Talking Grit: A Detroit Lions Podcast
Talking Grit: A Detroit Lions Podcast
E38: "Biting Re-Caps" Gritty not Pretty - Week 10: Lions at Texans - SNF
In this episode of Biting Recaps from Talking Grit, Jason Harwood and Jacob Litton discuss the Detroit Lions' recent victory despite Jared Goff's five interceptions. The duo analyzes the game's intense moments, particularly expressing relief over the Lions' comeback from a shaky start. Goff's performance is broken down, noting his unusual errors but highlighting the team's resilience. The defensive efforts, including Carlton Davis's pivotal interceptions and the pressure mounted on C.J. Stroud, are praised. The conversation extends to the effective special teams play, particularly kicker Jake Bates' crucial field goals. They also touch on the good reception from Lions fans and speculate on the impact of new player Za'Darius Smith on the team dynamics.
Want to support us?
Item Shop
Visit us on Facebook
Visit us on X: @talkinggritpod
Jason - @Jason_TGPod
Jacob - @jmallitton
YouTube
Talking Grit Website
Talking Grit Subreddit
Email Us: talkinggritpodcast@yahoo.com
Welcome to another episode of biting recaps here at talking grit. I'm Jason Harwood. And with me is Jacob Litton. We both somehow managed to sleep last night and get up for early for work today. But before we get going, I wanted to give a shout out to a couple of people. First one is Darian meant to give him a shout out last week. Saw him when I was out trick or treating with my boys. he, congratulated us on the podcast. He listens all the time. So I told him I'd give him a shout out. So I forgot about it last week. So thanks for listening, Darian. Uh, he's a huge Lions fan. I also want to thank out, uh, thank another listener, Michael Boyle. Uh, he wrote to us on Twitter and he said, love the podcast boys. I am from Detroit, have lived all over, but in Pittsburgh, the last many years, I am and will forever be a lifelong Lions fan I listened to Lions podcasts all week, three times a day when I walked my dog. might be the favorite. analysis. Great job. So thanks for writing to us, Michael. He's also been messaging us quite a bit since this message. So it's been kind of cool getting to know him a little bit. Um, so keep on listening. Appreciate you reaching out to us.
Jacob:Yeah, we appreciate the feedback.
Jason Harwood:Yes, we do. Uh, it's nice to have some interaction too. So Jacob, we have a lot to talk about in this game. As your blood pressure went down, since last night,
Jacob:I don't think so. I haven't checked it.
Jason Harwood:Man, that was, that was so much fun to watch, the ending of that. So what, uh, how are you feeling right now about the whole game in itself?
Jacob:Well, obviously we won, so you feel great about it. The win. Um, I think this is the perfect kind of, you know, smack you in the mouth kind of game. Kind of wake you up based on how the last couple of games have been going. I mean, this was just. A game we should have lost, right? A game where nothing was going right, we kind of were handing it to them in the first half, and then just, I sent you a text message, I said it's, you know, we're gonna see what we're made of here in the second half, we're gonna make a game out of it, or if we're just gonna come out flat. And to be able to come out and pull it out was amazing. Um, I saw somebody on Pat McAfee's show that posted it, but you know, someone that's a Lions fan, and I thought you'd get a kick out of this too, or you know, you'd be able to relate obviously, but after years and years of losing games that we should have won. It feels very good to be the one winning a game we should have lost. We don't usually get to be on this side of it. Usually we're on the Texan side.
Jason Harwood:Yeah, for sure. I've been there many a times where, this other team just pulls it out last second, makes a critical false start in the last drive, badly misses a field goal or whatever, rips your heart out and the other team scores. We have plenty of comebacks with Stafford, but it just felt like few and far between and not enough for my liking to get a win like this. And it was nice. you said to really have no business winning a game in which you throw five interceptions and you know, it gets a good team It's not like it's the Titans or and you got will love us and we threw five interceptions and then you know We able to beat them. It wasn't like that. You know,
Jacob:I better know my Titans.
Jason Harwood:Yeah, that's right Just kick a miler down
Jacob:Ha ha ha.
Jason Harwood:My boys were jumping up and down. the morning was great getting up with them because they were in a great mood. If we had not won, it would have been a different morning and I would have regretted letting them stay up for the night. But no, it was, it was good. I was just feeling real good.
Jacob:You still have aftershock. It's like, I still can't believe, you know, I'm watching the different highlights and rewatching things and looking at stats and everything. It's like, I just, I can't believe we did it.
Jason Harwood:Yeah,
Jacob:You can't believe we did it. But at the same time, you kind of can, because I don't know about you, but almost the entirety of that game, my panic level never reached higher than like a two out of five.
Jason Harwood:Yeah,
Jacob:It just felt like, you know, we were still going to be in this game late and we're going to find a way to get it done.
Jason Harwood:yeah, I've talked, uh, told you many times about how pressing I'm asking me, are we going to win, and that was off the charts last night about him and asking me and, I got to the fourth quarter and he's asking me and I'm still like, yes, we, we can, we can do this. Um, my confidence level wasn't as high, but at the same time, I know it's like 10 points. We can come back. They did not foresee, Stroud throwing that interception in the third quarter in the end zone, I, that was a gift sent from heaven on that one. Cause that was a for sure touchdown that we got. So that, you know, that just something that Stafford would have done. Right. That's what I feel
Jacob:Yeah,
Jason Harwood:would have thrown that pick. Maybe not in that manner, he probably would have gunned it a lot harder than what Stroud did, but, you know, it would be just a killer, killer interception after, being up big and then just catapults the other team to coming back
Jacob:that's going to haunt CJ Stroud for the rest of his career.
Jason Harwood:yeah, it's going to haunt, he's going to. got someone that I think will take ownership of it and know what he should have done. And he'll admit that it won't be, it won't be an Aaron Rodgers where, Oh, I thought he was going to run under, you know, or whatever it, he'll just take ownership of it. I was, I know he's from Ohio state, but I think he's got a pretty good head on his shoulders and he, um, I think he's a good leader. So, yeah,
Jacob:Right. Agreed.
Jason Harwood:could have been a different game to also if Nico Collins would have played. Now we could say, Oh, if we had Hutch, I mean, things I, you care, you play the team that's on the field. Right. So I'm not going to get into all like, what ifs, what ifs? Cause either both teams have, what ifs, you know, as far as like, you know, we could have had the Darius Smith in there, but we've chose the sin. I'm like all those types of things. So you play the games on the field. and yeah, and if you're the Houston Texans, you lost to the Jets and then lost a game that you had, you know, in the palm of your hand. So Texans fans, Stephanie, who we interviewed last week, she's probably feeling that great on this Monday.
Jacob:I don't think the tailgate was that fun after,
Jason Harwood:Yeah.
Jacob:probably just went home.
Jason Harwood:No, they drank those sorrows away, man. You know that's what they did. been there plenty of times where I've wanted to pop a beer after the game as much as I wanted to pop one during the game. Couple things that I wanted to ask you. The first one is, when we scored our first touch on the second half, we chose to go for two. Were you on board with that or did you think we should have just kicked the extra point?
Jacob:Nope, I'm on board. The whole time. I mean, at halftime we're down by 16 points, that's a two possession game. That's two touchdowns, two, two point conversions. I think the plan was the whole time, you know, as it should have been. You know, you score, you go for two. Both times. Then you score and go for two again, regardless of whether you got it or not the first time.
