A WEEKLY REVIEW OF CRENNEL'S COACHING
Now my job: Texans falter down the stretch in low-scoring loss
When your opponent scores 10 points, you'd think your chances at winning would increase exponentially. Not if you're the Texans. They fell to the Browns 10-7 in what was a game of missed opportunities. There were chances to make plays and call things better, but the Texans failed in both aspects.
When examining a one possession loss, there are times in which you can point to specific decisions. The main one I'm looking at here was the failed 4th & Goal from the 2-yard line in the first quarter. The idea in and of itself was a poor decision. You're on the road down 3-0 to a much more talented team. It's very early in the game and you're well within field goal range. Why risk it? Take your three points and keep it moving! There's no need to make a statement. You're a 2-6 football team. All you need to be worried about is trying to stay in games and giving yourself a chance to win. The other issue I have with it is the play that was called. Spreading the defense out and attempting a quarterback draw was what I would call Tim Kelly trying to get cute. The Browns defensive line is very good. Myles Garrett came around the end and made sure Deshaun Watson wasn't going to sniff the end zone. In fact, Watson lost two yards on the play. While the wind played a key factor in several decisions this game, I highly doubt it would've caused a problem on a 19-yard field goal attempt.
As much as Romeo Crennel and Tim Kelly got wrong, they did some things right. The decision to incorporate more motion in the offense presnap appeared to have kept the defense at bay. The run, pass, option (RPO) plays actually worked because there was a threat that you could see either of the three and a threat that Watson could actually keep it and run. Who knew! Watson had plays where runs were called for him, as well as bootlegs in which he could run if he saw fit. When the offense flows like it did, you'd think there would be more points scored. Alas, they only mustered up a measly seven when it should have been more. The run defense actually looked decent through the first half and long into the third quarter. It faltered late as they simply wore down. It was nice to see them keep the team in the game for as long as they did.
A couple other interesting decisions stuck out to me. We saw Will Fuller on the punt return team a couple times. He didn't do much, but I thought that was a nice wrinkle. Tyrell Adams was the signal caller on the defense. I found him being the one with the communication helmet instead of Zach Cunningham very interesting. He's played pretty well for them and I'm glad he's getting a shot.
Moving forward, this team is in trouble. It has a chance to salvage the season by not sucking as bad because there's no hope at making the playoffs. If the run defense can step up the way they did and the offense can find a rhythm, there's an outside shot they can beat a team not named the Jags. 2-7 looks way worse when you've only beaten the Jags and don't own your first or second rounder.
