Official Texans vs. Chiefs Wild Card Game Thread, 1/9/2016

[WMH]

Leggo!!!

@TexansPR - The @HoustonTexans will face the Kansas City @Chiefs at 3:35 p.m. CT in Houston on Saturday, January 9th in the AFC Wild Card Game

[HPF Bob]

Houston got burned by three things in Week 1 that I hope get fixed:

1. Jamaal Charles. The KC star will not be playing although they have found some backups that are pretty good.

2. Blown coverages. Kelce had a field day against our safeties. Hopefully, Crennel has found an answer for this and I think he has with Hal and Demps as the safeties.

3. One-sided officiating. Nothing the Texans can do about bad officiating. If the NFL suits have determined that KC will win, the refs will find a way to make it happen (phantom holding and PI calls at critical moments). However, the Texans have made a ritual of getting flagged on kick returns. This has to stop. I only saw it happen once against J-ville so perhaps they are improving.

Two defensive keys:

1. Clowney needs to be healthy and disruptive. The more ways we can attack Alex Smith, the more likely they are to stop the double and triple teams of Watt. Mercilus also needs a big day early.

2. Kevin Johnson. The first-rounder from Wake was just getting his feet wet in Week 1. He's progressively seen more snaps and I think will be an asset in pass protection.

On offense, remember we played better once Hoyer was benched for Mallett so the Texans will need to be creative on offense. The only way Houston wins is a low-scoring game in the teens. Head-to-head, that's what I'm expecting - two clubs who are better on defense than they are on offense.

[WMH]

Hoyer shit the bed in game 1. Don't believe he did that to any degree the rest of the season. He put the team in some very bad spots. Hope that guy doesn't show up.

[Keith]

Kinda interesting how there are some similarities between these two teams if you squint a bit. How their seasons went, how they rely on great defenses with so-so offenses, each with a rookie DB making an impact...

Chiefs should expect Justin Houston back this week after missing about a month with a knee. Between him and Tamba Hali, they are part of a tough front 7, which sucks since Duane Brown is done for the season. How the offense gameplans and executes will go a long way in determining whether they will win the game. The Chiefs do a good job of forcing turnovers. Eliminate those, and the Texans will really put the KC offense under more pressure to move the ball.

For the Texans D, matchup issues with tight ends have improved since week 1, but c'mon, it's still an issue. Alex Smith has been sacked a whopping 44 times, which is tied for most in the league (Tannehill, Wilson, and is even one more than Bortles). That's a lot for a guy thought to have a pretty good O-line. Smith is otherwise pretty diligent with the football, throwing just 5 picks.

Should be a tight, fairly low scoring game.

[Nconroe]

Another similarity, both were thought out of it early in the year, KC at 1 and 5 and Texans at 2 and 5. Nice turnaround for sure.

[Arky]

One thing the Texans do is run the ball whether it is working or not.

Several weeks ago, the Texan run game was abysmal averaging 87 yards/gm (28th) and 3.3 yds. per carry (last). Since then and probably due to somewhat poorer competition, they have improved to 108 yards/gm (15th) and got out of the cellar with 3.7 yds. per carry (tied for 28th).

The Chiefs are a step up in run defense - they give up 98 yards/gm rushing (8th) and allow 4.1 yds. per carry (tied for 16th with the Texans and Raiders). If the Texan run game is truly improving, then Saturday will be a good test....

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

Statistically, the Chiefs defense and the Texan defense are just about one and the same. I might give the edge to the Texan defense going into the game because they got their best stats in the 2nd half of the season - i.e., on a bit of a roll.....

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

One edge going the Chiefs way is there giveaway/takeaway of +14, 2nd in the NFL behind only Carolina's +20. The Texans managed to get into positive territory finishing the season at +5 after being -8 at one point in the year.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/givetake

Alex Smith is your ultimate don't-turn-the-ball-over/conservative passing QB (not many giveaways) while the Chiefs defense is pretty good at the takeaways....

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

Speaking of rolls, the Chiefs have won 10 in a row. That's "hot" in today's NFL. Obviously, a big test for the Texans this Sunday...............

[barrett]

The Chiefs D is tough but I think the running of Arian Foster should be able to neutralize the pass rush a bit...oh wait...

Well at least we will have Duane Brown to protect the backside...wait, he's hurt too...

At least we still have Brian Hoyer!

[HPF Bob]

And there's a new front page article questioning if Hoyer is the best choice to be quarterbacking this Sunday. All of our signature wins this season came with somebody else at the helm while all but one of our worst defeats came with you-know-who under center.

[WMH]

And there's a new front page article questioning if Hoyer is the best choice to be quarterbacking this Sunday. All of our signature wins this season came with somebody else at the helm while all but one of our worst defeats came with you-know-who under center.

Given the alternatives we have, I think its ludicrous to think anyone other than Hoyer should be the QB. This is not an endorsement of Hoyer, but lack of options that we have.

IMO, he gives us the best chance to win in the playoffs. Damn, that's hard to type....OK, our D gives us the best chance to win, and I hope Hoyer doesn't screw that up. Need the "decent" Hoyer to show up for the next 4 weeks.

[Nconroe]

Probably just typos above, but the game is Saturday, not Sunday.

If the Oline holds without Duane Brown then I think Hoyer and offense will be fine.

[Arky]

Probably just typos above, but the game is Saturday, not Sunday.

If the Oline holds without Duane Brown then I think Hoyer and offense will be fine.