Jason Harwood:yeah, I think that's the Dan Campbell way. I think it's a 50 50 on me. Cause if you play it out, the game plays out the same. We don't even need to kick that last field goal to win. The game could play out differently, but some math they'll say you don't kick that. don't know what, how the scoring is going to play out. So you don't really go, it's not late in the game. To make it a two possession game, there was plenty of time we could have scored against. I, you can go either way on it. I was just curious what, what you thought on that. Um, I would, did not surprise me at all that Dan Campbell went for two. Um, I was just wondering what your thought on that
Jacob:Yeah, no, 100 percent on board with that.
Jason Harwood:and I don't know if you've seen the video, Dan Campbell it was like right after the Jake Bates kick, he's walking, you know, Towards the, where he's going to handshake, uh, D'Amico, Ryan's, he golf whispers, or, you know,
Jacob:Yeah, yeah. Excellent.
Jason Harwood:ear. Well, I mean, I want to know what that was said. Cause I really want to know, but what, what do you think that's about? What do you think he said there? Any idea?
Jacob:I don't, I mean,
Jason Harwood:Yeah.
Jacob:classic, you know, coach quarterback speak, but I mean, especially after the game that golf had, I wonder if there was anything extra there or if it was just, you know, kind of the simple, you know, like we pulled this out, you know, we pulled this out because of you or, you know, if he said something like that to Dan Campbell or, you know, Dan Campbell is already smiling ear to ear, just about the kick anyway, he was ready for it. And he kind of like grabs golf and, you know, golf to have probably one of the worst games he's ever had. Statistically speaking, um. Yeah, I mean golf probably felt just as good. I'm sure they'll have the the sights and sounds on the YouTube and everything We might be able to hear that. They might keep that private though. What are you thinking?
Jason Harwood:I don't know. I think it was more like, we gridded this one out and I won't let that, you know, can count on that never happening again, five interception game. So as usual, we're going to start out with special teams, you know, obviously start the game because we run the game because Mr. Jake Bates, yard game winner. So close to the post. Oh my God, sweating it out.
Jacob:Yeah,
Jason Harwood:were too. I mean, it looked good the whole way, but like, it
Jacob:right
Jason Harwood:You're like, is it going to hit that post? And. You the shadow of
Jacob:of them.
Jason Harwood:the shadow. Yeah, I know it's shadow of the ball I mean it is so you could tell that it's so close because the shadow almost meets the ball which means it's like It's like right
Jacob:It's gonna hit right?
Jason Harwood:yeah. Oh, man. I mean it was so close to the post. I think it would have scooted in Um, because it wasn't like a direct down where it bounced out But it is almost like I had to deal with the rotation of the ball where it hits, especially the kick that he made. It somehow looked even closer than the 58 yarder he hit and just the rotation of the ball. It looks like it just turned at the same time at the right time to make it through that post. And then of course he did a 58 yard game tying field goal. So if you're lions, you're feeling really good about your kicker and pressure pack situations.
Jacob:Definitely. I mean, he's a rookie So, you know, in essence, something like that, especially from 58 yards, you'd think that you'd be a little more nervous, but after what we've seen so far, I actually, I mean, I didn't really have many nerves at that 58 yard or, and then really not for the 52 yard or either.
Jason Harwood:Yeah. It also helped that was tied. So if he misses that, we still got overtime. So it wasn't
Jacob:Yeah. Right. Right.
Jason Harwood:situation. He misses that kick in the Vikings game a few weeks back, and then we're talking a little, it's a little different,
Jacob:Or if you're the Texans though, I mean like for the Texans, think about how nervous they were, because if they miss, they knew we got the ball back with field position and timeouts and everything. And that's exactly what happened.
Jason Harwood:Yeah. And the announcers, Chris Collinworth even said that, you know, if he misses this, it's game over because the Lions were so close and, you know, as long as those kicks were Jake Bates could have, we could have been another 10 yards back and he still would have nailed it. I'm really happy for what this means for us moving forward about our confidence level with a kicker and not having to feel like, Oh man, we need to get real close, whatever he's, he's, you know, we've done this in the regular season. He's proved it now, tying it up in the Rams game to force overtime late in that game. He. know, in the Vikings game, he obviously, he won it. And then the, these were two kicks, you know, to tie it up. And then also, cause the same thing, if he misses that 58 yarder Texans are on there, I mean, they're at midfield
Jacob:They're right, right.
Jason Harwood:it's a similar to what, the Texans experienced when they missed that kick. Speaking of the Texans miss kick was soon as he kicked that the field goal post isn't even a view. And we, I mean, I knew he missed it right from, right from the shoot. Like as like I didn't even really have to wait for it to get to the field goal post. I was like, that is going to be so wide left and it, that's a really bad mess. So,
Jacob:You could tell like live while I could like watching it live because obviously you're watching really in 10 and it looks the snap the hold like, you know, usually it's like so robotic and just, you know, they're so used to everything. Everything goes right. Right. Right. According to plan until the kick and this time you could see right away that the snap was not exactly where it's supposed to be So then the timing was off for the hold and that screwed up with the timing of the kick
Jason Harwood:you know,
Jacob:and you're right Just as soon as he booted it. You're like, okay. No, that's not close.
Jason Harwood:yeah,
Jacob:don't think he hit the net
Jason Harwood:no, it was wider than that. I watch it again on replay just to see how wide it was. And yeah, he, he missed the net all the way. Um, which, you know, you rarely see in a, in a NFL
Jacob:Really stinks.
Jason Harwood:You mentioned Jake Bates as a rookie, but also you got to remember the snapper, long sapper. He's a rookie to over at Hogan Hatton. You have two rookies, doing this and, obviously gaining experience. I'm feeling really good about that. Jack Fox is a really good holder. He's turned into one. Um, there was an interview with, uh, coach FIPP, uh, That when he took over that Jack Fox, he didn't feel Jack Fox was a good holder, but now he's developed that part of his game and his holds seem to be right on. snaps always seem to be good and Jake just kicks it. There's not too much draw or anything like that. It's just straight through the straight through.
Jacob:I mean then you got the potential to keep up playing like they've been playing this, you know We could be looking at our special teams unit for the next 10 years,
Jason Harwood:Um, talk about Jack Fox. Usually we're talking a little more glowingly about Jack Fox, but his first punt was not good 40 yarder. They returned it for 17 yards. It was a very low kick, very unlike. Jack Fox. We had, I think we jinxed them. Cause I think last week of the week before we said, I don't think we've seen him shank one, but that was
Jacob:Yeah, right. Right.
Jason Harwood:It was a decent game, they were getting returnable punts and getting some yardage on the, on the punts. Um, but he did knock them down inside the 10 yard line towards the end of the game. Uh, so that, that was good. You know, he came through when we needed them there, but that first punt, not, not a huge fan of that one.
Jacob:And it also was just, uh, you know, that was after the first drive of the tipped interception. Then we get the, you know, we're putting it off and it's not a very good punt. And then they start with good field position again.
Jason Harwood:Yeah, no.
Jacob:like, okay, guys, we got to get it together before it gets out of hand. And then it got a little more out of hand before it got better.
Jason Harwood:It did, um, the only other special teams know, um, besides Houston's punter being very good, he flipped the field really well. I was impressed with their punter. Um, but as far as our team, Vaki, that awesome tackle. I mean,
Jacob:Right.
Jason Harwood:just like, I love when you're watching a special teams, when a guy's running full force and then all of a sudden he just stops and then he gets knocked to the ground. You're like, Oh my God, that's, you know, you don't see that too many violent hits like that in the NFL anymore. Um, and those, those are great. I mean, no one got hurt. It was, it was a good clean play.
