Official Texans @ Jaguars Game Thread, 9/16/2012

[Arky]

The Texans travel to Jacksonville this Sunday to take on the always scrappy Jags in an early game. Texans are coming off a victory, 30-10 over the Miami Dophins in their season opener. It's a division game and these are always hard fought contests despite the records or reputations.

The Jags were in Minnesota last weekend where they lost in OT to the Vikings, 26-23. Look for QB Blaine Gabbert to target Cecil Shorts, Laurent Robinson, Marcedes Lewis and rookie Justin Blackmon in the passing game while mixing in Maurice Jones-Drew as a checkdown guy and rusher.

TV = CBS (Channel 11 local) 12 noon Sunday

Announcers (http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/2012/wk2.html) = Marv Albert, Rich Gannon

The line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) = Texans by 7 to 8.5

[painekiller]

I am hoping that this is not a trap game.

[nunusguy]

I am hoping that this is not a trap game.
You mean looking ahead to Peyton and the Broncos ? Maybe but Sunday's game was such a lackluster effort that I'd hope for a bounce-back effort vs a division rival like the Jags this weekend ?
BTW went back and watched my recording of Sundays game and Newton didn't play badly at all, atleast in terms of keeping Wake at bay. Kinda hard to evaluate his run-blocking since so much of the Texans' rushing game went to the left.

[HPF Bob]

MJD never makes me comfortable and Blackmon can be a beast. Still, I don't think their defense is as stout as it was under Del Gutter. I think we'll put up some points. Gabbert is someone we can pressure.

[WMH]

I think week 2 is a bit early for a "trap" game. These guys aren't that knicked up or tired yet, and the press hasn't gotten any heavier after beating the Fins.

Jacksonville is a bad football team.

We will roll.

[Roy P]

If there are no turnovers, it could be a close game. MJD running the ball and the Jags defense could give them the edge in Time of Possession. So we have to be efficient when we have the ball and score TDs. If we get into a FG battle, this won't be a 20-pt blowout.

[cadams]

If there are no turnovers, it could be a close game. MJD running the ball and the Jags defense could give them the edge in Time of Possession. So we have to be efficient when we have the ball and score TDs. If we get into a FG battle, this won't be a 20-pt blowout.

how is mjd and their defense likely to give them the edge in time of possession anymore than arian foster and the texans defense giving it to the texans?

last time i checked the texans defense was far better than the jags, and while mjd was the rushing leader last year, arian foster wasn't far off.

[WMH]

Hags trying to boost ticket sales..... Pretty smart by the parts guy. $20 is more than $0, and they need all the help they can get. Don't understand why some owners don't get that.

A new ticket promotion: For $20 each you can buy up to four seats to a Jaguars home game on a Saturday. Sunday an hour before kickoff, you turn in your certificate and get random, non-premium seats, likely singles. It’s a coin toss where you’ll wind up, so the team is calling it the Coin Toss Ticket promotion.

http://www.jaguars.com/news/article-JaguarsNews/Jaguars-introduce-Coin-Toss-Ticket-promotion/d739f905-79e5-42f2-bedd-df90273a10ee

[barrett]

Roy said it COULD give them the top advantage. And if we don't score and put some pressure on them to keep up, they absolutely COULD patiently hurt us with the running game inside and play keep away.

[cadams]

of course it could. the arizona cardinals could beat the patriots this weekend if they can control the ball and keep brady out of the endzone.

to me it read like the thought it is likely it will happen. if he is just saying something COULD happen if everythign goes right for the other team, that could be said for just about every matchup.

and i am not saying that mjd won't have a good game, i think he will. my issue was with the overall point of the post, and the fact that talking about football is more fun than working.

[barrett]

I agree wholeheartedly with your last statement.

As for Roy's statement, I'd say the jags controlling the clock is reasonable but not likely.

[WMH]

Mularkey: "The count for Maurice will go up". MJD will start v. Houston. -- Adam Schein (@AdamSchein)

[Roy P]

My point was, The Dolphins last week started out with success against our Texans. R. Bush was getting pretty good traction. Foster was being held in check and we were not overwhelming an inferior team. If I were The Jags, I'd use that as my gameplan and hope the Texans don't create turnovers. By staying patient with the run, they could limit the Texans's possessions & opportunities to turn the game into a blowout. MJD is a better RB than Bush, and I would not want to expose Gabbert.

[barrett]

My point was, The Dolphins last week started out with success against our Texans. R. Bush was getting pretty good traction. Foster was being held in check and we were not overwhelming an inferior team. If I were The Jags, I'd use that as my gameplan and hope the Texans don't create turnovers. By staying patient with the run, they could limit the Texans's possessions & opportunities to turn the game into a blowout. MJD is a better RB than Bush, and I would not want to expose Gabbert.

Exactly. This is the blueprint for how the Jags have a chance to win it late.

