Official Texans @ Patriots Game Thread, 9/22/2016

[Arky]

The Texans play their first road game of the year on a trip to Foxboro, MA to play the New England Patriots in a Thursday Night Football game. The matchup pits two 2-0 teams and can be seen on CBS and the NFLN.

The Texans are coming off a 19-12 home win over the KC Chiefs. The Patriots are coming off a 31-24 home win over the Miami Dolphins. These two teams met last year in Week 14 with New England defeating the Brian Hoyer led Texans 27-6 at NRG stadium.

The Patriots are expected to start rookie Jacoby Brissett at QB although Jimmy Garoppolo is reported to have participated in recent walk-through drills.

The betting line has been jumping all over the place the last couple of days going from Texans -3 to Pickem.

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TV = CBS (channel 11 local) & NFLN, Thursday, 7:25 pm, Sept. 22

Announcers (http://506sports.com/nfl.php?yr=2016&wk=3) = Jim Nantz, Phil Simms

The line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) = (currently) Pickem

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Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

CBS (early) = Denver @ Cincinnati, Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts

FOX (early) = Washington @ NY Giants, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

CBS (late) = San Diego @ Indianapolis, Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon

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Other Prime time:

SNF = Chicago @ Dallas (NBC)

MNF = Atlanta @ New Orleans (ESPN)

[HPF Bob]

We have the stars aligned just right - Brady suspended, third-string QB on a short week, Gronk still questionable...

If ever there was a time to win in Fuxboro, it's now. C'mon Texans. Keep the Perfect Season Train rolling.

[Arky]

Texans are starting to show up #6 and #7 in some of the power rankings:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/rankings/

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/powerrankings/

Been a while since they've been rated that high. Of course, that'll all go down the tubes if they lose in New England....

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Edelman reportedly seeing extensive work as backup QB......

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Video (http://www.sportsbookreview.com/picks/more-sports/v/sports-bit-biggest-weeknight-football-action/34366) - An explanation for the crazy line movement....

Recommend go to 3:30 mark for about 1:15 (4:45) and then jump to 7:40 for a breakdown of the game.

[Arky]

BFG (Big F****** Game). Might be the biggest game of the year... Who else could it be? Denver? Green Bay? Indy twice? Cincy?

4 hrs. to go....

[Arky]

Pats win the toss and defer. Texans to receive.

Kickoff is a touchback. Texan's ball at the 25.

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

L Miller for 9.

L Miller loses 2. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Flat pass to Hop gets 14 and the 1st down.

L Miller for maybe 2.

Pass to Anderson off his hands, inc. Brings up 3rd and 8.

Sheard sacks Oz. Texans will have to punt.

Catch interference on James III on the punt. Refs place the ball at the Pat 31. Pat's ball.

12:16 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Blount for no gain.

Short pass to Edelman goes for 6. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Deep pass to Hogan too long, inc. Pats have to punt.

Ervin fair catches at the Texan 11. Texan's ball.

[chuck]

This OL is just about to piss me the fk off.

[Arky]

L Miller for 2.

L Miller for 7.

Good spot on the L Miller run gives the Texans the 1st down.

Texans use a timeout. ???

Pass to Fuller complete at the 39 yard line of the Texans. 1st down.

L Miller for 2.

Short pass to L Miller off the mark, inc. Brings up 3rd and 8.

Jeez, handoff to L Miller gets about 6. Texans will have to punt.

Punt goes into the end zone, touchback. Pat's ball at their 25.

6:59 left in the 1st qtr.

[barrett]

Obviously the 3rd and 8 handoff means O'Brien is determined to not lose this game with our offense when they can't do anything to our defense. I am not sure if that is really smart or really stupid.

[Arky]

Pass to Bennett gets 5.

Blount for no gain. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Deep pass out of bounds, inc but a flag is down. PI on JJo. 1st down at the Pat 37.

Brissett scrambles for 13 up the middle. Ball at midfield.

WR flat pass goes for 5.

Blount gets 3. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Pass to Mitchell goes to the Texan 15.

Blount for 5.

Sweep play to Edelman gets about 4. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Pass to Gronk in the end zone over his head, inc. Pat's to go for the FG.

Gostkowski's 24-yarder is good.

Pats 3, Texans 0

2:07 left in the 1st qtr.

