Battle Red Blog - Redskins vs. Texans 2014: Game Day UpdatesThe Roller Coaster That Is Texans Fandomhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47249/battleredblog_fave.png2014-09-07T15:20:37-05:00http://www.battleredblog.com/rss/stream/58818762014-09-07T15:20:37-05:002014-09-07T15:20:37-05:00Final Score: Texans 17, Redskins 6
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<figcaption>Bob Levey</figcaption>
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<p>The Houston Texans have come out with a 17-6 in their very first game of the 2014 season. Catch all the details here on Battle Red Blog.</p> <p>It was a performance that most of us saw coming: A stumbling, bumbling, grind-it-out offense paired with a ferocious, suffocating defense. We'll start with the latter.</p>
<h4>Defense Delivers</h4>
<p>Led by <span>D.J. Swearinger</span> and <span>J.J. Watt</span>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a> made life miserable for <span>Robert Griffin III</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a>' offense. Swearinger was an enforcer from sideline to sideline ,notching 8 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and a crucial forced fumble with the Redskins knocking on the door. He also terrorized RG3 with 2 QB hits, not including one taken back thanks to an absolute phantom of a roughing penalty.</p>
<p><span>J.J. Watt</span> was as elusive, powerful and dominant as ever in the trenches, consistently making himself at home in the Redskins' backfield. The newly-minted $100 million man had 5 QB hits, 1 sack and 2 tackles for loss to go along with 3 tackles. He even blocked the Redskins' lone extra point attempt. Oh, and he threw in a swatted pass late in the 4th quarter. <span>Basically it was just another day at the office for Watt.</span></p>
<p>Swearinger forced a fumble after chasing down <span>Niles Paul</span> on a long catch-and-run deep in Texans territory. <span>Kendrick Lewis</span> would recover. <span>Watt also recovered a botched hand-off as the Redskins were knocking on the door. Each turnover helped protect the Texans' 14-6 lead.</span></p>
<p><span>Brooks Reed</span> complimented the duo perfectly, notching 3 QB hits of his own alongside a sack and a tackle for loss.</p>
<h4>Clowney Injured Early In Second Quarter</h4>
<p>Rookie Jadeveon Clowney had a quiet outing before exiting the game early thanks to an apparent leg injury. Fox originally reported that Clowney would return with just leg cramps, but <a href="http://www.battleredblog.com/2014/9/7/6118351/houston-texans-injuries-jadeveon-clowney-ruled-out-for-second-half">the number one overall pick would eventually be ruled out completely from a return</a>.</p>
<p>The Texans would not miss him too much, as the defense held the Redskins to just 3 of 12 on third downs. It was the quintessential performance by a Romeo Crennel defense... often bending (267 yards passing, 131 yards rushing allowed) but rarely breaking.</p>
<h4>Offense Sputters Early, Ends Efficiently</h4>
<p>Texans fans had every right to be nervous about the offense heading into 2014. The acquisition of <span>Ryan Fitzpatrick</span> to lead the team was hardly awe-inspiring, but the journeyman did just enough to manage the game without committing a crucial game-changing mistake. He wasn't particularly good, but he wasn't awful, finishing 14 of 22 passing for 206 yards and a touchdown. Fitzpatrick finished the game with an efficient, somewhat clutch field goal drive with less than two minutes to go in the 4th quarter to give the Texans a two-score lead.</p>
<p>The lone offensive touchdown came on a play-action deep bomb to <span>DeAndre Hopkins</span>, who made a defender miss and jogged into the end zone for the score. It accounted for 76 of Hopkins' 89 yards on four catches.</p>
<p><span>Andre Johnson</span> looked as good as he's ever looked (<span>six catches, 93 yards on nine targets)</span><span> </span><span>making crucial grabs in the second half of the game. All but one of his catches came after halftime.</span></p>
<p><span>Arian Foster</span> was a sight for sore eyes, running well for 103 yards on 27 carries. It was a very Kubiak-esque workload for Foster, as <span>Alfred Blue</span> and <span>Jonathan Grimes</span> received just one carry each. It was Foster's first live action since last year, as he was kept out of every preseason contest. Foster did cough up a fumble late in the game that prevented the offense from putting the game out of reach, but the defense continued to stifle any attempt at a comeback.</p>
<p>Alfred Blue did score a touchdown. It came on special teams via a blocked punt and immediate recovery by the rookie from LSU.</p>
<p>It was at times ugly, but not unexpectedly ugly. Since the 2014 NFL Draft, the Texans have seemingly built this team to win in the trenches, and that's exactly what they did against the Washington Redskins.</p>
<p>For one week, the Houston Texans are undefeated, and boy, does it feel good.</p>
<h4><span>Redskins vs Texans coverage</span></h4>
<h4><a href="http://www.hogshaven.com/">Hogs Haven</a></h4>
https://www.battleredblog.com/2014/9/7/6118513/texans-redskins-final-score-defense-leads-the-way-to-17-6-victory-inDavid Corzo2014-09-07T14:18:21-05:002014-09-07T14:18:21-05:00Texans-Redskins 4Q Open Thread
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<figcaption>Stay out of my way, ref. | Bob Levey</figcaption>
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<p>The thrilling conclusion to the season opener!</p> <p>How about that D.J. Swearinger? He's been figuratively everywhere doing figuratively everything.</p>
<p>The two turnovers have helped secure a precious 14-6 lead. Continue the conversation as the Texans look to break their 215 game losing streak.</p>
