerback. Especially when he burned him for 40 yards on the TD that got the momentum back for New England.

Danieal Manning— C- 

Of all the players on Houston’s defense, Manning is the hardest to judge. His job is to be the last line of defense, so if an opposing player breaks loose the free safety is often the only one to keep him from scoring. 

That being said, Manning was way too busy today. If he was not trying to keep Hernandez from taking it to the house, he was trying to prevent Stevan Ridley or Shane Vereen from doing the same.

Glover Quin— F 

When the Pro Bowl picks were announced, the most glaring omission for the Texans was their strong safety. All it took was this playoff games to expose his flaws. 

He is asked to be equally dedicated to covering the pass and the run, and Bill Belichick knew that this could be used to his advantage. Quin could be lulled into over-committing to the run. Then run the tight end into his zone, and he could not decide which way to go. 

That was obvious when Hernandez had Quin trying to go in two directions at once, and Glover just fell to the ground. It was a tough time for someone who deserves better based on his body of work.

Special Teams— B

Danieal Manning— B+ 

After seeing Jacoby Jones and Trindon Holliday return three kicks for touchdowns in their playoff game, Manning tried his best to do the same. 

If he had just been a little faster, the opening kickoff would have turned into a touchdown. As it was, he still averaged 54 yards on four kickoff returns. His returns led to great field position on two of Houston’s scores. 

Keshawn Martin— D 

Martin did not contribute anything near Manning’s gains, and muffed a catch that went out of bounds. He may not be the answer for the Texans in the long term. 

Donnie Jones— D 

Jones saved his worst game of the season for the most important juncture of the year. After averaging 47.0 yards in the regular season, he plummeted to 36.4 versus the Patriots.

Shayne Graham— B+ 

Graham hit the longest field goal of his career to give the Texans a boost going into halftime. The only factor that keeps him from getting a higher grader are his weak kickoffs.  

Coaching— F

There will be a lot of time to figure out where this game went wrong. What every fan wants to know is what can be done about it. 

Is Matt Schaub the answer at quarterback? He sure looked like the man after the two overtime wins against the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars. The two bookend losses to New England makes him look like he will never be able to overcome his shortcomings in both physical ability and decision making. 

Will Gary Kubiak ever learn how to call a game? His offensive game plan has no contingencies to it. Houston has to run the ball to be able to pass with any level of confidence. The Texans can throw their way back into contention, but their desperation too often leads to poor choices in strategy and sloppy execution on the field. 

Is it true that Wade Phillips cannot sustain defensive continuity over the long haul? The record has shown his teams are just as likely to regress in their second year as maintain their performance. Just like Kubiak, he seems to have a singular methodology when it comes to pass defense and the opposition tends to figure it out in year two. 

There will be more to read about as the autopsy is conducted over the upcoming weeks on just how this Cinderella season turned into a pumpkin. Check back for further analysis here at Bleacher Report.