Official Texans vs. Titans Game Thread, 11/28/2010

[Arky]

The 5-5 Titans come to town this weekend and look to reverse a 3-game losing streak. The Texans are also on a 4-game losing streak in what shapes up to be a battle of the losing streaks. The Titans are without the services of both Kerry Collins and Vince Young so it looks like it will be rookie Rusty Smith (Florida Atlantic) starting at QB. The Titans strength is the run game on both offense and defense ranking 9th and 11th, respectively. Their weaknesses are the passing game on both offense and defense ranking 31st and 26th, respectively.

TV = 12 noon Sunday on CBS (Channel 11 local)

Announcers (http://the506.com/sports/?tag=2010-week-12) = Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts

Opening line = Texans by 6
Current line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) = Texans by 6.5

Set your DVR's.

Update:

ESPN has Texans favored by 6.5

Update#2:

Point spread now posted.

[WMH]

Update:

ESPN has Texans favored by 6.5

WOW....looks like a sucker bet to me. :eek:

[nunusguy]

WOW....looks like a sucker bet to me. :eek:
Both VY & Collings are out with some rookie named Rusty something under center, hence the points you gotta lay if you take the Texans.

[HPF Bob]

It does look like a good matchup. Their quarterback will be Rusty and ours will still be Schaub with Foster and AJ for support. The question is how well the Texans can contain Chris Johnson. If he's bottled up, a Texan win is almost guaranteed. But, then, these are the Texans and they've found ways to lose matchups that looked easier than this.

Now that all the playoff pressure is off, it wouldn't shock me to see them go on another late-season run to respectability yet fall short of the playoffs and kill a great draft position. It would be just like them.

[Fonz the Boss]

Rusty Smith is no slouch. Start him on your fantasy team if you have Schaub as your starter. Randy Moss has been held without a catch for 2 games in a row but the drought ends here. At the end of the day, Titans torch our defense and our offense wont be able to keep up.

Titans 31
Texans 28

[NBT]

It's hard to argue with that prediction with the way the team, and the defense in particular has been playing. I hate this inconsistancy!!

Note to McNair:
There's a time to hold 'em, and then there's a time to fold 'em. You need to run away from this and try again. If it is a consultant you want, make sure it is someone like Tuna who really knows the game.

[TheMatrix31]

I swear....if we let this dude look like ****************in' John Elway out there.....

[Nconroe]

I hope Dl plays good or better than last week and secondary comes up with a reasonable coverage scheme these guys can play and even give Molden a shot at it.

[nunusguy]

Is there just no snaps available for Slaton ? I understand that Foster is playing very well and they like Ward to come in now and then and spell Arian,
and they don't want Slaton handling punts or KOs but can't they see 3rd down type situations where Slaton might be valuable ? He's not injured, so I gotta think there's something else here we don't know about
that's made him invisable on gamedays ?

[HPF Bob]

Last I saw of Slaton, he was running timidly after reinjuring his surgically repaired neck. I think Kubes would have put him on IR were it not for how easy it is to lose RBs to injury. We've really been fortunate with Foster this year. A lot of teams haven't had their starting tailback all year.

I heard Boomer Esiason say today that 311 NFL players are already on IR this year compared to 277 for all of last year. :eek:

[Arky]

Spread (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) is down to Texans by 4.5 on some boards. :eek:

Time to give the Titans the thrashing they so richly deserve.....

[Arky]

Gametime!

Texans win the toss and will receive.

Slaton brings the ball back to the 25.

[Arky]

Pass to AJ gets 6. 2nd and 4 coming up.

Pass to AJ gets 4, 1st down.

Foster spins for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Schaub pressured throws inc to AJ. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Dump to Foster gets good yardage, 19 yards. 1st down.

Ward gets 1. Ball at the Titan 41. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Foster sweeps left for about 4. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Schaub throws inc. to JJ. Texans to go for it on 4th and 5.

