EA SPORTS MADDEN 25 #H2H #HOUSTONTEXANS #CJSTROUD #WASHINGTONREDSKINS #JAYDENDANIELS

the Houston Texans and it's all up next in the only building this franchise has ever known we're at the home of the Texans welcome to NRG Stadium in Houston joined by a former NFL quarterback up in the booth Mr Brock hward I'm Kate Scott and Brock you can if like to because I know you quite the big arm in your days with the Huskies in Seattle well we got a couple of quarterbacks here who also know how to push that football down the field yeah you got a couple QBs who are going to keep these defenses honest today because the moment they get greedy and coverage and get too aggressive in the pocket either of these quarterbacks can drop a dime drop a deep throw right over him for big yardage maybe six points to [Applause] to kick off here's Riley Patterson and away we go from NRG Stadium that's going to be taken in at the eight and that's where they'll begin the drive following the return here the for their opening drive and leading them out is someone who became an absolute Superstar last year as a rookie drafted second in 2023 it's CJ St CJ may not have been the number one pick in the 2023 NFL draft but he was clearly the number one rookie in all of the NFL last year near unanimous Rookie of the Year in fact even earning MVP votes Kate it wasn't just a little bit of a rebound and a rebuild for Houston it was a remake in a hurry and what can he do in a sophomore season it be must C TV throwing on their first play he's got it to run and he maybe got back to the line there but no further he specializes in salvaging broken plays out of the back field but even he couldn't get anything out of that one Kate that defense they were all over it second and 10 need to get some positive yardage here now it's Dr complete to and he's down looks like they made the stop at the 46 yd L they get 28 out of that play and the Texans are going to have a first down the analytics will tell you a handful of these kind of plays per game and your odds per Drive of scoring go way up set for from the 46 a give left side here's mix and not much doing he stopped quickly two on the pick up there and it's going to be second and eight I think one thing you learned Kate when you transition from college to the NFL not every run is going to be a big play some of them well they're just destined to end in a minimal game and some of them will set up that critical play action for [Music] later from the 43 got a man Open complete and they make theop as that reaches the 14 yd line it's a gain of 29 Y and it sets up a Houston first I think my favorite part was the magic after the catch the way he took the completion and made so much more out of it by adding all the extra yardage and they've got themselves another first and 10 working inside the Red Zone finding Collins that's a pretty similar result to a first down Run play moves It Forward keeps he on schedule makes second and third down a whole lot easier to manage second down now seven to go option design here go down shy the end zone They Mark him at the four that's going to be a gain of six and they need only inches now here on third down that Run's not going to turn many heads but at the end of the year I promise you if you average over five yds a run you can be a pro bowler one yard all that's needed this is third and Ines back to throw Dr and he will score it's a Houston touchdown the Tex finish off an excellent opening Series Nico Collins with a touchdown well he couldn't ask for a better start to a game than that the offense taking it all the way down the field and finishing with six these opening drives Kate are such tone Setters it is why every offense loves to script their first 15 plays right everybody knows what's coming allows you during the practice week to get into Rhythm but even better when you're that sharp that crisp and finish off and get the early L that one splits the upright and they add one on to their first touchdown of the contest [Applause] [Applause] has it all set up for the kickoff here's a return from the seven and he's brought down the offense will come onto the field now the commanders will get their at an opening drive of the game and leading them out the reigning Heisman Trophy winner the number two pick in the NFL draft out of LSU Jaden Daniel Jaden's the closest thing we've seen to Lamar Jackson and while there's only one Lamar Jackson the two-time MVP Jaden's going to push him a little bit in this league he is a tremendous athlete over a thousand yard rushing down the SEC and he's just got the instincts the feel to know when to run it man he can also sling it a quick compa accurate release I can't wait to watch this guy skill set unfold [Applause] [Applause] [Music] all who can opening punch gain that first Advantage in a game long back andth opening solid maybe on the an immediate tone for defense [Applause] everyone's prepped it's second down [Applause] now another try following the sack then is caugh down field on the right side well that is pretty darn impeccable timing between the two they hit a curl route of that length it takes great anticipation and precision by the quarterback and the receiver on the other end Finish doing his job the bringing out an extra DV third down coming up they go play action here it's K away he's going hit the ground incomplete Defender thats up I'm just going to say maybe not the guy you want to pick on in coverage of this particular series gets a hand on that throw and knocks it away the next time he two hands on it and take it the other commanders puning on fourth down and they're going to bring out the ever reliable Lefty vet Tres and this will hit the line and then go into the end zone for a touch back his T offense ready to upate second Drive of the contest they've gotten off to the