Texans at Rams Preseason Week 3

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Psycho_X

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Just watched it on nfl network. They need to fix their damn audio. Couldn’t hear the game crew half the time at best.
 

dang

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Very encouraged about what I saw all in all:

- 1st string DEF looked ready to roll
- 2nd string has a number of young exciting players (Kiser, Price, Franklin-Myers) and talented veteran depth (Westbrooks, Shields, Longacre)
- 2nd sting DBS didn't look good especially Nixon and Hill
- Kelly is clearly the #2 RB
- Another ho hum game for TEs
- Hekker didn't have a very good game but he's still the man
- The helmet hit and roughing passer penalties are going to take some getting used to
 

Prime Time

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https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/08/25/nfl-rams-texans-preseason-studs-duds-week-3-john-kelly/

Rams vs. Texans: Studs and duds from preseason Week 3
By: Cameron DaSilva

Studs

RB John Kelly

If the Rams are truly holding an open competition for the No. 2 running back job, Kelly has run away with the victory. He showed off his ability again against the Texans, rushing for 64 yards on 15 carries.

That’s without including a nifty 5-yard run that was negated by a hold on Pharoh Cooper, as well as another 10-yard reception called back by Joseph Noteboom’s holding penalty. The best play of the day came on third down from the 15-yard line, which Kelly turned into a touchdown by bouncing off defenders for a score.

He’s been the most impressive back for the Rams all preseason – and one of the best players in the NFL this year – and Los Angeles would be foolish to strip him of chances in the regular season.

OT Joseph Noteboom

Noteboom was tasked with blocking Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt off the weakside early in the game and he did so in great fashion. That’s not an easy matchup for a rookie lineman, but he held up as well as you could have hoped.

In the running game, he had a few nice seal blocks to spring Kelly for big yardage on the left side, which is great to see. Sean Mannion wasn’t sacked once in this game, a testament to the job the offensive line did against an aggressive Texans defense.

CB Taurean Nixon

Nixon led the team with seven tackles, including the biggest one of the game on fourth down in the fourth quarter. The stop gave the Rams the ball back and prevented the Texans from getting any points from the 11-yard line.

Although he was flagged for defensive pass interference, it was a weak penalty that could’ve gone uncalled. None of the Rams’ downline cornerbacks flashed in this one except for Nixon, though it likely won’t be enough for him to make the final roster.

DL Ethan Westbrooks

It’s been a weekly occurrence that Westbrooks has landed in the “stud” column, but it’s well deserved. He made just one tackle, but it went for a 4-yard loss on a nice move inside. He also generated pressure consistently against the Texans’ offensive line and had a quarterback hit, making life difficult for Brandon Weeden.

He’s a very valuable player to have in the rotation on the defensive line, especially with Aaron Donald still holding out.

Duds

QB Sean Mannion

Another week, another disappointing outing for the Oregon State product. He started the game 0-for-5 with an interception, but he actually got it together before the half by completing 11 of his last 12 passes.

Unfortunately, the majority of those passes were basic underneath throws that went for very little yardage. He finished with just 68 yards on 17 attempts, averaging out to only 4 yards per attempt.

He rarely even looked downfield to deep receivers, let alone completed any. And his day could’ve been much worse, too. In addition to an ugly interception in his own red zone, Jadeveon Clowney also batted a pass at the line, which should’ve been intercepted by the Texans.

TE Temarrick Hemingway

Hemingway dropped two catchable passes in the first quarter alone, continuing what’s been a difficult preseason for the tight end returning from injury. He also had a false start in the same 15-minute period, pushing the Rams further back in their own zone. Two plays later, Mannion threw an interception to Kareem Jackson, which set up the Texans’ first touchdown of the game.

He has a great chance to make the final roster as the No. 3 tight end, but his play this preseason hasn’t instilled any confidence.

CB Troy Hill

Hill has had a rough three games in the preseason, unfortunately proving unable to break that trend on Saturday. He was beat by Braxton Miller for a touchdown, watching the quarterback-turned-receiver sky for six points in the end zone.

