A Texan Meltdown

The Houston Texans have lost their 9th straight game this season. They have lost to the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars 13-6. The Houston Texans are a lot better than their record shows. Everyone knows that. The Texans still have one of the best defenses in the NFL, as they have allowed the fewest yards this season (290.4 yards allowed per game). The Texans have the best pass defense (171.8 pass yards allowed per game), but are 22nd in run defense (118.5 rush yards allowed per game). The Texans are tied for 24th in the NFL in turnovers (20), and have a terrible -12 turnover ratio. These turnovers by the Texans and very few takeaways have resulted in missed opportunities, and more points allowed. The Texans are tied for 26th in the NFL in scoring defense (26.3 points allowed per game). Though the Texans have allowed the fewest passing yards per game, they have given up 18 TD passes, but 15 of them were given up in the Red Zone. The Texans have been one of the league's worst Red Zone defenses as their 30th in the NFL in Defensive Red Zone Scoring Percentage. Too many turnovers inside their own 50 yard line has been very costly for the Texans, as their run defense has struggled against their opponents. This causes the Texans to put 7 or 8 men in the box, which allows opponents to call play-action inside the Red Zone, thus throwing touchdowns is easier against the Texans Red Zone Defense. They have had some huge injuries though as LB Brian Cushing went down for the 2nd straight season and Daniel Manning was knocked out for the season. The Texans have also had a tough time turning over the ball as they have only picked off opponents 4 times. They are also 26th in the NFL in fumble recoveries (4), which allows opponents to break down their defense anymore with the lack of forcing a takeaway. J.J. Watt (9.5 Sacks) has been dominated opposing right sides of the offensive line, but outside of Antonio Smith's and Whitney Merclius's 5 sacks, there's really no other pressure. Not a lot of Pressure means more pressure on the cornerbacks and safeties to stay on receivers and tight ends for a little longer time. The Texans defense has done a great job doing that, but the run defense has been shredded for 119 yards or more in 6 games this season.

The Houston Texans were on a roll the first two games of the season, as they averaged 450.5 yards per game (304.5 pass yards per game, 146 rush yards per game) and 30.5 points per game, even though they played the Chargers and Titans. Ever since the first 2 games, the Texans haven't scored at least 25 points in any of their games, and have turned over the ball once in every game (including 11 in a 3 game span; vs Seahawks, 49ers, and Rams, all from NFC West). The passing game wasn't the same as Matt Schaub only threw over 300 yards one more game, and once September ended, Schaub was out of rythem, as he threw for 620 and threw a mere TD-INT ratio of 1:5, with a 62 QB rating. In the 7 games Schaub started this season, the Texans allowed 22 sacks. He finished the season with 8 TD and 9 INT, with a 62.2 Comp% on the year. When Arian Foster started, the Texans ran for 100 or more yards in 5 out of the games he started, but once Arian got injured, the running game ran for 143 yards, then averaged 81 rush yards per game. Ben Tate and others couldn't get the running game going as the blocking started to tumble, even against bad run defenses. After losing TE Owen Daniels in the first week of the season, the Texans looked doomed without a reliable target down field. Without Andre Johnson, this Texans offense would be a mess as he ranks top 5 in the NFL in receptions and receiving yards. Rookie DeAndre Hopkins has done some damage as a deep threat, but has been mostly quiet. Tight End Garrett Graham has found some decent chemistry with back undrafted rookie QB Case Keenam. When Schaub was the QB, the Texans had some mind-blowing defeats and no offensive power. They lost to the 49ers 34-3, lost to the Ravens 30-9, and lost to the Rams 38-13. The Texans Red Zone Offense, like Defense ranked 30th in the NFL in scoring percentage. Despite the fact that the Texans offensive line haven't allowed a lot of sacks when Case Keenum in Quarterback, Keenum wasn't the most accurate QB as he completed only 55% of his passes. Keenum had two huge games during his stint thus far. Against the Colts, Keenum threw for 340 yards, including 3 first half touchdown passes to Andre Johnson. A second half collapse against the Colts (Lost 27-24 after winning 21-0 at half), and a missed field goal by rookie kicker Randy Bullock (one of 9 misses on the year, 67.9% field goal). Keenum threw for 300 yards against Oakland. Part of the reason why Keenum and Schaub haven't been able to get back into games is because of their horrendous 4th quarter performances this season. Both Quarterbacks have had a combined 56.1 Comp%, a TD-INT ratio of 2:4, and have had a 65.3 QB Rating in the 4th Quarter. Keenum failed to mount or convert a couple of key third and fourth downs against Oakland, Arizona, and Jacksonville. 2 of the 3 games Keenum turned over the ball in the final 2 minutes of the game. The offensive line should be getting blamed for most of this due to the lack of protection and 13 sacks they have given up in the 4th Quarter. Keenum does tend to hold the ball too much, letting defenders have more time to react and sack him. All in all the Texans have had a disastrous season, and nothing has really gone their way. Whether it's missed opportunities, or injuries, the Texans don't have an answer for anything this year. Hopefully next season things will look better.