That said, I don't think they are a good enough team to survive 60 minutes with us. I don't think they can execute (avoid turnovers, negative plays, and penalites) in a way that lets them stay patient with the run. Plus, at some point I think they will break down defensively and once they fall behind, they will start to feel the pressure to score and the run game becomes marginalized. Especially since they do not look nearly as stout defensively this year as last.

I really don't know that anyone but SF has the personell and coaching to take advantage for a full game of what we saw the Dolphins take advantage of for a quarter.

[cadams]

My point was, The Dolphins last week started out with success against our Texans. R. Bush was getting pretty good traction. Foster was being held in check and we were not overwhelming an inferior team. If I were The Jags, I'd use that as my gameplan and hope the Texans don't create turnovers. By staying patient with the run, they could limit the Texans's possessions & opportunities to turn the game into a blowout. MJD is a better RB than Bush, and I would not want to expose Gabbert.

gotcha. i am with you now.

[cadams]

Exactly. This is the blueprint for how the Jags have a chance to win it late.

That said, I don't think they are a good enough team to survive 60 minutes with us. I don't think they can execute (avoid turnovers, negative plays, and penalites) in a way that lets them stay patient with the run. Plus, at some point I think they will break down defensively and once they fall behind, they will start to feel the pressure to score and the run game becomes marginalized. Especially since they do not look nearly as stout defensively this year as last.

I really don't know that anyone but SF has the personell and coaching to take advantage for a full game of what we saw the Dolphins take advantage of for a quarter.

oh, and the jags will be missing one, if not two of their starting offensive linemen. one being their starting RT

[Keith]

Hags trying to boost ticket sales..... Pretty smart by the parts guy. $20 is more than $0, and they need all the help they can get. Don't understand why some owners don't get that.
I would be concerned that they would be cannabalizing their current ticket sales though. Why pay $70 for a seat when I could wait and do this coin toss thing?

[WMH]

I would be concerned that they would be cannabalizing their current ticket sales though. Why pay $70 for a seat when I could wait and do this coin toss thing?

Its only 500 tix, and mostly singles (according to the article). IE tix that would normally go unsold.

[chuck]

I would be concerned that they would be cannabalizing their current ticket sales though. Why pay $70 for a seat when I could wait and do this coin toss thing?

They don't have any ticket sales, I think that's the point. They close off half the freaking stadium.

I can see why, though. When I think Skynyrdville I think myriad entertainment options.

[nunusguy]

My thought is that the Texans lose one or two division road games this year, so I'm thinking the Jags surprise us with something like a 17-14 score Sunday in FLA. Sure hope I'm wrong about this, but MJD is a far better back than Reggie Bush ever dreamed about being and he's always given us fits, it's the Jags
2012 home-opener, and Gabbert has gotta have a respectible performance one of these days.
.

[barrett]

I don't think this Jags defense is that good, and we are a far more dangerous offense than the Ponder-led Vikings who moved the ball with no problems (26 points and 389 yards of total offense, Jags also had a total of 2 sacks for 4 yards and no INTs against the young QB). Not to mention the Jags are extremely banged up on defense and on the OL.

I think MJD can get some yards but he has never been a real big play threat and it is hard to string together long drives without your QB efficiently converting 3rd downs. I can't see Gabbert and a banged up OL converting enough 3rd downs to make even a 100 yard day for MJD move the scoreboard much.

I know as Texans fans many of us are conditioned to expect the worst, but Texans 27-13.

[HPF Bob]

There are two competing images for me. One is when we used to get road wins in J-Ville unexpectedly when we were a young franchise and the other is that hail mary deflection that won the game for the Jags there a few years ago.

For some reason, the Jaguars make things more challenging for us than it appears on paper but they are still a team in transition while the Texans are just tweaking before peaking.

Texans win, 23-13, but there's always that hail mary pass to haunt us.

[chuck]

My thinking is more or less the same as last week. If the Texans can't go on the road and beat what is basically a bad team to snatch a division win then they are not the team we think they are or want them to be.

Wade knows that the Jags have an exceptional running back. Kubes knows that the Vikings moved the ball with relative ease. The Texans are a far more talented team, a far more dangerous team. I expect them to get off the bus and demonstrate it.

[painekiller]

My thinking is more or less the same as last week. If the Texans can't go on the road and beat what is basically a bad team to snatch a division win then they are not the team we think they are or want them to be.

Wade knows that the Jags have an exceptional running back. Kubes knows that the Vikings moved the ball with relative ease. The Texans are a far more talented team, a far more dangerous team. I expect them to get off the bus and demonstrate it.

Well said.

[Arky]

Texans win the toss and will receive.

Holliday brings the kickoff back to about the Texan 22.

[Arky]

Screen to Casey goes for 9.

Dumpoff to KW goes for 6.

Swing pass to OD goes for about 12. Ball at the Texan 48.