[chuck]

Ok, I take back everything I ever said about it. This is still the most supremely idiotic special teams unit in the history of the NFL. Unreal.

[Big Texas]

Why the hell is Charles James returning kicks?

Great game to make the change on...

[barrett]

Charles James is trying to distinguish himself for stupidity in a long history of Houston Texans ST stupid.

And on this fumble overturn, I guess it doesn't matter that there were clearly whistles way before the recovery.

[Arky]

James II brings the kickoff back and fumbles. Initially ruled Texans ball. Belichick challenges and it doesn't look good....

Refs rule Pat's ball.

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

Ball at the Texan 22.

Flags presnap. False start Pats makes it 1st and 15.

Brissett keeps it and takes it all the way in for the TD.

Pats 10, Texans 0

1:54 left in the 1st qtr.

[barrett]

Awesome. Now losing this game is a total team effort, Offense, Defense, and ST.

[Big Texas]

I bet Obrien is rethinking that ****************in run on 3rd and 8...

[chuck]

This is fking disgusting but totally predictable given the Mariana Trench of stupid that is the Houston Texans and all things Texas, for that matter.

If you're going to run the ball on 3rd and 8 on your own 40 then WHY THE FCK would you trade first down on the 25 for Charles James the turd running the ball out of the end zone?

Incredible stupidity that I would have to reach back a ways to try to match.

Goddamn it this franchise is a joke.

[Arky]

Texans (and coaching staff) seem too puckered up to play competitive...

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Ervin fields the ensuing kickoff and downs it, touchback. Texan's ball at their 25.

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L Miller for 2.

Pass to Hop too high, inc. Brings up 3rd and 8.

A really nice catch by Hop gets the 1st down at the Texan 40.

L Miller sweeps right and loses 2.

Pass to Fuller over the middle gets 7. 3rd and 5 coming up.

End of the 1st qtr.

[chuck]

Hey guys, I've got an idea! Let's run on first down!

[popanot]

LOL. Texans going to once again get embarrassed on national TV. This time by an injured team with a rookie 3rd string QB. I'd say unbelievable, but hey, it's a Houston team.

[Big Texas]

Our Oline is trash...NE knows that...they are pressing underneath with deep safety help over the top. This should essentially create more run lanes...BUT NOT

[Big Texas]

This has all the makings of an OL fashioned beat down...

[popanot]

Miller is no young(er) Arian Foster.

[Arky]

On 3rd and 5 at their own 45, handoff to L Miller gets 5 (thanks for the spot, ref). Ball at midfield.

Dump off to Miller gets 6 but flag is down. Illegal formation on the Texans makes it 1st and 15.

Oz throws the INT. Pats bring it back to the Texan 43.

[Arky]

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

Brissett scrambles up the middle for 3. 3rd and 7 coming up.

McKinney with the sack! Pats will have to punt.

Ervin fair catches the punt at the Texan 10 yard line. Texan's ball.

[Big Texas]

1 time is random
Twice is a coincidence
3 times is the making of a trend...

I'm referring to our dumb ass early interceptions

[barrett]

Our offense so far amounts to worthless Lamar Miller runs, and really difficult Hopkins catches. At least go play action if you are going to run 2 out of 3 times.

[Arky]

L Miller for no gain.

Pass to Hop gets about 12 and the 1st down.

Dump off to L Miller gets 9.

L Miller rushes for 6 and the 1st down.

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

Grimes for about 2. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Pass towards Griffin too long, inc. Texans to punt.

Punt is fumbled on the runback but Pats recover it. Pat's ball at their 25.

8:11 left in the half.

[chuck]

Our offense so far amounts to worthless Lamar Miller runs, and really difficult Hopkins catches. At least go play action if you are going to run 2 out of 3 times.

I honestly do not have any idea what they are trying to do.

[Big Texas]

This press coverage that NE is playing is a punch in the face...they know you can't run it on their front 7...

[popanot]

There really is something there to Os staring down receivers and not going through progressions. Very noticeable this game. Not good.

[popanot]

Sorry, at hotel bar in CA... Who the hell challeged that?!? If it's OB, WTF??!! NE recovered the ball.

[chuck]

Miller is no young(er) Arian Foster.

No, he's not. The OL is a disaster so it is difficult for me to start singling him out but he does not seem to have the burst, the vision or the elusiveness that you'd look for in a feature back. Which is annoying because he was pretty goddamn elusive last October.

