January 16, 2025 • 11 mins
The Houston Texans are two days away from facing the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. Quarterback C.J. Stroud and his offense will face cold temperatures, mild winds and a deafening crowd at Arrowhead Stadium in an attempt to knock off the two-time defending Super Bowl champions and earn the franchise's first AFC Championship appearance. "I don't have any reservations about who C.J. is," ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said. Orlovsky, who played quarterback for 12 seasons in the NFL, acknowledged Stroud's phenomenal play but is concerned about the offense's efficiency against a high-pressure Chiefs' defense. "Every play, you're expecting a blitz, so it doesn't surprise you." Kansas City's defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will look to expose the protection issues of the Texans' offense, but Orlovsky has an idea as to how Texans' offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik can combat the blitz: "perimeter screens."
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Please to be joined by Dan Orlowski. Mister do everything
for ESPN on Get Up on the NFL shows, does
a great job as well. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Dan, how are you? I'm doing fantastic. How about you?
Guys good?
Speaker 1 (00:13):
We're also pulling our hair out trying to figure out
what's gonna happen with this Texans offensive line. We'll get
to that in a second. But you, as the quarterback,
of course, and as somebody who played here in Houston,
Ross and Dan with you here, I do have to
ask you right off the bat, who is the real CJ.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Stroud? Yeah? I mean CJ's a sensational players. He's a
young man that you know, obviously took the league by
storm last year, and you know all off season I
was one who was pretty clear of what he did
was even greater than maybe the numbers painted the picture
as because he was so remarkable on third down and
(00:51):
that masked a lot of some of the inefficiencies of
the offense as a whole, and that's obviously one of
the harder downs to be good at at that position
of the league. So it was even more impressive than
again maybe the surface numbers left said. And then this year.
It caught up to them a little bit this year.
The poor performance on first down caught up to them
this year, the lack of consistently being able to control
the line of scrimmage on a lead of downs, and
(01:11):
the poor production. I remember going back to Week one
and I did a quick little thing on the NFL
and I was like, man, they better figure out that
protection because it was ugly and it's it's rained terror
on their offense, and as it impacted CJ's you know,
play negatively, There's no question about it. Has he played
lesser than he has at last year, absolutely, But I
think that's the direct reason why that the protection has
(01:35):
kind of impacted him, impacted his vision, made him a
little antsy at times, which is one a real thing,
But I don't think that's made him a lesser player
now again.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Danie Rolowski joined us here on the Matt Samas Show
with Rousty and Matthews in for Matt. You know, Dan,
a couple of the things that we've been talking about
all week that seemed like it was the aha moment
for CJ. Is won the busted play with the fumbled
snap and he's got to roll out find Xavier Hutchinson
and also using his legs. Did you see a guy
(02:08):
in the second half and who got back to being
the guy that he was last year where I mean,
let's call it what it is his own words, he
was a killer on the field last year.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Yeah, yeah, I mean that's kind of one of the
things that he has done a little bit more, I
would say, this year, and just take off with his
legs and be a threat. You know, situationally, it's not
necessarily that you're designing quarterback runs for him, but those
situational backbreaker Patrick Mahomes Joe Burrow type of runs where
you know it's third and six and they take off
(02:39):
and it's like, oh my gosh, everyone was covered, but
he got a first down. So yeah, I saw that.
I don't have any reservations about who CJ is or
what CJ is. I think that, you know, some of
the injuries and the lack of performances have been the
significant part of why the play that's fallen off. But
that's going to be a huge part of this game
for them this weekend as well as you know, for
both quarterbacks, who's going to have those two or three
(03:01):
runs and those crucial moments to either you know, keep
a drive alive or put points on the board, or
take three minutes off of a clock longer. And so yeah,
I think that's another kind of I don't know what's
the astrosk, but bullet point in this game, as you know,
Ken CJ pull those off.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
One of the big problems with the offensive line has
just been allowing those free runners Dan with maybe a
lack of communication, and I am worried about that going
up against the Spagnola defense this weekend on the road
in a loud, arrowhead environment. How did the Texans in
the offensive line prepare for that?
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Yeah, I mean it's it's obviously a huge part of
the challenge. I think the number one thing that they
can do to help that is you've got to run
the football in twenty one personnel, something that actually going
back to a couple of weeks when they did play, they
were decently successful at it, and so twenty one putting
a fullback on the field or maybe unizing a tight
end in that role, but you've got to be able
(03:58):
to do that. The second thing is this, Actually I'll
make this the first thing every single time that CJ
breaks down and walks the line of scrimmage, he's got
to be thinking blitz because it comes at any point
from anywhere. The situations don't matter, So there has to
be a constant at the forefront of his mind, where's
the blitz coming from? Where's the inn? If they don't,
(04:19):
it's almost like as a quarterback, you're often reacting to
the blitz. This is a reacting to the no blitz situation.