Dumpoff to Tate gets 11.

Tate rushes for 5.

Foster for 4. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Foster gets 3 off left guard and a 1st down.

Pass over the middle to OD good for 4. Ball at the Jags 25.

Tate goes left side for 9.

Tate for 3. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Dumpoff pass to Foster goes inc. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Pass to KW over the middle is inc. Texans to go for the FG.

Graham's 31-yarder is good.

Texans 3, Jags 0

9:25 left in the 1st quarter.

[HPF Bob]

Disappointing end to a promising drive.

If the screens were working so well, why did we go away from them?

[Arky]

Jags starting at their 20.

Pass to Robinson broken up, inc but flag on the play.....offside Cody. Makes it 1st and 5.

MJD goes for 1. 2nd and 4 coming up.

MJD for about 2 but flag on the play. Offsides B Reed give the Jags a 1st down at the 30.

Pass to Potter good for 4.

MJD goes around right end for 14.

MJD for about 3. Ball at the Texans 48. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Dump off to Jones gets 4. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Gabberts pass tipped by Watt, inc. Jags to punt.

Holliday fair catches the punt at the Texan 12.

[Warren]

Dikembe Wattumbo?

[chuck]

Let's march down the field, put the ball in the end zone, open up a 10 point lead and not look back.

[Arky]

Pass to OD comes up short, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Foster for 1. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Screen to AJ goes for 6. Texans to punt.

Thomas is corralled at the Jags 24 on the punt return. Nice punt, good coverage.

[chuck]

Or not. Puta.

[Arky]

Ball is marked at the Jags 25.

Flags presnap. False start Jags backs it up 5. 1st and 15 coming up.

MJD for no gain.

Pass to Potter too tall, inc. 3rd and 15 coming up.

Flags presnap, false start Jags makes it 3rd and 20.

Gabbert scrambles for 5. Jags have to punt.

Nice return by Holliday. Brings it back 35 yards to the Jags 41.

[HPF Bob]

Jags have a midget and now so do we...

[Nconroe]

Nice 35 yd KR by Holliday.

Come on offense.

[Arky]

Foster for about 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Pass to Casey gets just 4.

Pass to OD gets 9 and the 1st down at the Jags 26.

Touchdown Tate but he may have stepped out of bounds at about the 2..... review coming up.... Nice run whatever the ruling is..

Ruling is Tate stepped out at the 2, ball placed at the 1.5.

Tate for maybe 1. 2nd and goal coming up.

Foster punches it in!

Texans 10, Jags 0

15 seconds left in the 1st quarter.

[HPF Bob]

Did Tate step out at the two? It's being reviewed.

[Nconroe]

Prettty good scamper around the right for 26 yd TD by Tate.

[HPF Bob]

There's your difference in the two runners. Tate didn't cut back when he could have on the previous run but Foster cuts back and scores easily.

[Arky]

Parmelee returns the ensuing kickoff back to the Jags 21.

--------------------------

Jags call a timeout at the LOS...

--------------------------

MJD for 12.

End of the 1st quarter.

[WMH]

Ben Jones was @ RG for the TD drive.

[chuck]

Ben Jones was @ RG for the TD drive.

Indeed he was, good point.

Wattumbo strikes again.

[Arky]

Gabbert's pass sails inc. but flag on the play in the secondary. Illegal contact on Cushing places the ball at the Jags 38, auto 1st down.

Gabbert's pass tipped, inc by Watt. 2nd and 10 coming up.

MJD for about 3. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Flag on Jags for too many men on the field. Makes it 3rd and 12.

Gabbert sacked by Watt/Smith! Jags have to punt.

Holliday gets about 8 yards on the return. Ball at appox Texans 31 yard line.

13:42 left in the half.

[Arky]

Foster caught in the backfield -1. 2nd and 11 coming up.

Dumpoff to Foster gets 8. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Foster slips short of the 1st down. Texans to punt.

Texans down the punt at the Jags 5 yard line. Jags ball.

[Arky]

Gabbert's pass to Robinson goes inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

MJD for maybe 1. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Demps sniffs out the screen and stops MJD for no gain. On the 4th and 10, Jags will punt.

Holliday returns for short gain but flags are down.... Illegal block in back on M Alexander backs it up 10. Ball is placed at the Texans 42.

[HPF Bob]

Time to try play action deep throw to AJ.

[chuck]

Jacoby Jones just reeled in a 21 yard TD pass torching Asomugha.

[Arky]

Screen to Tate gets about 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Short pass to OD complete for 6. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Screen to Foster goes for 18 and the 1st down.

Foster for about 9. 2nd and 1 coming up. Ball at the Jags 24.

Foster for 2 and the 1st down.

Pass over the middle to KW good for 14. 1st and goal at the 8.

Tate punches it in from the 8!