I believe our o-line has no problems at all with holding......... :p

[Arky]

The 4th seeded Texans will be hosting some playoff football this Saturday as the Kansas City Chiefs come to town for the wild card round. The two teams met in Week 1 at NRG and the Chiefs walked away winners in an easy 27-20 victory, a game not as close as the score indicated. The Texan defense did hold the Chiefs scoreless in the second half and will need a similar effort for four quarters if they hope to advance in this win-or-go-home game.....

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

TV = ABC/ESPN, 3:20 pm CST, Saturday, Jan 9

Announcers = Mike Turico, John Gruden (I think)

The line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) = Chiefs by 3 to 4

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

Other playoff games this weekend:

Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati, Saturday, 7:15 pm CST, CBS

Seattle @ Minnesota, Sunday, 12:05 pm CST, NBC

Green Bay @ Washington, 3:40 pm CST, FOX

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

Geno Bisconte is a part time comic and not a half bad handicapper. See Geno's take on KC vs. Hou here (http://www.sportsbookreview.com/video/nfl-betting-texans-vs-chiefs-racing-the-playoffs-v-31044/). Geno's videos are always entertaining and he likes the Texans to cover in this one...........

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

No respect. Can you believe the out-of-the-playoffs Jets (who the Texans beat) finished ahead of the Texans in the final ESPN Power Rankings (http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings)?

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

I got a baaad feeling about this..... Brian Hoyer is a major key, IMO. He'll need to be accurate and on point if the Texans have a chance. He's allowed one turnover, two is unacceptable...

[HPF Bob]

Expected to be 1-degree in Minnesota Sunday. I miss truly frigid playoff football as long as my teams aren't playing in them. I hope the Vikes turn off the heat in the Seahawks' lockers.

[Arky]

I always like to see what the "experts" or noted prognosticators are up to....

Cousin Sal of ESPN likes the Chiefs because they are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games and made KC his lock of the week.

Teddy Covers (http://www.sportsbookreview.com/video/best-wild-card-weekend-nfl-picks-v-31055/) likes the Texans because a team entering the playoffs that has won 8 or more games in a row is 0-13 ATS since 2004.

Something has got to give....

[HPF Bob]

There's the "they're due to have a flat game" logic. :p

[Keith]

Always love the home dogs.

All things considered, if Hoyer doesn't mess this up, I really like the Texans defense to flex their muscles tomorrow.

[WMH]

There's the "they're due to have a flat game" logic. :p

If it was the Pats or Broncos coming in with a 10 game streak, that'd be 1 thing. But it's the Chiefs, with Alex Smith at the helm. Bubble has to pop sooner or later.....

Right?

[nunusguy]

This season ended up to be far more entertaining and successful than anyone could have hoped for after the embarrassing loss in the home opener to KC.
OK maybe it is the AFC South which is at least one of the two worst divisions in the NFL. So what did O'Brien and his Texans do ? They took full advantage of that situation, won the division and today they are playing a game in the 2015-16 NFL playoffs. Way to go coach !
A rematch with the Chiefs and for the second time on our home turf, so can we win this one ? I sure hope so, but I don't think we will, and I think the AFC this year is up for grabs and give the Chiefs a real chance to go all the way to the SB.
Chiefs 17, Texans 10.

[barrett]

I genuinely think the Texans will win. And if the Bengals win and we get Denver next round, I think we win again.

Of course my mythical run to the AFC title game can be derailed by a 7-0 deficit. I think this is a first team to 10 points wins kind of game.

[Arky]

Texans in all blue, Chiefs in all white.

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

Texans win the toss and defer. Chiefs to receive.

Goodness. Davis takes the opening kickoff back all the way for the TD. 105 yards.

Chiefs 7, Texans 0

14:49 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback.

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

Texan's ball at their 20.

Blue for 3 or 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Pass to Washington off the mark, inc. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Pass to Shorts off the mark, inc. Texans will have to punt.

Nice runback on the punt but flag is down...... holding on the Chiefs backs it up.

[barrett]

The open WRs missed count is at 2 after the opening 3 and out.

[Big Texas]

Well it looks like we know which Hoyer has shown up...

It also appears our special teams has stayed in bed also...

[chuck]

The return doesn't bother me so much but Hoyer really needs to quit fking sucking and hit a wide open receiver. Christ.

[barrett]

What's with the cushion by the DBs? Are we afraid of Smith going deep?

[barrett]

I'm ok with that. Make Smith beat you deep. Especially since we have to stop them from even FGs at this point.

[Arky]

Chief's ball at their 13.

Pass to Kelce goes for 7.

Pass to Smith gets the 1st down at the Chief 24.

Pass to Kelce gets 4.

Smith keeps for 5. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Ware gets 2 and the 1st down at the Chief 35.

Wilson on the sweep gets 9.

West gets the 1 yard for the 1st down.

Smith pressured and sacked. Loss of 3.

Pass to Kelce is dropped. Brings up 3rd and 13.

Man, deep pass to Wilson is off the mark - he was wide open. Chiefs will have to punt.

Mumph fair catches at the Texan 17.

8:38 left in the 1st qtr.

[Big Texas]

We were destroyed by draws, screens, and quick passes early in the season. I would imagine that we are familiar with that...my concern is Hoyer...

[barrett]

At least Hoyer threw it to somebody on that one.

[Arky]

Texan's ball at their 17.

Blue for no gain.

Blue for 2. Brings up 3rd and 8.

