Official Texans @ Broncos Game Thread, 9/23/2012

[Arky]

Texans vs. Broncos

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), Sunday 3:25 pm

Announcers (http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/2012/wk3.html) = Jim Nantz, Phil Simms

The line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) = Texans by 1 to 3.

[HPF Bob]

Broncos:

Out - Chris Kuper

Probable - Chris Harris, Quinton Carter, Von Miller, Joel Dreesen, Tracey Porter & Brandon Stokley


Texans:

Questionable - Tim Dobbins


Probable - Bryan Braman, Brooks Reed, Antonio Smith, Connor Barwin, Brandon Brooks, Antonie Caldwell, Brian Cushing, Jonathan Joseph, Brice McCain, Chris Myers, Jesse Nading

Kubiak said in his presser today that Dobbins will be a gametime decision. The others are all expected to play.

[TheMatrix31]

Can't wait for this one. Such a big game. Hopefully we can force Peyton to make a few errors. As usual, gotta take care of the ball. Work the middle of the field since Champ is still damn good and Tracy Porter is playing well to start the year.

Let's go baby!

[HPF Bob]

Sounds like "yeah, duh" but I think the team that controls the lines is important. The Broncos will need to hold off Antonio Smith, Barwin, Reed and Watt. I'm not sure the Denver OL can do that. On the other side, Houston needs to open holes in the running game and keep Schaub from having close encounters with Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller. Should be a good one.

Secret weapon. Texans added Ryan Harris as a reserve who was a late cut by the Broncos. He may be valuable in exposing some of Manning's reads and tendencies.

[chuck]

Man, this is a long three hours.

I'm watching the Vikes - Niners game and for some reason the announcers are muted and all I'm getting is crowd noise. It is absolutely sublime.

[HPF Bob]

Man, this is a long three hours.

I'm watching the Vikes - Niners game and for some reason the announcers are muted and all I'm getting is crowd noise. It is absolutely sublime.

That happened during the first quarter of the Texans' first exhibition game this year and after a few plays to adjust, I actually enjoyed it. It forces you to focus on what you are watching instead of relying on the announcers.

[HPF Bob]

Broncos have NoShow Moreno inactive and elevate rookie RB Hillman to McGahee's backup. Also, rookie Brock Osweiler is the #2 QB behind Manning with Caleb Hanie the emergency QB.

[TheMatrix31]

Almost gametime! Let's go boys!

[Arky]

Wow, Jags just went 80 yds in the final minute to pull ahead of Indy....

Lions and Titans tied up at 41...

[Arky]

Texans kicking off.... Broncos won the toss...

Kick goes out of the endzone, touchback. Broncos ball at their 20.

[Arky]

McGahee up the middle for 15.

Pass in the flat inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

McGahee for 3.

Manning's pass is off the mark, inc (tipped?)... Broncos have to punt.

Punt is fielded by Holliday at the sideline. Texans ball at their 6.

[Arky]

Schaub tackled in the endzone for a safety. Texans will have to punt/kick to the Broncos.

Broncos 2, Texans 0

13:20 left in the 1st quarter.

[TheMatrix31]

These guys are gonna **************** us up on that side all DAY man.

[chuck]

Outstanding idea to leave Newton out there alone especially on the three yard line. Incredible stupidity.

[Big Texas]

Really..how long did he think he had?

[Nconroe]

Crap, safetty.

[barrett]

Outstanding idea to leave Newton out there alone especially on the three yard line. Incredible stupidity.

I love the announcers on the replay.

"They were concerned about that matchup..."

Apparently not.

[Arky]

Broncos bring the ensuing kick back to their 40.

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

Pass to Decker for 5.

McGahee for about 5. 1st down.

Pass to Gronkowski goes for 11.

McGahee for 5. 2nd and 5 coming up at the Texan 34.

Manning's pass broken up by JJo. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Pass to Tamme good for 14 and the 1st down at the Texan 20.