Texans 17, Jags 0

6:49 left in the half.

[HPF Bob]

So far, so good. Keep it up, defense.

[Arky]

Parmelee brings the kickoff all the way back to the Jags 38.

---------------------------------

Pass to Blackmon sails inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

MJD for about 6 or 7. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Pass to Blackmon inc. Jags to punt.

Holliday fair catches at the Texan 15. Texans ball.

[Arky]

Pass over the middle to OD complete for 6.

Foster for 3. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Foster for 17 and the 1st down.

Schaub pressured, throws inc to Casey in the flat. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Casey over the middle goes for 6 yards. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Timeout Texans called at the LOS. 3:05 left in the half.

[Arky]

Oy, pass to OD off his hands, inc. Texans to punt.

Punt goes into the endzone, touchback. Jags ball at their 20.

[Arky]

Gabbert's pass to Robinson low and inc but flag on the play. Holding Jags backs it up. 1st and 20 coming up.

Pass to Robinson is dropped, inc. 2nd and 20 coming up. Rain coming down.

Gabbert sacked by Reed! Ball at the 1. 3rd and 29 coming up. Timeout Texans.

Pass to Robinson complete for 6 yards. Jags to punt. 2:20 left in the half.

Holliday fumbles the punt out of bounds at the Texan 33. 60 yard punt.

[HPF Bob]

2:00 at their own 40. A chance to get a FG before half time.

[Arky]

Foster for 8.

2 minute warning.

-------------------------

On 2nd and 2, Schaub's pass is tipped, inc.

Foster for 16. 1st down at the Jags 44.

Schaub's pass is tipped, inc.

Deep pass to K Martin out of bounds/uncatchable. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Dumpoff to Foster just gets 5. Texans to go for it on 4th down.....nope, Texans take the delay penalty to back it up for a punt... 27 seconds left in the half.

Punt goes into the endzone. Jags ball at their 20.

[Arky]

MJD for 2. Time runs out.

Halftime.

Texans 17, Jags 0

[Arky]

Halftime stats:

Passing: Schaub 16/24, 124 yards

Rushing: Foster 13/69, Tate 6/49

Receiving: OD 5/36, Foster 3/31, Casey 3/18, KW 2/19, Tate 2/13, AJ 1/7

Tackles: Watt 3, Manning/A Smith 2 each, many with 1

TOP: Texans 19:41, Jags 10:19

Turnovers: Texans 0, Jags 0

3rd down efficiency: Texans 5/10, Jags 0/6

Red Zone: Texans 2/3, Jags 0/0

Total Yards: Texans 242, Jags 43

1st downs: Texans 14, Jags 4

Penalties: Texans 5/30, Jags 4/25

[Arky]

2nd half kickoff goes out of the endzone, touchback. Jags ball at their 20.

---------------------------

MJD for 5.

Pass to Blackmon comes up short, inc. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Gabbert's pass sails inc. Jags to punt.

Holliday returns the punt to the Texan 31 but flag on the play. Illegal block in the back on Demps backs the ball up. Ball is placed at the Texan 18.

[Arky]

Flags presnap. Newton offsides. Makes it 1st and 15.

Foster tripped up for a loss. 2nd and 16 coming up.

Screen to Foster goes for another loss. 3rd and 22 coming up.

Foster goes right side for 5. Texans to punt.

Jags return the punt to the Texan 39. Jags ball in Texan territory.

[HPF Bob]

Arizona just took the lead on New England, 13-9.

[Arky]

Deep pass to Robinson goes all the way to the Texan 5. 1st and goal Jags.

Pass to MJD goes for the TD.

Texans 17, Jags 7

11:44 left in the 3rd quarter.

[chuck]

Maybe Kubiak will let the offense play now.

[Arky]

Arizona just took the lead on New England, 13-9.

I don't think it'll hold up, but if it does, it will certainly make some survivor leagues interesting....

[Warren]

Jones back in at RG

[Arky]

Holliday returns the ensuing kickoff to the Texan 20.

-------------------------

Rollout pass to AJ goes for just 3.

Pass to OD goes inc. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Pass to AJ inc. Flag is down. Offsides Jags. Makes it 3rd and 2.

Foster for 3 and a 1st down.

Pass to Tate goes for 7. 2nd and 3 coming up.

Tate for about 7 up the middle and a 1st down.

Tate for no gain or -1.

Pass to AJ gets 11 and a 1st down. Ball at the Jags 45.

Foster for 6 up the middle. 2nd and 4 coming up.

Foster sweeps right for 3. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Nice catch and run by Tate. Gets the 1st down.

Tate for about 2. 2nd and 8 coming up. Ball at the Jags 31.

Pass to Graham good for 15.

Foster for 8.

Foster 2. About 1" short of the 1st down. 3rd and inches.

Foster gets 3 and the 1st down. 1st and goal at the 4.

