Official Divisional Playoff Round - Texans @ Chiefs Game Thread, 1/12/2020

[Arky]

The Texans go onto the second round (divisional) of the playoffs this Sunday in an afternoon game that begins at 2:05 pm CST. The Texans are coming off a first round win over the Buffalo Bills in OT 22-19 last Saturday. They will face the #2 seed KC Chiefs who had a bye last week and rested up.

Kansas City forecast is calling for chilly Saturday night with an 8º low but it should warm up to mid-30's around game time.

The Texans and Chiefs met once during the regular season in KC with the Texans prevailing 31-24. The Chiefs were hobbled and missing quite a few pieces in that game. Not so this time as they have everyone back (and then some) and are in reasonably good health. They are on a bit of a roll having won their last 6 regular season games.

For the Texans, I think they need to be in the right mindset to have a chance. Are they all patting themselves on the back for having defeated the Bills or are they anxious to get on with it and take care of the next bit of business? Gotta think the Chiefs are rarin' to go but Watt and Watson prevent me from going with a Chiefs blowout. I see it:

Chiefs 27, Texans 24

The Texans are 5-5 all time vs. the Chiefs, 0-1 in the playoffs.

The Texans have made it to the divisional round 3 other times and yet to win. This will be their 2nd trip to the divisionals with Bill O'Brien at the helm.

A Houston team hasn't been to the conference championship game since the Luv ya Blue days.....

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TV = CBS (channel 11 local), 2:05 pm CST, Sunday, 1/12/20

Announcers = Jim Nantz, Tony Romo

The line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) = Chiefs by 9½ to 10½

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Other weekend playoff games:

Saturday (late afternoon) = Minnesota @ San Francisco, 3:35 pm CST, NBC

Saturday (night) = Tennessee @ Baltimore, 7:15 pm CST, CBS

Sunday (night) = Seattle @ Green Bay, 5:40 pm CST, FOX

[nunusguy]

The victory we had earlier in the RS against the Chiefs is practically meaningless today because the Chiefs had so many injuries including to their best players MaHomes and left tackle (blind side) Fischer.
How Buffalo jumped up on us by 16 points is still a mystery to me but if we have that kind of start in KC Sunday it's all over before the first quarter ends.
Hope I'm wrong but I see the Chiefs winning by two TDs.
Ravens are favored over the Titans by the same margin as our game which I don't think is gonna happen. I predicted the Titans victory over the Pats and I expect them to play the Ravens tough this weekend.
Inclement weather is predicted for Baltimore this weekend and if that's the case Derrick Henry will be even tougher than normal to stop.
Yea I do see the Titans as the dark horse in these 2020 NFL P/Os.

[HPF Bob]

Keep in mind, the Texans fell behind the Chiefs in their first meeting, 10-0 before roaring back by halftime.

The two keys to me are: 1) can the Texans sustain a running game with Hyde and Johnson? This is the major weakness of the Chiefs and if the Texans have success running the ball, that will open up the passing offense enough to stay with KC. 2) Can the Texans scheme a way to limit Kelce and Hill? If the answer is no, the Texans are dead meat. If the answer is yes, they can possibly stay with KC or pull off the upset.

Andy Reid teams have suffered some historic playoff chokes over the years, even at Arrowhead, so don't presume they are going to blow the Texans out if the Texans bring their "a" game. Sure, the Chiefs are favored and rightly so. The question is which Texans will show up and whether the ghosts of playoff chokes past will visit the Chiefs.

[barrett]

The victory we had earlier in the RS against the Chiefs is practically meaningless today because the Chiefs had so many injuries including to their best players MaHomes and left tackle (blind side) Fischer.
How Buffalo jumped up on us by 16 points is still a mystery to me but if we have that kind of start in KC Sunday it's all over before the first quarter ends.
Hope I'm wrong but I see the Chiefs winning by two TDs.
Ravens are favored over the Titans by the same margin as our game which I don't think is gonna happen. I predicted the Titans victory over the Pats and I expect them to play the Ravens tough this weekend.
Inclement weather is predicted for Baltimore this weekend and if that's the case Derrick Henry will be even tougher than normal to stop.
Yea I do see the Titans as the dark horse in these 2020 NFL P/Os.