[TheMatrix31]

Is there just no snaps available for Slaton ? I understand that Foster is playing very well and they like Ward to come in now and then and spell Arian,
and they don't want Slaton handling punts or KOs but can't they see 3rd down type situations where Slaton might be valuable ? He's not injured, so I gotta think there's something else here we don't know about
that's made him invisable on gamedays ?

I'd like to see him involved in the passing game.

[TheMatrix31]

Have to draw up the play to go past the marker.

[Arky]

On 4th and 5, dump to AJ only gets 2 or 3. Titans ball at their own 35.

[HPF Bob]

How do you dial up a two-yard pass on 4th-and-5? It can't be a check down because that's your go-to receiver?

[Arky]

Mario sacks Smith for -1/2 yard. 2nd and 10 coming up.

CJ gets about 5. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Flag pre-snap, false start Titans. Makes it 3rd and 10.

3rd down pass to Gage is knocked loose. Titans have to punt.

JJ brings the punt back to the Texans 23.

[TheMatrix31]

I saw a bad snap and a missed corner blitz pickup. Bad coaching, bad execution by the players.

[Arky]

Schaub pressured throws inc. to Leach. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Schaub hits AJ for 21. Ball at the Texan 44.

Foster for maybe 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Foster hits the right side for 7. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Foster gets 3. 1st down. Ball at the Titan 44.

Foster sweeps left for just 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Pass to AJ broken up. Makes it 3rd and 9.

Flag pre-snap. False start Winston. Makes it 3rd and 14.

Dump to JJ only gets 4. Texans to punt.

Punt goes in the endzone. Titans ball at their own 20.

[TheMatrix31]

I really think what's playing a big role our woes on offense is really bad field position. JJ and Slaton have been hot garbage all year. Blockers aren't doing a good job on special teams at all.

[Arky]

If they're going to pass, I'd like to see them go to Foster and the TE's more. It's like all (90%?) AJ at the moment....

[Arky]

Cushings TFL on CJ -1. 2nd and 11 coming up.

2nd down pass sails inc. Makes it 3rd and 11.

Pass to Scaife comes up just short of the 1st down. Hard hit by Cushing. Titans to punt.

JJ gets not much on the return. Ball at the Texans 22.

[TheMatrix31]

Lay down the lumber, Cush!

[HPF Bob]

If they're going to pass, I'd like to see them try to make a first down when it is third or fourth down. So far, Dennison isn't calling that, :rolleyes:

[Arky]

Foster gets about 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Pass to AJ gets 9. 1st down.

Dump to Foster only gets 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Foster gets 3. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Screen to Foster only gets 4. Texans to punt.

Timeout Texans with 21 seconds left in the 1st quarter.

[HPF Bob]

Another pass short of the first down and now we burn a time out trying to punt. Somewhere Chuck is setting fire to a seating section.

[Arky]

Turk's punt is down at the Titans 4.

CJ TFL by Cushing -3. Nice play. Ball at the Titan 1.

End of 1st quarter.

[Arky]

Another pass short of the first down and now we burn a time out trying to punt. Somewhere Chuck is setting fire to a seating section.

Ha ha... :p They really don't look interested, yet, do they?

[Arky]

Smith's deep pass is INT'ed by GQ! Texans ball at the 25!

[TheMatrix31]

Hey Quin, you actually caught the ball.

[Arky]

Dump to Leach gets 7. 2nd and 3 coming up.

Foster for about 1. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Dump to Foster gets 16! Ball at the Titans 1.

Pass to Dreesen gets the TD!

Texans 7, Titans 0

[HPF Bob]

Let's see if Rusty Rusty has an answer or if Fisher switches to Collins.

[Nconroe]

So far, so good. a little patience on offense and good pressure on defense.

[Big Texas]

I want to be so excited, however, something in the back of my mind wont let me...

[TheMatrix31]

Let's see if Rusty Rusty has an answer or if Fisher switches to Collins.

I think Collins is hurt.

[Arky]

12:47 left in the half.

Mariani brings the kickoff back to the Titans 27.

Pass to Washington goes through his hands. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Moss broken up by GQ. Makes it 3rd and 10.

