JERMAINE EVERY'S OBSERVATIONS
The good, bad and ugly from the Texans win over the Titans
Nov 26, 2018, 10:18 pm
The Texans honored Bob McNair. Zach Tarrant/Houstontexans.com
Monday Night Football is always a bright stage to play on and the Texans showed they were up to the task beating the Titans 31-17.
The Good
-Despite taking four sacks, Deshaun Watson had a great game. He was 19/24 for 210 yards and two touchdowns passing. He also had nine carries for 70 yards and a touchdown rushing. We finally saw good Deshaun for a complete game.
-Lamar Miller came to play. He flashed his speed, and even kept his balance, on his 97-yard touchdown run. The run game has been good most of the season. Alfred Blue, A.K.A. Great Value Arian Foster, has been a steady change of pace back as well. The team totaled 282 yards rushing.
-DeAndre Carter has added spark to the return game for the Texans. His first kick return went 30 yards and his first punt return went for 25 yards. He’s provided a much needed injection of adrenaline to a severely lacking area for this team.
The Bad
-Pass interference against Justin Reid in 1st quarter was a terrible call. Reid didn’t “significantly hinder” the receiver from catching the ball as the NFL rule book states. That 33 yard penalty put the Titans in field goal range to take a 3-0 lead.
-Booger McFarland is an idiot! He said Whitney Mercilus is playing a new role. No he’s not you unprepared talking puppet! He’s playing the same role he’s played the last few years. He just hasn’t been as effective coming off his injury that shut him down last season!
-Despite the win, the defense finally forced a turnover with under a minute left in the game. I know the team did what it came to do in getting the win, but they could’ve at least forced more than one turnover.
The Ugly
-Titans tight end Jonnu Smith caught a 61-yard touchdown pass off a busted coverage to put them up 10-0. He chipped blocked on the outside, turned around, caught a five yard pass, and ran up the middle of the field almost untouched. It was Tyrann Mathieu who appeared to blow the coverage.
-Julien Davenport had his 13th penalty called on him and 10th accepted. He leads the league in both categories. I don’t doubt that he’ll eventually be a serviceable tackle one day, but his technique needs help. He is a very raw, but gifted, small school project after all.
-The Texans organization, and more importantly the city of Houston, lost a good guy in team founder and owner Bob Mc Nair. My only encounter with him was funny. He told a joke about the quarterback position when Brian Hoyer was here. He wasn’t perfect, but he was a good man. To disparage a man’s name simply because he said a few untimely things isn’t cool.
8-3 and now three games up in the division is a great place to be for the Texans. It’s time they prove themselves worthy of the record they have by making a deep playoff run. This isn’t some “win for Mr McNair” type of deal. This is more about them proving themselves to the league that they’re to be taken seriously. Until this team makes at least an AFC title game appearance, or better, I won’t be as impressed.
When: Thursday, 8 p.m. EST
Where: Houston, TX
BetMGM Line: Rockets -10; Over/Under 219
BOTTOM LINE:
The New Orleans Pelicans are looking to end a four-game skid as they take on the Houston Rockets, who have established themselves as a force in the Western Conference this season.
The Rockets (17-9) currently sit third in the West and boast one of the league's best rebounding units, led by Alperen Sengun. Houston has dominated within the division, posting a 4-1 record against Southwest Division opponents. Meanwhile, the Pelicans (5-22) have struggled mightily, especially within their division, where they remain winless at 0-3.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
- Houston’s Rebounding Edge
The Rockets lead the Western Conference in rebounding, averaging 49.3 boards per game. Alperen Sengun has been a standout, contributing 10.6 rebounds along with 18.6 points and 5.2 assists per contest. This could spell trouble for a Pelicans squad that has been outmuscled on the glass in recent outings. - Pelicans’ Scoring Woes
New Orleans ranks last in the Western Conference in scoring, putting up just 105.1 points per game on 43.7% shooting. Their offense will be further hampered by injuries to key players like Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Zion Williamson (hamstring), leaving the team with limited options to generate points. - Defensive Disparities
While the Rockets aren’t elite defensively, allowing 106.1 points per game, they should benefit from the Pelicans' offensive struggles. Houston's opponents are shooting just 42.5% in the Rockets' last 10 games, a figure that contrasts with the 48.3% shooting New Orleans allows to opposing teams over the season.
RECENT FORM:
- Rockets: Houston is 6-4 over its last 10 games, averaging 108.0 points and 47.3 rebounds while holding opponents to 106.0 points. The Rockets have been solid on both ends, particularly in forcing turnovers, as they average 8.3 steals and 6.1 blocks per game.
- Pelicans: New Orleans has dropped nine of its last 10 games, scoring 107.3 points on 43.9% shooting while giving up a whopping 118.9 points per game to opponents. Injuries have ravaged the Pelicans’ lineup, leaving them vulnerable in both scoring and defense.
INJURY REPORT:
- Rockets: No injuries reported.
- Pelicans: Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Zion Williamson (hamstring) are out, while Jose Alvarado (hamstring) is also sidelined. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Karlo Matkovic, and Jordan Hawkins are listed as day-to-day.
KEY MATCHUP:
Alperen Sengun vs. the Pelicans' Interior Defense
Sengun’s ability to dominate the paint with his rebounding and passing could be a deciding factor. Without Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans’ defense will be shorthanded and at risk of being overpowered by Houston’s size and depth.
PREDICTION:
The Rockets are heavy favorites for a reason. With no major injuries and a strong rebounding game, Houston should control the tempo and exploit the Pelicans’ lack of offensive firepower. Expect Houston to extend New Orleans’ losing streak in convincing fashion.
Final Score Prediction: Rockets 114, Pelicans 98
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