Foster for 1 or 2. 2nd and goal coming up.

Tate punches it in!

Texans 24, Jags 7

2:30 left in the 3rd quarter.

[Warren]

Nice answering drive

[HPF Bob]

How critical was that offsides on J-ville? They had a three-and-out deep in our territory. That was a game-changer.

[Arky]

Parmele brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Jags 23.

------------------------------

Gabbert's deep pass to Shorts over his head, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

MJD caught in the backfield for a loss. 3rd and 14 coming up.

Pass over the middle to MJD goes for 3. Jags have to punt.

Punt hits GQ in the helmet and rolls out of bounds at the Texan 21.

[Arky]

Flags presnap. False start G Graham. 1st and 15, now. 48 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.

Foster for no gain.

Dumpoff to Foster only gets 2. Makes 3rd and 12 coming up.

End of the 3rd quarter.

[chuck]

The Texans are going to get smoked next week if they don't pull their heads out of their asses.

[Arky]

Arizona is New England's red zone, again, eheh...

Edit: Touchdown!

[HPF Bob]

Brady's got his work cut out for him now. It's 20-9 Arizona.

[Arky]

Dumpoff to Foster gets about 8. Texans have to punt.

Jags return the punt to their 38.

[Arky]

Gabbert sacked by Watt! 2nd and 17 coming up.

Short pass to Thomas is inc. 3rd and 17 coming up.

Gabbert's pass to Lewis sails inc. Jags have to punt. 13:47 left in the game.

Holliday brings the punt back to the Texan 17. Texans ball. Flag down..... Illegal block in the back on Mr. Alexander. Places the ball at the Texan 9.

[chuck]

The Texans return team needs an anatomy lesson.

[chuck]

Second and ten. Again.

[Arky]

Tate for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Pass over the middle to KW good for 15.

Foster stumbles for 1. That's 24 carries for Arian...

Pass to OD goes for 11 and a 1st down.

Foster for 2. Ball at the Texan 38.

Deep pass to Jean sails inc. but looks like they're going to get the Jags for PI. Yep, moves the ball all the way to the Jags 40.

Tate big effort for 14 yards.

Foster for 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Foster for almost 4. 3rd and 1 coming up. Ball at the Jags 17.

Foster caught in the backfield for no gain or -1. Texans to go for the FG.

Graham's 37-yarder is good.

Texans 27, Jags 7

7:20 left in the game.

[chuck]

I'm starting to get the impression that New England won't cover.

[chuck]

Cushing has been a no-show.

[Arky]

Chad Henne in at QB for the Jags.

Pass to Robinson good for 11.

Offsides Mercilus. Makes it 1st and 5.

False start Jags. Makes it 1st and 10.

Pass to Thomas good for 12.

MJD up the middle for about 17. Flag on the play.... Roughness on the Jags places the ball at their 45. 1st and 10.

Jags fumble the snap and Watt recovers! Texans ball at the Jag 43.

[Nconroe]

JJ fumble recovery, sure having a game.

[Arky]

Forsett hits the right side for about 14.

Forsett for 10 on the left side.

Forsett for 3.

Forsett for 6 or 7. Makes it 3rd and 1 coming up from the Jags 10.

Forsett, no gain.

2 minute warning.

[Arky]

Texans to go for it on 4th and 2.

Forsett for 2 and the 1st down. 1st and goal at the Jags 9.

Texans kneeling it out.

Final Score:

Texans 27, Jags 7

[HPF Bob]

Very solid win. Next week comes their first real challenge - in Denver.

[painekiller]

They did what they had to do. I wish Kubiak would be the type HC that kept the foot on the throttle, but he is not. So this was a good win. The defense was dominate. Schaub looked off but he was still affective.

So really most of the concerns from last week were lessened.

[Nconroe]

Run defense and ru n offense looked a lot better this week.

Maybe Ben Jones will be RG.

[painekiller]

A couple of observations. Ben Jones is replacing Caldwell near the goal line. Interesting.

Also I guess spending a 3rd round pick on a punter was a good idea. That kid can really kick. :eek:

[barrett]

Very good performance. And what Miami did overall and particularly on the ground to Oakland makes me even happier about last week.

[HPF Bob]

I think the running game was good and we wore down the Jags with time of possession. After the first drive, the defense was solid other than one flukish drive. Holliday still scares me. He had one good return that set up the first touchdown drive but he muffed another punt and looked like he was about to drop another one.

I predict we will win one game this year because Holliday makes a great return and we will lose one game this year because Holliday fumbled or muffed a kick.

Oh, and Swattumbo is a very special player. Remember the guys we wanted when that pick came up? Yeah, me neither.

[painekiller]

A couple of observations. Ben Jones is replacing Caldwell near the goal line. Interesting.