If you're CJ like every play, you're expecting a blitz
so it doesn't surprise you. Then again, the twenty one
personnel has got to be a big run. I think
that the second thing is you got to try to
hit some screens against them when they pressure you. You know,
(04:41):
there's there's two methods deal dealing with pressure as an offense.
You want to try to survive it or you want
to try and kill it. And one of the ways
that you try to you know, do both of them
at the same time. As some perimeter screens where it
protects you you get the ball in your hands. There's
usually more than not a bad play than that. But
if you actually at the right time, right angle, right people,
(05:01):
you can hit on run And so I think some
of the perimeter screens or slip screens would be a
big deal. And then I mean, one of the things
that was disappointing is the plan for protection and the
execution for protection. And so you know, you got to
have a plan for it. You got to know exactly
how you want to protect it and communicate it. And
while it's hard, you know, it's one of the challenges
(05:23):
of the business. You know, if it's third out, I
wouldn't be surprised if you get into some no huddle
and try to give yourself as much time at the
line of scrimmage to communicate. And then, you know, one
of the things I've always learned and I learned this
from Coach Kubac, and you know, if everybody's wrong, we're
gonna be okay. So you don't chase perfection in these situations.
You know, like to think that you're going to get
the line scrimmage, you know exactly what's going to happen,
(05:45):
and that's not real. But as long as everybody's on
the same page and it knows what or who the
problem is, you're gonna be okay more often than not.
And so that's the big thing is you can't have
four guys thinking one thing and one person doing and
another thing. That's when catastrophe happens again.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Dani Orlowski join us here on the Matt Thomas Show
with Ross And you mentioned the screen game. I mean,
that's something that I've been screaming about all season, Dan
with Joe Mixon. I mean, you see it all the time.
He's running into a wall, he's running for forty fifty
yards a game. You can't really get the run game going.
And you hear Bobby Sloan talk about one to get
the run game going. But all off season, Dan, we
(06:23):
heard about what a great pass catcher he was out
of the backfield. I mean, are you kind of disappointed
in Bobby Slowick for not using that part of his
game more especially factoring in the struggles at times?
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Well, there's no question about it. I mean I'm a
massive fan of the screen game in general. I mean,
if you look at just if we're no Tree Top,
do you look in at some of the offenses that
have been really good this year and certainly in years past.
He would sit there and go Kansas City, Man, Okay,
really good screen game, and then you'd go, well, Detroit, yep,
really good screen game, and all the Minnesota Vikings really
(06:57):
good screen game, and the Los Angeles Rams really good
screen game, and the Buffalo bill is really good screen games. So,
you know, I think as in totality, and you know
that that's got to be one of the foundations staple
of your offenses has different screens that you can get
to it. You're just trying to create a numbers advantage
and then space advantage, and so I think it's a
(07:18):
different way to get Joe mix in the ball. It's
a different way to you know what a mix and
strengths is. Yeah, he's a tough tackle man Like this
is a tough tackle in space, and so you know,
I think it's also a breather for your quarterback. You know,
we're calling this play, we're running this lad off the
sink mush, and so you know it's something that I
would try and hit four or five times on this game.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
A couple of more minutes with Dan Orlowski and Dan
I mean, off topic football wise, I told Ross, I
told the audience, I'd ask you this. You're pretty renowned
for your food takes. So two part question here, Number one,
what gets more of a visceral reaction analysis that maybe
upsets a fan base or your food takes. And is
(07:57):
there a food take that you were willing to die
on a hill? And I mean even you're hunched over
skull and bones on that hill when it's all said
and done, that you will not come.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Off of it. Yeah, definitely the fan bases. You know,
I always say this every year, it feels like the
fans become more and more passionate. And listen, when you're
in my role, like and you you're convicted about the
things you say, it's it's gonna come your way. So
at times I'm like, well that's a tough one. But
definitely the fan bases. But the food does make people
(08:29):
upset in an odd way. You know. The food take
that I would die on is I think mushrooms are disgusting.
That's the one that I ain't blinking off. I ain't
blinking off that one. Yeah, I know. I often say
like I love a good meal.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
I do.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
I do. I love a good meal, but I don't
need a good meal every time I eat. It's not
like I have to walk away from having you know,
food and being like, oh my gosh, that was a
out of body experience, and so you know, I think
that that's probably one as well. It's funny, you guys Houston,
we used to live down there. We were having in
(09:08):
a group text with some friends up here in Connecticut.
