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        the Gridiron >> the Red Zone >>  Houston Texans - Week Eight Analysis
        
(Message started by: Jetdoc on Oct 23^rd, 2003, 11:02am)

Title: Houston Texans - Week Eight Analysis
Post by Jetdoc on Oct 23^rd, 2003, 11:02am

The Texans come off a very close loss to the New York Jets last week, only to start a tough stretch in their schedule this week in Indianapolis. The Colts once again have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL, and will probably have Edgerrin James back in the fold this week. Their unsung hero, however, is their Dungy-led defensive unit, who has excelled with inferior talent in 2003.

QB

David Carr had a down week last week against one of the toughest defenses in the NFL against the pass. This week, he faces another top ten defense versus the air attack. Luckily for fantasy owners, with Indy's potent offense, you can expect the Texans to get behind early, which will inflate Carr's passing numbers. I would put him as a borderline emergency starter this week if you are not penalized for INT's, for yardage potential alone.

David Carr - 240 yards passing, 1 TD, 2 INTs; 10 yards rushing, 0 TDs

RB

Domanick Davis has clearly established himself as the starter in Houston, both in the 3 WR set and the standard TE set. Stacey Mack is vulturing TD's around the goalline although Davis has seen about 50% of the plays in the redzone. I expect that to change this week given Mack's comments to the media about the Texans needing to score more TD's...I expect that Capers will give him the ball almost exclusively within the 10 yard line to shut him up. Davis faces one of the weakest rush defenses in the NFL this week, giving up 130+ yards per game. Add that to the fact that Davis excels in the 3 WR set (which the Texans are likely to be in since they will get behind early this week), and Davis should be a yardage monster this weekend. Start him if you got him. Hollings will continue to ride the pine unless the Texans are down by a 3-4 TD margin.

Domanick Davis - 100 yards rushing, 0 TDs; 60 yards receiving, 0 TDs

Stacey Mack - 20 yards rushing, 1 TD; 0 yards receiving, 0 TDs

Tony Hollings - 20 yards rushing, 0 TDs; 10 yards receiving, 0 TDs

WR

The Texans wide receivers should have a decent day against the stout Indy pass D, simply because the Texans will be coming from behind most of the game. Look for Andre Johnson to exploit the undersized corners of Indy on many short passes. Gaffney and Bradford should also get into the mix this week on some deep looks.

Andre Johnson - 7 catches, 90 yards, 0 TDs
Jabar Gaffney - 3 catches, 30 yards, 1 TD
Corey Bradford - 2 catches, 50 yards, 0 TDs
Billy Miller (TE) - 1 catch, 10 yards, 0 TDs

Overall, I expect a rout by the Colts...

Indianapolis 34, Texans 17

Title: Re: Houston Texans - Week Eight Analysis
Post by captainpurple on Oct 23^rd, 2003, 1:02pm

on 10/23/03 at 11:02:22, Jetdoc wrote:

Their unsung hero, however, is their Dungy-led defensive unit, who has excelled with inferior talent in 2003.

If this guy hasn't proven to be one of the best defensive coaches ever, I don't know who has. Vikes were Top10 when he left. Obviously we know what he did in TB, and now Indy. Impressive!

on 10/23/03 at 11:02:22, Jetdoc wrote:

Stacey Mack is vulturing TD's around the goalline although Davis has seen about 50% of the plays in the redzone. I expect that to change this week given Mack's comments to the media about the Texans needing to score more TD's...I expect that Capers will give him the ball almost exclusively within the 10 yard line to shut him up.

You obviously have a better feeling for the Texans than I, but IMHO, they would be better to utilize Davis more in the RZ similar to the way Faulk is (was) used. It seems to make an offense much more effective with that receiving back who can also run it.

Does HOU have the o-line to do that?

Great analysis! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

GO VIKES!