Also I guess spending a 3rd round pick on a punter was a good idea. That kid can really kick. :eek:

I stand corrected on Jones. In a post game interview, Jones said that he was rotating with Caldwell, two series Caldwell and one series for Jones. From what I can see, Jones maybe starting at guard before the end of the season.

[barrett]

I stand corrected on Jones. In a post game interview, Jones said that he was rotating with Caldwell, two series Caldwell and one series for Jones. From what I can see, Jones maybe starting at guard before the end of the season.

He had a great block on Tate's first TD.

[Arky]

Houston and San Diego are the last two (already!) undefeated teams in the AFC, both at 2-0

------------------------------------

Don't look now (http://espn.go.com/nfl/standings/_/type/playoffs/sort/conferenceRank/order/false), but the Texans are the #1 seed in the playoffs. The tricky part is hanging onto it for 15 more weeks.

-----------------------------------

No turnovers today. Two games, no turnovers. That's what the good teams do. You know it's not going to last forever but it's been nice so far....

-----------------------------------

The Texan-style WCO (West Coast offense) was in full bloom today. Successful run game + dink & dunk = high possession time, 43:17 minutes worth. Still, wish they would take 2 or 3 shots downfield/game...

---------------------------------

Edit/Correction: The Broncos are also undefeated at 1-0 pending MNF vs. Atlanta.

[HPF Bob]

The Texans only have one deep threat right now (wears #80 and the defenses put their best corner on him) until either Martin or Posey show they can be trusted. I am curious what type of coverage Holliday would get if you lined him up in the slot and asked him to run a "go" route straight down the field.

Would a safety/nickel fall back to cover him or would they presume he is a decoy and not bother? It would be worth it just to see if he got behind the coverage and, if so, go back in the second half with a deep ball to him and see if he can catch it. If the defense has to respect him, it means they can't cover AJ with safety help like J-ville did.

You can try that wrinkle on a team like the Ravens who are tough to gain yards on but aren't especially fast and see if it works for a cheap touchdown.

[chuck]

Ahh, like the Swallows of Capistrano I can count on Bob to warn of the dangers of a left-handed quarterback (yet he never lauds the obvious advantages of a left-footed punter...) and to advance his rabbit theory.

As far as I'm concerned teams can double AJ with a safety all they want. One, he can beat a double team and two, it opens the middle of the field for OD, Graham, Casey, Foster, Tate or whoever else wants to stand around out there and pick up an easy twelve yards.

Bring it, Fox.

[barrett]

We get lots of explosive plays and we get downfield plenty. It was amazing to watch Kubiak get big plays in the middle of the season last year without Andre. I remember Dreesen, Jacoby Jones, and Foster in consecutive weeks all getting loose.

But why take shots downfield the last two weeks with teams that could not hit 20 points against us in any conceivable scenario. Why not just win the games with as little risk as possible, get out healthy, and go into Denver with every possible trick still in the bag.

I seriously think Kubiak treated these games like glorified preseason games. Play it vanilla and cruise with the win never in doubt.

[chuck]

But why take shots downfield the last two weeks with teams that could not hit 20 points against us in any conceivable scenario. Why not just win the games with as little risk as possible, get out healthy, and go into Denver with every possible trick still in the bag.

I think this last bit is important. The team really hasn't shown anything offensively. Every play they've run, every blocking scheme they've used, every single one, the league already knows they use. It's preseason scheming but with the starters in almost the whole way. Sunday will show us all something.

[Arky]

We get lots of explosive plays and we get downfield plenty. It was amazing to watch Kubiak get big plays in the middle of the season last year without Andre. I remember Dreesen, Jacoby Jones, and Foster in consecutive weeks all getting loose.

But why take shots downfield the last two weeks with teams that could not hit 20 points against us in any conceivable scenario. Why not just win the games with as little risk as possible, get out healthy, and go into Denver with every possible trick still in the bag.

I seriously think Kubiak treated these games like glorified preseason games. Play it vanilla and cruise with the win never in doubt.

I agree, that was a good strategy against the Miami's and Jax's of the league - neither is known for having a prolific defense. But there comes a time when a DB starts to feel that everything will be in front of them. Don't sweat the double move - the Texans won't go deep.... And that's when you need to loosen them up with a deep ball. Even if it's overthrown and incomplete. Just show it to 'em.... I think I saw one deep ball today - the deep ball to K Martin that was uncatchable/out of bounds. That was in the 4th quarter, IIRC.

I am for the explosive play - but you've got try it to have a shot at success.

So far in two games, the Texans have 5 plays of 20+ yards. They have 0 plays of 40+ yards. How many of those 20+ were dink passes that were YAC'ed to 20+? Don't know, but the conservative play calling will be tested against the better defenses in the league....