The Ravens are all-time historical great with a lead. They pile on points with a lead like no NFL team I've ever seen. It's because their aggressive/big play offense comes from the running game. The Titans are a terrible passing team (not Buffalo terrible, but still terrible). If Baltimore gets up early they might win by 50. If Tennessee stays close then the game might last 2.5 hours with 80 combined rushing attempts.

I don't have a clue what the Texans will do.

[HPF Bob]

The Texans only have two modes:

1) Get blown out in embarrassing fashion.

2) Keep it close and win in the fourth quarter on some Watson miracle escape. The Atlanta win was the only comfortable win all year. Even in that game, they fell behind early.

[barrett]

The Texans only have two modes:

1) Get blown out in embarrassing fashion.

2) Keep it close and win in the fourth quarter on some Watson miracle escape. The Atlanta win was the only comfortable win all year. Even in that game, they fell behind early.

And even though they will do one of those two things I still can’t predict which one better than 50/50.

[Arky]

Some stats that probably don't mean much:

The Texans had 8 games (https://www.goldsheet.com/nflog.php) this year that they went into as the underdog.

They went 4-4 straight up in those games.

They went 5-3 ATS in those games (the slight difference was the New Orleans game where they lost straight up 30-28, but covered the 7 pt spread).

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As an underdog of 3 pts. or more, they went 4-3 straight up but 5-2 ATS.

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So, a case can be made that they play slightly better when they enter the game as the underdog. The reciprocal of that is that they play slighty worse when they are the favorite. They are currently 8-8-1 ATS (including playoffs).

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Their largest spread as an underdog was 9½ pts. - the Week 17 game vs. Titans where they rested. They, of course, lost the game by 21 pts, 35-14. They are currently 10 pt dogs to the Chiefs.

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The Baltimore game, the pathetic Denver game and the Week 17 Tennessee game were the only games they lost by more than one score. They couldn't even get garbage time points vs. the Ravens......

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Like I said, all this probably doesn't mean much and it is why I tune in every Sunday to see how it plays out. What's behind door #3 this week?

[HPF Bob]

If a miracle happens and both the Texans and Titans win their games, the Texans would host the AFC Championship Game for the first time. The last time Houston hosted an AFC Championship Game, it was 1962 when the Oilers hosted the classic double-overtime game against the Dallas Texans which became the Kansas City Chiefs the following year. Back then, it was the AFL Championship before the league merged with the NFL and became the AFC.

Heck, the last time Houston hosted an AFC Championship, JFK was still alive and our young were grooving to "The Twist".

[nunusguy]

If a miracle happens and both the Texans and Titans win their games, the Texans would host the AFC Championship Game for the first time. The last time Houston hosted an AFC Championship Game, it was 1962 when the Oilers hosted the classic double-overtime game against the Dallas Texans which became the Kansas City Chiefs the following year. Back then, it was the AFL Championship before the league merged with the NFL and became the AFC.

Heck, the last time Houston hosted an AFC Championship, JFK was still alive and our young were grooving to "The Twist".
So staying with the theme of R&R/R&B tradition and history:
"The Twist" was of course popularized by the one and only Chubby Checker, but he was not the author who would be Hank Ballard, a great R&B singer and writer in his own right.

[barrett]

In a mediocre season the Texans still beat 2 of the 3 other remaining AFC teams, and 4 of the other 5 playoff teams. This team is not great but they can absolutely win any game.

When you combine that with my permanently low expectations about this team, I enter Sunday's game with genuine positive feelings and nothing to lose.

[Arky]

The 10 pt spread just seems outrageous to me. I'll be on the Texans heavily in the simulated sportsbook I play at. As I've noted previously, I've not had a good year, so I hope I don't jinx them....

If I was OB, I'd be really laying on the "no respect"/underdog angle to the team. I'm expecting a good, close and hard fought game but if the Texans don't show up, well, I'm afraid it won't be the first time a Houston team has let me down....

Can you imagine what it will be like if the Texans pull off the upset? This city would go nuts. Love would be in the air. New bandwagons would need to be constructed. All gripes against OB would be forgiven and he would get an extension.... eheh....

[barrett]

Usually the saying is "you're not as good as your best or as bad as your worst."

We are the opposite. We are every bit as bad as our worst performances (Denver, Baltimore, Buffalo 1st Half). And we are as good as our best (NE, KC). We could put up either this week. I have no problem with the point spread because if we lose I am betting we lose bad. I'd say a 10+ point victory for KC is the most likely outcome. I'd say us winning is the 2nd most likely outcome.