exact start they wanted Brock and now an early chance to pull away and get some distance on their opponents Drive starts out with a first and 10 now he'll throw off the play fake he's man Wide Open [Applause] complete the field in special teams right a kick return a good punt explosive play like that same thing look at the difference in field position by hitting on that shot you've totally flipped the field and the tone of this drive four downs now to get in here's first and goal running with mix out of the gun and get this across touchdown Houston the throw their early lead to 13 it's a Joe Mixon touchdown so Ro this offense looking sharier in the first half as they extend their lead you know and when things are going well sometimes you really just get into a Groove and this is a unit that's putting the pieces together faar now for the P that one right down the middle and they'll continue adding to their lead [Applause] [Applause] has it all set up for the kickoff this one's fielded at the four yd line and this drive will start inside the 2 the commanders for their second dri of theame and they haven't very their opening out begin [Applause] off ready to begin this drive first and [Applause] 10 left side here's Robson and heage it's a loss on the play well he was supposed to be the one who chipped away a few got a set it down started right in Rhythm instead he's now forced to pick himself from behind the line thanks to a great effort defensively the [Applause] line shot s looking to [Applause] throw let's get some credit to the defense here talk about exposive plays every off is looking for defense can go backto back Jack with a tackle for loss in the sack well they're more than doing their [Applause] job not an enot here as they come up on Third and very long shot throw that's going to be an incomplete pass on the throw to the right so many coaches love thirds and practice them so much Kate why they're the money down in the NFL whether it's a close game already out of hand coaches know got to execute convert on these third Downs theand ready for the and he wants to hit his second effort just as well as he h his first fielded 35 and they bring him down to put a stop to that return that one scored as a massive 67 yd effort and the offense ready to head back out onto the [Applause] field thanks for watching the game the Texans set up nicely as they come up to the line first and [Applause] 10 out of the gun they'll look to throw there to grab it and they get this down to the 4 before he stopped they get 13 on the pick up and the Texans are going to have a first down that is what Elite offenses are all about why worry about three Downs when you need only one move the chains in one play and keep driving that defense backwards and we will not get another play that's going to do it for the first quarter it's a two-score game early we'll make our return to NRG Stadium after this welcome back we'll begin this second quarter with the Texans in possession they've got first and 10 here looking add to their lead out of the shotgun a give to Mixon and he'll get this forward and he stopped at the 37 it's a solid seveny pick up on first down now they're going to have second and three so much to like about that run Kate particularly what he was able to get out of it the defense I think feels a little fortunate they were able to track him down before an even bigger run in Crossing that first down marker from the 37 short pass caught by his tiend and he's stopped at the 31 yd line that one ends up a gain of six and it sets up a Houston First Look up contested catch in the football dictionary and you'll see that I mean I can't critique the defense they they're in the Hip Pocket of that tight end but these contested catches these tight ends that can separate with their hands utilize their body even when you're covered you're not and he takes this one nearly to the Red Zone before going out that is the epitome of staying on schedule that kind of completion right there on first down well it opens up the entirety of the playbook for second down the third and short in your back pocket you can get even more aggressive and take that shot from the 23 he finds his running back nice work complete and he gets this down inside the Red Zone before going out it's a g of and the Texans are going to have a first down play like this that's exactly where you want to get him the ball right on the outside where he's got the space in a lot more room to work they'll keep this drive moving and come to the line for first and 10 from the red zone now with the grab and they'll Advance this down to the 5 yd line 14 y on a nice play there and it gives him first and goal I love throwing on first down and when you see first down pass just like that it's taking advantage of a matchup you plan for and you go out and execute this offense in position now it's first and goal toss now to the short side and the defense is all over this one for a big loss well there they were hoping they were hoping to get outside and meet those guys at the second level while someone from the second level came to beat him on his Turf and that meeting didn't go so well second chance at six here it's second and goal they'll hand it to him again and he will score it's a Houston touchdown the Texans their lead to a three-core Advantage it's a Joe Mixon now well Brock not much to say other than the fact that this offense on point they are just clicking today just rolling I mean this this is clinic this is what I call teaching tape being well prepared more importantly going out there and executing at a high level faar now for the P that one the upright and they'll continue adding to their lead [Applause] [Applause] Fair Baron has it all set up for the kickoff this one's fielded at the four yd line and this will give them decent