The Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons are both looking to get back to where they believe they belong.
In 2012, the two teams combined for 25 wins and won their divisions, but then both fell flat on their face for a combined six wins the following season. The two teams and many of their fans still believe that both squads are closer to their 2012 level than 2013, but they will need to prove that on the field.
While the Falcons' first-team offense looked impressive during their only possession of the game in Week 1 of the preseason—Matt Ryan was a perfect 7-of-7 while leading a touchdown drive—the Texans' first-, second- and third-team offenses all failed miserably.
The Texans' running game was solid with good performances during limited action from young reserves Jonathan Grimes and Alfred Blue, but the passing game never got a rhythm going.
For the game, the Texans' quarterbacks combined to complete 11 of 22 passes, throw two interceptions, fail to convert a single third down and did not put any points up on the scoreboard. Most Texans fans were concerned with good reason about the quarterback position; each quarterback has much to prove Saturday night.
The Texans' defensive backs performed equally poorly against the Arizona Cardinals during Week 1 of the preseason. Arizona scored touchdowns on each of their first two possessions going 79 and 83 yards, respectively, on the two drives.
Over the entire game the Texans allowed the Cardinals to complete an absurd 27 of 34 passes for 326 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Cardinals also converted on 11 of 17 third-down situations.
Games in the modern NFL are decided through the air. The Texans failed to either move the ball efficiently or stop the ball in the passing game in Week 1. The latter will get a huge test against a passing attack featuring Pro Bowl players in Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Julio Jones.
Preseason games mean little most of the time, but this game in particular should give us a good indication as to which team is more likely to have a big bounce-back season.
//from Bleacher Report http://ift.tt/1vVWc5m
via IFTTT August 16, 2014 at 04:30PM
0 comments:
Post a Comment