Why was 25 of the Texans unblocked?

[RonnieT24]

Ball (the guy you see laying on his belly impeding Zeke’s running room) got blown up as soon as the ball was snapped. How can you say this was well blocked? Lol

Because in his universe any time you block all but three guys it's a well blocked play. Zeke's only chance would have been to use Ball's back as a step stool an go airborne. As a running back you are trained to look for any hint of an opening and run to it. There were no hints on this play.

 

[RonnieT24]

I'm no expert. Just my opinion. It looks to me that McKeon and Tyler failed that play. If McKeon picks up 25 and if Tyler picks up the guy McKeon blocked, and with James Washington pulling that LBer with him just enough when he went in motion, I like my chances with McKeon blocking a smaller CB, Tyler one on one with his man and Zeke one on one with a full head of steam against that LBer that's slightly out of position.

The biggest problem was Josh Ball getting knocked to the ground. His feet ended up so far back that it gave Zeke no way to hit the hole. There might have been a crease just outside the b-gap where Zeke could have lowered his shoulder into #35? and pushed him into the end zone. But Ball getting knocked into the backfield cut Zeke off from that lane and caused him to stutter step while figuring out someplace else to go. And there wasn't any.

 

[cej757]

Walter Payton would've just jumped over the entire pile.

 

[nightrain]

First of all which was it.. "one small guy" or the LB? Also they met Zeke two yards deep in the backfield. If Zeke had been able to get to the "hole," meaning the line of scrimmage, he would have had enough momentum to push the pile. The defense got there before he ever had a chance. Unless you are now contending that the "hole" was supposed to be two yards deep in the backfield?

The wasn't a whole lotta hole there. Didn't seem like the play had a chance with all 11 defenders crashing for a run between the tackles.

 

[Awakened]

You guys are crazy. Go to 4 seconds in the OP clip and tell me Zeke couldn't have gotten in behind Tyler Smith if 25 didn't stop him.

 

[Praxit]

..yep, that was just straight bad play call. I had bad feeling when they lined up for it.

Should have just went with pass play, have Dak run it in. I think KM went blank.

 

[Iago33]

I wonder if they call a Dak run in the playoffs there but they didn’t want to risk him against the lowly Texans. I got the feeling they could have killed the Texans with Dak’s legs but were scared.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I cannot stand this play. First of all....Zeke looked gassed. I think he had run it a couple of times in a row. Secondly, SPREAD THEM OUT!!!!!!!!! Why bunch everyone together and invite EXACTLY what happened. This is not the 90s where Dallas sported the best interior OL in the history of the NFL (Larry Allen)....and Dallas sported the most dominant OL of the Super Bowl era. Our TEs are average blockers at best. I simply hated this formation in that situation.

Zele was definitely gassed. Not sure it mattered since Houston destroyed the blocking at the LOS.

 

[Bigtex67]

Because in his universe any time you block all but three guys it's a well blocked play. Zeke's only chance would have been to use Ball's back as a step stool an go airborne. As a running back you are trained to look for any hint of an opening and run to it. There were no hints on this play.

I think I would have liked to see that one!

 

[RonnieT24]

I wonder if they call a Dak run in the playoffs there but they didn’t want to risk him against the lowly Texans. I got the feeling they could have killed the Texans with Dak’s legs but were scared.

There is probably some truth to this. There are a lot of things they could go to that I believe they are saving for the playoffs. Pollard on deep routes for one.. and Dak running is the other. Also some deep shots to Turpin and now Hilton since we added him.

 

[America's Cowboy]

I cannot stand this play. First of all....Zeke looked gassed. I think he had run it a couple of times in a row. Secondly, SPREAD THEM OUT!!!!!!!!! Why bunch everyone together and invite EXACTLY what happened. This is not the 90s where Dallas sported the best interior OL in the history of the NFL (Larry Allen)....and Dallas sported the most dominant OL of the Super Bowl era. Our TEs are average blockers at best. I simply hated this formation in that situation.

Kellen Moore was to blame for this failed play.

As you stated, Zeke was definitely gassed. Should have had either Tony Pollard or Malik Davis in there. Plus, exactly as you stated, Moore should have spread everyone out to best give our RB a better chance of sneaking into the endzone from the 2 yard line.

Just another terrible, costly and failed players and alignment call by our O-Coordinator.