The Foles Show

Ever since Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Nick Foles replaced Michael Vick in week 5, and was nominated the starter in week 7, the Eagles haven't lost a game. Foles has gone 5-0 during Vick's absence, while rookie third stringer Matt Barkley (From USC) went 0-2. During Foles five starts this season, the Eagles have averaged 33.4 points per game and averaged 444.6 yards per game. Even though Foles has never played a defense that ranked higher than 18th (Buccaneers, Giants, Redskins, Packers, and Raiders), he has helped the Eagles overcome a 1-3 start. He has put together 2 and 3 game win streaks respectively, which puts the Eagles tied for first place in the NFC East. During Foles 5 starts this season, he has thrown for 1,491 yards (298.2 pass yards per game), 16 TD, 0 INT, with a QB rating of 128. He tied Milt Plum (1960) with the 2nd most TD passes without throwing an interception. Foles has taken advantage of favorable match ups and has shown finesse in his arm strength and improved his accurracy. He has matured into a leader on the field and has shown how to play mistake free football. Michael Vick has been very impressed of Foles play and so has Chip Kelly. Foles phenomenal performance has resulted in a better future for him as an Eagle. Chip Kelly has named Nick Foles the Eagles starter, for the remainder of the season.

Panthers Defensive Success

The Carolina Panthers overcame an early 1-3 start, by winning 7 straight games and keeping them in the NFC Wild Card Race. During their 7 game win streak the Panthers have only allowed one team (The England Patriots) to score 20 points, and have recorded at least one takeaway and one sack in each game. Their defense have given their offense plenty of opportunities to score, and have dominated their opposition in brutal fashion. Defensive Coordinator Dennis McDermott has dialed up many different blitz schemes to harass opposing quarterbacks. Led by pass rushing enforcers Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy, the Panthers have had plenty of success rushing the passer from the left or the right side. McDermott learned some of his creative blitzing schemes when he was with Jim Johnson and the Eagles defense, when blitzing was huge for the Eagles. McDermott relies on the front four's penetration, allowing him to be more creative with blitzes and coverage's with linebackers and defensive backs. With an intelligent, athletic, fast, and sure tackling linebacker in Luke Kuechly, (Defensive Play-Caller), the Panthers have done a tremendous job adjusting to opponents' audibles and working effectively together, as a defense. Fellow Linebacker Thomas Davis overcame 3 ACL tears on the same knee, to help this stifling Panthers defense.  His inspirational performance over the past 2 seasons (Including this season), has inspired every member of this defense. His hard work has paid off as the Panthers rank 3rd in the NFL against the run, and 5th against the pass.

It's not only the front seven of the Panthers defense who plays well, the secondary has been very stingy against this season. Since Russell Wilson threw for 300 yards in a week 1 loss to the Seahawks, the Panthers have not allowed a quarterback to throw for over 290 yards. E.J Manuel (287 yards) and Tom Brady (283 yards) were the only other quarterbacks the Panthers faced, that threw over 280 yards.  During their 7 game win streak, the Panthers allowed an average of 219.7 pass yards per game. They have at least one interception their past 7 games, and have held great passers such as Tom Brady. One player that has been an huge impact to the Panthers secondary is safety Mike Mitchell. Mitchell was a free agent pickup from the Oakland Raiders and in my opinion, is the leader of the secondary. He is tied with the most INT on the team with 3. Mitchell also has 38 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 FF. One of the more underrated, and quietly talented safeties, Mitchell has stepped up for injured safety Charles Godfrey. He's created lots of turnovers and has matured into a better player. 5-8 Corner Captain Munnerlyn uses his speed and physical pressing to stop taller receivers. Munnerlyn also has 3 picks on the year too. Nickel Corner Drayton Florence has been a consistent cover corner against slot receivers and reads the quarterback well when playing in a zone. The Panthers have forced the 2nd most turnovers (23) in the NFL, and are among the leaders in sacks, with 34. McDermott's creative blitzing schemes, especially zone blitzing, confuses offenses, which creates turnovers. The Panthers front four's penetration makes it a lot easier for the Panthers secondary to create a turnover, which is why it's much easier for McDermott to dial up a creative blitz to confuse quarterbacks.

