That was a big risk. I also think they severely overestimated what Joshua Palmer would bring to the offense. To their credit they look to be right on Kincaid improving when healthy because he's looked awesome when remotely healthy. The caveat there of course being he hasn't stayed healthy.
The only pass play where I felt like we got em was the 4th and 27 hook and ladder. That was really some stuff our defense would give up on that spot.
Also, it's hard to call designed runs for Allen when Houston did what they did. They kept amazing gap integrity. They didn't rush Allen as much as walk the pocket back into his lap. And they knew they had time because our guys couldn't get open.
I know people are going to knee jerk react to what I'm about to say here. You're spot on. He's not the same with his mobility as he used to be. I know people want to point at Brady and McDermott, but Allen himself is most to blame here. It's his body and he knows how he feels. When he does run, he never has had what I would call a light running style. Even going back to Wyoming....hits have started adding up. It likely takes him a lot longer to heal than it used to. I think physically, we are closer to the end of his mobility than most of us realize.
Several times this year Allen has set personal records for most time from snap to throw. Houston is an extreme case...by he's having to hold the ball longer because...wait for it....no one can get open. And Brady makes the issue worse by calling long developing mesh concepts.
Now, mesh is great because it is what we wanted...see the scheme get people open. But they didn't have the time for that Thursday.