[nunusguy]

And I figured a close game with the Jags pulling out the upset. This morning it seems apparent that the Texans will run the table on the division schedule, but I won't go there with my ability to misfire on predictions.
If JJ Watt was the most impressive defensive player on the field in Jacksonville yesterday, who's to deny that Ben Tate wasn't the most impressive offensive player out there ? He showed off his raw speed with that 25-yard TD run to the outside that was called back, and then displayed his burst and power and determination with that 8-yard TD-run up the middle. And Ben also showed-off some sweet hands on a couple of pass-receptions from Schaub.
After yesterdays game the only mystery seems to be what's going on at right guard in the Texans' OLine ? Was rookie Jones filling in so Caldwell could just get a blow with the heat and humidity in FLA, was he nicked up for awhile, are they rotating Caldwell & Jones a la Duane B. & Salaam very early in Duanes NFL career, or are they grooming Jones to take over the starting RG position at some point during the 2012 ? And what the hell is going on with that other Texans rookie Olineman Brandon Brooks, drafted a round earlier than Jones ? You say he didn't even suit up yesterday ?

[popanot]

It was a dominating performance yesterday. That game could have been a 40+ point crushing if the Texans wanted it to be. With that sort of game it's hard to nitpick, but what hell, I'm going to anyway...

Small nitpick: Schaub's arm still concerns me some. He's never had great arm strength, but it still looks to me he's lacking some zip (or less than he's ever had). Granted, they haven't had many long pass plays, but his zip and accuracy is definitely something to keep an eye on. Again, small nitpick.

Big nitpick: Our special teams are awful. It still feels like Holliday is an accident waiting to happen, and the penalties in the return game are getting ridiculous. Coverage teams were slightly better yesterday, at least. The kicking game is still somewhat weak. Wish we had Anger. That kid can boot it. Anyway, Kubiak should tell Marciano he has one game to correct the ST coverage and return issues or be replaced.

[popanot]

Let me clarify my comment re: Schaub's accuracy... His short-to-mid range accuracy has been really good, IMO. I think most of his incompletions have been due to drops by the receiver. It's the few long range attempts he's had that seem off and that's what I was referring to. Again, small concern - and maybe he's just playing it safe rather than having that 'bonehead moment' against inferior opponents.

[barrett]

I agree, that was a good strategy against the Miami's and Jax's of the league - neither is known for having a prolific defense. But there comes a time when a DB starts to feel that everything will be in front of them. Don't sweat the double move - the Texans won't go deep.... And that's when you need to loosen them up with a deep ball. Even if it's overthrown and incomplete. Just show it to 'em.... I think I saw one deep ball today - the deep ball to K Martin that was uncatchable/out of bounds. That was in the 4th quarter, IIRC.

I am for the explosive play - but you've got try it to have a shot at success.

So far in two games, the Texans have 5 plays of 20+ yards. They have 0 plays of 40+ yards. How many of those 20+ were dink passes that were YAC'ed to 20+? Don't know, but the conservative play calling will be tested against the better defenses in the league....

Like the Double move to Lestar Jean that resulted in a PI call?

Our offense has never struggled to produce explosive plays, and we have blown out two teams that may not be good, but both looked 10xs worse when they played us.

Kubiak is a by the books guy and there are times that frustrates me. When he is helping us win games by 20 points is not when I wish he's take more chances.

[barrett]

And I figured a close game with the Jags pulling out the upset. This morning it seems apparent that the Texans will run the table on the division schedule, but I won't go there with my ability to misfire on predictions.
If JJ Watt was the most impressive defensive player on the field in Jacksonville yesterday, who's to deny that Ben Tate wasn't the most impressive offensive player out there ? He showed off his raw speed with that 25-yard TD run to the outside that was called back, and then displayed his burst and power and determination with that 8-yard TD-run up the middle. And Ben also showed-off some sweet hands on a couple of pass-receptions from Schaub.
After yesterdays game the only mystery seems to be what's going on at right guard in the Texans' OLine ? Was rookie Jones filling in so Caldwell could just get a blow with the heat and humidity in FLA, was he nicked up for awhile, are they rotating Caldwell & Jones a la Duane B. & Salaam very early in Duanes NFL career, or are they grooming Jones to take over the starting RG position at some point during the 2012 ? And what the hell is going on with that other Texans rookie Olineman Brandon Brooks, drafted a round earlier than Jones ? You say he didn't even suit up yesterday ?

I agree that about Tate. I'd say that was the best game of football he's played. He looked light years better as a receiver than last year. And I loved how often they rotated him and Foster to keep them fresh and the defense worn out.

[cadams]

Well, top didn't work out so well for the jags today. Me thinks all the optimism about the jags flowed from them playing a terrible minn team much more than any real improvements.

[nunusguy]

And I loved how often they rotated him and Foster to keep them fresh and the defense worn out.
When I checked the "weather.com" website yesterday for Jacksonville, it showed a 70 degree dew point with temps in the high 80s meaning a heat-index
well into the 90s and I was thinking it's good that the Texans practiced in that kind of weather here in Houston during the week before going to FLA to play the game and also that they have 2 very good backs they can rotate in that heat & humidity. And hey man, can you imagine what the Jags D felt like at the end of that game after being on the field for > 40 minutes ?