Jeez, Hoyer's pass is thrown to a Chief - INT. Chiefs takeover at the Texan 33.

[barrett]

Weeden! Weeden! Weeden!

[Big Texas]

Exactly...

[Arky]

Chief's ball at the Texan 33.

Ware for 5.

Smith's pass is INT'ed by Cushing! Texan's ball!

[barrett]

The first 2 Chiefs offensive possessions are why I picked the Texans. Everything else that has happened is why every national media guy picked the Chiefs.

[barrett]

Hopkins needs 20 targets. No exaggeration.

[Arky]

Texan's ball at their 17.

Pass to Fido goes for 1.

Blue for 2. Brings up 3rd and 7.

Pass to Hop gets 9 or 10 and the 1st down.

Blue goes for 4.

Pass to Hop is overthrown but flag is down..... PI on the Chiefs. Auto 1st down at the spot of the foul. Ball at the Texan 44.

Pass to Hop at the sideline good for 11.

Blue gets 2.

Blue gets 3. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Pass to Griffin gets the 1st down at the Chief 33.

Blue sweeps left for no gain.

Blue for almost 4. Brings up 3rd and 7.

Hoyer fumbles. Chiefs ball.

[Big Texas]

That's more Hoyer for you...everyone else is playing their ass off...

[barrett]

That's more Hoyer for you...everyone else is playing their ass off...

Seriously. Even Ryan Griffin held on to a ball.

[Big Texas]

I can't recall the analyst...but he said these playoffs would solidify Hoyers legacy...In one quarter he is doing just that...showing the world who he is...

[Arky]

Chief's ball at their 42.

Pass to Kelce gets 18. 1st and 10 at the Texan 40.

End of the 1st qtr.

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

West for 3.

West gets 3. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Pass to Kelce gets 3. Chiefs to go for the FG.

Santos' 49-yarder is good.

Chiefs 10, Texans 0

12:50 left in the half.

[Big Texas]

10-0 there it is...The deficit everyone said the Texans would not be able to recover from...

[chuck]

Welp, there's your ten points.

It's the biggest game of his life and Hoyer's choking like a bitch.

[barrett]

Gruden did so much work ahead of time on how KC would plan for Watt, that now he feels he has to use it. He is showing how effectively the Chiefs have neutralized Watt even though KC has 3 possessions, 2 starting with great field possession off Houston turnovers, and they have 3 points to show for it. Great analysis Gruden.

[Big Texas]

If I were the defense I would get tired of always having try and fix Hoyers bullshit...

[barrett]

Just keep throwing to Hopkins.

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback.

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

Texan's ball at their 20.

Hunt for no gain.

Pass to Hop gets the 1st down but flag is down.....illegal contact on the Chiefs is declined. Ball at the Texan 33.

Hoyer sacked. Loss of 7. 2nd and 17 coming up.

Checkdown to Shorts gets 5.

Pass to Washington off the mark, inc. Texans will have to punt.

Punt is brought back to the Chief 30 yard line.

[barrett]

What does it take for holding against JJ Watt? Their RB just bear hugged him for about 3 seconds with no call.

[Arky]

Chief's ball at their 30.

Pass to Maclin good for 6.

Pass to Kelce gets big gain. Ball at the Texan 39.

Ware for 1.

West for 6. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Sweep is stopped short of the 1st down. Chiefs to go for the FG.

Santos' 49-yarder is good.

Chiefs 13, Texans 0

7:06 left in the half.

[barrett]

You're my Boy Blue!

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback.

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

Texan's ball at their 20.

Pass to Hop is ruled a catch for 16. Holding on the Chiefs is declined.

Prosch for 1.

Blue gets loose! All the way to the Chief 13.

Direct snap to Grimes goes for 8. 2nd and 2 coming up.

Jump ball to Hop is overthrown, inc. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Blue gets the 1st down at the 2.

Eheh, Watt takes the handoff and loses 1. Way to lighten it up, OB...

Chiefs use a timeout. 3:53 left in the half.

Good lord, Hoyer throws the INT. Chiefs bring it back to the 20.

[barrett]

That's just depressing.

[barrett]

I thought the Watt run was absurd and uncalled for. Turns out it was our best option inside the 5.

[chuck]

OK, that's enough of this fkwit.

[Big Texas]

And you wonder why he was benched...He makes you wanna pull your damn hair out...

[chuck]

You'd have to look hard to see worse quarterback play anywhere in the league on any week of the season. This sort of nonsense in a playoff game is stupefying.

[barrett]

The NFL challenge system is so dumb. Getting a call right shouldn't come down to whether you blindly challenge a play before a hurry up snap from the other team.

[Arky]

Chief's ball at the Texan 22. 3:44 left in the half.

Smith is sacked by Merci! Loss of 4.

West for 2. 3rd and 12 coming up.

Pass to Wilson gets 19. OB to challenge that is was a catch...... Looks like a no-catch on replay....

Pass ruled incomplete. Chiefs will have to punt.

Mumph fair catches at the Texan 39.

[barrett]

There are no words for that.

[Arky]

Texan's ball officially at their 40.

Grimes for 1.

2 minute warning.

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

On 2nd and 9, Hoyer's deep pass is caught by the Chiefs. Illegal block in the back on the Chiefs backs it up.

[chuck]

Remember when we were saying that the Texans could stay in this thing if they didn't turn the ball over? Yeah. That was cute.

[barrett]

What are we doing calling timeout there?