[barrett]

There really is something there to Os staring down receivers and not going through progressions. Very noticeable this game. Not good.

The guy is in his 10th career start. He is far from a finished product and there is no guarantee he'll ever be one. We knew that's what we were getting. Hopefully it improves over the year.

[barrett]

Larry Izzo, Double Agent?

[Arky]

OB is challenging the punt return that the returner was down before he fumbled (will push'em back 7 or 8 yards if successful)....

Refs change it. Runner down at the 18. Pat's ball.

Pass to Mitchell off the mark, inc. Brings up 2nd and 10.

Flags presnap. False start Pats, -5.

On 2nd and 15, White gets maybe 1. 3rd down 14 coming up.

Pass to Amedola gets 16 and the 1st down.

Bennett for 6 on the end around.

Blount for 1 or 2. Brings up 3rd and 3.

Blount gets 1. Brings up 4th down and the Pats will have to punt.

Ervin fair catches at the Texan 11. Texan's ball.

4:53 left in the half.

[popanot]

The guy is in his 10th career start. He is far from a finished product and there is no guarantee he'll ever be one. We knew that's what we were getting. Hopefully it improves over the year.Well, I hope you're right or this was a colossal mistake.

[Big Texas]

One things for certain we will find out tonight what type of QB Brock is tonight...

[barrett]

Well, I hope you're right or this was a colossal mistake.

I could be right and it could be a colossal mistake. I didn't like the signing and would have preferred a rookie. I thought it was an absurd amount to pay a guy with 7 average starts.

But my point in this post was we don't know what he is as a QB yet, and everyone does stuff like that in their first year as a starting QB.

[barrett]

Hopkins had a fantastic block on the Lamar Miller 1st down run. He is just an absolute stud.

[popanot]

Really, I'm not trying to dog him. It's just very noticeable to me tonight what some of the 'pundits' have been saying about him staring down his targets. I haven't noticed it all that much before.

[Arky]

Dump off to L Miller gets 6.

L Miller gets 5 and the 1st down.

Pass over the middle to Griffin gets 10.

L Miller goes right side for 10.

Flat pass to Griffin gets 5. About 2:20 left in the half.

Oz check down to Griffin for 3. 3rd and 2 coming up.

2 minute warning. Ball at midfield.

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On 3rd and 2, L Miller for no gain. Brings up 4th down. Texans to punt.

Punt goes out of bounds at the Pat 14. Pat's ball.

Horrible play calling.....

[chuck]

Well, I hope you're right or this was a colossal mistake.

I think it is FAR too early to worry about BO. He may mature into a great player; he may end up a colossal disappointment. He is basically still in his rookie season.

I miss Arian in space. Any time he'd get into space you'd hold your breath because you knew anything could happen. When Miller is in space, not that it happens all that often, I just wait for him to fall down.

Unless the defense does something significant we are going to get shut out in the first half. Incredible.

[barrett]

Run it on 3rd and 2 and then punt from the 50.

But then call timeouts on defense with a minute left? Bipolar game strategy.

[Arky]

White bounces of two tacklers and gets 7. Timeout Texans.

Handoff to Edelman gets a 1st down at the Pat 28.

White gets about 5. 2nd and 5 coming up. Texans use final timeout.

Pats kneeling it.

Halftime.

Score:

Pats 10, Texans 0

Well, it's just 10 pts but they really need to get their heads out of their behinds.

[Big Texas]

I think this play calling is either a testament to the stubbornness of Obrien when it comes to the run game or Obrien ' s lack of confidence in Brock

[popanot]

Run it on 3rd and 2 and then punt from the 50.

But then call timeouts on defense with a minute left? Bipolar game strategy.It's like OB is trying to outthink BB.

[Big Texas]

It's like OB is trying to outthink BB.

And he's losing big time...

[Big Texas]

One thing we have been able to count on is our halftime adjustments...so hopefully we can see a better offense.

I've known some coaches who don't like to show their hands in the first half for fear of adjustments at the half by the other team. I wonder if that is why Obrien is so conservative in the first half.

[barrett]

How do we come out flat after that first half? The halftime speech writes itself after that performance.

[Big Texas]

Embarrassing

[Arky]

Pats bring the 2nd half kickoff back to their 23. Pat's ball.

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Pass to Edelman goes for 23.