Pass to Moss good for 14. 1st down Titans.

Gadget play gets sniffed out for -8 yards. Makes it 2nd and 18.

Dump to CJ gets 3. 3rd and 15 coming up.

Dump to Ringer only gets 5 so Titans have to punt.

JJ hits the sideline for modest 9 yard return. Flag on the play. Correction, no foul. Texans ball at their 29.

[Nconroe]

I want to be so excited, however, something in the back of my mind wont let me...

Yeah, no relaxing or overconfidence here.

No call on penalty Jeff Fischer.

[HPF Bob]

I think Collins is hurt.

He is but he's also Rusty's back-up today. The newly re-signed Chrissie Simms is the emergency QB. And, trust me, it better be an emergency before Fisher puts him in.

[Arky]

9:48 left in the half.

Foster cuts back for 13. 1st down.

Foster gets about 9 more. Brings up 2nd and 1.

Ward gets 2 for the 1st down. Ball at the Titans 48.

Ward gets about 13 up the gut.

Ward gets 17 - nice run. Witherspoon of the Titans is down on the play. Injury timeout. Ball at the Titans 16.

[Nconroe]

running game on left side looking pretty good right now, nice to see

[HPF Bob]

Texans are gashing Tennessee right now. Somewhere, Chuck has sat down.

[Arky]

Foster trips over D Brown for 1 yard. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Dump to Dreesen gets 5. 3rd and 5 coming up from the 11 yd line.

Dump to Foster who takes it to the 2. 1st and goal.

Schaub hits AJ in the back of the endzone for the TD!

Texans 14, Titans 0

[TheMatrix31]

If we didn't blow the last 3 games, Arian Foster would be an MVP candidate.

[Arky]

If we didn't blow the last 3 games, Arian Foster would be an MVP candidate.

Still 5.5 games left to get him there..... :)

[HPF Bob]

Not to knock recent success but I'm really bothered by all these third down throws that are short of the first down and we expect the receiver to pick up the rest. I don't see the GOOD teams around the NFL doing that consistently.

[Arky]

4:42 left in the half.

Titans bring the kickoff back to their 29.

Ringer gets about 2. Brings up 2nd and 8.

Ringer gets nice gain but flag on the play. Holding Titans -10. Makes it 2nd and 18.

Ringer dodges and darts for 8. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Gage gets 12 and the 1st down. Ball at the Titan 41.

2 minute warning.

[Nconroe]

If we didn't blow the last 3 games, Arian Foster would be an MVP candidate.

Yes, and everyone would think we would have a good team sitting at 7-3 but, hasn't worked out yet. Too many losses, ever so close.

It is nice to see a good offensive start in first half. And defense holding up so far. Cushing seems to be really in there a lot today.

[Big Texas]

I have seen more of Cushing today than I have seen of him all season.

[TheMatrix31]

Still 5.5 games left to get him there..... :)

We'd have to run the table for it to be considered, and 10-6 doesn't get us into the playoffs as a wild card :-/

[Arky]

Pass to Moss gets 8 but iffy catch.

Pass to Scaife is inc. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Dump to CJ who gets stopped by Cush. 4th and 3 coming up. Timeout Texans. 1:36 left in the half. Titans to punt.

Punt goes out of bounds about the Texan 23.

[Arky]

Pass to Dreesen is low and inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Dump to AJ only gets about 4. 3rd and 6 coming up. 1 minute left.

Dump to Foster comes up a couple of yards short of the 1st down so Texans have to punt.

Titans offsides on the punt gives the Texans a 1st down! 35 seconds left.

Pass to JJ gets 9.

Oh my. Pass to KW - can't hang on inc.

Pass to Foster gets 10. 1st down. 8 seconds left. Last timeout for Texans.

[TheMatrix31]

Clock management is one of the only things I'll get on the coach for.

[Nconroe]

Yes, the whole two minute drill needs improvement

[Arky]

Schaub sacked and fumbles but Winston recovers.

Halftime.

