Houston Texans vs. New York Giants: Full Report Card Grades for Houston
This is going to be a tough read with little positive to point out; buckle up, Houston Texans fans. As a fan, I wish it didn't have to be that way, but when you get dominated by an 0-2 team, the tone and reaction are going to swing pretty hard in the negative direction.
The little chips and dings in the armor that many of us noticed even while the Texans won their first two games of the year became large cracks and huge dents with a beating at the hand of the New York Giants on Sunday. While many fans didn't want to admit it, the quality of the opposition had a hand in the undefeated start.
That's not to say the Texans will fall apart and finish horribly like last season—I still think they're a seven-win team—but their 2-0 mark was a bit inflated compared to the other teams who had a perfect record after Week 2.
As I pointed out in the preview article for this game, I was concerned about many things with this team—in particular, the pass rush from the defense and Ryan Fitzpatrick's play at quarterback. I'll dive deeper into those issues on the following slides, but obviously those areas were glaring weaknesses Sunday.
Time to rip off the Band-Aid and get this over with; check out the following slides for my grades for each position following the Texans' first loss of the season.
Quarterback
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Most fans were concerned about and kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop in terms of Ryan Fitzpatrick eventually having a game where he turned the ball over multiple times.
Don't get me wrong: It wasn't all on Fitzpatrick on Sunday, but he definitely took a big step back. His first interception came while being hit by Jason Pierre-Paul as he released the ball, which caused the pass to turn into a pop fly. The offensive line had a poor game as well.
The second interception, however, was all on Fitzpatrick. Attempting to pick up a first down in a 3rd-and-long situation late in the first half on his team's own goal line, Fitzpatrick threw it right into a crowd of Giants defensive backs who were watching his eyes and sitting on the pass.
Based on the replay, it was obvious the Giants were expecting that type of pass, as they drifted toward the first-down marker and bracketed the intended receiver, but Fitzpatrick still tried to fit the pass into an impossible window. You can't get away with those mistakes.
You could argue that the Texans should have never attempted a pass in that situation, but regardless Fitzpatrick has to read the coverage and make better decisions with the ball—like checking it down with a dump-off pass.
The play-calling from Bill O'Brien and performance from the offensive line certainly were factors, but Fitzpatrick made poor decisions with the ball all game long, as he had a few other passes dropped by Giants defenders that also could have been intercepted.
For the game, Fitzpatrick finished with a vomit-inducing stat line of one touchdown to three interceptions with a 59.6 QB rating.
Grade: F
Running Back
2 of 11
Overall, the backs—especially Alfred Blue—did a solid job; the loss wasn't on them. Certainly, the running game might have produced a couple of more big plays for the offense if Arian Foster had been healthy and in the lineup, but the loss wasn't on them.
The rookie Blue in his first career start picked up 78 yards on six yards per carry, as he flashed very good potential. He didn't pick the correct hole every time, but the negative or small-gain runs appeared to be more on the play-calling and offensive line.
I'll get more into the offensive line on that slide, but Bill O'Brien called too many dive plays and runs up the gut for my liking. The interior linemen haven't gotten a consistent push this season, so why try to ride the ball up their backs?
The outside-zone runs seemed to take better advantage of the Giants' weakness and inexperience at linebacker, but the Texans didn't lean on them as heavily as they could have. It's not the fault of the running backs, but it's an adjustment that should be considered going forward, especially while Ben Jones is getting snaps at guard.
Grade: B
Wide Receiver
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If there was a silver lining from this game, it had to be the play of second-year receiver DeAndre Hopkins. His insane catch radius and great hands were on full display as he racked up 116 receiving yards despite the poor play from his quarterback.
"This DeAndre Hopkins catch didn't count. It feels criminal: pic.twitter.com/231aEKkktD
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) September 21, 2014"
For the most part, the receivers caught everything that hit their hands. Andre Johnson had what you might consider a drop in the red zone—it was a pass he was capable of catching—but Fitzpatrick made a poor throw on the play.
Johnson was the Texans' most targeted receiver with 11 but finished with four receptions for just 24 yards.