Ball sweeps left for no gain. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass over the middle is inc. (whew! Dreessen wide open).

On 3rd and 10, screen to McGahee gets 6. Broncos to go for the FG.

Prater's 32-yarder is good.

Broncos 5, Texans 0

8:41 left in the 1st quarter.

[Big Texas]

5-0....wow

[Arky]

Ensuing kickoff goes out of the endzone. Texans ball at their 20.

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

Pass to KW goes for 18.

Foster right side for 12. Ball at midfield.

Flag presnap. False start Texans. Makes it 1st and 15.

Ditto. Makes it 1st and 20.

Bombs away! Schaub hits AJ in stride for the TD! 60 yards!

Texans 7, Broncos 5

6:28 left in the 1st quarter.

[barrett]

That's how you do it!

[TheMatrix31]

Dre Day, bitches!

[Nconroe]

Well, nice TD Schaub to Andre, feeling better after sloppy start.

[Big Texas]

That's got to be the best deep ball I have ever seen Shaub throw

[barrett]

We aren't sniffing manning.

[TheMatrix31]

This is DUMB play that will beat us man. Stupid penalties on third down keeping them on?!

[Arky]

So, let's get vertical, vertical..... :p

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

Broncos down the kickoff in the endzone. Broncos ball at their 20.

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

Manning's pass to Decker goes for 35.

McGahee for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Pass to Thomas good for 4. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Pass is broken up by Joseph but they get McCain for holding. Auto 1st down at the Texan 35.

McGahee for 1.

Flags presnap. False start Broncos -5. Makes it 2nd and 14.

Rush for 2.

Manning sacked by Watt/Reed! Holding against the Broncos also..... declined. Makes it 4th and 17. Broncos to punt.

Punt is downed at the Texan 3. Texans ball.

[Arky]

Flags presnap. Offsides Newton, half the distance. Makes it 1st and 11.

Tate for 4 up the middle.

Pass to OD goes for 3. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Dang, Arian gets 8 but coulda had more. 1st down Texans at their 17.

Foster hits the right side for 22..

Pass to AJ inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Tate for almost 9. 3rd and 1 coming up.

End of the 1st quarter.

[Big Texas]

Who the hell is Ben Casey and Ben Wade? These announcers...

[chuck]

I could very well win the suicide pool in week three.

[Arky]

On 3rd and 1, Tate gets 3 and the 1st down. Ball now in Bronco territory.

Screen to Casey sniffed out - loss of 3. 2nd and 13 coming up.

Foster for just 2. 3rd and 11 coming up. Ball at midfield.

Pass to K Martin goes for 18 and the 1st down.

Pass to Graham over the middle goes to the Bronco 4. 1st and goal!

Schaub rolls out and throws it away, inc. 2nd and goal from the 4.

Foster for 1. 3rd and goal from the 3 coming up.

Dump off to Foster goes for the TD!

Texans 14, Broncos 5

10:47 left in the half.

[chuck]

I have no idea why Denver keeps stunting their DEs but I hope they keep doing it.

Let's roll on these fools. Come on, defense.

[TheMatrix31]

Take a bow, Arian!

[Arky]

I could very well win the suicide pool in week three.

Whoa, that's right... I took the 49'ers (way to go Niners! :rolleyes:)

[chuck]

Why the hell can't Graham kick the ball into the fifth row like every other kicker?

[barrett]

Was that an intentional deep pop up? We were on the guy before he got 10 yards.

[chuck]

Was that an intentional deep pop up? We were on the guy before he got 10 yards.

Maybe, but I'd much rather kick it into next week and leave it at that.

[Arky]

Broncos bring the ensuing kickoff back to their 18.

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

McGahee for about 4.

Timeout called by Broncos at the LOS.

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

On 2nd and 6, pass is deflected by Mitchell, inc.

Pass to Ball is short, inc. Broncos have to punt.

Holliday brings the punt back to the Texan 42. Texans ball.