We were my wife was vividly describing LTMPO to them
and done. I honestly did not know that, and it
was it was great having the questions fired back from
them of like, wait, what they put brisket in caseo.
We're like, yup. And then they were like, wait you
(09:28):
dip your pahetas and butter and we're like, yeah, just
the food stuff triggered my mind.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
That's great. That one last one before we get you out,
just uh your eyes what the Texans defense is going
to have to do? And then a prediction, a prediction
and then take it easy on us with the prediction
here in Houston.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Yeah. Again, I think can't say wins the game. I
don't want to misrepresent it, but I do think Houston
can hang. And the really question is that can they
do enough offensively? You know, can they do enough? Obviously
the depletion, but I think defensively, if you had to me,
you know, build a defense that could you know, really
hold its own and have success against this Chiefs offense.
I say, man, you've got to have two good end
(10:08):
rushers and you've got to be able to play man
coverage well, you know. And so I think that's what
gives them a good feel in this game is you know,
will and and Danil were freaking unbelievable last week, and
I think their heavy hands are a big deal versus
these tackles. How shy here definitely you know was a miss,
you know, when you felt his impact, and then they
can they can play man, you know. And so I
(10:30):
actually think that their defense can keep them in the game.
I wouldn't be surprised that this is a one score
game on the fourth quarter. I just I don't know
if they could do enough offensively versus a darn good defense.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Dan appreciate tom Man good stuff as always. It's great
to hear her you get here in Houston, and of
course you get to see him on Get Up First
Take pretty much any of the NFL shows. I mean,
everything that's gonna say. I mean, you know, fill in
the blanks that I'm missing here.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Dan, Yeah, there is nothing I tell everybody Austin. You know,
the best part about ESPN is it's twenty four to seven,
you know, so it's obviously got a massive platform and
there's a lot of opportunity. And the worst part about
ESPN is it's twenty four to seven. You know, there
is always another show looking for somebody. So no, it's
(11:21):
it's it's all good. I'm super grateful I get to
be a part of it. Awesome.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Man, Hey, thanks for carving us some time for us today. Man,
we really appreciate it. And uh, we'll catch up soon.
Thanks guys, All right, take care of dan Orlowski again,
ESPN former Texan. But even you'd even thrown out the
idea of do you throw out Texans Texan's legend dan Orlovsky.
Appreciate him making some time for a stalwart in that
locker room. He was always a go to guy talked
(11:44):
to even off Mike. You know, you knew that he
probably had the gift for doing what he does, the
gift of gab. Certainly good stuff there with dan Orlovsky.
You want to rack to anything he had to say
about the Texans this weekend against Kansas City Chiefs, you
can do so
Please to be joined by Dan Orlowski. Mister do everything
for ESPN on Get Up on the NFL shows, does
a great job as well. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Dan, how are you? I'm doing fantastic. How about you?
Guys good?
Speaker 1 (00:13):
We're also pulling our hair out trying to figure out
what's gonna happen with this Texans offensive line. We'll get
to that in a second. But you, as the quarterback,
of course, and as somebody who played here in Houston,
Ross and Dan with you here, I do have to
ask you right off the bat, who is the real CJ.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Stroud? Yeah? I mean CJ's a sensational players. He's a
young man that you know, obviously took the league by
storm last year, and you know all off season I
was one who was pretty clear of what he did
was even greater than maybe the numbers painted the picture
as because he was so remarkable on third down and
(00:51):
that masked a lot of some of the inefficiencies of
the offense as a whole, and that's obviously one of
the harder downs to be good at at that position
of the league. So it was even more impressive than
again maybe the surface numbers left said. And then this year.
It caught up to them a little bit this year.
The poor performance on first down caught up to them
this year, the lack of consistently being able to control
the line of scrimmage on a lead of downs, and
(01:11):
the poor production. I remember going back to Week one
and I did a quick little thing on the NFL
and I was like, man, they better figure out that
protection because it was ugly and it's it's rained terror
on their offense, and as it impacted CJ's you know,
play negatively, There's no question about it. Has he played
lesser than he has at last year, absolutely, But I
think that's the direct reason why that the protection has
(01:35):
kind of impacted him, impacted his vision, made him a
little antsy at times, which is one a real thing,
But I don't think that's made him a lesser player
now again.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Danie Rolowski joined us here on the Matt Samas Show
with Rousty and Matthews in for Matt. You know, Dan,
a couple of the things that we've been talking about
all week that seemed like it was the aha moment
for CJ. Is won the busted play with the fumbled
snap and he's got to roll out find Xavier Hutchinson
and also using his legs. Did you see a guy
(02:08):
in the second half and who got back to being
the guy that he was last year where I mean,
let's call it what it is his own words, he
was a killer on the field last year.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Yeah, yeah, I mean that's kind of one of the
things that he has done a little bit more, I
would say, this year, and just take off with his
legs and be a threat. You know, situationally, it's not
necessarily that you're designing quarterback runs for him, but those
situational backbreaker Patrick Mahomes Joe Burrow type of runs where
you know it's third and six and they take off
(02:39):
and it's like, oh my gosh, everyone was covered, but
he got a first down. So yeah, I saw that.