Hill was in decent position, but he never got his head around to the ball. He finished the game with one tackle but didn’t get his hands on any passes and went relatively unnoticed outside of that touchdown allowed.
 

Prime Time

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https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-refocused-2018-rams-21-texans-20

ReFocused, NFL Preseason Week 3: Los Angeles Rams 21, Houston Texans 20
BY PFF ANALYSIS TEAM


ANALYST TAKEAWAYS

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There wasn’t much to see of second-year quarterback Deshaun Watson, but the good news is he moved around freely and did look healthy. The bad news is that his health will be put to test behind the Texans’ porous offensive line this season. Saturday, the offensive line looked shaky from the get-go, with the backups struggling even more as the game progressed.

Running back Lavon Coleman isn’t a name on the radar of many, but he was impressive when given opportunities, showing some sharps cuts and an ability to drag tacklers with him. He really added something to the running game.

The Texans will be pleased with the short work that J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney put in with their first-string defense. Watt showed flashes of his old self, shedding blocks with ease. Clowney added a batted pass that should have led to an interception. The Texans’ defensive starters overwhelmed the Rams’ backup offense.

Safety Kareem Jackson seems destined to have a versatile role in the Texans’ defense this year. His ball skills were on display with his first-quarter interception of Sean Mannion that capped off a dire start to the game for the Rams’ backup quarterback. Alone in the flat, Jackson jumped a crossing route by receiver KhaDarel Hodge, holding onto the ball through contact with his own teammate to set the Texans up inside the five.



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Rookie running back John Kelly shouldered the load against the Texans and offered more than a glimmer of promise on the depth chart behind Todd Gurley. He capped off the best drive of the day for the Rams with a 15-yard run on third-and-goal, as he weaved through the heart of the Texans defense with decisive cuts, spinning through arm tackles before entering the end zone.

Third-string quarterback Brandon Allen produced his best work on third downs, both with his arm and his legs. He picked up one conversion on a scramble up the middle to push the Rams into the red zone. He also set up a couple of conversions on the Rams’ long third-quarter drive with strong throws to out-breaking routes to keep the Rams’ backup offense on the field.

The Rams showed some strong depth up front, as they went to work on the Texans offensive line with second-year edge defender Ejuan Price being the standout. He picked up two sacks, though one was negated by a penalty after a vicious spin move left Texans tackle Chad Slade grasping at thin air.

It remains to be seen who will start opening week at linebacker, but Ramik Wilson’s play of late warrants some serious consideration. Wilson closed quickly in coverage and did a good job getting off blocks.

KEY TO THE GAME

Houston:
Houston’s offensive line looked shaky from the start, only to struggle even more as the game progressed.

Los Angeles: Once the Texans’ starting defense left the field, the Rams’ backup offensive line took control. Mental errors were at a minimum and steady play in various combinations allowed the Rams to keep moving forward against the Texans’ backups.
 

I like Rams

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Aug 15, 2017
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Anyone know where i can watch the whole game online? Fiance recorded the wrong program.
 

Tano

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CB Taurean Nixon

Nixon led the team with seven tackles, including the biggest one of the game on fourth down in the fourth quarter. The stop gave the Rams the ball back and prevented the Texans from getting any points from the 11-yard line.

Although he was flagged for defensive pass interference, it was a weak penalty that could’ve gone uncalled. None of the Rams’ downline cornerbacks flashed in this one except for Nixon, though it likely won’t be enough for him to make the final roster.
I felt Nixon was more of a dud this game. The only reason he led the team in tackles is because he led the team in letting opposing receivers catch the ball. However, at least he can tackle well.
 

Prime Time

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https://www.therams.com/news/seven-stats-rams-top-texans-in-preseason-week-3

Seven Stats: Rams Top Texans in Preseason Week 3
Clarence Dennis

The Los Angeles Rams added another one to the preseason win column on Saturday afternoon, beating the Texans 21-20 behind strong defense and running back John Kelly. Once again, head coach Sean McVay elected to sit the majority of his offensive starters — excluding guard Jamon Brown.

However, the Rams did play their defensive starters for the first few series against the Texans, including corners Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

Here are seven stats that stood out in the Rams’ second win of the preseason:

1. TWO SUCCESSFUL SERIES

The Rams’ defensive starters got the job done in their only two series on Saturday afternoon.