[Arky]

Foster for 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Bombs away! Deep ball complete to KW for the TD! 52 yards!

Texans 21, Broncos 5

8:54 left in the half.

[TheMatrix31]

Ass-pounding.

[Nconroe]

Oh wow, deep ball to Walters for TD. Long way to go but so fa so good.

[chuck]

When you can run the ball whenever you want you can expose a defense like that. I want to keep our foot on the gas and beat the hell out of this team and tell the rest of the league very clearly that we are not joking.

[barrett]

It amazes me that the same Gary Kubiak that is a creative offensive mind and works matchups, formations, run/pass balance, and route combinations so well, is the same Gary Kubiak that wants nothing more than to win 23-7 with 275 yards of offense. A true enigma when most great offensive minds fall victim to "offensive genius" disease and try to play with all of their toys and abandon the run game.

[Arky]

Graham's ensuing kickoff is downed in the endzone. Broncos ball at their 20.

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

McGahee for about 1.

Screen to Dreessen goes for big gainer - about 30 yards.

Pass to 84 (?) goes for 6.

Hillman gets 4 and the 1st down.

Pass to Thomas goes for another big gainer - twenty-something yards, also roughing the passer on the Texans places the ball at their 8.

Manning can't connect and throws it away, inc. 2nd and goal coming up.

McGahee to the 5. 3rd and goal coming up.

Pass to Thomas in the endzone, inc. Broncos to go for the FG.

Prater's 23-yarder is good.

Texans 21, Broncos 8

5:44 left in the half.

[barrett]

Great stop. Now how about a long drive ending in points and halftime.

[chuck]

It amazes me that the same Gary Kubiak that is a creative offensive mind and works matchups, formations, run/pass balance, and route combinations so well, is the same Gary Kubiak that wants nothing more than to win 23-7 with 275 yards of offense. A true enigma when most great offensive minds fall victim to "offensive genius" disease and try to play with all of their toys and abandon the run game.

He liked that just fine even when he didn't have a defense.

[Big Texas]

2 years ago Broncos score right there...

[Arky]

AZ 17, Eagles 0

ATL 20, SD 0

[chuck]

AZ 17, Eagles 0

ATL 20, SD 0

I don't understand how Atlanta is so good when they cannot run the ball at all.

[Arky]

Texans ball at their 20 after the kickoff.....

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

Foster for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Schaub's pass is deflected, inc. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Pass to OD off the mark, inc. Texans have to punt.

Broncos bring the punt back to their 43. Broncos ball.

[Arky]

Pass to Thomas inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Stokely for about 6. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Timeout Texans........

[Arky]

I don't understand how Atlanta is so good when they cannot run the ball at all.

Yep, so much for the short week and the trip to the West Coast.... :rolleyes:

[WMH]

What the hell is Barwin doing in coverage?

[Arky]

On 3rd and 4, Cush gets McGahee for no gain. Broncos have to punt.

Holliday brings the punt back to the Texan 17. A Bronco (Irving) is injured on the play. Injury timeout.

[HPF Bob]

Sitting amongst a lot of happy Texans, Cardinals and Falcons fans.

Keeping an eye on Iran-Iraq (aka Steelers-Raiders). You don't care who wins but you hope for a lot of casualties.

[HPF Bob]

Here's a thought to make you feel even better: This is a Jack Del Gutter defense the Texans are carving up.

[chuck]

Sitting amongst a lot of happy Texans, Cardinals and Falcons fans.

Keeping an eye on Iran-Iraq (aka Steelers-Raiders). You don't care who wins but you hope for a lot of casualties.

Where the hell are you?

[Arky]

End around to Martin goes for big gainer. 19 yards?

Tate for no gain. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Screen to G Graham goes for 12 and the 1st down. Ball at the Texan 49.

2 minute warning.

[HPF Bob]

The Fire Jim Schwartz countdown starts today. How can you pass up a tying FG in overtime to sneak it on 4th and 1?