Jacob:tackled two people, really. I mean, one of them got blocked, and then he just smoked the other one. Like,
Jason Harwood:Vaki is rated 9th now in, um, as PFF grades and special for special team snaps. So he's, he is a weapon on special teams, um, which is good with Jalen Reeves, Maven, you know, our captain, uh, being out, you know, it's nice to have Vaki back there and it doesn't surprise me. I think eventually Vaki is going to turn into another player that we can use on offense. But for right now, he's making huge contributions on special teams, which is a reason why Brian Holmes traded to get him.
Jacob:Right. Which is, obviously, it's very valuable.
Jason Harwood:All right. Defense. I don't know where you want to start here. I'm going to let you start, but, um, I got stuff. You got stuff. Let's go.
Jacob:One of my keys to victory really was slowing down Joe Mixon. Right? So, you know, pressuring C. J. Stroud was gonna be huge, and then trying to stop that rushing attack, because if we stop the rushing attack, We can win the game. Joe Mixon, 25 rushing attempts, only 46 yards. Uh, that's the lowest yardage for a player with 25 plus carries since 2013. So the run defense was very effective on Joe Mixon. What were your thoughts there?
Jason Harwood:Yep. I mean, he wasn't getting a lot of, um, Yards after contact when he got hit, he mostly went down. In fact, a few times and Gibbs had this too, where they got, they seem to get sling backwards and then they start running again and then lose more yards. So it seems like it was almost negative yards after contact. The only play that mixing really burned us on was, um, that little shovel pass you got for a touchdown, the first touchdown of the game. Um, and branches got blown up by woods on that play, um, that, that allowed him to get to the edge, um, mixing it to the edge, but.
Jacob:Did you see the shot that Mixon took in the endzone though? That
Jason Harwood:Yes. Yeah.
Jacob:was Kirby.
Jason Harwood:Yeah.
Jacob:I was surprised that he came down and hit him like that. I mean, you know, he's already in the endzone, but that's the way that we play. And you know, shouts out to Kirby for not shying away from the contact there and just letting him know.
Jason Harwood:Yeah. Let him know that this is going to be all day and it was all day. He had very little running room. And like you said, that was a huge. We could not let them get into any short situation and they didn't, they were working behind the sticks most of the game and they did make a couple long third down conversions, but for the most part, that's why in the second half we, we pitched a shutout because they kept getting behind the sticks and they couldn't get their offense going through Joe Mixon.
Jacob:Right. Yeah, I mean, Joe Mixon, I think he broke a tab layer through his helmet or did something on the sideline. He was very frustrated. The holes weren't there and he, you know, had no room.
Jason Harwood:I know Stroud went over there to try to calm them down. not much you're going to be able to do. You know, you're not going to be able to run out the middle. Their, their interior offensive line is not that good. And we got DJ McNeil in there. It was going to be hard to run out the middle on, on that team. Their, their mode was going to be run outside, but our corners are out there. I know Carlton Davis was holding the edge really well. He didn't get the tackle, but he, it was one of those ones where he slung him with his Jersey and went backwards and then gang tackled
Jacob:Right.
Jason Harwood:Carlton Davis was all over the place. It's been weird statistically looking at our defense. We've talked about it with those blowouts. It's a matter of them letting them go down the field. We even had that in the Packers game. I know that wasn't a blowout, but we, you know, we had that game of control. We're basically letting them get all the way down the red zone. Then we clamp it down. They don't, they don't score. So at the end of the day, when you look at the box score, the yards, all out of whack. Well, this is a game where we needed the defense to lock down in the second half because we were down by, you know, 16. We needed
Jacob:Okay.
Jason Harwood:but we've been better with that lately too.
Jacob:Yeah, it was only, I think, the first drive or two where it was like, you know, negative play or short yardage play, and then they had like a third and fifteen, I think, or, you know, third and ten, just things that kept the drive going. Uh, once we clamped that down, they weren't able to move the ball, and then we didn't give up any points in the second half.
Jason Harwood:Yep.
Jacob:had, uh, You know, our red zone defense, I talked about that. They, they, their offense hasn't been very good in the red zone. Our defense has been on top in the red zone. They actually had four red zone trips in this play. They ran 15 plays in the red zone and that only resulted in two touchdowns for them.
Jason Harwood:Yeah,
Jacob:That's outstanding defense.
Jason Harwood:yes. 50 percent in the red zone and that, you know, it's a difference of the game, right? I mean, that's a four point swing, right? And would we win by three points? So, yeah, we had to do what we had to do in that red zone our defense. I feel really confident when we get down there and they, it down. I broke down each of the starting field positions for the, for where the Texans started between the first half and the second half. So we'll kind of go through each drive, the result on it. Cause I want to talk about a couple of the drives when we get in there. Uh, but before we get there, I just want to, you know, talk about Carlton Davis, two interceptions. That is, I mean, it's to be an iconic thing now, Dan Campbell talking in the background saying we need to get a pick and then happened, Carlton Davis gets a pick. And that, that was just. Right where we need it. I know we turned it right back over, but it was kind of like a, more of a tone setter and it just put another thought. And, uh, CJ Stroud was cause he likes to throw those like seven yard outs and Carlton, he talked about in the post game, like they've had some success. I know he's going to go right back to it. Cause the Texans keep doing things until they. To they fail at it. And so he knew they were going to cover to, he knew he had backup. He had told his, he had told his team, I'm going to jump the next out, be ready to cover me. And he jumped it and, uh, And to his credit, he caught it. It didn't Stonehands. It, he, he caught it and
Jacob:Yeah, right.
Jason Harwood:you know,
Jacob:No stone hands tonight.
Jason Harwood:no. And, I know that we gave it right back, but at the same time we gave it back and then they got it at the one yard line. So it was like, okay, well we put them in a really bad position and then we ended up getting good field position after that. So it wasn't a total loss because know, we basically took the ball away from them and then ended up getting it on plus side of the field. Um, you know, after we stopped them three and out, you know, at the three yard line or whatever.
Jacob:Real quick on Carlton Davis, he, uh, that was a bad throw by CJ. It was late. And you're right. Carlton, uh, you know, as soon as he saw the cut, that's, you know, full out sprint over there. The throw was behind him. diving catch. You know, they replayed it like 10 times in a row just to make sure the ball wasn't moving. But he actually was only targeted six times in this game and two of those were interceptions. And then he allowed two other cat two catches for 16 yards and that's he played all but three snaps on defense. So that, you know, outstanding game for Carlton Davis. I know coach Campbell gave him a game ball afterward. Well deserved.
Jason Harwood:Yeah, well, the interception, the end zone was that, you know, he got beat badly on that play. However, that. Went down, but Stroud threw it up and to CD's credit, he did not give up on the play. He, he was fighting there and made a night, you talk about good catch. I mean, that was a full out dive and he caught that. So, I mean, he held on
Jacob:Right.
Jason Harwood:It'd been nice to even just knock that down without have been happy, but you know, we took it from them and that, that took, they were in scoring position at that point, um, and that was their only plus drive that they had the whole. Uh, second half really. I mean, they had gotten a long right before that. And then they tried for the dagger and went the other way. It went, went, went towards the good guys.
Jacob:Did you watch the replay of that take in the end zone though?
Jason Harwood:as
Jacob:Did you break that down yet? Or like, did you see the all 22 or so? I didn't watch all 22. I did, you know, check the replay and everything. So Terry on Arnold is the one lining up over tank Dell and the coverage he's Carlton is supposed to have the back coverage. So you know, they run, he's running a corner route to the corner of the end zone, Terry on drops down and Terry on points them off. Like, he's letting Carlton know, here he comes, like, you know, that's you. And I don't, I didn't see the full all 22 to see who Carlton was over, but then Carlton realizes just too late. And that's a typical, if CJ Stroud throws a bullet pass, or if he makes a good throw over there, then you're talking about blown coverage. And that's one of those things where Tarion and Carlton Davis are talking to each other while they're celebrating in the end zone, like, what happened there?