[Arky]

Chief's ball at their 10.

West for 5. Timeout Texans.

Ware gets loose for big gain, 23 yards. 1st down Chiefs at their 38. 1:29 left in the half.

Short pass to Wilson goes for 6.

Ware for 2. Brings up 3rd and 2. Texans use a timeout with 1:16 left in the half.

West stopped short of the 1st down. Chiefs will have to punt.

Mumph fair catches at the Texan 9.

[Arky]

Texan's ball at their 9.

Texan's kneel it.

Halftime.

Chiefs 13, Texans 0

[Arky]

Man, it's just 6-0 if they don't allow that opening kickoff return...

[popanot]

Yes, let's call timeouts and give KC more chances, and if we do stop them, put the ball back in fckn Hoyers hands. 4 TO's directly on Hoyshit and he's still in the game. What the hell is OB doing?

[chuck]

And I'll just say that the JJ Wattcat abomination with Wilfork in there was the worst pile of wet dogshit I have seen from the Texans since the Chris Brown halfback pass. At least it wasn't as bad as Indy's fake punt.

[barrett]

Yes, let's call timeouts and give KC more chances, and if we do stop them, put the ball back in fckn Hoyers hands. 4 TO's directly on Hoyshit and he's still in the game. What the hell is OB doing?

OB is an idiot for starting the year with Hoyer and Mallett. He is an idiot for putting Savage on IR. But you cannot be an idiot for not going to Brandon Weeden.

[barrett]

And I'll just say that the JJ Wattcat abomination with Wilfork in there was the worst pile of wet dogshit I have seen from the Texans since the Chris Brown halfback pass. At least it wasn't as bad as Indy's fake punt.

You can basically define our franchise by saying "At least it wasn't as bad as (insert embarrassing AFC South Team)'s (insert stupid play by said AFC South embarrassment)."

[barrett]

Ditka just shredded O'Brien for running JJ Watt. I think he deserves to be shredded, but Ditka ran the Fridge repeatedly.

[HPF Bob]

OB is an idiot for starting the year with Hoyer and Mallett. He is an idiot for putting Savage on IR. But you cannot be an idiot for not going to Brandon Weeden.

You cannot be an idiot for playing him either. Or would you like to see four more Hoyer turnovers in the second half?

Several games this year the backup QB has outplayed the starter, including our signature wins over Cincinnati and Indianapolis. At this point, what have you got to lose?

[Nconroe]

I'd like to see Weefen, anybody but Hoyer in at QB.

[barrett]

I'm surprised Jay Prosch wasn't a big enough threat on the deep route to keep Shaun Smith home on the flat route to Griffin. What a stupid play design.

[barrett]

Blue is at almost 100 yards on 6 ypc in a game where Hoyer has 4 turnovers. Just run the ball.

[Arky]

2nd half kickoff is a touchback.

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

Texan's ball at their 20.

Blue for 4.

Pass to Griffin broken up, inc. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Checkdown to Grimes gets the 1st down at the Texan 32.

Blue for 3.

Blue for 5. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Hoyer uses a timeout....

Pass to Washington gets 3 and the 1st down.

Hoyer's pass nearly INT'ed but goes inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Blue rumbles for 17 and the 1st down.

Blue for no gain.

Pass to Shorts is caught but out of bounds so inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Screen to Hop only gets about 3. Texans to punt.

Punt is fair caught at the Chief 6.

[popanot]

And I'll just say that the JJ Wattcat abomination with Wilfork in there was the worst pile of wet dogshit I have seen from the Texans since the Chris Brown halfback pass. At least it wasn't as bad as Indy's fake punt.At least this point I want the ball in anyone's hand but Hoyshit's

[popanot]

OB is an idiot for starting the year with Hoyer and Mallett. He is an idiot for putting Savage on IR. But you cannot be an idiot for not going to Brandon Weeden.Yeah, sure. Let's watch this POS turn it over 4 more times. I think I'd forgive OB for at least giving it a try if Weeden came and stunk it up.

[barrett]

If they went to Weeden I wouldn't complain. But clamoring for a well below average backup who doesn't know our offense is dumb. My point was we blew the QB position repeatedly over the past year, and not going to Weeden doesn't crack the top 10.

[barrett]

Watt really can't draw a penalty. The play he gets hurt, Fisher blocks him by the helmet for about 5 seconds straight.

[popanot]

If they went to Weeden I wouldn't complain. But clamoring for a well below average backup who doesn't know our offense is dumb. My point was we blew the QB position repeatedly over the past year, and not going to Weeden doesn't crack the top 10.It is what it is. I'm talking about THIS game. So what if Weeden doesn't know 100% the offense as long as what he does know doesn't give the ball to the opposition?

KC TD. Game over. Thanks Hoyshit!!

[Arky]

Chief's ball at their 6. 9:58 left in the 3rd qtr.

Flags presnap. Neutral zone on Merci, 5 yards. Makes it 1st and 5.

Smith scrambles for monster gain but a flag is down..... holding on Chiefs places the ball at the 12 yard line of the Chiefs. 1st and 4.

Ware for 1. 2nd and 3 coming up.

Checkdown to West goes for the 1st down at the Chief 22. K Johnson injured on the play. Injury timeout.

Pass to Maclin goes for about 15.

Pass to Kelce off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Chiefs use a timeout. Both teams have 2 left. Watt currently out of the game, probably tweaked his groin.

Pass to Maclin goes for 7. Watt injured again. Maclin also down. Injury timeout.