[Arky]

Foster right side for 2.

Deep pass to OD almost ... but inc. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Pass to OD goes for 10 and the 1st down. Timeout Texans with 1:10 left in the half.

[barrett]

The Fire Jim Schwartz countdown starts today. How can you pass up a tying FG in overtime to sneak it on 4th and 1?

Because you worked very hard to build up a fake tough/aggressive guy persona.

[TheMatrix31]

Schaub's Shitty Throw Of The Game (tm)

[Arky]

Ball at the Bronco 39.

Foster for 1.

Pass to Martin low and inc. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Schaub's pass in INT'ed by Woodyard.

[Nconroe]

Oh oh, interception, under pressure. Well, let's just sack
Minning a few times.

[barrett]

Schaub's Shitty Throw Of The Game (tm)

I don't have a problem with that throw. 4th down and a punt if we throw it away. Why not give your wr a chance against a LB? Sure the LB made a great one handed catch, but I'm ok with being aggressive.

[Arky]

Broncos ball at their 40.

Manning is sacked by Watt! Makes it 2nd and 13. Timeout Broncos.

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

Pass to Decker is dropped. 3rd and 13 coming up.

Pass to Decker complete for 22. 10 seconds left in the half. Ball at the Texan 41.

Pass is complete for about 7 yards. Prater on for the FG. 6 seconds left in the half.

Prater's 53-yarder is good.

Texans 21, Broncos 11

1 second left in the half.

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

Squibby kickoff is downed by Casey.

Halftime.

[TheMatrix31]

Hope we don't regret not putting points up after the Walter TD.

[Arky]

Halftime stats:

Passing: Schaub 10/17, 199 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT

Rushing: Foster 9/53, Tate 4/18, K Martin 1/18

Receiving: KW 2/70, AJ 1/60, Graham 2/39, K Martin 1/18, OD 2/12

Tackles: JJo/Cush/KJ 4 each, Manning/Demps/Watt 3 each, Barwin/Reed 2 each

TOP: Texans 14:12, Broncos 15:48

Turnovers: Texans 1, Broncos 0

1st downs: Texans 13, Broncos 11

3rd down efficiency: Texans 5/7, Broncos 2/8

Red zone: Texans 1/1, Broncos 0/2

Total yards: Texans 285 Broncos 204

[Arky]

Broncos 2nd half kickoff goes out of the endzone. Texans ball at their 20.

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

Oy, deep pass to AJ inc. Close..... 2nd and 10 coming up.

Foster for 4. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Schaub's pass to KW at the sideline goes inc. Texans have to punt.

Broncos bring the punt back to their 32. Broncos ball.

[chuck]

That's a confident defensive series.

[Arky]

McGahee caught for loss of 2. 2nd and 12 coming up.

Manning pressured, spikes the ball, inc. 3rd and 12 coming up.

Pass to Thomas along the sideline goes inc. Broncos have to punt.

Holliday takes the early hit on the catch - penalty on the Broncos, 15 yards. Texans ball at their 38. 12:56 left in the 3rd quarter.

[Arky]

Foster for 3.

Foster for 5. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Short pass to KW good for 3 and the 1st down. Flag on V Miller for roughing Schaub, 15 yards. Ball is at the Denver 36.

Oh my, deep pass to AJ in the endzone inc, can't hang on. Schaub is roughed up again. 15 more yards. Places the ball at the Bronco 21.

[WMH]

Schaub just said "Where's my ****************ing helmet"

Nice!

[Arky]

Tate for 3.

Foster for 5. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Foster just gets 1 but flag down. Holding on Texans, do-over, makes it 3rd and 12.

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

Graham's 41-yarder is good.

Texans 24, Broncos 11

9:11 left in the 3rd quarter.

[barrett]

I thought Denver got away with 2-3 late hits in the first half.

[Arky]

Need more cushion....