https://www.battleredblog.com/2014/9/7/6118425/open-game-day-thread-4th-quarter-texans-v-redskinsDavid Corzo2014-09-07T14:10:10-05:002014-09-07T14:10:10-05:00SWAGG Forces A Fumble
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<p><span>Robert Griffin</span>, III was moving his offense down the field late in the third quarter. He hit <span>Niles Paul</span> down the middle for a long came when along came a SWAGG and forced the fumble from behind.</p>
<p>After a short scuffle for the loose ball, <span>Kendrick Lewis</span> came up with the ball. It's the second turnover for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a> inside the red zone.</p>
<p>Swearinger has been playing like a man with his dreadlocks on fire all day, flying around the field making tackles and even recording his first career sack.</p>
https://www.battleredblog.com/2014/9/7/6118389/d-j-swearinger-is-on-fire-forces-fumble-and-texans-recoverDavid Corzo2014-09-07T14:00:23-05:002014-09-07T14:00:23-05:00Clowney Ruled Out For Rest Of Game vs Redskins
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<figcaption>Thomas B. Shea</figcaption>
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<p>Rookie Jadeveon Clowney left the game early against the Washington Redskins. Looks like he's out for the rest of it.</p> <p><span></span></p>
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<p><span>Jadeveon Clowney</span> is OUT with a knee injury.</p>
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/status/508688390930198528">September 7, 2014</a>
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<p>After the FOX sideline report originally reported that Jadeveon Clowney was suffering from leg cramps, they quickly updated the report to show that Clowney will, in fact, miss the rest of the game.</p>
<p>In a shot that was very reminiscent of <span>Mario Williams</span> exiting the game early against the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> back in 2011, Clowney was clearly upset at having to leave the game early.</p>
<p>We'll keep you updated on the exact nature of the injury when we hear the news.</p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Clowney is out with a knee injury. First time he&#39;s had a knee injury. He was hurt when he was rushing. He jumped and came down wrong.</p>&mdash; John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/status/508688485394284544">September 7, 2014</a></blockquote></span></p>
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https://www.battleredblog.com/2014/9/7/6118351/houston-texans-injuries-jadeveon-clowney-ruled-out-for-second-halfDavid Corzo2014-09-07T13:45:19-05:002014-09-07T13:45:19-05:00Texans-Redskins 3Q Open Thread
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<figcaption>Thomas B. Shea</figcaption>
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<p>Continue the conversation and savor the fact that the Texans are currently beating the Redskins 14-6.</p> <p>Will Jadeveon Clowney emerge from the locker room?</p>
<p>Will Ryan Fitzpatrick continue trying to stretch the field?</p>
<p>Will Andre Johnson get another catch at all?</p>
<p>Stay tuned and find out. Here's your third quarter open thread.</p>
https://www.battleredblog.com/2014/9/7/6118291/open-game-day-thread-3rd-quarter-texans-v-redskinsDavid Corzo2014-09-07T13:29:56-05:002014-09-07T13:29:56-05:00Clowney Exits Game Early In Second Quarter.
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<p>Visions of <span>Mario Williams</span> circa 2011?</p>
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<p><span>Jadeveon Clowney</span> visibly upset as he heads into the locker room early. Meantime RG3 smothered again on a sack</p>
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/508681721932701696">September 7, 2014</a>
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<p>Please be OK, Clowney.</p>
https://www.battleredblog.com/2014/9/7/6118205/jadeveon-clowney-heads-to-locker-room-visibly-upset-in-second-quarterDavid Corzo2014-09-07T13:20:52-05:002014-09-07T13:20:52-05:00Texans Score Via Special Teams Thanks To Rookie
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a> 6, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a> 14</h4>
<p>Marciano who?!</p>
<p>After forcing yet another three and out, rookie running back <span>Alfred Blue</span> blocked the Redskins' punt deep within their own territory. The ball took a lucky bounce and Blue was able to pick it up and walk into the end zone.</p>
<p>Three touchdowns in the matter of minutes after a very defensive first quarter, but the Texans have two of them.</p>
https://www.battleredblog.com/2014/9/7/6118159/redskins-texans-score-update-rookie-alfred-blue-blocks-recovers-puntDavid Corzo2014-09-07T13:12:31-05:002014-09-07T13:12:31-05:00Redskins 6, Texans 7
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a> 6, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a> 7</h3>
<p><span>Alfred Morris</span> has found his running legs, allowing the Redskins to break the deadlock. Morris ran hard through the Texans defense allowing fullback Darell Young to punch it in at the goal line.</p>
<p><span>J.J. Watt</span>, who doesn't take kindly to getting scored on, blocked the subsequent extra point.</p>
<p>On the very next drive, the Texans opened up the playbook a bit. <span>Ryan Fitzpatrick</span> hit <span>DeAndre Hopkins</span> deep for a 76-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown and the lead.</p>
<p>Every point counts. The Texans have their first lead of the season by the slimmest of margins.</p>
https://www.battleredblog.com/2014/9/7/6118113/texans-redskins-update-redskins-score-on-fullback-dive-j-j-wattDavid Corzo