Week 1 Game Review - Houston Texans v. Baltimore Ravens

Houston Texans 9 - Baltimore 25

Hey everyone TC here,

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Houston travels back from Baltimore with a loss in their first game of the season. A game with some ups and downs, some positives and negatives, and everything in between. At the end of the day there are a few takeaways to build on for head coach DeMeco Ryans.

Welcome to the NFL party for Mr. Coleridge (C.J.) Stroud. The days of preseason vanilla defense looks are over. In my view it was clear that Stroud needed a few snaps to get settled in. His footwork early was sloppy, and the offensive line did not provide the needed time for Stroud to move through his progressions. Stroud was under pressure on 37.5% of his dropbacks against a stout Ravens defensive line.

Stroud was willing to leave the pocket (both forward and backwards) when pressure was applied. Stroud looked comfortable moving within the pocket and when scrambling keeping his eyes down the field. Stroud is not a speedster, but can muster enough speed to get away from defensive linemen. I viewed a few snaps where Stroud exited the pocket a bit prematurely before the pressure arrived.

The continued pressure on Stroud led offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik to move Stroud to a shotgun style formation for the majority of the game. Stroud was lined up in shotgun for 83% of the offensive snaps. This in turn worked against the Texans’ running game.

Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary combined for 18 attempts for 53 yards (2.94 ypc). Stroud had 20 yards on non-designed runs (aka scrambles). Mike Boone did not have a rushing touch. Pierce experiencing a day where he averaged 0.3 yards before contact…yes you read that right.

One positive aspect of the offense was the receiving group. Nico Collins and Robert Woods were the go-to’s for Stroud. Despite Stroud’s low 5.4 air yards per attempt; Collins finished the game with 6 receptions (on 11 targets) for 80 yards and Woods with 6 receptions (on 11 targets) for 57 yards.

Robert Woods was the early security blanket for Stroud finishing the first half with 5 receptions on 5 targets for 51 yards. The anticipated security blanket, tight end Dalton Schultz, had a disappointing game. Schultz finished the day with 2 receptions, on 4 targets, for 4 yards. Schultz ran 42 routes on the day, the most of any offensive player on the roster. 9% target rate on routes ran is not what you want to see from Schultz.

Moving to the defensive side of the ball, the stars of the Texans’ defense were easily the two starting defensive ends Will Anderson and Jon Greenard. With 76% of the snaps played between both players, their efforts combined for 11 tackles, 2 sacks, 8 quarterback pressures, and 3 run stuffs.

Cornerbacks Derek Stingley and Steven Nelson did not come off the field during the game. Lamar Jackson is not known as a prolific passer, but it is worth noting the secondary limited Jackson 17 of 22 for 169 yards passing. Stingley was targeted 2 times allowing 1 reception for 20 yards (and a critical and questionable pass interference penalty). Nelson was targeted 5 times allowing 4 receptions for 38 yards. Nelson also had an interception early in the game on an errant pass from Jackson after the defensive line generated pressure.

Overall the defense performed well despite given poor starting field position with multiple failed 4th down attempts by the Houston offense. Mis-communication and missed tackles allowed Baltimore to move the chains when Houston had the opportunity to make the stop. Houston’s defense finished the game with a -0.058 EPA/Play effort, ranking them 20th during Week 1. Allowed success rate of 39.7% ranked 14th.

DeMeco Ryans returned to calling plays for the defense. Ryans ran zone coverage 81% of the defensive snaps with man coverage on 19% of the snaps. Ryans dialed up a blitz on 31% of the dropbacks, generating QB pressure on 50% of those dropbacks. Including a gutsy Cover 0 all out blitz that resulted in a defensive stop, where Ryans dialed up 7 pass rushers.

The defense spent the day in a Cover 3 look at 38.5% of the snaps and Cover 4 at 26.9% (per NGS). Ryans continued to rely on a 4 man pressure package, bringing 4 rushers on 61.2% of dropbacks generating pressure on 37.5% of the time.

Fun stat of the day: Noah Brown covered 1,221 yards todays between all his offensive and special teams snaps.

Passing Chart for CJ Stroud & Lamar Jackson (courtesy RBSDM.com)

Final Data Box Score (courtesy RBSDM.com)

Individual Player Success (courtesy RBSDM.com)

Video review is up next. I’ve been stewing on what to present during the video review portion of the weekly Game Review. I’ve decided to focus on a theme, which could be player driven, phase driven, big time plays, etc.

This week I wanted to focus on the rookies C.J. Stroud…but of course. Might sneak in a few Will Anderson plays as well.

C.J Stroud

The first two plays are from the first quarter. I wanted to highlight an area of Stroud’s game that will need to develop over time. Reading the defense in what they are presenting versus what happens post snap.

Possession: Houston 3rd & 6

When you watch this play, sear into your mind the actions by the Ravens’ linebackers Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith. And how the Ravens force Houston’s offensive line to make a decision when they are faced with one lesser blocker for each pass rusher. Houston was in an empty set with 11 personnel. Tank Dell motioned from the right side to the left side indicating Baltimore was in a man coverage shell. Stroud had no where to go with Clowney bearing down on him.

