New England Patriots loss: coach Gary Kubiak urges Houston Texans step up game – NFL News
Houston Texans’ 42-14 loss to the New England Patriots on past Monday (Dec. 10) has raised many eyebrows about the capability of the team, and coach Gary Kubiak admits they have to step up their game equally on the offence and defensive lines to beat the
team like the Patriots.
The Texans appeared helpless in front of the hosts at all positions. Their defence was unable to stop quarterback Tom Brady and their offence suffocated themselves completely and hardly managed to put on 14 points during the entire game.
Kubiak did not know where to ponder upon but said:
"We've got issues. We've got to stop people better, we've got to move the ball better, and we've got to get rid of penalties on special teams. We've got to play better than we've played."
Rookie linebacker Whitney Mercilus believes:
"It's a teaching moment. This is a good team and we can't slack off. Too many penalties and things like that, beating ourselves. We've got to be able to get to the passer and help out our secondary. We can't get gashed in the run. We've just got to get better."
With the loss the Texans have also delayed their chance for the American Football Conference (AFC) South division title. Now they need to beat the Indianapolis Colts to claim the division for second straight times. They won the division for the first time
in their history last year (2011).
It is pertinent to mention that the Texans with the record of 11-2 on the National Football League (NFL) standings chart have already made the playoffs this season, but their woes versus the Patriots have allowed many doubts around their ability to reach
the Super Bowl.
After having claimed the AFC South title last year they have come on the field as Super Bowl contenders, for the first time, too.
The coach has all of sudden started rethinking the team’s strategy after the Patriots’ loss. He knows the team have to find certain answers before the second round. Otherwise, there is a fear within even the Texans’ circles that the playoffs will be really
tough challenge for them to overcome.
Tags: