ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Texans vs. Broncos Friday, November 5, 2004
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Texans and Broncos. Now they're back with a
second look.
The foundation of the Texans offense is one back, one tight end and three
receivers. It's their predominant personnel package, and it makes best use
of their offensive talent. WRs Andre Johnson, Jabar Gaffney and Corey
Bradford are all explosive, and they dictate coverage and matchups that
favor the Texans.
It will be intriguing to see how the Broncos match up on the outside to
the Texans three receivers. If last week is any indicator, Champ Bailey
may not play Andre Johnson man-to-man all over the field. Both of Peerless
Price touchdowns in Atlanta's victory over Denver came with the Broncos
playing man coverage, but each time Kelly Herndon was singled up on Price,
with Bailey locked on Brian Finneran. One final point: Based on the way
both players have performed through much of this season, if they do
consistently go head-to-head, the advantage right now goes to Andre
Johnson.
One thing that really stands out on film is QB David Carr's mobility; he
can beat you with his legs as well as his arm. In studying last week's
Houston win against Jacksonville, there were a number of plays in which
the Jaguars used a spy on Carr, especially in the red zone.
Carr has a great ability when he's on the move to stop, set his feet, get
himself on balance and deliver the ball accurately. This places a
tremendous burden on the Broncos secondary; Denver's defensive backs must
stay with the Texans receivers when Carr moves out of the pocket. All
coverage, regardless of the huddle call, becomes man-to-man when the play
is extended by QB movement.
The key for the Texans defense against the Broncos staple zone running
play will be to attack vertically, to sustain pressure up-field. If the
defense reacts laterally, then you allow the Broncos offensive line to
execute cut blocks, and get to the second level. In addition, if the
Texans can create quick penetration, they will eliminate options for RB
Reuben Droughns.
The Texans defense must be very aware of the designed movement of Jake
Plummer that is built into the Broncos zone running game. Plummer is at
his best as a passer when he boots out of the pocket. If the backside
defenders pursue too hard down the line to attack the run, then they will
be vulnerable to Plummer getting out the back door on the bootleg.
One player who has stood out on film is Texans OLB Kailee Wong. His pass
rush skills have significantly improved, and the ability of outside
linebackers to rush the QB consistently is the most important aspect of a
successful 3-4 defense.
A unit matchup that could play a deciding role in this game is the Texans
running game versus the Broncos front seven. The Texans are not a strong
running team, more a function of their backs than their offensive line,
but they stay committed to running the ball. They never become
one-dimensional with the passing game. Last week against Atlanta, the
Broncos front seven was physically handled at the point of attack. That
cannot happen against Houston, or the Broncos will be significantly
handicapped in their need to limit explosive plays in the passing game.
A key matchup will be Broncos WR Rod Smith working against Texans rookie
CB Dunta Robinson. With the strong likelihood that Houston will be forced
to commit an eighth defender in the box to limit the Broncos running game,
Robinson at times will be forced to play Smith man-to-man. That advantage
right now goes to Smith.
The loss of Broncos S John Lynch will be significant in this matchup. No
safety in the NFL has a better intuitive feel for when to add in to the
run game, or remain deep in the pass game than Lynch. While his physical
skills have declined, his ability to win in the pre-snap phase by
camouflaging and disguising his post-snap intentions are unparalleled.
Special Teams
The Texans kicking game continues to be productive in more ways than one.
PK Kris Brown has made all 12 of his attempts from less than 50 yards this
season and holder Chad Stanley converted a fake field goal attempt last
week on fourth and two, with a five yard run. This is the second time in
two years that Stanley has run for a first down on a fake field goal.
Prediction: Broncos 24, Texans 17
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Texans and Broncos. Now they're back with a
second look.
The foundation of the Texans offense is one back, one tight end and three
receivers. It's their predominant personnel package, and it makes best use
of their offensive talent. WRs Andre Johnson, Jabar Gaffney and Corey
Bradford are all explosive, and they dictate coverage and matchups that
favor the Texans.
It will be intriguing to see how the Broncos match up on the outside to
the Texans three receivers. If last week is any indicator, Champ Bailey
may not play Andre Johnson man-to-man all over the field. Both of Peerless
Price touchdowns in Atlanta's victory over Denver came with the Broncos
playing man coverage, but each time Kelly Herndon was singled up on Price,
with Bailey locked on Brian Finneran. One final point: Based on the way
both players have performed through much of this season, if they do
consistently go head-to-head, the advantage right now goes to Andre
Johnson.
One thing that really stands out on film is QB David Carr's mobility; he
can beat you with his legs as well as his arm. In studying last week's
Houston win against Jacksonville, there were a number of plays in which
the Jaguars used a spy on Carr, especially in the red zone.
Carr has a great ability when he's on the move to stop, set his feet, get
himself on balance and deliver the ball accurately. This places a
tremendous burden on the Broncos secondary; Denver's defensive backs must
stay with the Texans receivers when Carr moves out of the pocket. All
coverage, regardless of the huddle call, becomes man-to-man when the play
is extended by QB movement.
The key for the Texans defense against the Broncos staple zone running
play will be to attack vertically, to sustain pressure up-field. If the
defense reacts laterally, then you allow the Broncos offensive line to
execute cut blocks, and get to the second level. In addition, if the
Texans can create quick penetration, they will eliminate options for RB
Reuben Droughns.
The Texans defense must be very aware of the designed movement of Jake
Plummer that is built into the Broncos zone running game. Plummer is at
his best as a passer when he boots out of the pocket. If the backside
defenders pursue too hard down the line to attack the run, then they will
be vulnerable to Plummer getting out the back door on the bootleg.
One player who has stood out on film is Texans OLB Kailee Wong. His pass
rush skills have significantly improved, and the ability of outside
linebackers to rush the QB consistently is the most important aspect of a
successful 3-4 defense.
A unit matchup that could play a deciding role in this game is the Texans
running game versus the Broncos front seven. The Texans are not a strong
running team, more a function of their backs than their offensive line,
but they stay committed to running the ball. They never become
one-dimensional with the passing game. Last week against Atlanta, the
Broncos front seven was physically handled at the point of attack. That
cannot happen against Houston, or the Broncos will be significantly
handicapped in their need to limit explosive plays in the passing game.
A key matchup will be Broncos WR Rod Smith working against Texans rookie
CB Dunta Robinson. With the strong likelihood that Houston will be forced
to commit an eighth defender in the box to limit the Broncos running game,
Robinson at times will be forced to play Smith man-to-man. That advantage
right now goes to Smith.
The loss of Broncos S John Lynch will be significant in this matchup. No
safety in the NFL has a better intuitive feel for when to add in to the
run game, or remain deep in the pass game than Lynch. While his physical
skills have declined, his ability to win in the pre-snap phase by
camouflaging and disguising his post-snap intentions are unparalleled.
Special Teams
The Texans kicking game continues to be productive in more ways than one.
PK Kris Brown has made all 12 of his attempts from less than 50 yards this
season and holder Chad Stanley converted a fake field goal attempt last
week on fourth and two, with a five yard run. This is the second time in
two years that Stanley has run for a first down on a fake field goal.
Prediction: Broncos 24, Texans 17