Possession: Houston 3rd & 3

Houston in a 3x1 set with Mike Boone flared off to Stroud’s left. Baltimore showing a single high safety with zone coverage trying to keep everything in front of them. The linebacker duo of Smith and Queen again confuse the Houston offensive line. Baltimore’s interior tackles crash down right, leaving George Fant with two rushers. Near identical to the first play above.It will take time for CJ Stroud to learn to recognize these blitz packages, where he can learn to check to hot route. Houston fan base will need to exert patience in these types of situations.

Possession: Houston 2nd & 7

The last play of the 1st quarter has Houston in their 12 personnel (Beck as a tight end) with Singletary in an offset I-formation. Baltimore shows a split high safety with a quarters/cover 4 look. Houston goes with play-action sending Nico Collins on a long dig route down the seam. The play design was solid, and Nico was setting down in the perfect spot. We don’t know if Collins was supposed to break his dig to the middle of the field or to the numbers towards the boundary. Problem is Collins went to the middle, and Stroud threw to the boundary side resulting in an incomplete. Yes Stroud had pressure in his face, but this is a throw we’ve seen him make in training camp many times.

Moving into the 2nd quarter we start see Stroud and Slowik settle into a rhythm.

Possession: Houston 3rd & 2

Stroud immediately saw Schultz was un-covered and attempted a quick snap but the Patrick Queen quickly ran over to cover. Baltimore is showing a Cover 1 man look. Houston in 12 personnel with Schultz out wide and Woods/Quitoriano in a dual set to the right. Dameon Pierce floats out to his left forcing LB Roquan Smith to follow him to the flat. This left Baltimore with 4 man pass rush, and Houston’s offensive line provides Stroud with a clean pocket. Quitoriano’s release drags one defensive back with him, allowing Woods to fold underneath for a nice in-route. Stroud releases at the top of drop, layering the pass over the linebacker for a easy first down.

Possession: Houston 3rd & 4

Houston puts Stroud back in his comfort area in shotgun. Working in their 11 personnel (which they did almost 70% of the time) with Woods, Collins, Brown, and Schultz. Baltimore trying to present a single high look however rotates to a zone split safety look post snap. Stroud’s progression was left to right. Woods recognizes the first down line with a nice open area in Baltimore’s zone, Woods settles his route. Stroud coming off his other reads finds Woods for another first down conversion.

Possession: Houston 1st & 10

Fans often heard the coaching staff tout Stroud’s ability to learn from past mistakes and quickly adjust. This is a perfect example. Still in the second quarter. The offensive line appears to have a mis-communication leading to a free rusher on Stroud. Stroud identifies and hits Collins on a quick hitch route. Baltimore continued with their linebacker blitzes to confuse Stroud. Houston was successful this time.

Possession: Houston 3rd & 7

Stroud’s anticipation on the dig & hitch routes is on point when his footwork is good. Stroud faces pressure from the Baltimore defensive line, releasing the pass before Tank Dell’s head is turned around. Baltimore working in man coverage in a single high safety shell. CB Ronald Darby is pressing Tank Dell with outside leverage at the bottom of your screen. Dell walls off Darby for another first down.

Possession: Houston 2nd & 10

Stroud working in the one minute drill. This is a play that Stroud may want back. Tank Dell working out of the slot left finds an open area in the middle of the field. Stroud just missed the read, opting for a check down to Boone in the flat. Baltimore was in a Cover 3 zone look. Safety Kyle Hamilton drifted back into deep centerfield. Dell was breaking in on a deep in route to the open area. I will concede that Houston had only 35 seconds on the clock at snap with zero timeouts.

Possession: Houston 3rd & 2

Now into the 3rd quarter. Stroud catches Baltimore on their heels not lined up with a quick pitch and catch to Collins on another in-breaking route. Collins lines up in the right slot getting a favorable match-up against the safety. Baltimore again in their Cover 1 man look with a single high safety, but with both linebackers dropping in zone. Collins and Stroud find the open area with a well placed pass.

Possession: Houston 2nd & 9

Now in the 4th quarter. This is a play Stroud definitely wants back. Collins runs a deep out route with the cornerback in zone coverage. This is the look and read Houston wants here. Stroud just needs to execute. Not sure if the pressure from Stroud’s right forced the errant throw or not.

Will Anderson

Possession: Baltimore 3rd & 6

Houston presenting an overload look on the left side of their defensive line with only 1 defensive tackle on the field in Rankins. Jerry Hughes on the left edge, Will Anderson between Hughes and Rankins. Perryman over the left guard, with Greenard on the edge with Christian Harris shadowing him. Houston showing a Cover 1 man look. Baltimore with trips tight right, with Beckham on an island against Shaq Griffin. Houston brings 6 rushers, Baltimore has 6 blockers. Will Anderson forces his way through the mess with pure strength for a QB pressure forcing the interception from Jackson. Will Anderson speed and strength against veteran guard Kevin Zeitler was a clear mis-match.

Possession: Baltimore 3rd & 10

And last but not least Will Anderson’s first of man sacks. Houston is in a split safety cover 4 zone look with just 4 pass rushers. Ryans sprinkles in a little fun by overloading the right side of Baltimore’s offensive line. Veteran tackle Morgan Moses tries to move Anderson beyond the pocket as Jackson steps up. Anderson powers through that, and a Moses holding penalty, to track down Jackson for the sack.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s Cap & Trade Newsletter! Don’t forget to check out the Salary Cap Space & Data webpage (see at the top menu bar).

-TC

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