Damaris Johnson was on the receiving end of a big play when Fitzpatrick looked off a safety and connected on a 44-yard touchdown pass, but overall he and fellow slot receiver Keshawn Martin had just three combined catches. The Texans need more from that spot.
Grade: B+
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Tight End
4 of 11
The Texans tight ends have yet to have a great game, but at least they had their name called after making a few more catches this week. Garrett Graham finished with the second-most receptions on the team with five for 41 yards.
Neither C.J. Fiedorowicz nor Ryan Griffin caught a pass.
Getting Fiedorowicz back on the field, however, did make a positive impact on the running game.
"Alfred Blue with a 46 yard run behind great down field blocks by Graham and Fiedorowicz. 2 plays later, Fitz to D. Johnson for 44 yard TD
— James Palmer (@JPalmerCSN) September 21, 2014"
The tight end group wasn't invisible as it had been during the Texans' first two games, but the team still needs more from this trio going forward. Graham can be a reliable receiver, and Fiedorowicz has potential as a dual-threat guy, but we haven't seen that yet.
Grade: C-
Offensive Line
5 of 11
The Texans need more from this group, especially the interior linemen who once again got almost no push for a large portion of the game.
Ben Jones let a rusher run right by him at one point for a free hit on Fitzpatrick. Brandon Brooks got knocked to the ground, which blew up the fourth-down conversion attempt in the third quarter on a run from Alfred Blue, and the veteran Chris Myers had several poor shotgun snaps that resulted in negative plays for the offense.
"Texans looked like Looney Toons on last play. LG Ben Jones left RT just go through. Obvious mixed signal. Fitz had to run on broken play
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) September 21, 2014"
Duane Brown wasn't mistake-free either, as he got beaten by Jason Pierre-Paul, who put the hit on Fitzpatrick that caused the first interception early in the game.
Grade: C-
Defensive Line
6 of 11
If I was Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar was my client, I would have proclaimed that the Giants rushing attack was going to "eat, sleep, conquer, repeat" before this game.
The Texans looked like John Cena at SummerSlam—totally and completely dominated physically. Except this was real.
Like they did against Washington, the Texans allowed big gain after big gain to the Giants, as Rashad Jennings rushed for 176 yards.
He had 176 yards! Guess he's a Paul Heyman guy.
"Rashad Jennings finished with 176 yards, the fourth-most ever by an individual running back against the Texans.
— Nick Mathews (@Nick_Mathews) September 21, 2014 "
"Rashad Jennings has never run for > 109 yards in a game. Well, except when he played the #Texans...twice. 160 yds today, 150 w/ Oak last yr.
— AdamWexlerCSN (@awexler) September 21, 2014"
Even the most diehard fan can't say with a straight face that this run defense isn't a problem. Jerrell Powe was pushed around like he was some 200-pound man on the nose; he was awful even during Houston's victories. It looks like he plays with no leverage or is bad with his hands, because it isn't a size issue.
Jared Crick was also invisible Sunday; both need to be replaced as soon as possible.
Outside of an early sack from J.J. Watt, the Texans defensive line got almost zero pass rush. I'm not saying Watt played poorly—he had a couple of run stuffs and a batted pass—but like last year, not even he is capable of being a one-man gang.
Nonexistent run defense and no pass rush will usually equal no chance of winning.
Grade: F
Linebacker
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Brooks Reed was invisible.
Whitney Mercilus was invisible.
Brian Cushing made 17 tackles, but none of them impacted the game.
Anything else worth mentioning? That trio I just mentioned is made up of two first-round picks and one second-round pick, and none of them positively impacted the game. Needless to say, the Texans need a lot more from that group.
So far this season, the linebackers haven't gotten a pass rush or come off their blocks well in the run game. It would help if their linemen up front could keep the opposing offensive linemen out of the second level, but they've still done a poor job against the run.
There was only one sack on Eli Manning—from J.J. Watt, who isn't a linebacker—and 176 yards were allowed to Rashad Jennings against a Giants offensive line that had been a disaster in its two previous games. If it wasn't for the injury to Jadeveon Clowney, I'd openly campaign for Mercilus to be cut.
100 percent bust.