Jason Harwood:Mm hmm.
Jacob:instead, Carlton sees what happens and, you know, full out sprint and the ball's just floated up there and makes a heck of a play on it. It
Jason Harwood:Yeah, Stroud could have either put that to the pylon. They would have never been able to catch up to him or like he said, throw, throw it with some zip on it. And he chose to just float it in there and go safe. He'll be regretting that
Jacob:was not safe.
Jason Harwood:No, James Houston, I won't say this is a breakout game, so we needed that, Stroud did not, I think, I don't, I only remember him rushing like Once or twice, he did not any at first sound rushing at all. Um, he really didn't do anything with his legs. So the lions defensive line did exactly what they need to do. Box them in, do the crunch technique a couple of times where it got out. he got outside the containment or whatever we were able to. To bring it home. Um, it was happy to see James Houston my, uh, wife called him the platypus because of the thing that he was wearing, uh, over his hair in the back. She's like, it looks like a platypus tail.
Jacob:Right.
Jason Harwood:she's like, Oh, the platypus got him.
Jacob:Yeah. His sack was, I mean, obviously it was not even as traditional. He wasn't pass rushing. I mean, he dropped back in the zone and, um, It, I don't even know, you know, C. J. Stroud starts rolling out that way, we have good coverage, and it looks like he doesn't even have anybody else on that side of the field, and then Houston makes the wise decision once he sees him roll out, I don't know if he's spying or what, goes after him, takes him down, so, I mean, that was, obviously, it was a great play for James Houston, much needed,
Jason Harwood:Yeah. And then on the, don't think he used to got credit. I don't know if he got credit for the sack on this one, but he's the one that, that play where Stroud got sacked, but he fumbled the ball because of his off, I'm going to talk to you about his offensive
Jacob:yeah, right,
Jason Harwood:ball. That was a, I've never seen that before. That was weird. I don't know what, what that was about.
Jacob:yeah, I didn't realize until, like, the replay, you know, you're watching the replay, and it's like, what, what was he trying to do, it really, you know, His offensive tackle strips him of the ball almost as if like, uh, you know, when you're playing on the playground and you're like just giving the ball and you're trying to get a handoff right there, like a pitch off and then you're going to take it and run. Uh, Yeah. He was not going to run 15 yards for the first down. I just don't understand.
Jason Harwood:I know, I, I don't, there was nothing to gain by doing what he did I am so excited for Zidarius, uh, to get on this team and start playing and, I know he didn't play yesterday. But the Darius was coaching he was coaching them up. He's been on this team for like four days and he's out there with the tablet, talking to these guys, that's veteran leadership and that's someone excited to be on this team is what that is. So that was really cool to see. And then, I'm, it's on Peacock or NBC or whatever I was watching on Peacock after the game, did you see where he, they talked to him at the desk? It's a
Jacob:Yes. Yep.
Jason Harwood:Yeah. So he walked by with his bag. Then he comes in and grabs the mic and oh man, this is like Rashid Wallace 2. 0. It's
Jacob:Right. Right.
Jason Harwood:You know, it's got the same demeanor, you know, just waiting for him to say ball don't lie. And if he says that, then, you know, it's its own,
Jacob:Then he's got the city down. Right. already were and rooting for him and yelling and yeah.
Jason Harwood:and
Jacob:Yeah. Right.
Jason Harwood:they're ready for him. So, and like we said in the, you know, last week, he doesn't need to come in and be Hutch, but, you know, he coached them up and was, You know, I really feel like he probably made a difference with that line. They were talking about reading the keys. Tony Dungey even said, that's a veteran guy, and that's what the Lions needed. They need a veteran guy on that line that could just, teach these young guys, what to watch for some little tips along the way. And that's just what he's going to bring to the table.
Jacob:He's really going to benefit, uh, Josh Paschal. I know he said he was excited to get in here, work with them. They're both Kentucky wildcats.
Jason Harwood:Yeah,
Jacob:you know, uh, like you said, just obviously having him in that room, having him talking to these guys and just showing the different things that he's seeing out there and the different ways they can exploit offenses. I mean, it was just a great trade for us and he hasn't even played a snap yet.
Jason Harwood:When we go where we want to go, it's going to turn out to be one of those great in season trades that you're going to look back on and be like, man, I'm glad we made that. Of course, don't want to lose Hutch to, maybe this, so it's springboarded all this, but this. Seems to be a pretty good match for the culture and everything. So hopefully that keeps, uh, continuing. Six for 15 on third down. So they were not that successful on third downs. I was very happy with our defense, again, last year. Felt like it was quite the opposite. We were giving up huge play after a huge play on third down. I know we gave up a couple, but for the most part, we were pinning them back and behind the sticks, and then they, they couldn't convert. And some of that was the Houston Texans got real conservative as far as like running it. Even on second and 20, they were running it instead of trying to get big chunks. Um, I don't know what that was all about. You know, maybe they felt their lead was safe, but would be the opposite of what Dan Campbell would have done. He would have been, you know, we need to move this ball and advance this ball and run out clock.
Jacob:Absolutely.
Jason Harwood:Um,
Jacob:that something like that doesn't happen.
Jason Harwood:Exactly. You don't get, you know, that's when they talk about, you know, lines running up the score or whatever like that. No, you keep playing and the other team needs to stop you. And it's not about necessarily embarrassing the other team, but don't want to look back on a game and say, well, I guess we should have played harder here. We should, uh, no, you don't take your foot off the gas until. know, there's zero chance. The other team can come back. At least that's the way I would play if I'm coaching and today's NFL. You have to be that way because a few, few things happen. A fumble here, intercept pick six or, you know, kick return or special return play and a team can come roaring back. And when momentum momentum switches, it's hard to get it back.
Jacob:Right.
Jason Harwood:And that's what I, when that momentum switched, it's like the Lions fans in that crowd. Became more effective. you could just hear it at home. I could hear it at home, the let's go lion's chance, everything like that. And, you know, when that momentum switch, it just, neutralized the home field advantage. And in fact, I think it made, uh, Texans offense harder to run. They're probably not used to that much noise. Um, from opposing fans, I'm sure.
Jacob:I'm sure nobody is. They always talk about how well the Lions travel and how difficult they make it on the home team. So,
Jason Harwood:Yeah. Dan Campbell wrote, brought it up yesterday in his press conference. And then earlier today he, he talked about some other things and then he said he wanted to thank his fans. So, and I don't think that's just lip service. I really feel like. That's real. Like he appreciates what the fans are putting out there. Um, and it's, and for us, it's, it's real. I don't know if you've seen the video of them taking over the concourse after the game, they did like the hustle out in
Jacob:yeah, right.
Jason Harwood:So man, yeah, crazy. I hope people are being respectful. And I think. For the most part, they are, because I haven't seen a lot of negative stuff out there. I mean, we're going to someone else's house. I wouldn't, if someone's coming to Ford Field, I wouldn't want someone throwing it in my face. I just hope people are being respectful, um, just as Lions fans put that out there. But when you win, you, you, You get the gloat, right?
Jacob:Hey, that's how it works. If
Jason Harwood:It is. So
Jacob:like it, win the game.