field position the return gets out to the 30 well we've already seen some nice plays here and we're going to see plenty more before this game ends but you might be thinking with plays like that my guy's ratings should be better well you're not alone you got a chance to let the Madden ratings hotline know just what you're thinking give him a call 1844 Madden one and make your case for who should get a boost first and 10 now from the 30 throw in with a blitz on the way big catches made and he got the feet in up for a first down nice find by the rookie quarterback from LSU they've WN this 12yd out route Kate it's combine well all the way back to last century when I had to throw it in this throw this a Big Boy Throw it's a differentiator can you make that deep out throw on time on Rhythm and accurately well that was teaching tape right there he's on the Move he's on the Move they'll get 18 yards there and that'll be good for aing first as long as these are the results he's getting they're going to be just fine with him calling his own number he does such a good job of see in the field and knowing when it's his time to take it himself set of downs for him at the [Applause] 38 now Daniels to throw right side got a man complete and the defense gets there to force a small loss well there was never a play in any Playbook I ever saw designed for a lost yardage play when you throw the ball but if there's any Solace at least it was first down couple more chances to make up for [Applause] it the give here on second and he's able to get this down to the 36 three yards the pick up now it's third and eight you know not a ton of yards but still showing that commitment to the ground game the type of run that keeps a defense from loading up in coverage and focusing entirely on that passing game a less than ideal third here Daniels back to throw open receiver CAU and they're going to bring him down as we've come up to the two-minute [Applause] warning a new set of downs awaits him here's first and 10 off the play fake he's going to throw and it's CAU and this is down all the way to the three a nice pick up of 11 there Brock and they'll have first and goal to figure out you know Kate you'll find teams go to this Crossing route concept sometimes a dozen times a game a lot of times it's for short of yardage but sometimes seems breaking the right coverage for a much bigger impact play just like that back to throw here's Daniels intercepted In The End Zone Christian Harris FS it off and the Texans take over after forcing the first turnover of this ball game that's it right there and the mental toughness that every coach wants to see from his defense not a great spot for him backed up close enough that they're going to get shots taken in the end zone but instead of collapsing Under Pressure they rose up and they created the takeaway the Texans and running back Joe Mixon headed out for their next series and this close to their end zone they have got to be careful but still enough time that they could mount something of a drive here before the half they're out and set first and 10 again to Mixon up the middle and he's able to power this forward but they stop him after two yards this close to your own goal line they really don't want to risk a sack that means well one option run it and buy whatever Breathing Room you can offense at the line but they won't snap it we've got a timeout they'll have two left to work with before halftime eight yards to go let's see how they approach this second down here's drown now short pass caught by his tight end and they bring him down up at the 12 yd line he's just one of those guys Kate even when he's not open he's still a Target thanks to that physicality and his ability to just play bowlly ball they don't like forcing into coverage but sometimes when you got a bully like him that could create space just find a way to get him the ball throwing now third and two complete beyond the marker they'll move the chains after that pick up of 12 I'm not sure how this defense let that guy slip through him like that on third down nonetheless he took that snap as an opportunity and man did he make an impact play they're now set for first and 10 now a give to Mixon and the power play up the gun only results in two yards it's half time here in Houston with the Texans enjoying a lead at the break now we'll head over to Orlando Florida check in with Jonathan Coachman for the EA Sports halftime report okay Kate thanks very much and welcome in everyone to our EA Sports halftime report it was Joe Mixon who had it working in the first half he chipped in a couple of touchdown runs as he was running with determination right from the word go this was an extremely one-sided first half one team showed up ready to go the other's been in a days thus far but there's still plenty of time left for this one to tighten up significantly all right thank you coach and we are back and about set to begin the second half Fair Baron has it all set up for the kickoff here's a return from the seven and he's brought down the offense will come onto the field the commander offense with the football first to begin quarter number three in that first half they just couldn't keep up the pace but they're going to be the ones setting the pace here to begin this third quarter [Applause] they'll get this drive started first and 10 trying to shake off the interception he's looking to throw and oh someone stepped in it's intercepted picked off by Derek Stingley Jor and it doesn't matter who gets that ball to start this second because Picks It Off on the very first play I wonder at halftime down there in that locker room on the Whiteboard if that defensive coaching staff just said simply go get the ball it's exactly what they do and it totally changes the complexion of this second half now we get a look