Official Texans vs. Jaguars Game Thread, 12/28/2014

[Arky]

The 8-7 Texans host the 3-12 Jaguars this Sunday in an early game at NRG stadium. The Texans are coming off a 25-13 home win over the Ravens and the Jaguars are coming off a 21-13 home win over the Titans (TNF). The Texans hope to keep their slim playoff hopes alive with a victory. The game has been switched from CBS to FOX. All NFL action this week takes place on Sunday, no TNF or MNF.

TV = FOX (channel 26 local), noon CST, Sunday, Dec 28

Announcers (http://506sports.com/nfl.php?yr=2014&wk=17) = Chris Myers, Ronde Barber

The line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) = Texans by 9.5 to 10.5

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506 Sports @506sports

The NFL has waived all home-market blackouts in week 17. Everyone gets doubleheaders on both CBS and Fox. https://nfllabor.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/2014week-17-flex-final-3.pdf …


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Other Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

CBS (early) = San Diego @ Kansas City -- Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts

CBS (late) = Carolina @ Atlanta -- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms

FOX (late) = Detroit @ Green Bay -- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

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Prime time:

SNF = Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh

[HPF Bob]

By moving the Texans to Fox, the game is only going to be shown in the Houston and Jacksonville markets. The game is head-to-head against Dallas vs. Washington so the rest of Texas is getting the Cowboys game, not the Texans.

Not very fan-friendly, NFL.

CBS is getting Atlanta-Carolina in the late afternoon slot opposite a somewhat meaningless Denver-Oakland so it looks like a day in the sports bar for me.

[Nconroe]

Do we try to win first, but take a look at more backup QB?

[Arky]

Doesn't look promising but we'll know by 3pm (Sunday) if we are going dancing.....

Though they both count, think I'd rather be able to flip to the CLE @ BAL game rather than the SD @ KC game.....

[HPF Bob]

Regardless the playoff possibilities, I just think it will be a positive for the Texans to climb out of 2-14 to be an above-.500 club despite quarterbacking that was inconsistent-at-best and little contribution from our top 5 draft picks.

It's really amazing, when you think about it, what O'Brien and Crennel have done - albeit largely aided by a weak schedule that only gets weaker next season.

For today, let's just win to say we were winners in 2014 and let the rest take care of itself. I think it will be big to J.J. Watt's MVP chances if the Texans are 9-7. The logic given by some, like ESPN's Bill Simmons (whose expertise is the Red Sox and Celtics) is that none of the top NFL quarterbacks have had an exceptionally good year, even for them. This isn't Aaron Rodgers' best year, nor Tom Brady's, nor Peyton Manning's, nor Russell Wilson's. No running back has had an exceptional year although Demarco Murray might come close. There's been no offensive player who has been week-in and week-out as exceptional as Watt.

[Nconroe]

I'd like to see Keenum have another good game and watch Arian run a few more plays off the wildcat.

On defense sack Bortles and pick off a few more passes.

On special teams, hmm, maybe a nice long punt return and penalty free would be nice.

[Arky]

And here we go.....

Bullock kicks off and the Jags have a nice runback on the opening kickoff. Ball at the Jag 28.

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Pass to Hurns gets 10. Texans challenge that it was not a completed catch.....

[Nconroe]

Texans challenging catch if out of bounds, hmm, looked like a catch to me.

[Arky]

Play is confirmed. Completed catch, 1st down.

TFL by Reed.... loss of 5 on the play. 2nd and 15 coming up.

Bortles keeps for about 6. Brings up 3rd and 9.

3rd down pass is dropped, inc. Jags will have to punt.

K Martin fair catches the punt at the Texan 17. Texan's ball.

12:53 left in the 1st qtr.

[Nconroe]

Bortles has 11 TD and 17 int. That is worse than David Carr ever was isn't it?

[Arky]

Pass to AJ goes for 29.

Pass to AJ goes for about 11. Ball in Jag territory (43 yard line).

Foster for loss of 1.

Quick snap to D Johnson goes for nice gainer. 34 yards.