Jason Harwood:exactly. Um, so we talked about the SEC in the second half, the lions pitched a shutout. I wanted to go through, uh, the Texans had 13 possessions in all in this game. I'm going to go through the difference between the first half and the second half real quickly, where the field goal, where they started and what the result of the drive was. And then if anything interesting that I want to point out happens on the drive and Jacob, just chime in, um, whenever you want to here. First drive that was after the golf tipped interception. They started in line 34 yard line TD possession. Texans started out on the 43 yard line. That's what we talked about before with the poor punt and the good return. So they're starting at the 43 yard line. Mixon gets them all the way down to the three yard line. It looks like they're about to go up by two touchdowns. Holy penalty brings them back and then. You know, there we force them to a field goal, which was a huge win when you let teams get down to three and you could, you force them into, uh, a field, a field goal, I was very happy with that result. Uh, the third drive Texans start on a 30 yard line, got a field goal. The big play on that drive was the pass center pass interference by, um, Terry and Arnold, which, you know, he just needs to turn his head and play the ball and he's going to be fine.
Jacob:That was another one like the first couple weeks where it was just like, Hey, you know what? This guy's prone to these kind of penalties. It was 2nd and 16 when that happened. So they knew they were deep and it seemed like that was just the play call is just, you know, Let's take a deep shot here. Maybe we'll get a penalty. Maybe we'll get a catch. And that's what happened.
Jason Harwood:Well, as, as soon as Sub Zero learns to turn around and, and, and pick off a couple of those, they won't do that to him anymore. Right now, he hasn't gotten a pick off, so they're just going to keep picking on him with these PIs until he turns around and does, you know, get and gets the, gets a pick, um, keeps, you know, doesn't get a penalty on him. So, that was what happened on that drive. They end up getting a field goal on that. The fourth drive, because The Texans scored in the first four drives. They started out on the lines, 37 yard line. when that was that, I don't know, fumble
Jacob:Fumble pick,
Jason Harwood:it was a fumble interception, whatever, uh, did it hit the ground? They probably would have ruled that a fumble, but it was ruled an interception cause it never hit the ground. They ended up getting a field goal, which is again, good on the defense. I mean, the defense kept getting put in. Terrible spots here and, you know, to hold it to a field goal when they start on 37 yard line, that's a win in my book, they're already in field goal position when they get, when they get the ball. So we held them for a field goal there. Um,
Jacob:even the first drive though, when they started at like the same, like on our, you know, 35 or whatever like that, we weren't giving them anything. It was taking, you know, five minutes. six minutes of game time for these shortfield drives just for them to get points on the board. I know we texted back and forth about that, too, is like, you know, if it takes them six minutes of game time to move 20 yards or whatever, 30 yards, get a touchdown. I think we're going to be OK.
Jason Harwood:yeah, it seemed like it was a struggle for them, even at the beginning, it was just. The plus field position was giving them a huge advantage over our defense. drive was Texan started out on their 24 yard line. Um, they ended up punting and the sixth drive was Texan started on the 34 yard line. This was the TD, the one right before half, um, which. that, that felt like our offense couldn't get going. And then we give them the ball and then they just march right down the field and score. And I know that they said a dagger on TV, Chris Collinsworth kept saying dagger not till it's the, you know, I take that as equivalent as nailing the coffin when it's over. That's what dagger means to me. Um, it hurt to score cause they were gonna get the ball right after halftime, but in no means was it a dagger?
Jacob:There's no dagger when it's a two possession game unless there's less than two minutes left in the whole game
Jason Harwood:Yes. Yeah.
Jacob:yeah, that was deflating because it was like we we had forced a three and out we get the ball back two minute drill We think maybe we're gonna get some points on the board and then we go three and out We got to give it back to them And then that was kind of, I think that was the worst drive defensively for us. They, you know, CJ had some open people, they drove down pretty quickly, and then, you know, that touchdown there at the end. So, no, by no means dagger, but definitely, you know, not good, not what we wanted.
Jason Harwood:No. Now you just don't want to see it. Especially when you hold them so well throughout that. Now, you know, we had held them to field goals. And then they just kind of rushed us right before the half. And then, you know, To make it even worse as they were going to get the ball right after
Jacob:Yeah,
Jason Harwood:So you're worried about a double score, converse this with a second half. know, I'm going to go quickly. Texans third, start on 30 yard line, the start of the half, throw the pick. Next was Texans good at the one yard line because they got the pick. They ended up with a punt. one Texans started on the 30 yard line Next one, Texans started on their 22 yard line punt. Texans started on their nine yard line punt. Texans started on their 30 yard line punt. Texans started on their, the last drive, they started on the 30 yard line. And that was the, missed field goal. So the best field position that they got in the second half was the 30 yard lines. And that was just on their, on touchbacks. Was totally different than the, the first half. And that helped the defense, not behind the eight ball. And they had that drive when they threw the third drive, when they threw the interception, the end zone, that was a pretty decent drive for them. And then they were able to get into field goal range, but obviously it was a long field goal and it caused their kicker to miss it.
Jacob:right. I mean, it just, It goes to show, had we had them in that kind of field position in the first quarter, it probably would have lessened the blow, stopped the bleeding, I mean it wouldn't, it wouldn't have looked like it did at halftime if they did not have those short fields to work with.
Jason Harwood:Oh yeah. When I was watching the game last night, I was like, this is the huge, the biggest difference is golf is not giving, or lines offense is not giving the ball up on. You know, our side of the field, they're making them drive a long ways. And, you know, a few times they were making holding penalties and just getting, or we were getting sacks. We say, you know, we ended up sacking them four times. We just get them behind the six and it seemed for the most part, when they got behind the six, they couldn't, they couldn't work their way out of it. And the second half, especially
Jacob:Right.
Jason Harwood:very good defensive game. Uh, I. I think this is indicative of what this team is about. And every time we do something like this, I'm thinking, man, if we had Hutch on this team, man, we
Jacob:know, right?
Jason Harwood:would it be, I mean, I mean, would, would Texans even had a shot, you know, but you know, this is where we're at. And I'm, is still playing at a very high level, even without, you know, their best
Jacob:Right? Hey, they're playing 4H, they're doing what they can. I just got a couple more things I want to point out about the defense here. Um, you know, I think that Stroud was too comfortable in the first half. Um, we did throw some blitzes at him, but they just weren't getting home quick enough, and You know, I don't know if it was just a play calling, or if that was CJ knowing the Blitz was coming, and knowing where he was going, cause I mean, The one Blitz, I think we sent seven guys, like we sent everybody, and then he still had time to drop back, and then, Uh, Anzalone just got beat by the tight end. Cause if you don't get home right away when you're sending everybody like that, somebody's gonna be open. Um, so just some things like that, he was just a little too comfortable, and I think we definitely, You know, A. G. Had a really good game plan, you know, he did really well calling the defense on here and the second half was just completely opposite story Um, I want to ask you though the uh, the end of the game There's some controversy about they think that Terry and Arnold should have been called for a pass interference on that last play When Anzalone was in front, did you feel I mean, let's say you're you're in New York And you can review you can review pass interference penalties You're reviewing that penalty. Do you think you call that pass interference? It wasn't called, let's say it wasn't called in the field, you were viewing it, the challenge flag's been thrown, you can challenge P. I. in this scenario, and you're looking up close, would you call that pass interference?
Jason Harwood:right, so I don't know if I can answer because I can't be unbiased in this. Let me tell you if it's flip flopped and that happens to a Lions player, I'm saying, yes, that's pass interference. We hit him behind, but I hate when penalties are called when it really wouldn't affect the play because Anzalone batted that pass down. It wasn't going to be catchable. So I feel like it shouldn't have been. Talking out both sides of my mouth because if it was lions, you know, I would say that's past interference. I'm glad it wasn't called but by the letter of the law, that should have been past interference.