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

Broncos bring the ensuing kickoff back to their 26.

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

Mannings screen pass is dropped. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Timeout called by Manning at the LOS....

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

[Big Texas]

There's got to be some fines or suspensions....both of those hits looked intentional

[chuck]

It looks like the BoP are getting a ton of push out of the DEs and not much push out of the OLBs who seem content to stay in their lanes and occupy the OL outside. I haven't seen too much trickery up front.

[barrett]

I love how with these refs you can get a timeout like 5 seconds after the play clock hits zero.

[TheMatrix31]

Beating ourselves with these damn penalties.

[barrett]

There's got to be some fines or suspensions....both of those hits looked intentional

Guys have really started pushing it with the officials the past 2 weeks. Lots of stuff dirty and late.

[Arky]

On 2nd and 10, screen pass goes for -1.

On 3rd and 11, pass to Stokely gets 10.....flag down ...... Holding on JJo. Auto 1st down at the Bronco 30.

Hillman for 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Short pass is broken up by Reed, inc. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Deep pass to Decker complete for big gainer but flag down. Holding on Broncos brings it back. Makes it 3rd and 17.

Manning's pass over the middle is inc. Broncos have to punt.

Holliday slow out of the gate on the punt return - just a couple of yards. Ball at the Texan 28.

[barrett]

We are almost completely ignoring anything more than 10 yards downfield.

[Arky]

Tate goes left side for about 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Tate for 1. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Pass to KW over his head, inc. Texans have to punt.

Punt goes into the endzone, touchback. 5:17 left in the 3rd quarter. Broncos ball at their 20.

[chuck]

There's just way too much confusion on those out routes.

[HPF Bob]

Steelers-Raiders getting chippy now. Who could have predicted that? :rolleyes:

[Arky]

McGahee for no gain.

Dumpoff to Hillman goes for just 1. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Pass to Thomas broken up, inc. Broncos have to punt.

Holliday fair catches at the Texan 27. Texans ball.

[TheMatrix31]

Gotta pick these balls off.

Actually, gotta score SEVEN.

[Nconroe]

Both defenses seem to be dominating right now. Time for some Foster.

[Arky]

Pass to Casey in the flat goes for 11.

Schaub flushed from the pocket throws it away, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Jean goes for big gainer! 1st down at the Bronco 15.

Foster for no gain.

Pass over the middle to OD goes for the TD!

Texans 31, Broncos 11

1:33 left in the 3rd quarter.

[Nconroe]

Schaub and receivers doing pretty good against a good defense.

Schaub to locker room.

[chuck]

In so many ways Jean is eerily reminiscent of AJ in his first few years. I'm not saying that he is in any way AJ's equal but so often when I see Jean on the field it takes me a moment to realize that it's not AJ.

[Arky]

Broncos bring the ensuing kickoff all the way back to the 40 but flag on the play. Holding on Broncos. Places the ball at the Bronco 11.

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

Manning's pass near the sideline is inc.

Pass in almost INT'ed by JJo. Makes it 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Decker goes for 26 and the 1st down.

Pass to Decker goes to midfield, 1st down.

Pass to Thomas gets 3.

End of the 3rd quarter.

[TheMatrix31]

Pick these balls off!

[Arky]

Manning's pass off the mark, inc. Brings up 3rd and 7.

Pass is broken up by GQ inc. 4th and 7 coming up. Broncos will punt.

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

[barrett]

We are making manning look terrible. We are just camping on routes with no respect for his ability to stretch the field.

[chuck]

I absolutely do not understand the modern aversion to punting the ball out of bounds at the 10 or so. Why do you have to try for the improbable downing on the one when you could reliably put the ball out of bounds within the 20? Special teams coaches must be very bad at math.

[chuck]

We are making manning look terrible. We are just camping on routes with no respect for his ability to stretch the field.

We are disrespecting him.