Pass to Foster goes for the TD! 10 yards.

Texans 7, Jags 0

10:23 left in the 1st qtr.

[Big Texas]

That's who the quick screen goes to...no more Andre Johnson quick screens.
I'm liking what I see so far...considering how well we as a team do at adjusting.

[Big Texas]

BTW did you catch the blocking by DHop on that screen...see Kubiak you can be a good receiver and blocker (subtle shot at Kevin Walter)

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the end zone, touchback. Jags ball at their 20.

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Pass to Shorts gets 5.

Todman rushes for 12.

Flare pass to Todman goes for 4.

Bortles scrambles for big gain but flag is down..... 5 yards tacked on at the end of the run for illegal hands to the face (Texans). 21 yards on the run, 5 on the penalty. Ball at the Texan 33.

Ball gets knocked loose but Jags recover..... Makes it 2nd and 18.

Screen to Todman gets 8. Brings up 3rd and 10.

Bortles is sacked by Watt! Jags will go for the FG....

Scobee's 53-yarder is good.

Texans 7, Jags 3

6:02 left in the 1st qtr.

[Big Texas]

JJ is gonna be triple teamed for the rest of this one...Merciless will have every opportunity to get to the quarterback now...

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff is brought back to the Texan 22. Texan's ball.

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Foster for 13.

Foster caught for a loss of 4.

Foster for 13 and flag on Jags for offsides is declined. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Keenum scrambles for about 3 or 4 and the 1st down. Ball at the Texan 46.

Keenum rolls out and throws it away... flag down....holding on the Texans, -10. Replay 1st down. 1st and 20 coming up.

Keenum's pass is off the mark, inc. 2nd and 20 coming up.

Screen to AJ goes for 13. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Oy, pass to Hop is off the mark, behind him a little, Hop tips it to a DB who takes it in for a pick 6. Gratz with the INT and the score, 55 yards.

Jags 10, Texans 7

2:55 left in the 1st qtr.

[chuck]

I'm watching the Cleveland - Baltimore game, too. Thanks to a PI call Baltimore had the ball first and goal at the three or so. Two TEs, I-formation, run up the middle for no gain. Second down, exactly the same thing. Third down, same formation, fake the give, try to pass to the FB who'd snuck out into the flat. Unfortunately for palm licker everyone in Cleveland knew they were going to do this. Incomplete. The go for it on fourth down. I'll let you guess what formation they use to try to run the ball up the middle, a run that resulted in a two yard loss.

It's hilarious that anyone in the NFL gives palm licker a job of any sort. That reminds me, noted genius Woody Johnson has employed Charley Casserly to help him identify a new GM and head coach.

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback. Texans ball at their 20

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Jags use a timeout (#1).

Foster for about 3. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Screen to Blue gets 1. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Keenum's pass goes inc. Flag down.... offsides defense makes it 3rd and 2 coming up.

Grimes for about 5 and the 1st down.

Blue for no gain.

Dumpoff to Blue gets 6. 3rd and 4 coming up.

End of the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Chiefs 10, Chargers 0

Browns 0, Ravens 0

Cowboys 17, Redskins 7

Colts 7, Titans 0

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On 3rd and 4, pass to AJ off the mark, inc. Texans will have to punt.

Jags fair catch the punt at their 12. Jag's ball.

[Arky]

Pass to Shorts gets 9.

Gerhart for loss of 1. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Pass to Lewis off the mark, inc. Jags will have to punt.

Eheh, Martin runs into his own man on the punt return and is down at the Texan 26. Texan's ball.

[Nconroe]

Sounds like Foster to locker room for left knee injury.

[Big Texas]

If Foster stays out of this game it better be something SERIOUS...otherwise he's a B****. He didn't even appear to be limping. This game is too critical for him to be having SOFT moments...

[Nconroe]

Sure, but I guess Foster has proven himself plenty.

[Arky]

Blue goes left for 2.