Texans 14, Titans 0

[Arky]

Halftime stats:

Passing: Schaub 19/25, 136 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

Rushing: Foster 12/51, Ward 4/34

Receiving: Foster 7/63, AJ 7/48, JJ 2/13, Dreessen 2/6

Tackles: Cushing 5, Bentley/Wilson/Pollard 2

3rd down conversions: Texans 5/9, Titans 2/6

Red zone: Texans 2/2, Titans 0/0

Total yards: Texans 208, Titans 54

Turnovers: Texans 0, Titans 1

Time of possession: Texans 20:03, Titans 9:57

[Arky]

Mariani downs the 2nd half kickoff in the endzone. Titans ball at their 20.

Cushing TFL on CJ. Brings up 2nd and 14.

Pass to Moss gets about 1. 3rd and 13 coming up.

Ball is almost INT'ed by Cush so Titans have to punt.

JJ fair catches at the Texan 34.

[Arky]

This defense... pinch me! ;)

Pass to KW gets 12.

Foster gets 4. 2nd and 6 coming up from midfield.

Foster for no gain. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Pass to KW inc. but KW buys a PI. 1st down Texans at the Titan 41.

Schaub's pass to Winston inc. (lol). 2nd and 10 coming up.

Dump to Foster gets 3. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Pass to Dreessen goes for 9 and a 1st down. Nice catch.

Foster with big 18 yard run. Ball at the Titans 11.

Foster for 1. Brings up 2nd and 9 from the 10.

Schaub shovel pass is inc.

Schaub is sacked. Texans to go for the FG.

[Arky]

Rackers 35 yarder bounces in.....

Texans 17, Titans 0

[HPF Bob]

The Painted Lady gets a sack and Rackers gets a doink FG.

Good thing ol' Cletus didn't read the page in the rule book about intentional grounding.

[Nconroe]

Winston is sure a little slow, getting run over by Titans DE's today, just then by Babin.

Lucky field goal and lot of marginal calls coming our way today it seems.

I need to go vote for Arian Foster for probowl a few more times.

[Arky]

Mariani brings the kickoff back to the Titans 20. 8:05 left in the 3rd.

Dump to Hall goes for no gain.

Dump to CJ gets about 6 but flags on the play. PI on Titans, -10 yards. Makes it 2nd and 21.

Pass to Cook goes for no gain. 3rd and 21 coming up.

Timeout Texans. 6:04 left in the 3rd.

[Arky]

On 3rd and 21, pass to Cook goes for about 10. Titans have to punt.

JJ brings the punt back to the 18 but block in the back on Texans (Molden?) backs it up to the Texan 9.

[Nconroe]

TV said McMannis made block in the back. Seems our special teams blocking and fairly common penalties needs a bunch of improvement this year, usually a strong point in previous years.

[Arky]

Foster for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Pass to AJ gets about 6. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Dump to Foster gets the 1st down at the Texans 24.

Foster for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.

[Arky]

TV said McMannis made block in the back. Seems our special teams blocking and fairly common penalties needs a bunch of improvement this year, usually a strong point in previous years.

Ref said #28.....

[Arky]

Foster for 1. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Foster can't hang on to the pass so Texans have to punt.

Mariani brings the punt back to the Titan 29.

Let's go defense!

[Arky]

CJ for 9. 2nd and 1 coming up.

CJ TFL by Okoye -5. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Pass to Gage good for 9 and the 1st down. Ball at the Titan 44.

Pass to Cook is dropped. Brings up 2nd and 10.

End of 3rd quarter.

[HPF Bob]

This game has all the intensity of two teams trying to work off Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing. Looks really stagnant.

[Nconroe]

Hey, it was nice to see the tackle for loss on CJ by Amobi Okeye.

[Arky]

On 2nd and 10, false start Titans -5. Makes it 2nd and 15.

Smith's pass sails inc. Brings up 3rd and 15.

Smith's pass is deflected and falls inc. Titans have to punt.

JJ tripped up at the Texans 9.

[Arky]

14:41 left in the game.

Foster for 2. Brings up 2nd and 8.