[Nconroe]

In so many ways Jean is eerily reminiscent of AJ in his first few years. I'm not saying that he is in any way AJ's equal but so often when I see Jean on the field it takes me a moment to realize that it's not AJ.

LJ is making some exceptional catches every game so far. Gotta like his development for sure.

[barrett]

We are disrespecting him.

I see what you did...and I like it.

[Arky]

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

Foster for 7 on the left side, 1st down.

Foster for 1.

Short pass to Casey gets 2. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Pass to AJ sails inc. Late flag..... Illegal contact on Broncos, 5 yards and an auto 1st down. Ball is at the Texan 40.

Foster for 3.

Foster for 9 and the 1st down.

Tate is caught in the backfield and fumbles. Broncos recover. 10:20 left in the game. Ball roughly at midfield.

[barrett]

The only thing you can't do right there.

[chuck]

I see what you did...and I like it.

I don't really do smileys but if I did I might do one here.

Tate just earned himself some bench.

[WMH]

Right side, Caldwell and Newton this time, got blowed up.
Tate now in doghouse.

BTW- Wexler tweeted earlier that Harris was getting snaps at RT. I must've missed that.

[Arky]

Ball at the Texan 49.

Ball (the player) rushes for about 11.

Pass to Stokely in the endzone complete for the TD.

Texans 31, Broncos 18

9:49 left in the game.

Game ain't over till it's over....

[chuck]

Having a real fullback might be helpful.

[chuck]

I haven't seen that neck throw a spiral all freaking day long.

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the endzone, touchback. Texans ball at their 20.

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

Pass to Graham overthrown, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Draw play to Foster loses 2. 3rd and 12 coming up.

Screen to Martin just gets 2. Texans have to punt.

Broncos field the punt and bring it back to their 25 or 26.

[HPF Bob]

I absolutely do not understand the modern aversion to punting the ball out of bounds at the 10 or so. Why do you have to try for the improbable downing on the one when you could reliably put the ball out of bounds within the 20? Special teams coaches must be very bad at math.

That's a good observation, Chuck. The "coffin corner" seems to have gone the way of the drop kick. I know I always found it frustrating to watch the side official walk up the sideline with that stupid arm outraised an extra 10 yards than where I felt the ball went out of bounds so maybe enough coaches felt like me and switched to the current strategy.

[chuck]

Wade needs to dial something up here.

[HPF Bob]

Heyward-Bey is taken off on a cart after he was sandwiched by two Steelers.

[chuck]

That's a good observation, Chuck. The "coffin corner" seems to have gone the way of the drop kick. I know I always found it frustrating to watch the side official walk up the sideline with that stupid arm outraised an extra 10 yards than where I felt the ball went out of bounds so maybe enough coaches felt like me and switched to the current strategy.

You've got 20 yards of sideline to work with. If you can't get it out between the goal line and the 20 I find another punter. First and ten from the 17 is better than first and ten from the 20, plainly.

Today the fashion is to go for the home run every possible punt. It's crazy.

[Arky]

L Ball for 4 yards. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Short pass to Stokely good for 3. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Pass to Stokely gets 4 yards and the 1st down.

Pass deep sideline is inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Stokely gets 11 and the 1st down.

Pass too high for Thomas, inc. 6:09 left in the game.

Pass to Tamme good for 11 and the 1st down.

Pass is broken up by McCain, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Manning sacked by Watt! Loss of 6.

Pass down the field to Tamme is inc. Makes it 4th and 16 coming up. Tamme hurt on the play - helped off the field. Broncos going for it.....

Pass too long to Thomas inc, but flag down. Manning was past the LOS! PI on Texans gives an auto 1st down.

Pass to Stokely gets 9 at the Texan 30. Stokely shaken up. Stokely helped off the field. 2nd and 1 coming up. 4:41 left in the game.

[HPF Bob]

You've got 20 yards of sideline to work with. If you can't get it out between the goal line and the 20 I find another punter. First and ten from the 17 is better than first and ten from the 20, plainly.

