4th quarter – Texans ball

The Patriots didn’t back down in this game, scoring a TD with just over nine minutes left to cut the lead to 13. So the Texans offense went back to work and got a first down on a throw from C.J. Stroud to Tank Dell for a first down at -46 yard line. On the next first down, the Texans had 12 men in the game (one RB – Dameon Pierce and two TEs). The Texans again placed a bunch on the right side of the formation. TE Dalton Schultz slid into motion right next to Cade Stover as Stroud threw a throw to Dameon. The WR on that side was Stefon Diggs, who had a great game, and he blocked the first threat in a redshirt. That caused a bit of a pileup at the rim, which was a fit issue for the Patriots. That block now gave Dameon a clean lead to hit the outside point. The two tight ends threw great blocks and Pierce slipped on weak tackle attempts by DT Jacquelin Roy and S Kyle Dugger. Then it was green grass and a long way to run. Fortunately, Dameon is fast, even with a strained hamstring, and he reached the end zone for his longest TD run since a 75-yard TD run against the Chargers in his rookie season. The Texans’ two RBs, back together for the first time since week one, ran for three touchdowns, generated 178 yards on the ground, caught three passes for 31 yards and one touchdown. I remember DeMeco Ryans mentioning the 1-2 punch the Texans had way back in OTAs. Today they answered the bell as that 1-2 punch in this 41-21 win.

That was fun. Let’s do it again next week in Green Bay against one of the better teams in the NFL at historic Lambeau Field. See you then, everyone!