Blount gets 5. Ball at midfield.

Blount for about 4. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Blount gets 3 and the 1st down.

Brissett scrambles for 4.

Blount sweeps left for about 15.

Blount for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Edelman goes left for 2. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Pass to Amendola gets the 1st down at the Texan 11 yard line.

Blount for 1.

Flat pass to Hogan gets 2 or 3. Brings up 3rd down and 7.

Pass to Edelman in the end zone off his hands, inc. Pats will go for the FG.

Gostkowski's 25-yarder is good.

Pats 13, Texans 0

8:19 left in the 3rd qtr.

[barrett]

I might film myself catching kicks and falling down with them, and then email it to the Texans offices. I'd take league minimum.

[barrett]

Now the refs get in on the action. Brissett airmails it out of the back of the endzone, but Martellus Bennett draws a flag while completely running over the DB.

[chuck]

I don't think that the Patriots have been called for anything other than the occasional false start.

[Arky]

Ervin returns the ensuing kickoff and fumbles. Pats recover. Pat's ball at the Texan 21.

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Pass to Edelman gets 6.

Blount runs it to the Texans 6 yard line. 1st down.

Texans use a timeout.

Blount for no gain or loss of 1. Brings up 2nd and goal.

PI on Demps places the ball at the 1.

Blount for no gain.

Pass in the end zone is broken up by JJo, inc. Brings up 3rd and goal from the 2.

And Bouye takes a turn with the PI call. Auto 1st down at the 1.

Blount runs it in for the TD.

Pats 20, Texans 0

5:41 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Big Texas]

This is the kind of game someone gets fired over...

[popanot]

Dear NFL,

Please do not EVER schedule the Houston Texans to play on national television EVER again.

Sincerely,
Every Houston Sports Fan Still Alive or Ever Born in the Future

[barrett]

I don't think that the Patriots have been called for anything other than the occasional false start.

That was an embarrassing call. Simms describes it as a double move, even though he was 5 yards deep in the endzone. There was nowhere to double move to. He just ran his route and the QB missed by 5 yards so he started running again, and he started with running over the DB. I guess our guy is required to get out of his way in the endzone there.

[chuck]

This is the kind of game someone gets fired over...

These pussy losers won't fire anyone. McNair doesn't care.

[Big Texas]

I'm trying to find out which game is worse...The dolphins game last year or this one...

[popanot]

LOL. They just said the Texans haven't had the ball on the NE side of the field ALL NIGHT. You have got to be kidding me!!!


How is that not roughing the passer?!!!!!

[Big Texas]

That was definitely roughing the passer

[Arky]

Ervin brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Texan 23. Texan's ball.

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Pass to Hop gets a 1st down at the Texan 39.

Jeez, Fuller drops a big gainer over the middle, inc pass.

Fido wasn't looking for the pass, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Oz pressured throws off the mark to Strong, inc. Texans to punt.

Pats bring the punt back to their 16 and fumble but recover their own fumble.

4:51 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Pat get 4 yards.

Deep pass to Hogan goes inc. Brings up 3rd and 6.

Sideline pass to Edelman fails to get the 1st down. Pats to punt.

Punt rolls to the Texan 20. Texan's ball.

3:27 left in the 3rd qtr.

[barrett]

Now we give up 15 yards of field position because we can't catch a punt. The punt lands 42 yards from the LOS and we aren't there to catch it? Where are we lined up that we can't reach a 42 yard punt in the middle of the field?

[barrett]

Osweilller is throwing fastballs at guys less than 5 yards downfield. I thought we were done with that when Mallett moved on.

[chuck]

This is one team playing chess and the other playing tic tac toe.

This guy Godsey is a Palmer-level idiot.

[Arky]

Pass to Fuller over the middle gets 6.

Pass complete to Griffin for 6 and the 1st down.

Pass to Strong gets 15.

Short pass to Miller gets 7.

L Miller goes right side for 4 and the 1st down. Ball at the Pats 42.

Pass to Griffin goes for 7.

Grimes loses 1.

End of the 3rd qtr.

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On 3rd and 4 at the Pat 36, dump off to Grimes goes for no gain. Brings up 4th and 4. Texans going for it.

Texans use a timeout.

Pass nearly INT'ed but inc. Pats takeover on downs.

14:12 left in the game.

[Arky]

Pass to Edelman too high, inc.