Today the fashion is to go for the home run every possible punt. It's crazy.

I'm not disagreeing. It's just that I was sick of watching our punts sail out near the five and watch the marionette march upfield and stop at the 15.

If this were baseball, some dweeb with a slide rule would tell us that one strategy was stupid and should never ever be attempted.

[chuck]

I'm not disagreeing. It's just that I was sick of watching our punts sail out near the five and watch the marionette march upfield and stop at the 15.

No, no, I totally understand. That *was* frustrating.

[WMH]

McCain is having a rough day.

Harris sighting next week?

[Arky]

On 2nd and 1, pass in the endzone is complete to Thomas for the TD. Play is under review..... Looks like Thomas only had one foot in.....

Bring it back, TD is overturned.... Makes it 3rd and 1 from the 31 for the Broncos. 4:33 left in the game.

Hillman rushes for 4 and the 1st down.

[Nconroe]

He should bbe out of bouinds, but this is getting to close for comfort.

[chuck]

How in the F can a ref standing right there miss that?

[Arky]

Manning tosses into the endzone, inc but they are going to get KJ for PI. Auto 1st down at the 1.

Ball caught in the backfield by B James. Loss of 3. 2nd and goal from the 4.

Ball caught again by Watt for loss of two.

Oy, tipped pass is caught by Dreessen for the TD.

Texans 31, Broncos 25.

3 minutes left in the game.

[chuck]

I hate to complain about the refs but that PI call was more of the home team bullshit we've seen all year. I have no great love for KJ but that was disgusting.

[WMH]

Harris in at RT for crucial drive.

[Nconroe]

Ok, we need a couple of first downs, one for sure.

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the endzone. Texans ball at their 20.

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

Foster goes right side for 3. Timeout Broncos. 2:54 left in the game.

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

Foster for 2. 3rd and 5 coming up. Timeout Broncos.

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

Pass to AJ good for 12 and a 1st down! Nice pass Matt Schaub...

Foster for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.

2 minute warning. Denver out of timeouts.

[Arky]

Foster for 3. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Foster for 1. Texans have to punt. Less than a minute left in the game.

Timeout Texans with 33 seconds left in the game.

[WMH]

Glad Decker had a brain fart.

[Arky]

Decker fields the punt and returns it to the 14 yard line of the Broncos.

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

Pass to Decker complete to the 30.

Manning spikes it with 3 seconds left.

Pass is complete, Broncos try to lateral but goes nowhere..... Game Over.....

Final Score:

Texans 30, Broncos 24

Texans 3-0 for the first time ever and last remaining undefeated team in the AFC...

[Nconroe]

Whew, Texans 3-0 , great start. Very good , exciting game today.

Looks like Pittsburgh is gonna loose, and Chuck will win. Congrats.

[TheMatrix31]

Pretty decent showing. DL and LBs were good. DBs were pretty bad. Broke up plays yeah, but should have picked like 7 balls off.

Horrendous PI call gifted them their last TD. I'll take holding Peyton's O to 3 FGs and a TD. I'll take that all week.

[barrett]

I thought this might have been the best I've seen our secondary play. They may have dropped a few INTs but they had eyes in the backfield all day and were running the Broncos WR's routes for them.

Also, those are the wrong set of WRs for Manning. They are big athletes, but they are absolutely not precision guys. I can't count how many times Manning threw a ball and a guy was in the wrong place/ball was in the wrong place. You need to surround Manning with some route runners. These guys stink in the intermediate range and Manning has no ability on the deep ball anymore.

And yes that PI was truly bad.

[chuck]

Also, those are the wrong set of WRs for Manning. They are big athletes, but they are absolutely not precision guys.

Absolutely. All game long I kept finding myself very surprised at their size and the fact that their routes were sort of brutish. It's like they never used to go home and watch the Colts play their numerous night games to know what Manning's all about. We obviously have an unfortunate familiarity with that neck but then again no one pays me to play football. I certainly am glad Manning doesn't have a Steve Smith.