Keenum can't find a receiver and gets caught for loss of 2. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Keenum scrambles right for about 10 and gets the 1st down. Jags challenge the spot of the ball.....

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Ruling on the field stands, 1st down...

Pass over the middle to AJ good for nice gainer. 22 yards.

Blue for 4.

Dumpoff to Blue gets a 1st down at the Jag 29.

Flat pass to AJ off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Snap to D Johnson is sniffed out for a loss of 1. 3rd and 11 coming up.

Screen to Grimes gets 15. Ball at the Jag 15.

Blue for 3.

Screen to Hop loses 2. Brings up 3rd and 9.

Pass to AJ over the middle gets about 8.... flag is down....illegal use of hands on Jags = 5 yards and an auto 1st down at the 9 yard line.

Pass to AJ all the way to the 1 yard line.

Oy, pass to AJ in the end zone is just off the mark, inc. 3rd and goal at the 1.

Blue punches it in for the TD!

Texans 14, Jags 10

6:34 left in the half.

[Arky]

Jags down the ensuing kickoff in the end zone, touchback. Jags ball at their 20.

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Dumpoff to Todman gets 4.

Screen to Lee gets 4. Brings up 3rd and 2.

3rd down pass is broken up by JJo, inc. Jags have to punt.

Punt goes out of bounds at the Texan 30. Texan's ball.

[Arky]

Blue goes right and loses 1.

Keenum can't find a receiver and scrambles for 2. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Pass over the middle to Grimes gets 8..... Texans will punt on 4th and 1...

Punt is ruled down at the Jag 19. Jag's ball.

[Nconroe]

I like the FedEx automated office pop up furniture.

[Nconroe]

That was a bad holding call on Buoye, receiver ran into him.

[Big Texas]

We are getting the help we need....we cannot get beat by flags

[Arky]

Gerhart for 9.

Gerhart for 4 or 5 and the 1st down.

Bortles sacked by Mercilus! Loss of 3.

2 minute warning.

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On 2nd and 13, pass is almost INT'ed by JJo but inc. Flag on the Texans for hands to the face = auto 1st down at the Jag 35.

Pass to Shorts is complete but out of bounds, so incomplete. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Bortles pass is tipped, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up. 1:40 left in the half.

Bortles pass is tipped again, inc. Flag is down.....illegal contact on Bouye = 5 yards and an auto 1st down.

Bortles pass is knocked away, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up at the Jag 40.

Dumpoff to Sanders goes for 24.

Pass to Sanders gets a nice gainer but holding on the Jags brings it back. Makes it 1st and 20 coming up from the Texan 46.

Pass over the head of the receiver, inc. 2nd and 20 coming up with 1:13 left in the half.

Pass to Lewis is inc. 3rd and 20 coming up.

Bortles pressured, throws it away, inc. Jags will have to punt on 4th and 20. 1:03 left in the half.

Martin fair catches the punt at the Texan 12. Texan's ball with 56 seconds left in the half.

[Arky]

Grimes for no gain.

Grimes for about 4.

Halftime.

Texans 14, Jags 10

[Nconroe]

Still some hope for a slim possibility. Go Texans.

[Arky]

Halftime stats:

Passing: Keenum 14/19, 162 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing: Foster 5/23, Keenum 3/15, Grimes 3/10, Blue 6/9

Receiving: AJ 5/83, D Johnson 2/33, Grimes 2/23, Blue 3/15, Foster 1/10

Tackles: Watt 4, JJo/Swearinger 3 each, Dent/Reed/Manning 2 each

Total yards: Texans 217, Jags 102

1st downs: Texans 13, Jags 7

3rd down efficiency: Texans 5/8, Jags 0/5

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

Penalties: Texans 4/25, Jags 3/20

Turnovers: Texans 1, Jags 0

Time of possession: Texans 18:39, Jags 11:21

[Arky]

2nd half kickoff = touchback. Texan's ball at their 20.

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Deep pass to AJ goes inc.

Snap to Grimes goes for 9. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Keenum keeps and scrambles for 2 and the 1st down.

Snap to Grimes gets 3.

