GAME WITHIN THE GAME
This Week in Houston eSports – Houston Outlaws and Clutch Gaming
Matthew Jefferson
Feb 6, 2018, 6:00 am
It's a big week for the Outlaws. Twitter
Last week was a mixed bag for the Houston based franchises. Clutch Gaming went 0-2 against both 100 Thieves and Cloud 9. The Outlaws went 1-1 for the week, defeating San Francisco 3-1, but losing to Seoul 3-2. In addition to the standard weekly updates, this week’s article also explains the competition structure in both sports.
League of Legends
The League of Legends season (Season 8) is divided into Spring and Summer Splits, each containing a best of one double round robin where the teams play 18 games per split. The top six teams in each split make the playoffs. Based on the standings after playoffs, teams earn circuit points that lead to three of the ten teams qualifying for the World Championships against top teams from around the world. (The summer split winner, highest remaining circuit points holder, and the team that wins a gauntlet style event based on the amount of circuit points held by the remaining teams) Riot Games also announced earlier this week that the Spring Split finals for League of Legends will be held in Miami.
Clutch Gaming (2-4) Tied for 7th Place
Despite this week’s 0-2 record, there are some positives and reason for optimism moving forward. Against 100 Thieves, Solo played a very strong game on Jayce with a 1/0/5 KDA (kills, deaths, assists) stat line. The team also had a gold and kill lead before losing a late game team fight that allowed 100 Thieves to push into the nexus and win the game before CG’s players respawned. Cloud 9 maintained a consistent lead over Clutch Gaming, but Febiven’s 5/1/2 KDA was certainly a bright spot for the team. Despite the loss, the whole team played well and made things interesting with some strong late game plays.
Predictions (1-1 for the season)
This week, Clutch Gaming takes on Team Solo Mid (Saturday at 4 PM) and Optic Gaming (Sunday at approx.. 8 PM)
Things will click into place for Clutch Gaming this week with a hard fought victory over TSM and a clean win over Optic Gaming, leaving the team with a 4-4 record as they near the halfway point of the Spring Split.
Overwatch League
The Overwatch League consists of four Stages of five weeks each, with a total of 20 series played at two matches per week. At the end of each Stage, the top three teams from the Stage participate in a miniature playoffs to determine the Stage winner. At the end of all four stages, the top team in each division along with the next four highest ranked teams regardless of division will participate in the playoffs to determine the winning team for the inaugural season.
Houston Outlaws (5-3) 4th Place Overall
Last week resulted in a 1-1 record for the week and a reason for optimism for Outlaws fans to expect a very strong season and playoff contention at the end of the season. Star DPS player, LiNkzr did not play last week due to illness with Clockwork filling in quite well. Tank player coolmatt was having a very strong week as well. After beating San Francisco 3-1, the Outlaws fought admirably against the Seoul Dynasty, eventually losing the series 3-2 on the fifth map tiebreaker.
Predictions (2-0 for the season)
This week, the Outlaws begin with a crucial series against the 7-1 London Spitfire on Thursday at approximately 8 PM and play against the 5-3 Boston Uprising on Saturday around 3 PM. Both series are must win if the Outlaws want to have a shot to play in the championship series for the first Stage. The Outlaws showed that they are prepared to play well under pressure and LiNkzr returns from illness to have a very strong week, finishing Stage One with a 7-3 record. If things fall their way in the other matches, they will have a chance at finishing in the top three for the Stage. Either way, they will be well positioned to have a strong start to Stage Two.
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C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are looking for answers after their passing game couldn’t get going in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Houston’s passing attack had been a strength all season, and the Texans ranked fifth in yards passing per game through their first six games. But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Stroud was limited to a career-low 86 yards in the 24-22 loss, which snapped a three-game winning streak.
Stroud was 10 of 21 and didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The second-year player was under duress for much of the day and was sacked four times and hit seven other times.
“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we watch the film, we’ll see what happened, starting for me the communication and just guys being on the details of the job.”
'Everything is on the table. We have to get it fixed' #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on offensive line and if personnel changes are being contemplated @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/AwK0rqeU2z
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 21, 2024
The Texans scored a season-high 41 points in a win over New England a week earlier in which Stroud threw a season-best three touchdown passes despite being without star receiver Nico Collins.
They were unable to replicate that success Sunday with Collins out for the second of at least four games after a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve.
Stefon Diggs led the team with five receptions against the Packers, but they only amounted to 23 yards. Tank Dell, who the Texans expected to step up with Collins out, was targeted four times but didn’t have a catch.
Stroud discussed the importance of getting Dell more involved in the offense.
“We have to find a way to try and get him the rock early and often and then go from there,” he said. “It has to be a focus for us, not only just him, but the whole offense clicking early. That is really my job to get the ball out on time and to where it is supposed to go. So yeah, that definitely has to be fixed.”
Ryans spoke about his confidence is getting Dell going.
'I have all the faith in Tank' #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans expressed confidence in Tank Dell ability to get back to making explosive plays again as he did as a rookie @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/bojBEx3lYo
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 21, 2024
What's working
The Texans have forced seven turnovers combined in their last two games after they hadn’t caused any in their previous three games.
Houston scored 16 points off three turnovers Sunday. The Texans had two interceptions and recovered a fumble on a punt. In their win over the Patriots, they scored 17 points off a season-high four turnovers.
What needs help
The Texans won’t get to where they want to be this season if Stroud doesn’t get back on track. Before Sunday, last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was averaging more than 262 yards passing a game, giving the team confidence that the problems in the passing game are fixable.
Ryans knows the line must give Stroud more time to throw and said the coaching staff will focus on improving in that area this week.
Stock up
RB Joe Mixon continued to shine Sunday in his second game back after missing three games with an ankle injury. Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, had 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay.
Mixon is confident the Texans will rebound this week if they quit making mistakes.
“Does it look I’m worried? I’m not worried at all,” he said. “Like I said, we got a ... good football team. At the end of the day, we are our own worst enemy.”
Stock down
Dell was unable to help Stroud get the passing game going. The second-year player had a solid rookie season with 709 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. But he hasn’t been able to build on that success this year and has just 194 yards receiving with one score in six games.
Injuries
LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and S Jimmie Ward (groin) all missed Sunday’s game and it’s unclear if any of these starters can return this week.
Key number
3 — Safety Calen Bullock had his third interception Sunday to tie Dunta Robinson and Jumal Rolle for most interceptions by a rookie in franchise history through the first seven games. He leads NFL rookies in interceptions this season and is tied for third-most among all players.
Next steps
The AFC South-leading Texans (5-2) return to division play Sunday when they host the second-place Colts (4-3), who have won two in a row and four of five.