Jacob:Right. Yeah, that's, I mean, here's my thing. Like you said, Anzalone's right there. He does bat it, I mean, it makes it behind him, he does make a play on it, but The receiver that's running that row, I think sees Anzalone, he sees the ball, he knows he's not going to make it. And I think at that point he made a judgment call that he was going to slow down early, and kind of dive early. Because he slows down, then Tarion hits him, because Tarion's playing the ball.
Jason Harwood:hmm.
Jacob:And then you have that kind of, you know, the hit, the ball comes down and then the receiver right away is looking for a flag. It just seemed like one of those things where they knew I'm not going to get this. I don't know what receiver it was, but it seemed like he knew I'm not going to get this ball. I'm going to make it look as good as I can and slow down and hit, you know, follow the ground.
Jason Harwood:I was going to say Terrians playing the ball though, too. I mean, he bats
Jacob:Right.
Jason Harwood:it comes down. So, I mean, he is making a play on the ball. So it's not like he just like the receiver. So, cause Terran has a right for that ball too. It's just a matter of, you know, where was he making contact without going through the ball? I don't know. It's a tough call. I, I think ultimately I'd be, if I was a Lions fan that happened to Amun Ra, I'd say that's fast interference. Yeah,
Jacob:Yeah, you already know I, how I feel about the pass interference things, but it's just not, I mean, if you flip those around and Tarion was the offense, offensive player and the other one's a defense, they don't call that pass interference 0 percent of the time.
Jason Harwood:I
Jacob:And for some reason, you know, they're both playing the ball. They're both eyes are on the ball. They're both going for the ball. He's not trying to impede the. Receiver from getting it. He's going for the ball and Anzalone's in front in this situation Anyway, I think it was a good no call But I just you know if you are reviewing that play and you're looking at it based on the rules we have right now You would have to call that pass interference,
Jason Harwood:I agree.
Jacob:which is crazy to me, but
Jason Harwood:Yeah, it's always tilted towards the offense. So, you know, that's how that goes. Um,
Jacob:I hate it
Jason Harwood:We haven't mentioned Brian branch had an awesome game yesterday. I know he didn't get a pick, but he made a lot. He defended a lot of passes, made some great hits in the run game. Um, just another great outstanding game from, you know, probably top two safeties in league. We have the best tandem back there. There's no secret about that. Now the rest of the league's waking up to that.
Jacob:Absolutely somebody else though that like right away from training camp like branch has had another level He looks great and the first week against the Rams I was, I think that one of the first questions you asked me is who stood out to you. And I said, Brian Branch, the way he was defending the balls, he's diving for them, you know, he's putting his body on the line. He's, you know, just being an impact player right away. I think pro football focus rated him negatively the first week. Uh, and then now he's number one in the pro football focus, top safety in the league.
Jason Harwood:Yeah, he's, I mean, put that choice that the Lions made to put him back at safety in this scheme. And this defense is paying huge dividends. He's got free more range to play, but you saw him last night, even when he's locked down in coverage, still batting down balls and just making great plays on the ball. He's he's, uh, was a second round steal. Uh, I just.
Jacob:Absolutely.
Jason Harwood:Great, great, great, uh, great player. And the other thing that I next gen post some stats on the NFL pro. And I found, I just wanted to point this out. The lines have actually generated a 5. 1 percent higher pressure rate Aiden Hutchinson off the field this season, rather than him being on the field. However, that's because our blitz rates like about almost, you know, about seven or 8 percent higher. With him and on the field. So we're taking a blitz to get to reach that higher blitz rate, but we are, we are getting pressure. We're just having to do it in a different way. So AG has, she, you know, I think it's obvious to us that he's blitzing more, seeing definitely seeing a lot more blitzes getting frustrated. Sometimes that we're not getting home enough, but, you know, obviously in the second half, we, we applied enough pressure to make CJ Stroud uncomfortable and win the game. All right. let's move on to the offense got started out with Jared Goff and the five interceptions. What?
Jacob:I've got a, I got a breakdown here. I want to go over like how you did the other one. So,
Jason Harwood:Yeah, go ahead Mm
Jacob:stat obviously was the 5 interceptions. Um, he did not have his best game against the Texans, and that's outside of even the interceptions. Some of these balls did not come out very good. You know, even the one throw to Jamo, the ball was just wobbly. Jamo almost dropped it. He had a couple of them that were just kind of iffy. Um, but I'm just gonna go down and talk about the interceptions here real quick. So, uh, first interception, very first drive, tip ball. It's a diving interception. Not too concerned at this point, it's whatever those plays happen. Second interception, it's a 7 13 game. Um, he had thrown a touchdown to Laporta in the previous drive. So then this one is the strip, sack, fumble thing where, you know, the ball was caught in the air, it was ruled an interception, so they're not going to review anything, but it makes no difference whether it was a fumble or an interception, but then obviously four interceptions sounds better than five. So just for the sake of this, you know, there's still no concern there, still same thing. These things happen. Third interception, we went three and out the drive before. So the Texans get the ball, um, with a minute left, they drove down, they scored that touchdown, 23 7 game, uh, it's a Hail Mary pass and gets intercepted. If you, you know, told me Jared Goff's gonna have three interceptions at the half, like, this is not the way that I thought that it was gonna go, and I thought that I'd probably be panicking full on. But three interceptions, and I'm still not very concerned because each one has a different, you know, circumstance around it, right? So, I mean, at halftime, he's got three picks. Did you feel the same way, or were you,
Jason Harwood:mean, I'm not happy about it, but especially the
Jacob:were you not happy about the turnovers, but as far as the circumstances that the interceptions happen? There's a reason behind each one.
Jason Harwood:yeah. And it wasn't necessarily that golf just like missed, you know, a defender, but I was more concerned about golf throwing balls into the ground and the wobbly passes than I
Jacob:Yes, right, exactly.
Jason Harwood:That's what I was
Jacob:And those are the things that are not going to show up that people aren't really going to talk about. Um, anyway, so that's the halftime. Three interceptions at the half. Concern is generally down zero. So then, here we go, second half. Uh, we pick off CJ Stroud the first play of the half. Then David Montgomery has a really strong run to start the drive. Demo gets one more run, and then Gough takes a deep shot to the endzone trying to find Laporta, and there's another interception. You know, this one was the first one where it was like, man, we needed that. It didn't look like it was necessarily too bad of a throw, I don't know if there was just some miscommunication, I mean, I have to look at the replay from all angles there, I don't think it was He had much worse throws throughout the night.
Jason Harwood:mean, that was a straight shot, but he just overshot Laporta.
Jacob:Something to do with the angles or whatever, but I mean, so then that That's the first one that's like, okay, you know what, that's a pick, that's, you know, And it also raised the level of concern a little bit, because we had just gotten that interception, we had the momentum, that was our chance to get right back into it, and then we blew the opportunity.
Jason Harwood:yeah.
Jacob:And then, the 5th interception, it's a 23 13 game, middle of the 3rd quarter, Carlton had just picked off Stroud in the endzone. On what should have been that touchdown, we've got new life, we're down, you know, two scorers, we need a long drive, even getting a field goal, just getting something would help keep the defense off the field, you know, and then this one is another, there's a huge first down run by Gibbs, and then on second down, Goff takes a really bad shot down the field to Jamo, who's pretty well covered, it was a bad ball, the safety's just dropping back, you know, he's got eyes on it the whole way, he's It was probably a pretty easy interception for the safety. Fifth interception of the game. And this was the one, you know, after it happened, we're like, what the heck are we doing here? Like, we are not helping ourselves. We can't do that. The run game, we finally started getting some holes. We started making some things work. And then we took a shot like that. That one was the worst one of the game, in my opinion. It was just it didn't need to happen. It was a bad throw. That was the one where it was like, we've got to get it together right now. We cannot. We cannot slip up one more time or the game is gone. And luckily we did not after that.
