3 dumbest decisions by Bill O’Brien in loss to Chiefs
3. O’Brien did not learn from the last meeting
O’Brien saw a 24-0 lead disappear last postseason against the Chiefs. One key moment from that game came early in the second quarter. The Texans already had a 21-0 lead and O’Brien decided to kick a field goal from the 13-yard-line on a 4th-and-1.
The Chiefs responded with a two-play touchdown drive. Then came a Texans drive that saw O’Brien call a fake punt from deep within his own territory. That failed and the Chiefs were quickly down just 24-14. The rest is history.
On Thursday night the Texans were down 14-7 with 30 seconds remaining in the first half. O’Brien decided to go for a 50-yard field goal on a rainy night The kick was missed and the Chiefs drove down the field for their own field goal to take a 17-7 halftime lead.
The Chiefs offense can go straight down the field in what seems like no time. That means opposing teams have to be extra aggressive and not settle for field goals. The weather was a bit wet Thursday night and a 50-yard field goal is never a sure thing.
Next. Bill O’Brien is getting ripped for late-game punt. dark
Once again, O’Brien could have put the ball in Watson’s hands and let him work. But not having DeAndre Hopkins has taken away Watson’s top target and O’Brien opted to play it safe. He saw that backfire in January and clearly has not learned his lesson as it backfired again.