at this Texans offense and they're set up well inside of enemy territory they've got a short field after that pick first and 10 now from the 30 running left is Mixon broke through the tackle and he'll get it down to the 24 yd line give him around six that's going to make it second and four Kate I know you can see that smile on my face as we stand next to each other sure I love that run but I'm thinking about some great running backs in fact Cory who created a lot of negative grades on my play sheet because I didn't want to carry out no fake I wanted to watch the damage he could do like we just [Applause] saw catch made and he's able to get it to the two before the stop they rip off a big Chuck of field and it sets him up with first and goal that's one of those plays Kate where every position on the offense gets a gold star they all did their job enough protection to allow the qu time to find his receiver who went all the way from the right side of the field to the left side of the field to do some damage they'll break the Huddle and come up on first and goal working inside the Red Zone and he will score it's a Houston touchdown the Texans push their lead further to start the half it's a Jo mi in touchdown his third total score this game wow just fantastic work there tiptoeing along the backline the concentration was there great catch for six yeah the concentration and the body control I don't know how these receivers do it in this day and age there's no space to work with yet they have such an awareness to secure it first to tap dance the line and go get that touchdown Fair bear now for the pat that one right down the middle and they'll continue adding to their lead [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] Fair Baron has it all set up for the kickoff here's a return from the seven and he's brought down the offense will come onto the field the commanders and QB Jaden Daniels headed out for their next look on offense and as we can see here it hasn't been the easiest game for him to operate out there right number of rough moments for him this defense able to pick him off twice to highlight their performance against [Applause] him and the drive will start out with a first and [Applause] 10 out of the shotgun they'll give it to him inside and this one gets to the 33 yd line before it stopped a nice 6yd pickup they're going to have second and four you gain that kind of yardage in the Run game and you're going to gain the trust of your offensive coordinator plays like that runs like that set the table for everything else in the Playbook after a good pick up they've got second and four St with Eckler and they bring him down he managed to get a couple across the to the 36 give him three yard that's going to bring up third and two they got some positive yards that's a good thing but too many plays like that it just is too hard to pile together get first downs gets the better defenses in this lead here's the G on Third and short and he's tackled with the first down yardage you love a huddle Kate you really do you love a huddle full of guys like this who just know how to keep the drive moving forward there's some trust there he's going to get the job done and he's going to get another shot I would guess down the line let's see how they attack this first down Brock from the 43 changing things up they're going to throw now he finds the open man there complete and they bring him down around the 34 they strike for 23 yards and the commanders will have a first it's back when you throw that curl rout you know it's a tight window Kate but the minute that DB turns it can't react to the throw you put it right on your receiver's numbers he comes back and gets it and moves the sticks they'll run here on first down and without much room he's going to go down at the 32 yd line only two yard and it brings up second and eight [Applause] motioning him from the slot [Applause] right from the 32 escapes the pocket he's going to keep it this time and that's good yardage with a new set of downs you know these are the type of plays that really get an offense going this is a chance for QB to insire the guys around calling his own number carrying his teammates to a first down on that big run that inflates an offense and it can suck the wind out of that defense still on the Move coming to the line for first and thanks for watching the game Daniels no hesitation and that one's caught and this one doesn't go far every once in a while it's fine to be conservative on first down especially when you get enough to stay on schedule and get a little something coming out of it [Applause] too second down now seven to go out of the gun they'll give it to him inside and he'll pick up enough to move the chains I think with that call they were trying to set him up with a short third down run but he said uh-uh NOP not in my watch I'll just go get it all right here now books wide open for first and 10 four downs now to get in here's first and [Applause] goal they'll try and punch it in and he won't get anything there several Defenders nearby to hold him up nothing doing that time and it leaves them on second and goal you know Kate these are the situations in training camp that I love more than anything to watch you've learned so much about a football team in these go to go situations you know you got to protect that goal line and the defense well they did the job on first down more to come they'll send him up the middle and he's going to take it in for the Washington touchdown the commanders shave some off the deficit late in the quarter it's an Austin Eckler touchdown well Brock this one has not been good to them so far but they are still fighting and able to get in there for six just a drive that was was all about scratching and Claw as much as anything Kate it was just a pride drive