Keenum is sacked. Loss of 5. Brings up 3rd and 12.

Keenum's pass is batted in the air and falls inc. Texans will have to punt.

Lechler's punt is brought back to the Jag 30. Jag's ball.

[Arky]

Todman gets loose for big gainer. 34 yards.

Todman for 2.

Todman for maybe 1. Brings up 3rd and 7.

Pass to Shorts broken up, inc. Jags will go for the FG.

Scobee's 51-yarder is no good, hits the upright.

Score remains:

Texans 14, Jags 10

9:53 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Texans takeover at their 42.

Short pass to AJ gets 7.

Blue gets about 4 and the 1st down.

Umph, pass to AJ off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Blue for maybe 5. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Pass to D Johnson is caught but for no gain. A Jag (McCray?) injured on the play. Texans will punt on 4th and 5.

Punt goes into the end zone, touchback. Jag's ball at their 20.

[Arky]

Browns 10, Ravens 3

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Pass to Shorts for 7.

Todman for -1. Brings up 3rd and 4.

Pass to Lee is dropped but flag is down....PI on the Jags is declined. Jags will have to punt.

Martin brings the punt back to the Texan 21. Texan's ball. 6:35 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Big Texas]

I take it we really don't have anyone else on the roster that can CATCH a punt...

[Arky]

Keenum is sacked for a loss but a flag is down.... holding on the Jags negates the sack. 5 yards and an auto 1st down.

Pass to Hopkins down the sideline off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Blue for 5. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Keenum is sacked and fumbles. Jags recover at the Texan 23.

[Arky]

Jags hit the trick play for the TD, Shorts passes to Todman.

Jags 17, Texans 14

4:45 left in the 3rd qtr.

Don't blow it, Texans....

[Big Texas]

Wow...maybe they SHOULD have the scores on the big screen...they are beating themselves...

[Big Texas]

Keenum has got to get on the same page with Deandre...

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the end zone, touchback. Texan's ball at their 20.

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Pass to AJ gets 11.

Pass to AJ at the sideline gets 17.

Dumpoff to Blue gets 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Pass to Hopkins off the mark, inc. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Pass to Griffin goes for 8 and the 1st down at the Jag 39.

Blue for 2 or 3 tough yards.

Dumpoff to Blue gets about 10 and the 1st down.

Blue for 1. Ball at the Jag 25. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Pass to AJ gets 8. Brings up 3rd and 1.

End of the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

On 3rd and 1, Blue gets 2 and the 1st down. Ball at the Jag 15.

Dumpoff to Blue gets 7.

Pass to AJ in the end zone is good for the TD!

Texans 21, Jags 17

13:34 left in the game.

[Nconroe]

Wow, way more excitement than I was expecting.

[Arky]

Baltimore 3rd and 5 on the Cleveland 15....Score still 10-3 Browns.

Chiefs 19, Chargers 7

[Big Texas]

That was the best route I have seen Andre run all year...explosive off the line, excellent outside lead step, then the catch with coverage all over him...

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback. Jag's ball at their 20.

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Bortles rolls out and slips down for the sack by Crick. 2nd and 15 coming up.

Johnson goes left side for short gain but flags everywhere......offsetting, replay 2nd down.

Pass to Lee is good for a short gain but flag is down... facemask on KJ, 15 yards. Places the ball at the Jag 34, 1st down.

Pass to Lee is dropped, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Todman for maybe 1. Brings up 3rd and 9 with about 12 minutes left in the game.

Short pass to Todman gets about 7....... Jags will punt on 4th and 2...

Punt goes into the end zone, touchback. Texans will have the ball at their 20.

[Arky]

Ravens kick a FG, now 10-6 Browns.

Chargers in the red zone vs. KC. Score still 19-7.

[Nconroe]

Uhoh, colts in lead now

[Arky]

Direct snap to Grimes gets 3 or 4.

Blue for about 4. Brings up 3rd and 2. 9:48 left in the game.

Grimes gets about 6 tough yards and the 1st down.