Schaub nearly safetied but pass goes inc.

Dump to AJ goes nowhere. Flag on JJ for illegal block in back. Texans to punt from their 11.

Titans brings the punt back to the Texan 43 but flag on the play. Offsetting penalties, replay the punt.

Titans bring the punt back but Nolan gets tagged for late hit out of bounds. 15 yards, puts the ball at the Texan 36.

13:11 left in the game.

[Arky]

Pass to Gage gets 9.

Flag pre-snap - false start Titans. Makes it 2nd and 6.

Pass goes inc. but Pollard gets a PI. 1st down Titans at the Texan 12.

CJ for 3. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Smith's pass is INT'ed by GQ! Texans ball at the 5!

[Nconroe]

Thanks GQ, second pick today, and with a broken right hand.

[TheMatrix31]

Can't believe Quin.

[Arky]

11:27 left in the game.

Let's get the shutout.... (Lord knows the defensive stats need it).

Foster for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Foster TFL -1. Makes it 3rd and 10 coming up.

Foster busts one for a big gainer! Horse collar on Foster on the play..... Add 15 yards more.... Puts the ball at the Titan 44.

Foster for 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Foster for no gain. Makes it 3rd and 8 coming up.

Whoa, Ward gets 6 and then AJ and Finnegan get into it. AJ's gonna be ejected.... Thowin some haymakers, they were...

[HPF Bob]

That was dumb. It wasn't even a horsecollar. Griffin grabbed the shoulder.

[TheMatrix31]

Tennessee is such a piece of shit team.

[Arky]

Offsetting penalties on both teams. Finnegan ejected, too....

4th down and 1 Texans at the Titan 34 and it looks like they will go for it.....

Foster gets the 1st down on about a 6 or 7 yard gain.

Foster for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up. About 6 1/2 minutes left in the game.

Foster for 1. Brings up 3rd and 5.

Foster to the Titan 15 yard line. 1st down.

[Nconroe]

On replay to me looked like Griffin grabbed a face mask of Foster.

And, the fight initiated by Finnegan by throwing hands to face of AJ, glad he was ejected for sure.

[HPF Bob]

AJ will get his money's worth at least. If you're going to get tossed, land some punches.

They better get Foster out of the game before this gets more chippy. The game is no longer in doubt.

[Arky]

Ward gets about 7. Brings up 2nd and 3 at the Titan 9.

Ward gets no gain. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Holding on Dreessen backs the ball up -10. Makes it 3rd and 14.

Foster for 5. Texans to go for the FG. 3:04 left in the game.

Rackers is good from 33 yards.

Texans 20, Titans 0

[Arky]

Titans bring the kickoff back to their 22. Flags down. Holding on Titans -10. Puts the ball at the Titan 13.

Ringer picks up about 17. 1st down.

Run goes for no gain.

2 minute warning.

[Nconroe]

Anybody sure Titans won't score?

Amazing, GQ gets a hat trick and saves the shutout.

[Arky]

Pass to Washington gets 10. 1st down.

Pass broken up by GQ. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Cook goes all the way to the Texans 38.

Pass to Gage complete but Pollard helmet-to-helmets him for a penalty. 1/2 the distance to the goal line. Ball at the 9.

Flags pre-snap. False start Titans -5. Makes it 1st and goal from the 15. 1:13 left in the game.

Pass to Cook goes to the 7. 2nd and goal at the 7.

Pass to Moss inc. 3rd and goal.

Pass to Cook is INT'ed by GQ in the endzone! Texans ball at the 20.

[Arky]

Texans kneeling it out.

Final score:

Texans 20, Titans 0

Ah, almost forgot what winning was like....

[TheMatrix31]

Feels good. Feels very good. Would feel better if it meant more. Still though, Jacksonville lost, and the Colts COULD lose tonight.

Dammit why'd we have to collapse the last 3 games :(

[HPF Bob]

It's been a Vernon Perry day for Glover Quin.

You know you're a bad offensive team when you are shut out by the worst defense in the NFL.