On 3rd and 3, checkdown to Kelce gets the 1st down and more. Ball at the Texan 39.

Ware for about 11 or 12.

Screen pass to Kelce gets about 7 but flag is down.... Unnecessary roughness on Dunn, 1/2 the distance to the goal. Ball is at the Texan 11.

Ware for 2 or 3.

Pass to Conley in the end zone is good for the TD.

Chiefs 20, Texans 0

4:35 left in the 3rd qtr.

[barrett]

I guess it's harder to fake QB play against NFL teams than it is against the AFC South.

[popanot]

And let me just say, OB has a very big part of this atrocity. Just awful.

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback.

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

Texan's ball at their 20.

Hoyer's pass to Washington is dropped.

Hoyer's pass to Hop is too low, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Griffin broken up, inc. Texans will have to punt.

Punt is returned for nice gain but flags are down.... illegal block in the back on the Chiefs. 10 yards from the spot of the foul.

[barrett]

Nice business decision by Joseph on the Kelce catch and run.

Meanwhile Gruden says "I don't know how KC is doing this with Maclin down."

Here's a hint. The Texans defense quit.

[barrett]

If they're going to call that a personal foul I hope somebody just decides to get their money's worth.

[chuck]

This may not be a view shared by everyone but I would rather have gone 7-9 and missed the playoffs entirely than win the division and get absolutely embarrassed in the playoffs.

[barrett]

This may not be a view shared by everyone but I would rather have gone 7-9 and missed the playoffs entirely than win the division and get absolutely embarrassed in the playoffs.

I prefer the playoff game unless it convinces our brain trust that we don't need a QB. I think either outcome has no effect on Rick Smith's job. I think we could go 2-14 and he'd be back.

[Arky]

Chief's ball at their 29.

Ware for about 6.

Smith can't find a receiver and scrambles for the 1st down.

Ware caught in the backfield by Simon. Loss of 1.

On 2nd and 11, pass to Kelce goes for 47 yards. Ball at the Texan 13.

West for 5.

Ware for 1. Flags after the play.........unnecessary roughness on the Texans places the ball at the 3.5 yard line.

Ware caught in the backfield for a loss. 2nd and goal at the Texan 5.

End of the 3rd qtr.

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

Ware punches it in for the TD.

Chiefs 27, Texan 0

14:56 left in the game.

[chuck]

I think we could go 2-14 and he'd be back.

Actually, that is something we know for a fact.

[barrett]

I have never seen a skill player with worse hands then Ryan Griffin. I am glad we used our short term IR on him instead of Savage.

[barrett]

What a douche call from the official on the Hopkins PI. Down 27-0 they guess at a call when there is no actual push.

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback.

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

Texan's ball at their 20. Need 4 quick TD's, fellas. lol

Pass to Griffin off his hands, inc.

Pass to Griffin goes for 15.

Checkdown to Grimes gets 4.

Grimes runs for 3.

On 3rd and 3, Griffin open in the flat for the 1st down. Ball nearly at midfield.

Deep pass to Hop is caught but PI on Hop brings it back. Makes it 1st and 20.

Nice catch by Strong gets 17.

Pass to Hop gets a 1st down at the Chief 27.

Grimes wiggles for 3.

Pass to Griffin..... can't hang on for the TD. Incomplete.

Jump ball to Hop in the end zone goes inc. 4th and 7 coming up.....Texans will go for it.

On 4th down, Hoyer is stripped but falls on it. Chiefs takeover on downs.

[chuck]

How the f is Griffin a professional football player? Why do they waste a roster spot on him?

It's amazing that you can win the division and still have a totally wasted season. The team wasted another year of Watt's greatness, wasted a year of Hopkins' development, all for nothing. If I had any confidence these dickwits could draft worth a f I would say that I would rather have ended the season last week at 5-11.

[barrett]

If the QB runs with a 27-0 lead you hit him, slide or no slide. That is seriously just asking for it.

[Arky]

Chief's ball at their 29. 10:49 left in the game.

Ware for 5.

Smith keeps for 3.

Smith keeps for 3 and the 1st down.

Ware for a couple.

Checkdown to Sherman gets about 4. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Smith is sacked by Merci. Chiefs will have to punt.

Punt goes out of bounds at the Texan 8 yard line.

6:25 left in the game.

[barrett]

I love when announcers try to spin getting sacked as some genius decision by the QB.

"You just don't understand how smart that guy was for not screwing up."

[Arky]

Texan's ball at their 8.

Hoyer throws an INT. Chiefs have the ball at the Texan 21.

[barrett]

Ryan Griffin didn't let go of that tackle. Maybe he should be playing defense.

[Arky]

I don't think I've ever seen a poorer post-season performance from a QB than what I've seen today..........

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

Chief's ball at the Texan 21.

Ware for 2.

Davis for 1. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Pass to Hammond gets 4 or so.... Chiefs will go for the FG.

Santos' 33-yarder is good.

Chiefs 30, Texan 0

3:59 left in the game.

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback.

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

Texan's ball at their 20.

Blue for 2.

Pass to Hop broken up, inc. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Pass to Strong along the sideline a little off the mark, inc. Texans will punt.

Hammonds brings the punt back into Texan territory - about the 48 yard line.

[Arky]

Chief's ball at the Texan 49.

Davis rushes for 5.

Davis for 2.

2 minute warning.

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

On 3rd and 3, Davis gets 4 and the 1st down.