to go and get your job done Riley Patterson on for the extra point that one splits the uprights and they're a point closer now on the scoreboard WI here's Patterson now to kick this away that's going to be taken in at the eight and a decent return ends as they bring him down inside the 30 the Texans and CJ Str all set to go for their next Drive and this is some quality film review right here look at this couple of touchdowns good amount of yards too he's been moving him down the field like only he can putting together quite the game for himself in the [Applause] process Drive starts out with a first and 10 they're going play action flush out of the pocket he takes it himself and he protects himself with a slide there after a decent gain I love that play I I that's quarterback 101 nothing downfield get what you can with your legs but so much more importantly protect yourself availability one of the most important abilities for any quarterback here's second and five pressure's there and the commander got him and that pushes him back third down coming up a touchdown aside in that frame as we run out of time in the third quarter it's Texans football as we start the fourth and they hold a commanding Advantage here this drive in some serious trouble it's third and 12 here he goes on the bootleg got a man Open complete and he'll push this up field and earn them a new set of downs you're not going to last long in the National Football League if you don't convert a good chunk of your third Downs nice F there to continue the series ball on the 45 first and 10 staying between the tackles with Mixon they're able to grind him to a halt after a pick up of four he'll expect more from himself on those type of plays but there is nobody that's going to complain about that one if you can do math four plus 4 plus 4 equals a first down second and Six coming up here they'll put one of the tight ends in motion keeping it with Mixon and they'll bring him down after a pretty short gain they pick up one on the Run need more though that takes him to Third and five here's St splits a couple of Defenders and completes it and he's going to be brought down after reaching the 43 that's good for seven yards and it sets up a Houston first that's what we call situational football you spend all week working on your nickel passing game package to take advantage of third Downs just like that on first down they'll run and that's good yardage there with a new set of downs to boot you know Kate if you notice those guys that that love to feed themself on the field right they love to just get more and more they're hungry for even more I'll tell you what that tackle it prevented something that's going to be a lot bigger but that back remains hungry offense set for a first and 10 on the ground again with Mixon and he's down into the Red Zone this run gets to the 18 give him nine yards he almost moved the chains there it's going to be second and one well that doesn't net a first down you get yards like that in the Run game you will take it in the NFL nice spot here for the offense it's second and one back to that carries here and he's brought down for a loss that takes us to the two-minute warning in Houston Texans about set to celebrate this win all plays on the table here for third and three back to the well again and he's dropped just short the marker maybe a yard away [Applause] only need the length of the football it's Fourth and inches trying to push this past the marker and he's brought down after a nice gain and a first down that's a dream come true right there as a play caller Kate you leave the offense out there on Fourth and inches you try to pound It Forward just to move those chains you get the best in both worlds you move the chains for a lot lot more this offense in position now it's first and goal another carry for him and he's in for the touchdown the Texans parlay the interception into points it's a Joe Mixon touchdown his third of the game on the ground well Brock you know this better than most in baseball it's three strikes in you're out I know you experienced that a lot but on the grid iron you're feeling pretty happy right if you can strike the end zone three times in one game yeah I'd rather go hockey and soccer that's just a positive guy of me they call that a hatrick it's worth celebrating and yeah they should celebrate this effort Fair bear now for the p [Applause] that one right down the middle and they'll continue adding to their lead [Music] [Applause] Fair Baron has it all set up for the kickoff here's a return from the seven find some space he's past the 30 and he manages the 35 before they can stop him Washington ready to go on offense as they take the field and they can really do what they want with these last couple of snaps afforded to them because the outcome already [Applause] decided commanders starting out in a good spot this drive as they get set first and 10 throwing from the gun here he gets this one to mclen and that's good yardage with a new set of downs they like to say it's about the jimmies and the Joe's I think that's about the x's and the O's that's a well drawn up completion that Nets them a first [Applause] down football on that 47 yd line first down one final shot here throw right side and that one's haed in and he'll get this through Midfield and starts pushing into Texans territory it's the Texans who defend their building and take the win and this is a game that proves every pee and pop water and high school coach across the country correct Brock teams who make fewer mistakes and turnovers going to win a lot of football games they kept the football they forced a couple of turnovers and that was a big part of the difference in this one so for Bron thanks for watching the game at EA Sports I'm Kate Scott signing off we'll see you next time that's