Texans use a timeout to avoid the delay of game...... good call from the sideline..

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Direct snap to Grimes gets 5.

Grimes for 1. Brings up 3rd and 4.

Grimes caught for a loss of 1 or 2. Texans will have to punt with about 7 minutes left in the game.

Jags fair catch the punt at about their 7 yard line. Jag's ball.

[Arky]

Ravens 13, Browns 10, About 7 minutes left in the game.

Chiefs 19, Chargers 7

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Todman for 3.

Bortles off the mark, inc. Brings up 3rd and 7.

Watt with the sack! Safety? Yes!

Texans 23, Jags 17

5:37 left in the game.

[Nconroe]

Amazing JJ Watt, 3rd sack today for safety. First player ever to get 20 or more sacks twice.

[Arky]

Jags will have to kick/punt to the Texans......

Martin brings the kick back to the Texan 28. Texan's ball with 5:32 to go.

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Blue for 2.

Blue for 1. Brings up 3rd and 7.

Pass to Hop gets 7 but flag is down.... holding on the Jags is declined. 1st down.

Blue for 2.

Blue for no gain. Brings up 3rd and 8. Jags use a timeout with 3:08 left in the game.

Grimes gets about 5. Jags use another timeout (#2) with 3:02 left.

Lechler's punt is downed at the Jag 15. Jag's ball.

[Arky]

Pass to Shorts gets 8 and a flag is down. Facemask on Bouye, 15 yards. Ball at the Jag 38.

Short pass to Todman is inc.

Pass to Lee is too high, inc. Brings up 3rd and 10.

Pass to Hurns is broken up, inc. Jags will go for it on 4th down with 2:24 left in the game.

Pass to Shorts good for the 1st down at the Texan 44. 18 yards.

2 minute warning.

[Arky]

Bortles scrambles all the way to the Texan 10 yard line. 1st and goal. Oh, goodness....

1:41 left in the game.

Pass in the end zone is broken up, inc. Lee (Jags) and JJo both hurt on the play.... Both teams charged a timeout..... 1:35 left in the game..

Pass to Hurns gets 5.

Pass to Lewis in the end zone too high, inc. 4th and goal coming up.

Pass is caught out of bounds by Shorts so, inc.! Texans takeover on downs.

[Arky]

1:21 left in the game.

Texans kneeling it out.

Final score:

Texans 23, Jags 17

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Ravens get the last playoff spot with a 20-10 victory over the Browns but congrats to the Texans for a respectable 9-7 season (no thanks to the heart attack finish)!

[Big Texas]

Heartbreak finish...but I am definitely optimistic...rick Smith you are now on the clock...what OBrien did with his team was nothing short of amazing. This team was essentially the same, with the addition of Fitz and Mallet (who both ended up injured), and he improved the team by 7 wins...all this with virtually no help from your draft class...if we get nothing again next year Rick needs to find himself unemployed...

[Big Texas]

BTW I am tired of seeing Baltimore in the playoffs...

[chuck]

BTW I am tired of seeing Baltimore in the playoffs...

You won't have to worry about this for more than a week, less if they play on Saturday.

I wonder if there's any truth to the rumor that Rick Smith will be 'promoted' out of his GM seat.

So JJ is going to sweep every single stat that applies to a defensive lineman.

[barrett]

Playoffs would have been very cool, but still pretty awesome season from a performance standpoint. At one point we were 4-5 and we finished on a 5-2 run with Mallett/Fitz/Keenum at QB. We won today with Keenum giving away points and Arian missing most of the game.

This team just got very good at winning games. Under Kubiak we were always better at playing football than we were at winning football games. This team is the opposite. BOB knows how to shorten a game, steal a first down, invent a way to stretch the field, play to his strengths, etc... We are a 2-14 team in year 1 of a roster turnover, playing new systems on both sides of the ball with no QB. And we won 9 games and were alive for the playoffs until the last 10 minutes of the season.

Head Coach and QB are the 2 most important factors to winning and we are set at one of those.