Chiefs kneeling it.

Final score:

Chiefs 30, Texans 0

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

Well, that sucked...

[barrett]

I love them interviewing Alex Smith and pretending he played well.

"What clicked with your offense in the 2nd half."

I wish Smith had answered, the other guy kept throwing it to us and we just made sure to not screw it up.

[Arky]

You'd have to look hard to see worse quarterback play anywhere in the league on any week of the season. This sort of nonsense in a playoff game is stupefying.

Ya, I said something similar... don't know if I picked it up from your comment or not but yeah, most definitely....

You would think OB realizes what he's got, now... and what he wants would be better accomplished without Brian Hoyer.

It's not all Hoyer of course, but he's about 90% responsible for today's loss...

[chuck]

Despite the fact that, what, forty guys took the field today at one time or another this loss was almost totally on Hoyer. If you need a game manager sort of quarterback you simply cannot have that guy lose the game for you. I don't care if it was his first playoff game. F me, TJ Yates won his first game by being a manager, basically.

Maybe the silver lining is that Hoyer was so historically terrible that they have to confront their quarterback problem in a real way now. They can't pretend that Hoyer is good enough because he obviously isn't.

[barrett]

Despite the fact that, what, forty guys took the field today at one time or another this loss was almost totally on Hoyer. If you need a game manager sort of quarterback you simply cannot have that guy lose the game for you. I don't care if it was his first playoff game. F me, TJ Yates won his first game by being a manager, basically.

Maybe the silver lining is that Hoyer was so historically terrible that they have to confront their quarterback problem in a real way now. They can't pretend that Hoyer is good enough because he obviously isn't.

I've been saying all along the idea of Hoyer as a game manager is ridiculous. He is a low percentage passer who turns it over. He is like a homeless man's version of the worst of Brett Favre. Having him as plan A for an NFL season should cost the jobs of anyone involved. He truly did ruin the best efforts of 40 teammates today.

[popanot]

The most stunning thing to me about Hoyer's performance is it wasn't like KC was playing smothering, stifling D. Hoyer was just plain awful all by himself pretty much. And I don't care who's on your bench, you pull Hoyer's ass in the 2nd half and try to give your Offense some sort of spark - whether it works or not. No one (other than OB, apparently) thought Hoyer was going to anything that 2nd half. That game was over despite only being down by 13. Hoyer was a wreck at that point and had zero chance of bringing them back. I think I'm more ticked than I've ever been with OB right now. Just pathetic.

[popanot]

Special Teams were pathetic today too. If it weren't for KC shooting themselves in the foot with penalties on 3 or 4 returns it probably would've been 50-0.

[chuck]

The most stunning thing to me about Hoyer's performance is it wasn't like KC was playing smothering, stifling D. Hoyer was just plain awful all by himself pretty much.

This is exactly right. It's best illustrated by his first fumble. No one even fking touched him. He just dropped the ball for no reason.

The Texans had zero return yards today. Zero.

[WMH]

I prefer the playoff game unless it convinces our brain trust that we don't need a QB. I think either outcome has no effect on Rick Smith's job. I think we could go 2-14 and he'd be back.

I don't see any way that the QB spot wasn't glowing after this debacle. What couldn't happen, happened. Hoyer lost the game for us. Period, exclamation point.

[nunusguy]

This is exactly right. It's best illustrated by his first fumble. No one even fking touched him. He just dropped the ball for no reason.

.
No that's not true. The edge rusher off of the weak side basically thru Duane Brown's replacement, Clark I think, into Hoyer and upon impact the ball was jarred loose from Hoyer's grip. I also thought he was untouched until the replay, maybe it was the second replay when the contact was clear to me.
So anyway that was a real stinker and with a name like O'Brien, if there's any real credibility to the coachs name he's now completely drunk on his butt.

[chuck]

No that's not true. The edge rusher off of the weak side basically thru Duane Brown's replacement, Clark I think, into Hoyer and upon impact the ball was jarred loose from Hoyer's grip. I also thought he was untouched until the replay, maybe it was the second replay when the contact was clear to me.

Thanks. I'll look at it again. The view I saw appeared to show no contact at all.

So after tonight's game would you rather lose because your quarterback is a giant vagina or would you rather have a top-half quarterback and lose because some of your players are brain dead stupid?

[barrett]

Thanks. I'll look at it again. The view I saw appeared to show no contact at all.

So after tonight's game would you rather lose because your quarterback is a giant vagina or would you rather have a top-half quarterback and lose because some of your players are brain dead stupid?

The LT's back bumps into Hoyer. There is minimal contact and terrible pocket awareness, but he definitely gets bumped.

I would rather lose because Hoyer sucks than because we built our team on stupid people doing more tough things than stupid things and turned out wrong.

[nunusguy]

Thanks. I'll look at it again. The view I saw appeared to show no contact at all.

So after tonight's game would you rather lose because your quarterback is a giant vagina or would you rather have a top-half quarterback and lose because some of your players are brain dead stupid?

Popanot is dead on: after that interception Hoyer thru at the 2-yrd line at the end of the half, O'Brien should have pulled Hoyer and started Weedon, started anybody else but Hoyer in the second half. Our defense was playing well and KC had not scored an offensive TD in the entire half at that point in time, and we were still in the game.
I don't know what's worse, losing the way we did or the way the Bengals did. Probably the Bengals because they had the game won, but the sequence of events/penalties by them at the end was incredible. I wonder if they do finally fire Marvin Louis ?