I'm wondering if the VY-Fisher feud has taken all the want-to out of the Titans. Chris Johnson didn't look like he wanted to play. Randy Moss certainly didn't look like he wanted to play and putting in an untested rookie QB was almost like conceding the game before the opening whistle.

With Jacksonville's loss, the Texans could be back within a game of first if the Colts lose to the Chargers tonight.

Still, I didn't think the Texans played a good game on offense. On defense, I was impressed with the tackling and the pass coverage but it was obvious the Titans weren't in this game.

[Big Texas]

Still, I didn't think the Texans played a good game on offense

I felt I would get run off the board if I pointed that out. This could have easily been a 30 or 40 point lead. I think Foster just made Kubiak look like a genius.

On a brighter note, like you pointed out the defense was pretty good.

Particularly, the coverage of CJ2K, by the dline and Cushing.

As far as pass defense, I was not toooo impressed because that is what is supposed to happen to a rookie qb getting his first start in week 12. However, in the past we have made a habit of making nobodies somebody. So good job defense.

Overall good win.

Now I get to watch what Vick has in store for us this week.

[painekiller]

Still, I didn't think the Texans played a good game on offense. On defense, I was impressed with the tackling and the pass coverage but it was obvious the Titans weren't in this game.

Concur, the offense consisted of Foster and forcing the ball to AJ. Not a bad plan when it works, but come on they should have scored more points today.

I have to admit the red zone play calling was inspired today, especially the two TD plays.

[barrett]

Kubiak never opens it up with a lead. He always takes the foot off the gas.

We finally got going late in the 1st half and then came out determined to not lose it on offense in the 2nd half. Luckily Tennessee committed enough penalites to hamstring an already terrible offense.

And does anyone know if Chris Johnson and VY are close? CJ sure looked disinterested in the game and had no effort. Maybe Fisher has lost some of the lockerroom.

[chuck]

Another pass short of the first down and now we burn a time out trying to punt. Somewhere Chuck is setting fire to a seating section.

Funny. You know, I was pretty hot about their having to burn a time out (that they really could have used later) getting the freaking punting team onto the field. I was also pretty irritated in the second half that someone thought they should send three safeties out there resulting in another time out.

But hey, our guys kept those despicable punks off the scoreboard so I think I'll take a week off from bitching.

[TheMatrix31]

Funny, unlike the weeks before where all the losses were pinned on the coaching staff, this week when the coaches make some blatant mistakes and miscalculations, the players came out and executed well enough and blanked the opposing team.

Go figure.

[Keith]

Angry Dre, lol. I'll be disappointed if the league does anything more than fine him.


It was shades of Nolan Ryan vs. Robin Ventura out there though.

[HPF Bob]

IIRC, they didn't suspend Richard Seymour for decking Ben Roethlisberger which was as blatant as AJ's and probably less provoked. Seymour only got fined. The only way they could say "this is different" is that AJ threw punches after the helmets were off.

Still, if he gets suspended one game, it's not that big a deal. We aren't beating the Eagles anyway and it gives AJ an extra week to rest the ankle for the stretch drive.

I'm sure AJ is already getting congratulatory telegrams from around the league. They all know who Finnegan is.

[HPF Bob]

But hey, our guys kept those despicable punks off the scoreboard so I think I'll take a week off from bitching.

Good for you! It's better for your health.

Many times I've thought of the old Elvis Costello lyrics:

I used to be disgusted
But now I try to be amused

[NBT]

Well heck, we won and that is the most important thing. Maybe we can build on that. Just so AJ doesn't get suspended for a game. I don't blame him mind ya, for finally getting tired of Finnegan's bulls**t and duking him out. The smart mouthed punk thought he got away with it but he was ejected too. I wish somebody had spilled beer on him when he was going through the tunnel. Dion Primetime on NFL network thought he was real gutsy. I just think Finnegan was a cheap shot punk. Mr McNair thought AJ won on points, HA! HA!

Arian Foster had a helluva game with 143 yard rushing and about 60 something receiving. There was just no need to put Slaton in.