Peyton's Troubles in the Red Zone

clownsaw — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:38:59 -0000

I'm watching the Texans game on DVR, and it is becoming clear that our problems yesterday in the Red Zone were due to Peyton's passing. It isn't Addai's running or anyone catching the ball. There doesn't appear to be problems with pass protection, nor is the Texans defense shutting down our receivers.

Strangely, it appears to be that Peyton is making uncharacteristic throws at critical times that are preventing us from scoring.

Some examples from the first quarter (when we could have gone up 14-0 or 21-0). Peyton overthrows Pierre Garcon by 3 yards on a toss that he normally puts right in Pierre's hands. We score on a toss to Addai later on, but that is just the first of a few odd throws that Peyton makes.

After the first Schaub interception, we're at 3rd and goal at the 3 yard line. Addai is close to the goal line, and Peyton throws at his back, causing Addai to twist and lose the ball. If Peyton throws that ball in front of Addai, his momentum brings him into the End Zone, but by throwing it at his back, he makes Addai lose the ball (even if Addai kept control, Cushing would have wrapped him up since he had to turn around to grab it).

Beginning of the second quarter, after the GREAT pass to Collie is called back, Peyton throws it too high and too hard for Addai to catch. Two plays later, Peyton, again, overthrows Addai in the end zone, and we settle for another Field Goal.

We all saw the game, so we know what happens next. It looks like our problems the last two weeks have been in two areas: The O-Line letting Addai get trapped behind the line for a gain of nothing (if not negative yards), and Peyton just flat-out missing guys. Not terrible throws, nothing Jamarcus Russell-esque, but...missing the touch, the pinpoint accuracy.

I dont know why this is happening, but it looks to me like Peyton is missing receivers hands by a few feet. I hope (and expect) we get these issues figured out by next Sunday night. Maybe Peyton is just in a bad stretch, maybe he has Swine Flu, maybe he's just playing coy, but against both the Texans and the 49ers, I'm seeing a lack of his usual accuracy that would have helped us put away both of these teams by halftime.

SB Nation User Blog: clownsaw

Peyton's Troubles in the Red Zone