Grade: F
Defensive Backs
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The secondary obviously didn't have a great game, as the dumpster fire that had been Eli Manning had one instead, but the majority of the blame should be on the scheme and lack of a pass rush.
"I mentioned during the week, Eli Manning had thrown at least 1 INT in 7 straight games he broke that streak today. 21-28, 234yds, 2TD.
— AdamWexlerCSN (@awexler) September 21, 2014 "
"Eli Manning: no interceptions thrown for first time in last 8 games
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 21, 2014"
Even the most talented secondary in the league will struggle if it has to cover for a long time because the line up front isn't getting a pass rush. The defensive backs will also give up easy completions underneath if the scheme calls for soft man and zone coverage.
I just don't like the idea of a "bend but don't break" defense like the Texans are using. The corners are playing off coverage with the idea of keeping everything in front and rallying for the tackle, but in the process, they are giving up easy five- to eight-yard completions that keep the opponent's drive alive.
Playing more press would be risky while the pass rush is an issue, but every good quarterback will tear the secondary apart as long as Houston uses this strategy.
On the positive side Kareem Jackson had a nice breakup on a long pass attempt, and D.J. Swearinger tackled well in open space.
"If we're talking run support and open-field tackling, DJ Swearinger is becoming of the game's best safeties.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) September 21, 2014"
Grade: C
Special Teams
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Shane Lechler and Randy Bullock played well and mistake free, but the guys around them came up small against the Giants.
Bullock made all of his kicks, and Lechler averaged more than 50 yards per punt with a long of 64, but the return game contributed nothing. Also, a punt was blocked on a terrible job of "blocking" by Danieal Manning. It really didn't look like Manning even tried on the play, and frankly he shouldn't have been out there.
I know it can't be only linemen, tight ends, fullbacks and linebackers out there, but it has to be someone who is physically stronger and has more experience blocking than a 32-year-old safety who didn't even sign with the team until after training camp.
Manning can't be out there again as a blocker on special teams. However, I wouldn't mind seeing him as a return man. He excelled as a kick returner in the past and doesn't have the same burden of being a defensive starter like before.
Damaris Johnson as a return man so far has basically been good enough to get the yards the team would have had anyway if it took a knee in the end zone. He's not a game-changer or special; why not give someone else a chance?
Grade: C+
Coaching
10 of 11
It was not a great day for the coaching staff.
As I mentioned on the slide about the defensive backs, I'm growing to hate the "bend but don't break" defensive philosophy of Romeo Crennel. I've also wondered where the adjustments up front have been from a guy who was touted as being "Mr. Moving Parts."
Where are the adjustments? Where's the versatility? Where is the finding and exploiting of mismatches? I haven't noticed any of that over the three weeks of being vulnerable against the run and soft against the pass.
On offense with Bill O'Brien, I'm not in love with his entire scheme, but it's obviously handcuffed by the talent on the roster, especially at quarterback.
However, he should take blame for his decision to be aggressive on third and fourth down.
If he thought it was appropriate to call for a pass on 3rd-and-19 late in the second quarter when backed up on Houston's own 9-yard line and then later to go for it on fourth when the Texans were down just two scores on their first possession of the second half, then why did he kick on 4th-and-1 at the Giants' 9-yard line down 17-0 in the third?
I understand that not scoring there would have been a blow to the team's confidence, but hadn't the confidence already been shaken by that point? It was also very obvious by that point that the Texans defense wasn't going to stop the Giants offense very often, so getting three points there wasn't going to help the team much.
Of those three situations I described, the only one to me that warranted being aggressive was the fourth-down play in Giants territory where he suddenly got conservative.
I don't get it.
O'Brien is a smarter man than me, but I think he either overthought those decisions or just plain blew them.
Grade: C
Final Grades
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| Quarterback | F |
| Running Back | B |
| Wide Receivers | B+ |
| Tight End | C- |
| Offensive Line | C- |
| Defensive Line | F |
| Linebackers | F |
| Defensive Backs | C |
| Special Teams | C+ |
| Coaching | C |
| Overall | D |
Follow me on Twitter for more Texans opinion and analysis: @sackedbybmac
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