[HPF Bob]

I think Bengal fans are in far more pain today because more was expected and because they literally choked away a last-minute victory. Personally, I knew the refs would win it for Pittsburgh but the Bengals made it easy for them by not getting their goons off the field (Burfict, PacMan). Stupid, stupid way to lose.

But back to the Texans. Losing this spectacularly at home (I'll bet Babs Bush was there somewhere - the Bushes are always present when Houston gets their postseason ass-kickings) might have been enough for McNair to want to demand some changes, including:

*Making a serious off-season upgrade at QB, either in the draft or FA.
*Finding a TE who can hang onto a pass.
*Finding a special teams coach who can get 11 people that run and make tackles.
*Probably waving Arian Foster to free up needed cap room.

Getting embarrassed (again) like that on national television might be enough to get some major changes done whereas if we had lost 27-20 like we did on week 1, we would have heard "stay the course" type of comments.

I think our top three draft picks all improved as the season went along and will play bigger roles next year. A repeat of that in this year's draft would be a positive development.

[popanot]

For the life of me I still have no clue as to why these coaches continued to play Nate Washington over ANY other WR on the roster when anyone who is not blind could see there was a 90% chance he will drop the pass. Well, that is when he actually ran the correct route. Him along with our stone hands TEs and POS QB, made winning against any decent team an almost impossible feat. When we look back at the 2015 season, I think we need to highly question quite a few decisions made by OB and staff. Fire-able offenses?? No, but the margin for forgiveness in 2016 is getting pretty thin, IMO.

Well, new year, but some things never change... Bengals lose a playoff game and the Texans/Insert Houston Franchise Here embarrass themselves on national TV.

[Arky]

I have no desire to rewatch this one but anyone remember the play where Lechler punted and Jon Weeks, the long snapper, was the first one down the field? That's just crazy. Perhaps they need to find another long snapper and let Weeks takeover the gunner position......

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

I think OB saying Weeden didn't get snaps this week (or some such) and wasn't prepared was just so much coachspeak (or flat out lying if you prefer). OB could've yanked Hoyer and given Weeden plays similar to what he was using in the Indy road game.... He certainly would've made do if Hoyer had went down with injury..... For whatever reason, OB was not going to yank Hoyer even though millions could see that he (Hoyer) wasn't on his game, was totally puckered up and wasn't going to get it back.... Sort of a case of the captain going down with the ship......

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

I think they're are a few "seniors" on our team that need to go (lookin' at you Nate Washington). I've always been averse to coaches that use the go-with-the-seniors mentality in crunch time while the younger, athletic, higher-upside guy rots on the bench...........

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

At one point, the thought crossed my mind to just run the damn ball every single play and turn off the passing game. It probably would've resulted in a score in one situation and minimized the turnovers in others..

[chuck]

At one point, the thought crossed my mind to just run the damn ball every single play and turn off the passing game. It probably would've resulted in a score in one situation and minimized the turnovers in others..

I'm sure you saw that Hoyer's passer rating would have better than doubled had he simply thrown an incompletion on literally every offensive play.

[barrett]

I have led the Hoyer is garbage club all year. I thought he was a downgrade from Fitzpatrick. I thought he was worse than Mallett. After the preseason I thought he was worse than Savage. But it's dumb to think Brandon Weeded with half a playbook is going to do something against the NFL's best defense over the past 10 weeks. We lost that game when O'Brien chose this as his preferred QB situation and reinforced it by putting Savage on IR. Then he tried to get by with 1 backup and lost Yates. This assured we had only 1 QB with the playbook by January. We have only O'Brien/Smith and their QB moves to blame for Hoyer being on the field, but Weeden is never the answer.

Ditka at half time took a dump on us as a franchise and on O'Brien as a coach. Then he laughed and scoffed at the idea of pulling Hoyer and answered that we had nobody to go to.

Maybe it would have felt good to put in a new QB after half time, but it would have been pissing into the wind. This was a broken team from August 1. You don't win playoff games with Hoyer as plan A. McNair should be ashamed for selling us a wasted season, and O'Brien should be ashamed for cashing checks for 12 months without any real attempt at moving the franchise forward.

[chuck]

We know BOB likes artists with alliterative names. He likes Rick Ross. I hope he also likes Freddy Fender.

[Nconroe]

If I were to assess blame for this year it would all be on BOB. He pretty clearly made the choices that led to Hoyer being our QB.

Going forward, will be interesting what all the changes are.

I'm not in the trade Foster camp. By the end of the year top 3 draft picks for past two years started to show some promise.

[nunusguy]

If I were to assess blame for this year it would all be on BOB. He pretty clearly made the choices that led to Hoyer being our QB.



One could definitely make a case that our QB situation has regressed. Actually a case could be that it has obviously regressed.
The same could be said for the team as a whole when we consider our record was the same as last year even though unlike last year we didn't have to contend with our primary nemesis who has been laid up most of the year with a sliced kidney. And so many questions about how he's handled the QB situation, including his actions or lack thereof in the two drafts he's been here ?

[popanot]

I knew I saw Hopkins mouthing "Get his ass out of here!!" as he was walking off the field after Hoyer's 4th turnover shortly before the half

http://www.ynn.io/daily-hype/more/get-that-out-the-game-deandre-hopkins-take-on-brian-hoyer-15

I get Weeden sucks and likely wouldn't have made a difference, but I don't care. You pull Hoyer's ass regardless. I would rather have seen ANYBODY other than Hoyer playing QB after the half (especially after the first series of the 2nd half when he went 3 and out and was obviously still lost and going to suck). I wouldn't have cared if they went strictly to the wildcat at that point. Anybody, anything, other than Hoyer.