Brissett keeps for no gain. Brings up 3rd and 10.

Brissett pressured and throws inc. Pats to punt.

Punt is fair caught by Ervin at the Texan 13. Texan's ball.

[Arky]

Ball marked at the Texan 14.

Oz gets sacked. Loss of 10.

L Miller up the gut for about 4. Flag is down.....Personal foul on Strong, 1/2 the distance.

On 3rd and 20, handoff to L Miller gets about 7. Texans to punt.

Amendola brings the punt back to the Texan 47. Pat's ball.

[chuck]

These frauds are just giving up. It's hard for me to think that I might be more disgusted by this team but I suppose it's possible.

[Big Texas]

I'm done watching this shit...offense looks like shit...special teams lost this game for us...defense gets a pass in my book

[Arky]

Blount for 5.

Blount gets loose and takes it all the way for the TD. 41 yards.

Pat 27, Texans 0

11 minutes left in the game.

[popanot]

I'm done watching this shit...offense looks like shit...special teams lost this game for us...defense gets a pass in my bookWhy? They have sucked just as bad as every other unit. Have you noticed the tackling? Looks like a bunch of girls playing against boys out there.

[chuck]

I'm done watching this shit...offense looks like shit...special teams lost this game for us...defense gets a pass in my book

The offense has not scored. They have run something like three plays in Patriots' territory.

The Texans are playing against a mfing rookie quarterback making his first start. They are likely to lose by 30 or more points. This is a total fking beatdown, failure on all fronts.

The Texans are a joke. They always have been and as long as some dumbfck or another named McNair is in charge they always will be.

[barrett]

O'Brien's teams have laid giant eggs on multiple occasions now. We generally look competent from week to week, but we have occasions where we just completely no show. It is hard to know what to make of that. On a certain level a loss is a loss, but on another level I doubt this could have gone worse if nobody showed up for practice this week and we held our starting 22 out. We get totally blown out more than bad teams, but win far more than any bad team should. It makes it impossible to put any expectations as to what this team will do on a given sunday.

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the end zone, touchback. Texan's ball at their 25.

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Pass to Grimes gets 5.

Dump to Grimes gets 4 or 5. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Oz scrambles for the 1st down. Offsides Pats is declined. Ball at the Texan 47.

Pass over the middle goes inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Dump to Grimes gets 6. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Grimes gets stopped. Texans going for it on 4th down.

Deep pass to Fuller goes inc. Ball turns over on downs. Pat's ball.

8:19 left in the game.

[chuck]

This play calling is utterly irresponsible.

[Arky]

Blount for 2.

Blount loses 2. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass to White gets about 2. Pats to punt.

Punt is downed at the 4 yard line. Texan's ball.

[popanot]

O'Brien's teams have laid giant eggs on multiple occasions now. We generally look competent from week to week, but we have occasions where we just completely no show. It is hard to know what to make of that. On a certain level a loss is a loss, but on another level I doubt this could have gone worse if nobody showed up for practice this week and we held our starting 22 out. We get totally blown out more than bad teams, but win far more than any bad team should. It makes it impossible to put any expectations as to what this team will do on a given sunday.This is very true on all accounts. I'm convinced the coaching is good enough to beat lessor and marginal teams, and coaching and talent is there to beat good teams on occasion. However, the talent just isn't there to beat exceptionally talented and well coached teams. We're just not there. I sure hope these guys invest heavily in the OL next year in the draft and FA.

[Big Texas]

Why? They have sucked just as bad as every other unit. Have you noticed the tackling? Looks like a bunch of girls playing against boys out there.

14 of the points scored at that time came from fumbles by the special teams unit...don't get me wrong the defense by no stretch of the imagination played great...they were more out schemed then anything else...

[Arky]

Oz's pass is deflected, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Dump to L Miller gets 4.

Pass to Griffin gets 7 and the 1st down.

Pass to Strong off his hands, inc.

L Miller gets 15.

Dump to Griffin gets 6.

Dump to Griffin gets 6 or 7.

L Miller for no gain. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Oz's pass is batted down, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Hop off the mark, inc. Texans going for it on 4th and 10.

Deep pass to Fuller goes inc. Pats take over on downs with 3:11 left in the game.

[Arky]

Blount for 1.

Blount for 1.

2 minute warning.