I don't have any reservations about who CJ is or
what CJ is. I think that, you know, some of
the injuries and the lack of performances have been the
significant part of why the play that's fallen off. But
that's going to be a huge part of this game
for them this weekend as well as you know, for
both quarterbacks, who's going to have those two or three
(03:01):
runs and those crucial moments to either you know, keep
a drive alive or put points on the board, or
take three minutes off of a clock longer. And so yeah,
I think that's another kind of I don't know what's
the astrosk, but bullet point in this game, as you know,
Ken CJ pull those off.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
One of the big problems with the offensive line has
just been allowing those free runners Dan with maybe a
lack of communication, and I am worried about that going
up against the Spagnola defense this weekend on the road
in a loud, arrowhead environment. How did the Texans in
the offensive line prepare for that?
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Yeah, I mean it's it's obviously a huge part of
the challenge. I think the number one thing that they
can do to help that is you've got to run
the football in twenty one personnel, something that actually going
back to a couple of weeks when they did play, they
were decently successful at it, and so twenty one putting
a fullback on the field or maybe unizing a tight
end in that role, but you've got to be able
(03:58):
to do that. The second thing is this, Actually I'll
make this the first thing every single time that CJ
breaks down and walks the line of scrimmage, he's got
to be thinking blitz because it comes at any point
from anywhere. The situations don't matter, So there has to
be a constant at the forefront of his mind, where's
the blitz coming from? Where's the inn? If they don't,
(04:19):
it's almost like as a quarterback, you're often reacting to
the blitz. This is a reacting to the no blitz situation.
If you're CJ like every play, you're expecting a blitz
so it doesn't surprise you. Then again, the twenty one
personnel has got to be a big run. I think
that the second thing is you got to try to
hit some screens against them when they pressure you. You know,
(04:41):
there's there's two methods deal dealing with pressure as an offense.
You want to try to survive it or you want
to try and kill it. And one of the ways
that you try to you know, do both of them
at the same time. As some perimeter screens where it
protects you you get the ball in your hands. There's
usually more than not a bad play than that. But
if you actually at the right time, right angle, right people,
(05:01):
you can hit on run And so I think some
of the perimeter screens or slip screens would be a
big deal. And then I mean, one of the things
that was disappointing is the plan for protection and the
execution for protection. And so you know, you got to
have a plan for it. You got to know exactly
how you want to protect it and communicate it. And
while it's hard, you know, it's one of the challenges
(05:23):
of the business. You know, if it's third out, I
wouldn't be surprised if you get into some no huddle
and try to give yourself as much time at the
line of scrimmage to communicate. And then, you know, one
of the things I've always learned and I learned this
from Coach Kubac, and you know, if everybody's wrong, we're
gonna be okay. So you don't chase perfection in these situations.
You know, like to think that you're going to get
the line scrimmage, you know exactly what's going to happen,
(05:45):
and that's not real. But as long as everybody's on
the same page and it knows what or who the
problem is, you're gonna be okay more often than not.
And so that's the big thing is you can't have
four guys thinking one thing and one person doing and
another thing. That's when catastrophe happens again.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Dani Orlowski join us here on the Matt Thomas Show
with Ross And you mentioned the screen game. I mean,
that's something that I've been screaming about all season, Dan
with Joe Mixon. I mean, you see it all the time.
He's running into a wall, he's running for forty fifty
yards a game. You can't really get the run game going.
And you hear Bobby Sloan talk about one to get
the run game going. But all off season, Dan, we
(06:23):
heard about what a great pass catcher he was out
of the backfield. I mean, are you kind of disappointed
in Bobby Slowick for not using that part of his
game more especially factoring in the struggles at times?
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Well, there's no question about it. I mean I'm a
massive fan of the screen game in general. I mean,
if you look at just if we're no Tree Top,
do you look in at some of the offenses that
have been really good this year and certainly in years past.