[HPF Bob]

Titans still lead, 14-6, at the half but the Ravens appear to be slowly putting things together. Best news for the Titans is that the lead allows them to keep feeding Henry the ball where he could wear out the Ravens while milking the clock.

[chuck]

I don’t know who the hell is going to win this game, but, sadly, if you’re taking a long-term view, the Titans look really, really good.

I write this with 7 minutes left in the 3rd, 14-6.

[HPF Bob]

Titans stop Lamar on 4th and inches for the second time tonight. Henry takes the ball down to the six-yd line then throws a jump pass for the TD. 21-6 Titans now. Lamar is super-pissed. They said during the first half that Lamar was obsessed about his playoff exit last year. That's gotta be huge in his head right now. Not too late for a comeback but that collar is getting tighter.

[HPF Bob]

Strip sack of Lamar. Titans run it to the 1 where Tannehill takes it himself. 28-6, Tennessee. Ravens are stunned.

Titans are definitely Saturday Night's team.

[barrett]

Titans stop Lamar on 4th and inches for the second time tonight. Henry takes the ball down to the six-yd line then throws a jump pass for the TD. 21-6 Titans now. Lamar is super-pissed. They said during the first half that Lamar was obsessed about his playoff exit last year. That's gotta be huge in his head right now. Not too late for a comeback but that collar is getting tighter.

He follows that up by immediately holding the ball forever and fumbling. He’s awesome in a full offense, but in obvious passing downs he’s as bad as any starter in the league. Half the balls are ducks and half are behind guys or at their feet.

As a team they’re front runners who pour it on with a lead but can’t play from behind. They’re honesty just a better version of the titans. Whoever scored first won this one.

[barrett]

Also is it possible this was the Titans for years if they hadn’t wasted half a decade on Marriota? Just getting mediocre play from a journeyman has them winning playoff games. It’s hilarious how teams won’t admit when a QB is bad.

[barrett]

And another wounded duck and this one gets picked.

[HPF Bob]

Jackson's a better thrower than Josh Allen but he's let some bad breaks early on snowball into a disaster. Not too late to comeback but they need everything to go right from here, including a TD on this possession. ehhhhhh...oops.

They're emptying Empty Bank Stadium...LOL

[Keith]

Also is it possible this was the Titans for years if they hadn’t wasted half a decade on Marriota? Just getting mediocre play from a journeyman has them winning playoff games. It’s hilarious how teams won’t admit when a QB is bad.
That, and that they wasted time on DeMarco Murray when they have had Derrick Henry for four seasons now.

[barrett]

Jackson's a better thrower than Josh Allen but he's let some bad breaks early on snowball into a disaster. Not too late to comeback but they need everything to go right from here, including a TD on this possession. ehhhhhh...oops.

They're emptying Empty Bank Stadium...LOL

I don’t know how I forgot Allen so quickly. He is infinitely better in all passing situations than Allen.

[HPF Bob]

Some extra incentive now for the Texans - win and they host the AFC Championship. Of course, the Chiefs have the same motivation.

[Arky]

Impressive performance by our fellow AFC South rival Titans in beating the Ravens - a #6 seed on the road taking out the #1 seed, 28-12. Titans played them perfectly and didn't turn the ball over. Ravens were off their game and turned the ball over 3 times. I liked Vrabel's post game comment that the Ravens had been using "shock and awe" to get ahead of opponents and win games. The Titans were having none of that.

FiveThirtyEight (https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2019-nfl-predictions/) now has the Chiefs as the slight favorite to win it all. How things change...... My goodness, the Texans certainly have an opportunity in front of them......

[Arky]

I'm hearing Fuller will play but won't be 100%......

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Updated weather for KC has a high of 40ºF. 20% chance of precip.

[HPF Bob]

I'm hearing Fuller will play but won't be 100%......


When is he ever? I'm starting to call him "Bambi" and not because he reminds me of Lance Alworth.

[Arky]

Gametime!

Texans won the toss and will receive.

Pass to Fuller gets the 1st down on 3rd and 7.

RT Clark injured on the next play.

Kaboom! Watson hits a wide open Stills for a 54-yard TD!