And either the Patriots or the Ravens is going to start 1-2 so either way I'm happy.

[Nconroe]

Maybe our DBs will do a few pass catching drills this week.

I thought they played well today.

[WMH]

Saw on the twitter, Schaub getting X-rays on his elbow.

Figures.....

[Keith]

Just caught up on DVR....

I am shocked there wasn't a full-out brawl in this one. (a) I am a little disappointed the Texans didn't retaliate after the two rough hits on Schaub, and (b) the referees should have possibly considered an ejection somewhere between the stretch where Holliday was creamed on that punt and Schaub's ear was sliced off.

You know, smacking another team's defenseless punt returner should cost a team a lot more than a 15-yard penalty. Consider him a specialist, like a kicker or punter... I almost think it might not be a bad strategy to just wallop a great returner in the 1st quarter to knock him out of the game if it only costs 15 yards.

And that PI at the end of it was of course total hometown, Peyton slobbering BS. That's why you need a 2-TD lead on this fool in the fourth quarter. Just disgusting.

Watt was amazing, again. Kept asking myself several times where the heck Connor Barwin was though. He seems to run himself out of plays too often.

I thought the receivers all did a great job today. Schaub's fantasy owners will like his totals, and he was valiant to stay in the pocket on some of those throws (...and underthrows, ahem), but the TEs/WRs were wonderful.

[WMH]

Saw on the twitter, Schaub getting X-rays on his elbow.

Figures.....

@taniaganguli: Schaub had his non-throwing shoulder x-rayed. Said everything was fine. #Texans

[painekiller]

I hate to complain about the refs but that PI call was more of the home team bullshit we've seen all year. I have no great love for KJ but that was disgusting.

I agree with this post

[HPF Bob]

The defense bottled up their running game effectively, making them a one-trick team. Barrett and Chuck are absolutely correct that the receivers (with the exception of Stokely who is ancient) are not good route runners. Demaryious Thomas even admitted in August that he never learned to run routes for Tebow.A poor fit to work with Manning.

Houston's pass defense was very solid. As for not catching INT's, my response is always "that's why we put you on defense, son".

Regarding retaliation, the Texans *in their history* have never retaliated. They didn't retaliate when Drayton Florence cheap-shotted Schaub while playing against the Chargers. They didn't retaliate when Jason Allen cheap-shotted Schaub in the knee. Why would this occasion be any different?

Bottom line, we got a win and almost everyone came out of it still in one piece. We're the only 3-0 team in our conference and we get the Titans next week to go 4-0 as long as we bring the same intensity.

We also got some contributions from Martin for the first time which gives opponents something else to worry about and we added the slow white boy deep post to the playbook which works if you only try it once a lunar eclipse.

[chuck]

Chuck is absolutely correct that the receivers (with the exception of Stokely who is ancient) are not good route runners.

I appreciate the extra credit but I was merely echoing barrett's earlier point.

[Arky]

It warmed my heart to no end to see the vertical passing game break out yesterday. It was like watching on old AFL game. Three plays of 40+ yards - AJ and KW's TD's and Jean's big play. I can live with that... Several more "shots" were oh-so-close to being completed. Very entertaining for the 40-something states that were watching. The Texans got the win and didn't let we-the-fans down on the big stage.

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While it's great to be 3-0 and the last undefeated team in the AFC, be careful of pulling in too much of the hype. This is the time of year when the talking heads have a new "best in NFL" almost weekly. First time the Texans lose, they will go on the back burner replaced by the next darling.

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Texans opened as an 11 point favorite over Tennessee next Sunday and it has already moved up to 12.5 on some....

[nunusguy]

Out of town this week trying to catch a trout in Montana and didn't get to see the game but understand the win was decisive notwithstanding the final score ? Great win for the Texans - anytime you win one on the road in Denver
and beat old Peyton, it's a good day !