Jason Harwood:Yeah, that was one of those that, I just, you don't see Jerry golf doing too often just throwing it up like that. That's like a Stafford ball to me. It's just like throwing it up
Jacob:Yes.
Jason Harwood:He had another one where he went deep that the guy, the, I don't know if it was a safety or corner that was on JMO drop. They
Jacob:Right.
Jason Harwood:earlier. So,
Jacob:That was early on, wasn't it? It
Jason Harwood:now, yeah, that was more, that was like first or second drive. that could have been that, that could have been a six
Jacob:could have been six.
Jason Harwood:I still won the game, and I was more concerned about the fourth and the fifth interception, the fourth interception, we were in the red zone. You're thinking you're about to score, um, or at least get points, you know, at least field
Jacob:Right.
Jason Harwood:But on the plus side of that is that we did get, he was down at the one. They didn't get it. We, they punted and then we had plus field position. Cause I think we started on our side of the field. We ended up scoring a touchdown on that. So that was our first touch on the second half.
Jacob:That was just a lucky break that he landed at the one though,
Jason Harwood:right?
Jacob:at the two or whatever.
Jason Harwood:Yes. Cause like a long time ago, like, I don't know, it might've been the nineties that they used to, you could get a safety on that because you landed in balance, but if you're now,
Jacob:right, right,
Jason Harwood:you over it, cause technically if they touch him down the end zone, he'd be, he could have been a safety, they've changed that rule, so it's wherever, he was outside the end zone. Luckily he caught it at the one, luckily for lions, he caught it at the one that. It's a stall drive. Um, I, like I said, the interceptions are just what they are. The first three flukes. I mean, they're
Jacob:right.
Jason Harwood:terribly on golf. The last two were definitely on golf, even if LaPorta didn't run the route. He, you know, golf. Just, you know, threw that ball up there, got intercepted. And then the deep pass of Jamo, that was just very uncharacteristic of Jared. I don't know if he was getting impatient and just said we need to make something happen, but usually you
Jacob:Yeah.
Jason Harwood:like that. And it also just seemed like Jamo didn't really have a good read on the ball. Cause he was just running and then he didn't really even defend the pass. I don't know if he even saw the ball at all. Um,
Jacob:I think he got twisted around because where he's running he's on the outside left side on the sideline And it's lobbed up towards the middle towards the center,
Jason Harwood:yeah.
Jacob:so he's got to turn all the way back around He's running too fast as momentum is trying to carry him around. Yeah, it just wasn't just ugly
Jason Harwood:Yeah, it was. Um, so like I said, that probably pushes Jared Goff outside the MVP race this year. That probably killed it. Um, sometimes people have shorter memories, so they might, might forget that, especially because the Lions won. Have we lost? Then definitely have been out.
Jacob:I think he already was a long shot, obviously, anyway, just because we talked about at the beginning of the season, I said golf had to be almost perfect for him to even really have a shot, and he's been about perfect in most of these games, and he's still, I think his odds were tied with Patrick Mahomes, who has been terrible this year, although the team's been undefeated, so it's like, I don't know what more golf could have really done. He's not going to run for 100 yards a game, and that seems to be what they're asking for out of their MVP picks out of quarterbacks. Thanks.
Jason Harwood:Yep. Gibbs had a couple of really nice runs. he almost busted one. If he wouldn't have been able to make it just around the sideline, just what I watched that like three or four times today, just to see how close that was, I just, I just love seeing that guy run fast and, you know, make moves. It is awesome. Um, they kind of kept demo and check, but he had a couple of nice runs. But for the most part, they were ready for DEMO. It was going to be a Gibbs game. Thought it was interesting that they started out with Gibbs on the first drive. That's usually DEMO's drive and Gibbs was out there right away. So the Lions had already identified that they were going to go with Gibbs. I thought that that was interesting.
Jacob:Right. Um, I don't like that. You know, we, we have a recipe for success. That's been working very well. Why, why did we change it up there? I don't understand. And, you know, we talked about that already. You said kind of like a change of pace or whatever. I don't like that at all. And then especially, you know, we've given their, their drives. We give them a couple of runs. We try to mix some things up. I feel like anytime that we go out to a drive and just commit that we're going to pass first and we're trying to do things like that, it seems to not end well for us.
Jason Harwood:I don't know. I I'm okay with them choosing Gibbs. I think you're going to attack, you're trying, they have, they had fast linebackers that were going to just attack the zone and you're hoping that Gibbs can outrun it or. You know, break through there and it wasn't till the second half that they started running more misdirection and to take advantage of the linebackers rush in the gaps. Um, you know, Gibbs had a really nice run that he, you know, everybody cut left and he cut right and ran to the outside and they started to take advantage of. That. And then they also did that swing past the Gibbs too. That
Jacob:Right.
Jason Harwood:up inside the 10 and end up getting like 30 yards or whatever on that, um, just again, taking advantage of the aggressiveness of. Texans defense felt like it just took them too long to get to that point.
Jacob:Exactly. I feel like they should have had those adjustments earlier on. We should have been trying the swing or the screen, you know, we could have hand the ball off to Jmo on an end round or something like that. We weren't really, we weren't trying anything. It just seems like the game plan was to let Goff do, I mean, Goff throws the ball 30 times. That's the second highest total this season. And the only game they had more attempts was Tampa when he threw 55.
Jason Harwood:Yeah,
Jacob:That's just not, that's not what we do. That's not how we win games. Um, lucky for us, we came out on the right side of this one. We did enough to get it done. Um, it just wasn't, this is our worst offensive game that we've had all season.
Jason Harwood:The Texans probably the best defense that we've placed played all season. So I, it doesn't surprise me, that this happened. we stuck with it and we ended up, making it when it counts three for four in the red zone. So that was, that was good. And then we were seven and 12 on third down. So we, you know, we did what we needed to do, um, extend drives and we gave up zero sacks. That was another great, great stat. Got close a few times, I was going to go through all the pressures that. was put under because Michael Boyle to ask us, uh, you know, how did skipper look? And so I, I looked into that a little bit with my limited time while I was working today to watch film. So, uh, anything else before I get through these pressures that you want to talk about on offense?
Jacob:No, go ahead.
Jason Harwood:All right. I know the offense is kind of short on the stick. The defense was the start of the show today, but, uh, Texans caused 12 pressures today. In those 12 pressures golf was three for 12 for 37 yards. And he threw two of the picks with the pressures. I'm just going to go through all 12 of them real quick. The first one, Hunter puts a spin move on Sewell for the first pressure. did not have that great of a first half when I saw they were ended up getting pressure. Cause later on, uh, Autry beat them on the fourth pressure Autry beat Sewell. And that's when that. Bumble interception happens. So, uh, but before that, the second pressure was Hunter and odd Autry ran a stunt and it just committed to the wrong guy and Autry just ran around, around him. They both committed on Hunter. Uh, the third pressure was Autry ran over Skipper. There was some internal pressure at the same time, but really the major pressure was Autry over Skipper. Fourth pressure already went through. That was the Autry over Sewell. pressure, Petrie came out of a blitz and Laporta was late to get over, and that was the one where Goff threw and it hit off. I mean, the way the luck was going yesterday, it would have hit directly off Laporta's head and then got intercepted, like bouncing in the air or something. So dodged one there. Uh, six pressure, Hunter gets by Skipper and it was a one on one. The seventh pressure was, uh, their defensive tackles. Uh, Settle ran a stunt on Glasgow. Hunter gets around Skipper, no help. skipper skipper ran on all of these pressures were I'm going to mention pretty much one on one, um, outside of one that I'll talk about. Uh, it's pressure hunter gets by skipper. think skipper could have been called for a hold on this, but. Uh, that was the interception that we threw to it that landed, you know, at the one yard line. Uh, the ninth pressure was, uh, tell me, I don't know how to, I don't know how to pronounce his last name. Tonguy, uh, gets by Zeitler. Hunter gets by Skipper. So both, both those guys gave up pressures. Tenth pressure was Hunter gets by Skipper. Monty even chipped Hunter and they still he still got the pressure, but this was one of their big completions. yarder that Jamo got hit in the back and still hung onto the ball.