And let me just say, I don't care how much of the playbook Weeden knew, to not give him some starter reps in practice (as OB said he only had one lonely snap with the starters) leading up to a playoff game with a QB who has recently been concussed is a highly questionable decision, IMO.

[barrett]

For now I'll ignore what happened at QB this week. I think the worst screw ups that led to that...

6. Not signing Weeden at the same time we signed Yates. We gambled on the roster spot being more valuable, then when Yates got hurt we had to sign a guy way to late to learn the playbook. Thus we get the worst QB performance in NFL playoff history and have nowhere to go.

5. Knowing Ryan Mallett and somehow not realizing how much of a head case he is. How was this guy brought back this year? How bad is Hoyer to lose a job to this screw up?

4. Thinking Brian Hoyer was a starting QB. Not much to say here I haven't said before.

3. Putting Tom Savage on IR. Tom has been totally healthy for the whole 2nd half of the season and could have started several games for us. I think he'd have been better than the garbage we had, we might be in round 2, and he'd be fully evaluated going forward.

2. Not drafting a QB in the early rounds during O'Brien's first 2 seasons. It's huge arrogance to think he doesn't need talent there to win (when every other coach in history did need talent).

1. Passing on Derek Carr. This is the truly unforgivable one for me. The most QB desperate team in the NFL has a 1st round talent fall to round 2, no trade up necessary, and we don't pull the trigger. Swap out Sua Fi'o for Carr and this team might have had a bye this past week. We'd be a promising team going forward. Instead we are a punchline.

If I made a 6-bet parlay 12 months ago that a QB starved NFL franchise coming off a 9 win seasons would be this stupid this many times, I'd be a millionaire right now.

[barrett]

I knew I saw Hopkins mouthing "Get his ass out of here!!" as he was walking off the field after Hoyer's 4th turnover shortly before the half

http://www.ynn.io/daily-hype/more/get-that-out-the-game-deandre-hopkins-take-on-brian-hoyer-15

I get Weeden sucks and likely wouldn't have made a difference, but I don't care. You pull Hoyer's ass regardless. I would rather have seen ANYBODY other than Hoyer playing QB after the half (especially after the first series of the 2nd half when he went 3 and out and was obviously still lost and going to suck). I wouldn't have cared if they went strictly to the wildcat at that point. Anybody, anything, other than Hoyer.

And let me just say, I don't care how much of the playbook Weeden knew, to not give him some starter reps in practice (as OB said he only had one lonely snap with the starters) leading up to a playoff game with a QB who has recently been concussed is a highly questionable decision, IMO.

Hopkins now has a little more in common with Andre Johnson. He's learning what it is to be screwed by our QB play.

[chuck]

I'm not sure that's exactly what Nuke said but the sentiment was clear.

[nunusguy]

3. Putting Tom Savage on IR. Tom has been totally healthy for the whole 2nd half of the season and could have started several games for us. I think he'd have been better than the garbage we had, we might be in round 2, and he'd be fully evaluated going forward.
I'm hoping the team doctors initially misjudged his rehab period and told O'brien he couldn't make it back during the current season from his injury, otherwise IRing Savage at that time is hard to explain and justify ?

2. Not drafting a QB in the early rounds during O'Brien's first 2 seasons. It's huge arrogance to think he doesn't need talent there to win (when every other coach in history did need talent).
Inexplicible and inexcusable.

1. Passing on Derek Carr. This is the truly unforgivable one for me. The most QB desperate team in the NFL has a 1st round talent fall to round 2, no trade up necessary, and we don't pull the trigger. Swap out Sua Fi'o for Carr and this team might have had a bye this past week. We'd be a promising team going forward. Instead we are a punchline.
On this one I can buy the oft expressed explanation which is many in the organization, led by the owner himself, felt that the younger brother of David Carr could potentially be subjected to an environment of harsh criticism and ridicule at the first sign of any issues which would make his success that much more difficult to realize.

[popanot]

I'm not sure that's exactly what Nuke said but the sentiment was clear.I can definitely see him mouth "...ass out of here". Unfortunately, that video is poor quality and slowed down. I'd love to find better, full-speed version.

[barrett]

I'm hoping the team doctors initially misjudged his rehab period and told O'brien he couldn't make it back during the current season from his injury, otherwise IRing Savage at that time is hard to explain and justify ?

Inexplicible and inexcusable.

On this one I can buy the oft expressed explanation which is many in the organization, led by the owner himself, felt that the younger brother of David Carr could potentially be subjected to an environment of harsh criticism and ridicule at the first sign of any issues which would make his success that much more difficult to realize.

It is a weak willed group that doesn't draft a guy because of fan sentiment. I can't imagine O'Brien operating that way. I think it far more likely they just totally blew their evaluation of Carr.

[Arky]

I'm not sure that's exactly what Nuke said but the sentiment was clear.

Ya, not sure what exactly he is saying but someone in another forum pointed out that he is talking to Dr. Walter Lowe.....

[Nconroe]

Pretty quick decision to get rid of our special teams coach and two other assistant coaches.

[chuck]

Nuke said, Get that m****erf****er out of the game.

I sort of wonder what Weeden did all week at practice if he didn't, you know, practice.