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On 3rd and 8, Brissett boots it right side for a couple. Pats to punt.

Pats switch punt formation and take the delay of game penalty.

Ervin fair catches at the Texan 4. Man, that's some bad coaching... Texan's ball.

[chuck]

And then to cap it all off this retard calls fair catch on the two. Nice work, Izzo, you're nailing it.

[chuck]

Did you win money, Arky? Or did you listen to barrett?

[Arky]

Blue for 4.

Blue for about 7.

Time runs out.

Final score:

Pats 27, Texan 0

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OB and Godsey's plan to run, run, run till they (the Pats) are worn out failed badly.... In game adjustments were lacking. Execution = bad. Too many other things to list here..... I'm disowning this team for ooh, about 9 days.....

[Arky]

Did you win money, Arky? Or did you listen to barrett?

Eheh, no like a fool I wagered on the Texans. Not real money, though.... points. Points is the currency on this betting website I frequent...

[barrett]

Did you win money, Arky? Or did you listen to barrett?

I was purposefully non-commital. I definitely never said the Texans would win on here, I just said the numbers are too easy to play with and too hard to rely on in football because of the tiny sample size. It leads to betting websites offering tips on trends based on two games in the last decade. My point was just that betting on the patriots at home is already a bigger trend then the Patriots as a Home dog. But throwing out 10-2 sounds good and makes people think they had an inside scoop.

The Patriots home record should have been enough to make anyone bet them any time the money line is reasonable.

With all that said, I picked the Texans in a pick em because I'm an idiot.

[popanot]

Never ever pick a Houston team on prime-time or when it counts.

[barrett]

Never ever pick a Houston team on prime-time or when it counts.

If any of us were smart enough to remember that, then we wouldn't be Texans fans in the first place.

[Arky]

Never ever pick a Houston team on prime-time or when it counts.

Wow, thanks for the advice. ;)

It was strictly a homer pick. Though I do think I was starting to think there was something different about these Texans.... like they were fixin' to turn a corner or something. But, nope, same old Texans.... Silly me.

[chuck]

If any of us were smart enough to remember that, then we wouldn't be Texans fans in the first place.

Hello.

I knew what you were doing on the ats bit, I was just stirring the pot.

Again, Godsey is a total moron, Palmer-level incompetence. The execution was terrible, too, don't lose sight of that. But the offense didn't have a whole lot to work with. Unless you think Braxton Miller is the key to the offense.

[HPF Bob]

O'Brien's teams have laid giant eggs on multiple occasions now. We generally look competent from week to week, but we have occasions where we just completely no show. It is hard to know what to make of that. On a certain level a loss is a loss, but on another level I doubt this could have gone worse if nobody showed up for practice this week and we held our starting 22 out. We get totally blown out more than bad teams, but win far more than any bad team should. It makes it impossible to put any expectations as to what this team will do on a given sunday.

+1

These were supposed to be Belichick disciples (O'Brien, Crennel, Vrabel, etc.) and yet they can be this completely outcoached by The Master starting a rookie QB in his first start - something simply doesn't add up here.

It amazes me that whenever Kubiak's teams sucked this badly everybody placed the blame squarely on Kubes. So, where's the hate for O'Brien? Why does Coach Foulmouth get a pass?

Regardless who coaches, we only seem to win big games against the Bengals (Hi, T.J. Yates). We can't beat the big boys of this conference (New England, Denver, Pittsburgh) home or away. It's as if there is a ceiling they believe they can't penetrate.

This was a total butt-whipping by a team playing with one hand tied behind their backs. More than feeling shame, one has to ask if this coaching staff can win big games or just continue to feast on their own division and go 9-7 or 8-8 every year.

[Keith]

How does your RB get 21 rushes in a game you lost by 27 points?

Playcalling was like this against the Chiefs, too, lots of first down runs. Just wasn't as noticeable because the Texans didn't fumble two kickoff returns and had a lead. Peter King (SI) even tweeted late last night about the dumbass third down playcalling before he remembered he was supposed to be a mindless tool and deleted it.

What made last night difficult was that Texans fans were given hope in the form of a rookie third string QB and a largely still ineffective Gronkowski. O'Brien, Crennel, Vrabel, Izzo... these guys know how to win at New England.