[HPF Bob]

Yeah, it was obvious by the end that the J-ville defense was gassed. And that's the danger when your offense keeps producing three-and-outs. Even the best defenses can wear down when they have to be on the field most of the day.

I think Jones is less of a project than Brooks. Most C's can transition to guard pretty quickly because, if anything, there's less to do. Instead of worrying about ducking your head and completing the snap before carrying out your blocking assignment, you get to just block. How easy is that?

I think we got some guys in the later rounds (Jones, Martin, Crick) who could turn out to be better pros than the pair we got in the third (Posey, Brooks) but the third-rounders had more upside so they got drafted sooner.

I said nothing in this thread about quarterback's dominant arms.

[chuck]

I said nothing in this thread about quarterback's dominant arms.

No, but you wanted to.

[painekiller]

are they rotating Caldwell & Jones a la Duane B. & Salaam very early in Duanes NFL career, ....... And what the hell is going on with that other Texans rookie Olineman Brandon Brooks, drafted a round earlier than Jones ? You say he didn't even suit up yesterday ?

The red highlighted is what I think thye are doing with Jones.

As for Brooks, the 46 man roster only leaves room for 7 OL to suit up, and because Jones can play 3 positions and Brooks only 1 at this point, Jones is getting the nod. Don't panic on Brooks yet they knew he was going to be a project.

We could see Brooks and Jones both starting at OG next year, with Meyer at the OC. So give the rooks the time they need.

Same thing goes for Posey, Martin has more game day positions he can play, so everyone just relax.

[painekiller]

He had a great block on Tate's first TD.

That was why I noticed him, that and the play he lost his helmet and keep on going at the goal line.

[Arky]

Like the Double move to Lestar Jean that resulted in a PI call?

Our offense has never struggled to produce explosive plays, and we have blown out two teams that may not be good, but both looked 10xs worse when they played us.

Kubiak is a by the books guy and there are times that frustrates me. When he is helping us win games by 20 points is not when I wish he's take more chances.

Jean's PI came in middle 4th quarter when the score was 24-7 and resulted in a 21-yard gain. Schaub's longest completion was 18 yards (short pass to Foster YAC'ed to 18). I'd just to see like to see a few more of the "explosive plays" we are so good at per game. That is all.

But so far, the results have been great (W's). I don't think the better defenses in the league will fall so easily , though. Can the Texans just flip the switch and turn it on against the better defenses? I guess we'll see. Denver should be a good test.

[barrett]

Jean's PI came in middle 4th quarter when the score was 24-7 and resulted in a 21-yard gain. Schaub's longest completion was 18 yards (short pass to Foster YAC'ed to 18). I'd just to see like to see a few more of the "explosive plays" we are so good at per game. That is all.

But so far, the results have been great (W's). I don't think the better defenses in the league will fall so easily , though. Can the Texans just flip the switch and turn it on against the better defenses? I guess we'll see. Denver should be a good test.

Miami and Jacksonville were both top half defenses last year and likely will be this year. Miami held Oakland to 13 on Sunday. The same things that worked against these defenses will work against most of the defenses in the NFL.

And the PI against Jean occurred off of a double move. Aaron Ross bit and grabbed jean to avoid the TD. So the foul occurred where he grabbed him, not 10+ yards downfield where the ball landed. It was the exact double move and deep ball you said you wanted.

[Arky]

Miami and Jacksonville were both top half defenses last year and likely will be this year. Miami held Oakland to 13 on Sunday. The same things that worked against these defenses will work against most of the defenses in the NFL.

I'll need to see it against Green Bay, Baltimore and the NY Jets to become a believer. Detroit, Denver and New England will also be good tests.



And the PI against Jean occurred off of a double move. Aaron Ross bit and grabbed jean to avoid the TD. So the foul occurred where he grabbed him, not 10+ yards downfield where the ball landed. It was the exact double move and deep ball you said you wanted.

Great! More, More! :)

[barrett]

I'll need to see it against Green Bay, Baltimore and the NY Jets to become a believer. Detroit, Denver and New England will also be good tests.



Great! More, More! :)

Green bay, Jets, Denver, and Detroit are no better on defense than Jacksonville. But even so, I hope they're successful in those games. As for now, we're averaging 28.5 point per game and we did whatever we wanted offensively against Jacksonville.

[Arky]

Green bay, Jets, Denver, and Detroit are no better on defense than Jacksonville. But even so, I hope they're successful in those games. As for now, we're averaging 28.5 point per game and we did whatever we wanted offensively against Jacksonville.

As a fan, I can't wait for those W's to come rollin' in.... :)