He would sit there and go Kansas City, Man, Okay,
really good screen game, and then you'd go, well, Detroit, yep,
really good screen game, and all the Minnesota Vikings really
(06:57):
good screen game, and the Los Angeles Rams really good
screen game, and the Buffalo bill is really good screen games. So,
you know, I think as in totality, and you know
that that's got to be one of the foundations staple
of your offenses has different screens that you can get
to it. You're just trying to create a numbers advantage
and then space advantage, and so I think it's a
(07:18):
different way to get Joe mix in the ball. It's
a different way to you know what a mix and
strengths is. Yeah, he's a tough tackle man Like this
is a tough tackle in space, and so you know,
I think it's also a breather for your quarterback. You know,
we're calling this play, we're running this lad off the
sink mush, and so you know it's something that I
would try and hit four or five times on this game.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
A couple of more minutes with Dan Orlowski and Dan
I mean, off topic football wise, I told Ross, I
told the audience, I'd ask you this. You're pretty renowned
for your food takes. So two part question here, Number one,
what gets more of a visceral reaction analysis that maybe
upsets a fan base or your food takes. And is
(07:57):
there a food take that you were willing to die
on a hill? And I mean even you're hunched over
skull and bones on that hill when it's all said
and done, that you will not come.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Off of it. Yeah, definitely the fan bases. You know,
I always say this every year, it feels like the
fans become more and more passionate. And listen, when you're
in my role, like and you you're convicted about the
things you say, it's it's gonna come your way. So
at times I'm like, well that's a tough one. But
definitely the fan bases. But the food does make people
(08:29):
upset in an odd way. You know. The food take
that I would die on is I think mushrooms are disgusting.
That's the one that I ain't blinking off. I ain't
blinking off that one. Yeah, I know. I often say
like I love a good meal.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
I do.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
I do. I love a good meal, but I don't
need a good meal every time I eat. It's not
like I have to walk away from having you know,
food and being like, oh my gosh, that was a
out of body experience, and so you know, I think
that that's probably one as well. It's funny, you guys Houston,
we used to live down there. We were having in
(09:08):
a group text with some friends up here in Connecticut.
We were my wife was vividly describing LTMPO to them
and done. I honestly did not know that, and it
was it was great having the questions fired back from
them of like, wait, what they put brisket in caseo.
We're like, yup. And then they were like, wait you
(09:28):
dip your pahetas and butter and we're like, yeah, just
the food stuff triggered my mind.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
That's great. That one last one before we get you out,
just uh your eyes what the Texans defense is going
to have to do? And then a prediction, a prediction
and then take it easy on us with the prediction
here in Houston.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Yeah. Again, I think can't say wins the game. I
don't want to misrepresent it, but I do think Houston
can hang. And the really question is that can they
do enough offensively? You know, can they do enough? Obviously
the depletion, but I think defensively, if you had to me,
you know, build a defense that could you know, really
hold its own and have success against this Chiefs offense.
I say, man, you've got to have two good end
(10:08):
rushers and you've got to be able to play man
coverage well, you know. And so I think that's what
gives them a good feel in this game is you know,
will and and Danil were freaking unbelievable last week, and
I think their heavy hands are a big deal versus
these tackles. How shy here definitely you know was a miss,
you know, when you felt his impact, and then they
can they can play man, you know. And so I
(10:30):
actually think that their defense can keep them in the game.
I wouldn't be surprised that this is a one score
game on the fourth quarter. I just I don't know
if they could do enough offensively versus a darn good defense.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Dan appreciate tom Man good stuff as always. It's great
to hear her you get here in Houston, and of
course you get to see him on Get Up First
Take pretty much any of the NFL shows. I mean,
everything that's gonna say. I mean, you know, fill in
the blanks that I'm missing here.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Dan, Yeah, there is nothing I tell everybody Austin. You know,
the best part about ESPN is it's twenty four to seven,
you know, so it's obviously got a massive platform and
there's a lot of opportunity. And the worst part about
ESPN is it's twenty four to seven. You know, there
is always another show looking for somebody. So no, it's
(11:21):
it's it's all good. I'm super grateful I get to
be a part of it. Awesome.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Man, Hey, thanks for carving us some time for us today. Man,
we really appreciate it. And uh, we'll catch up soon.
Thanks guys, All right, take care of dan Orlowski again,
ESPN former Texan. But even you'd even thrown out the
idea of do you throw out Texans Texan's legend dan Orlovsky.
Appreciate him making some time for a stalwart in that
locker room. He was always a go to guy talked
(11:44):
to even off Mike. You know, you knew that he
probably had the gift for doing what he does, the
gift of gab. Certainly good stuff there with dan Orlovsky.
You want to rack to anything he had to say
about the Texans this weekend against Kansas City Chiefs, you
can do so
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