Reality check. This was a loss on everyone's schedule when it came out, and for good reason. On the road against one of the better teams. Short week against one of the game's best strategists. Young offense still learning. No Duane Brown, Watt still recovering, no Cushing.

Not trying to make excuses, but a short week on the road in Foxboro is what it is. Lots of lopsided Thursday Night games for similar reasons. Texans still lead the division. Should the playoff road lead them back to New England, hard to expect a better result with Brady back, but perhaps the Texans offense (and its playcalling) will have matured by then. And maybe the team won't fumble two kick returns.

[Arky]

I admire the positive spin, Keith, but man, they were so totally "pantsed" on prime time national TV. I am seeing words like "pathetic" and "pitiful" to describe the Texans in the neutral football forums that I read...

If you look at the team stats, they're pretty close except for the turnover (Texans 3, Pats 0) and penalty (Texans 6/43, Pats 3/15) categories. Take away the 2 fumbles and say the game finishes 13-0 and hey, it looks like an old fashioned slugfest football game. But that isn't the way it happened. It's a real case of stats not showing what the eye is seeing.....

I didn't see it coming but I could speculate the Texans may have been in somewhat of a let-down situation with just having defeated nemesis KC.... Hard to imagine with New England on the horizon, but possibly played into it somewhat....

I dunno. Like a shark, a football team has gotta keep moving.... I will be expecting a much better showing against the Titans and even @ Vikings after that. But then it's two more prime time games against the Colts and Denver.... those can either be a chance for redemption or more of the same...

[Joshua]

I've about decided that while most NFL coaches are smart for coaches, Belichick is simply smart. If Belichick had not become a football coach, I have no doubt he could have fleeced people out of their retirement savings like the Wolf of Wall Street guy or become the biggest A-hole attorney you ever wanted to meet. I don't think you can say the same about most other coaches. I think that's the difference in why his teams seem so much more prepared than his opponents. Belichick is truly brilliant. Most NFL coaches (including, it looks like our own) are not.

[HPF Bob]

What Bronco fans are posting. (https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14440729_1110451569049784_2967225187656005178_n.jp g?oh=22a633d0fcf730965c40109224683d34&oe=58396842)

[barrett]

What Bronco fans are posting. (https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14440729_1110451569049784_2967225187656005178_n.jp g?oh=22a633d0fcf730965c40109224683d34&oe=58396842)

Why would I care what Broncos fans are posting? Is the NFL fan known for unbiased thinking in a way that they'd have something of value to offer on the 1 game of ours they watched this season?

[Keith]

What Bronco fans are posting. (https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14440729_1110451569049784_2967225187656005178_n.jp g?oh=22a633d0fcf730965c40109224683d34&oe=58396842)
I don't need to click this. I am sure it is laden with schadenfreude over the poor performance from the man who jilted them, Osweiler. Bronco fans, and honestly much of the LOLway-slurping media, tend to forget when discussing how much the Texans paid Osweiler ($18M per) that their team also had a hearty offer to him, too ($16M per).

I admire the positive spin, Keith, but man, they were so totally "pantsed" on prime time national TV. I am seeing words like "pathetic" and "pitiful" to describe the Texans in the neutral football forums that I read...Oh they shit the bed, no doubt. I just think Texans fans acted like the world was ending when before the season we all thought a 2-1 record at this point would be a pretty good place to be. The Texans aren't the first team to be Belichick'd in primetime.

[barrett]

I also have to say it makes no difference to me if you look like that on primetime or in the regional noon game. There is no good time to look like that and there is nothing special about 'primetime'.

[chuck]

I don't need to click this. I am sure it is laden with schadenfreude over the poor performance from the man who jilted them, Osweiler. Bronco fans, and honestly much of the LOLway-slurping media, tend to forget when discussing how much the Texans paid Osweiler ($18M per) that their team also had a hearty offer to him, too ($16M per).


It just indicates that a Broncos fan can't be bothered to find a picture of Lickey in a Broncos shirt rather than a Texans shirt.

[Arky]

Video - Teddy Covers: Recap of Texans vs. Pats (http://www.sportsbookreview.com/picks/more-sports/v/nfl-week-3-weekend-preview-tnf-pats-shutout-texans-recap/34404)

See just the first 3 minutes... the rest of the video is other jazz....

Teddy also names the 2 fumbles as the turning points....

[Arky]

Early line - Texans favored by 6.5 to 7 (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) over the Titans.