The Bad:
1. Obviously the run-D. I can't remember many games where we were consistently gashed. I can think of plenty of games where the total rush yards were high because we allowed a 65 yard run or something... but this was just steady.
It was so bad, and they're usually pretty stout against the runt... it makes me think it was game-planned. I'm very curious to rewatch, but it seems like they chose to go balls-out after Stroud.
This is the main issue and trickles down to the rest of the bad.
2. We got out-TOP'd 40:00-20:00. We couldn't establish a rhythm, particularly in the run game. Between them holding the ball and our own explosive drives, there's a bad and good reason it felt like we didn't stick with the run game. Really, though, we only had 19 passes and 22 runs total.
3. AR's amped up throws... The 4th down and both AD throws... Those are all game-changers. He has to hit the easy shit.
4. Back to the defense... I know people get frustrated at the cushions, but I'm ok with them generally. But in the red-zone, tighten the fuck up. Diggs' second TD, Cross was manned up but lined up 7 fucking yards away when they're on the 4.
5. This one is iffy, but I actually think Steichen came up short, and I'm a huge Steichen guy. I don't think he adjusted the run game/RPO to the Texans' commitment to stacking the box. Could be wrong on replay.
6. The field sucked. After I complimented it.
7. The toe-heel rule is dumb, Brents should've had an INT.
8. Omaha should have made the gameday thread official. Vegas gives 3 points for playing at home and for having "official" in the title. Nice work, dickhead.
The stuff people will say is bad, but I don't think is:
1. AR's INT. I still think that ball looked ok. Interested to see the endzone angle again.
2. Pass-D was relatively good. Our DL gave up the run, but the pass-rush was there. 10 QB hits, 4 sacks, don't know the pressures yet but it seemed like a lot. Stroud got away like 5 times I think and just made good plays.
DB's played pretty well, tackled pretty well thank God. Collins made two crazy plays, credit where it's due.
The Good:
1. Pierce finally had someone take advantage of what he does.
2. AR, for all his easy misses, made some truly insane throws. That first bomb was a cartoon and will get the replays... I was actually somehow more amazed at the Dulin TD pass.
3. From the offense's perspective, you've clearly got the explosive element. 27 points in 20:00 is good. 23.6yds/rec and someone having a 101.2 passer rating while going 9/19 is crazy.
Think back to the 2009 game against the Dolphins when we gave up 240 yards, had the ball less than 15 minutes, and scored 27 points and won. This game was similar in terms of explosive plays. We just came up a field goal short.
4. I keep remembering how little AR has played with his teammates. 5 starts and like 15 quarters.
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