Jacob:Yeah,
Jason Harwood:that was a huge catch. was, that was a huge catch
Jacob:clutch.
Jason Harwood:on to that. Yep. 11th pressure was Hunter gets by skipper and Graham was late. Graham didn't have any commitments on that, but it was late because Hunter was. They're, they played those wide nines, so they're like way off the line. So it's for the guard to get over there, that's really tough. Um, and on the 12th, last pressure hunter gets by skipper. Um, that was on the third and sixth play to Amin Ra on the very last drive. So that was the last pressure, which it was a huge play. So skipper led up a lot of pressures, which. They were putting Hunter on him. Um, we just got to be thankful that Will Anderson wasn't in this
Jacob:Exactly what I was going to say
Jason Harwood:We would have looked much different had Decker been in there. I know there's people that are, you know, bad mouth and Decker, get it. He's, he's solid enough. Um, and you could see if we had Skipper in there, this would be the result that, you know, he just, he's just outmatched. Skipper is. He's nice for the six offensive linemen, really starter material, he held his own, just wasn't that impressed with, you know, what he brought to the table. It wasn't surprising that he gave up a lot of pressures.
Jacob:Right, I mean it wasn't he was not up against a backup or anything like that though I mean Daniel Hunter is the real deal and he you know we know what it was gonna look like you already said thank God that Willie Anderson didn't play because I mean If Sewell was having an off game in the first quarter that would have been just chaotic We would have got nothing done
Jason Harwood:Yep. Yep. Play the team that's on the field and, uh, you know, we end up coming out on top. Sometimes it's not like who you play, it's when you play them too.
Jacob:real quick because you mentioned it before but I just want to know so the Texans you think the Texans Without Willie Anderson playing do you think that defense is better than the Vikings Packers? You think this is the best? You
Jason Harwood:Um,
Jacob:defense that we've seen.
Jason Harwood:For against the lions. Yes. Cause I, the Brian
Jacob:Well, just outside total. Obviously, the way the game went with the interceptions and everything like that, it went their way. But I'm just saying,
Jason Harwood:they managed our run game. The best side of any, any play, any team that I've
Jacob:true.
Jason Harwood:far as like up the gut, um, they made golf uncomfortable. That was the most uncomfortable. I've seen him even in the Tampa Bay game. I, where he made wonky throws too. I don't know. I think he just, you know, I know he threw five picks. I'm going to get beyond that. He just looked at comfortable, a lot of balls in the dirt, just. You know, I think, I think you could have a better defense, but it's against, it's the matchup and for whatever reason, the lions know how to beat the Brian Flores defense. I think some of it's just our offensive line being able to. Not get rattled by six, you know, six people up on the line. I think the Texans, um, also I think have better linebackers than the Vikings and that accounted for them to be able to stop our run game.
Jacob:Yeah, their linebackers were very effective.
Jason Harwood:yes, they, they were really good. So I think that that's, to me, that's the difference. Now the Vikings, when we play them, didn't play with their number one, uh, Um, linebacker
Jacob:Right?
Jason Harwood:was out. So it's, you know, maybe it's not, it might be a different story when we play them at the end of the year. If that game means anything, um, two lines at that point. Yeah. I would say I was more impressed with this defense than I was any other defense that we've seen this year, in my opinion. What about
Jacob:Well, based the way based on the way the game went, like you already said, they, you know, shut down our run game. They had the five interceptions and everything like that. I'm just saying in general, when you talk about their personnel and you talk about the stats and the way that things are done. I mean, obviously they're up there, they're towards the top, but I think the Vikings and Packers have effective defenses too, so, I mean, it's a toss up.
Jason Harwood:I just think that they were able to do something that the Vikings and Packers were couldn't do, and that's to get golf
Jacob:Well, in hindsight, yes, like this is the worst, I'm, you know, this is the worst offense has looked, but,
Jason Harwood:Yeah, but I, that's what I'm saying that they were able to get golf out of his rhythm and, and they were able to effectively stop us running up. I mean, our most effective runs were not between the tackles. They were on the outside and that's typically not the lions, you know, usually. We're pretty effective up through the tackles and I know Decker wasn't playing. So that, that kind of goes into, you know, into the equation as well, but they were able to get golf again. I'm not looking at just the five interceptions. It's everything just
Jacob:Right.
Jason Harwood:rhythm.
Jacob:You know why though? You know, golf can't play outdoors.
Jason Harwood:Yeah. They
Jacob:The roof is open, they open the roof on purpose, and that's what, that's what caused the issue.
Jason Harwood:I didn't even think about that. Yeah. You know, let's, forget about the fact that, you know, he's playing in pouring rain and green Bay and, you
Jacob:Uh, right, throwin dimes in the rain and then, you know, throwin ducks in the,
Jason Harwood:Yeah.
Jacob:heat.
Jason Harwood:Yes. That's all right. I'll take it. Um, before we jump out of here, our great guarantees, I said JMO was going to lead and it kind of looked like that early on, especially when we were throwing deep, but, uh, he ended up getting third place with 53 yards behind LaPorta and, um, Amin Ra. And Jacob, they didn't do a special play with the offensive line. So you did not get yours. So
Jacob:They didn't,
Jason Harwood:they kind of played it straight up. The only kind of weird play was that shovel, uh, shovel past the Amun Ra at the,
Jacob:right, early on, yeah.
Jason Harwood:Uh, otherwise we played it pretty straight.
Jacob:Yeah, I mean, Damage Control, they really, you know, couldn't open up the playbook too much in this one.
Jason Harwood:No.
Jacob:though. But you know what, you're right about Jamo, uh, it felt like he was gonna score. It felt like he was gonna have a good game. They were definitely targeting him. The Texans were definitely putting emphasis on stopping. I'm on Ron trying to play low on him. So it's okay. No guarantee for us this week.
Jason Harwood:Nope, nope. We'll see what we do next week, but, anything else that you want to talk about for the, before we head out here?
Jacob:I'm good. Moving on. Find a way to win. Right?
Jason Harwood:victory Monday. Yep. Um, you know, engage with us on Twitter, on Reddit, however you want to do that, uh, Spotify. Appreciate all the comments. We got our YouTube channel up and going, uh, Jacob just threw our first short on there. It's, uh, you know, where everyone's heart rate got to 120 when, uh, We just barely made that
Jacob:It's a quick little.
Jason Harwood:yeah, so check it out, uh, comment on there. You can reach us out on there too. We, we, we appreciate all of it. So the Jags this week, so feeling, feeling pretty good going into that game. Uh, you know, I feel, I feel like nine and one is definitely within our reach. So for Jason. And Jacob, it's been talking grit and it's been fun. Go lions.