On the Texans’ first play of the game, safety John Johnson stuffed Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins well short of the first down marker with a forceful hit. The Texans proceeded to go three-and-out against many of the Rams’ defensive starters in what was their first series of the preseason.

Defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh became the first Rams’ noteable newcomer to make a play in front of L.A.’s home crowd. On the Texans’ second drive, Suh hit quarterback Deshaun Watson on 2nd-and-10, as he scrambled from the pocket and launched a pass intended for receiver Bruce Ellington, which was intercepted by safety Lamarcus Joyner.

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Kelvin Kuo/AP Images

2. MANNION TD

Quarterback Sean Mannion threw his first touchdown of the preseason late in the first quarter on Saturday.

Mannion connected with receiver Pharoh Cooper for six, capitalizing on cornerback Sam Shields’ interception deep in Texans’ territory.

Before Mannion’s touchdown pass, he was 3-for-9 with one interception. Mannion started the game slow, going 0-for-5. He ended the first half 11-for-17 with 68 yards, the touchdown, and the pick.

3. FIRST HALF SNAPS

Undrafted free agent running back Nick Holley received a few earlier-than-normal snaps on Saturday afternoon. Holley briefly took over for running back John Kelly during a Rams’ offensive series in the middle of the second quarter to do a bit of dirty work.

Holley pounded the ball up the middle, finishing his first half opportunity with 18 yards rushing on four carries. The Kent State product ran for one first down during the drive, which ended with the Rams’ second touchdown of the afternoon — a four-yard carry by Kelly.

Holley finished his afternoon with 40 rushing yards on 11 carries.

4. KELLY DOUBLES UP

Just as it seemed like quarterback Brandon Allen and the Rams would have to settle for three points at the end of their opening drive of the second half, Kelly came through once again.

On 3rd-and-15 Kelly took the ball through the heart of the Texans’ defense, spinning from one tackle, and then dragging another defender across the goal line with his right leg.

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Kelly’s second touchdown of the afternoon came at the end of a 19-play, 75-yard drive led by Allen — a nice response to the Texans’ late first half touchdown, which tied the game.

5. THIRD DOWN DEFENSE

The Texans came up empty facing third down scenarios in the first half on Saturday, going 0-for-4. The Texans’ inability to move the chains on third down marks the second consecutive week the Rams’ defense performed well on third down.

The defense also came up with a few clutch stops in the fourth quarter. On a big 4th-and-11 attempt from the Rams’ 11 early in the quarter, Texans QB Brandon Weeden’s attempt to level the score at 21 came up six yards short, thanks to a nice open-field tackle by Rams’ corner Taurean Nixon.

On the next Texans’ drive, backup QB Joe Webb’s two-point conversion attempt to take the lead was thwarted by outside linebacker Ejuan Price streaking across the line of scrimmage and taking down Webb.

Last week, the Raiders were abysmal facing third-and-anything against Wade Phillips’ defense, going 1-for-10 in the game.

6. THIRD DOWN OFFENSE

The Rams’ offensive experience facing third down was an entirely different story.

McVay’s offense converted on 11-of-17 chances on third down, with two of the conversions for a score.

Allen was responsible for much of the third-down success on Saturday, moving the chains seven times on third down in the second half.

Allen finished his day 10-of-13 passing, good for 63 yards — his most impressive drive being the over 12-minute march down the field for the majority of the third quarter.

Allen is has now thrown for 204 yards in his three halves of preseason football, hitting on 66-percent of his passes with one touchdown.

7. PUTTING ON PRESSURE

The Rams’ rushers seemed to crank up the pressure throughout the game. All three Texans’ quarterbacks were forced to deal with the pass rush on Saturday, most noticeably Watson, who laid on the Coliseum turf, listening to an elated crowd cheer on their newest addition to the D-line, Suh.

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Suh’s hit was only the beginning. Both linebackers Micah Kiser and Matt Longacre recorded a sack each, for two of the seven total quarterback hits laid by their defense. Kiser also clocked two of the team’s five tackles for loss.