This Panthers defense reminds me of their Super Bowl team in 2003. They both have 2 good pass-rushing defensive (Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker were on Panthers Super Bowl Team) and have a good DT (Kris Jenkins on 2003 Panthers, Star Lotulelei on 2013 Panthers), a great MLB with good instincts and play-calling abilities (Dan Morgan on 2003 Panthers), and a solid secondary (Ricky Manning and Mike Minter were the stars of the 2003 secondary).  Both Panthers defense's had great run defenses and can generate a pass rush with their front four. The ability to create turnovers and have a great play-calling, and tackling machine MLB's is what really gets both defenses going. Rucker and Peppers created havoc for QB, just like Hardy and Johnson do this season. The 2003 Panthers and 2013 Panthers defense is so similar, that these Cardiac Cats might repeat what they did 10 years ago, a Super Bowl appearance.

Cards Bring in Peralta

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed free-agent shortstop Jhonny Peralta to a 4 year, $52 Million deal. Peralta was having one of the best seasons in his career last season, before missing the final 50 games because of his participation in the Biogenesis Scandal. Prior before his suspension, Peralta had a batting average of .303, had 11 homers, 56 RBI, a .358 OBP, and a .457 SLG%. The addition of Peralta will bring more experience to one of the youngest infields in the MLB. The addition of Peralta would be the 2nd move, the Cardinals have made, this off-season. They acquired Angels OF Peter Bourjous in a four player deal last week.

Yankees Sign Brian McCann

Last off-season, the New York Yankees signed free-agent catcher Russell Martin. They were hoping that Martin's offensive production would carry over to New York. Well, about a month or two into the season, the Yankees traded Martin and were left with 3 unproven backups. Chris Stewart, Francisco Cervelli, and Andrew Romine did absolutely nothing in 2013. They combined for a horrendous .229 AVG,. 8 HR, and 43 RBI. The Yankees needed to find a better power-hitting replacement. This off-season, the Yankees quickly signed a catcher, to upgrade a position that hit and fielded so poorly last season. The Yankees gave Brian McCann his money's worth, by signing him to a 5 year, $85 million contract. Even though this was an expensive decision, the Yankees finally found a catcher that is talented enough to produce on both offense and defense consistently. Last season, McCann had a .257 average, 20 home runs, and 56 RBI. Despite the fact that McCann's numbers weren't statistically as great as other seasons, he will bring power to a lineup that could lose All-Star 2B Robinson Cano, and fills in a void for a position that played so poorly last year.

Week 12 NFL Predictions

Here are my Week 12 2013 NFL Predictions:

Week 12 NFL Predictions	Projected Passing Leaders	Projected Rushing Leaders	Projected Receiving Leaders
Bears 23- Rams 21	Matthew Stafford 389 Yards 2 TD 0 INT	Chris Johnson 23 Att 161 yards 0 TD	Dez Bryant 9 Rec 179 yards 1 TD
Ravens 20- Jets 9	Eli Manning 375 yards 2 TD 0 INT	Adrian Peterson 26 Att 139 yards 1 TD	Victor Cruz 8 Rec 167 yards 1 TD
Browns 20- Steelers 16	Tom Brady 369 yards 2 TD 0 INT	Zach Stacy 27 Att 129 yards 1 TD	Jordy Nelson 8 Rec 159 yards 0 TD
Lions 31- Buccaneers 21	Tony Romo 344 yards 2 TD 0 INT	Frank Gore 24 Att 119 yards 0 TD	Andre Johnson 8 Rec 149 yards 1 TD
Packers 24- Vikings 20	Peyton Manning 319 yards 2 TD 0 INT	Jamaal Charles 22 Att 113 yards 0 TD	Mike Wallace 6 Rec 123 yards 1 TD
Cowboys 33- Giants 27	Scott Tolzien 306 yards 2 TD 1 INT	Matt Forte 23 Att 108 yards 0 TD	Rob Gronkowski 7 Rec 115 yards 1 TD
Texans 26- Jaguars 16	Chad Henne 303 yards 1 TD 1 INT	Bobby Rainey 22 Att 102 yards 0 TD	Nate Burelson 6 Rec 113 yards 0 TD
Chiefs 24- Chargers 10			Torrey Smith 5 Rec 112 yards 0 TD
Panthers 31- Dolphins 20			Wes Welker 9 Rec 109 yards 0 TD
Colts 27- Cardinals 17			Alshon Jeffery 6 Rec 106 yards 1 TD
Titans 34- Raiders 24			Vincent Jackson 6 Rec 102 yards 0 TD
Patriots 31- Broncos 30			Jason Witten 9 Rec 100 yards 0 TD
49ers 28- Redskins 20