Texans 7, Chiefs 0

11:59 left in the 1st qtr.

[barrett]

I’ve heard all week about the chiefs defensive improvement. The broadcast said how good they were weeks 11-16. I went and looked and they played chargers twice, Raiders, Denver, New England. So their improvement coincided with playing a bunch of bad offenses.

[Arky]

Woohoo!

Chiefs go 3-and-out and then Mingo blocks the punt! Lonnie Johnson picks it up and runs it in for the 10 yard TD.

Texans 14, Chiefs 0

10:06 left in the 1st qtr.

It would be hard to have a better start....

[Arky]

Texans have the ball again and are facing 3rd and 11 at midfield.

Watson sacked. Texans will have to punt.

Punt is muffed! Texans get it at the Chiefs 6 yard line!

[Arky]

Pass to Fells gets the 4 yard TD!

Texans 21, Chiefs 0

1:21 left in the 1st qtr.

Goodness. Still a lot of game left - gotta keep the heat on....

[Arky]

Reid blows up Hill on a deep ball and the pass goes inc. Hill shaken up...

Chiefs fixin' to punt again.

1:05 left in the 1st qtr.

[HPF Bob]

Trying not to jinx this.

[barrett]

It seems like we’re playing well.

[barrett]

Reid blows up Hill on a deep ball and the pass goes inc. Hill shaken up...

Chiefs fixin' to punt again.

1:05 left in the 1st qtr.

What a perfect legal hit. I haven't cheered a big hit without slight guilt about the guys brain in years. That was perfect shoulder to ribs.

[chuck]

Who the hell knows where this game's going but it sure is nice not to be in a 30 point hole in the first quarter.

Turns out sort of being on the opposite end of that is somewhat more enjoyable. Good to know.

[chuck]

What a perfect legal hit. I haven't cheered a big hit without slight guilt about the guys brain in years. That was perfect shoulder to ribs.

Reid just lit that little mofo right up.

[Arky]

Carter brings the punt back to the Houston 49. Texan's ball.

Watson gets the 1st down on a rollout but holding brings it back, -10 yards. 3rd and 11 coming up.

Pass to Hop gets the 1st down.

.........................

Dump off to D Johnson goes to the Chiefs 12, 1 yard short of the 1st down. Texans going for it on 4th and 1.

Texans change their mind and will go for the FG.

31-yarder by Fairbairn is good.

Texans 24, Chiefs 0

10:54 left in the half.

[Arky]

Hardman has a good return on the ensuing kickoff. Brings it all the way back to the Texan 42. 58 yards on the return.

Pass to Kelce goes to the Texan 17.

Pass to Williams goes for the TD. 17 yards.

That didn't take long.

Texans 24, Chiefs 7

9:55 left in the half.

[Arky]

Texans go 3-and-out and will have to punt on 4th and 4.

Oh no. Fake punt - snap to Reid doesn't get the 1st down.

Chiefs take over at the Texan 33.

8:27 left in the half.

[Arky]

PI on L Johnson sets up the Chiefs at the Texan 5.

Pass to Kelce gets the TD.

Texans 24, Chiefs 14

8:05 left in the half.

Gotta figure out how to get mo' back.....

[Arky]

Oh, JC. Carter fumbles the ensuing kickoff right into the hands of a Chief.

Chiefs will set up at the Texan 6 yard line.

[barrett]

PI on L Johnson sets up the Chiefs at the Texan 5.

Pass to Kelce gets the TD.

Texans 24, Chiefs 14

8:05 left in the half.

Gotta figure out how to get mo' back.....

Will fumbling the kickoff do it?

[Arky]

Pass to Kelce gets a yard or two.

Williams loses two yards. 3rd and goal coming up.

Pass to Kelce good for the TD. 6 yards.

Texans 24, Chiefs 21

6:31 left in the half.

[chuck]

If the Texans lose, BOB’s pussy ass decision to kick the field goal on 4th and a foot will be seen as the key decision.

[Arky]

..........

Watson keeps for a 1st down at the Texan 44.

Hyde for 10.

........

Texans facing 3rd and 12.

Pass to Hop broken up, inc.

Texans to punt.....

Chiefs field the punt and will set up at their own 10 yard line.

2:47 left in the half.

[barrett]

If the Texans lose, BOB’s pussy ass decision to kick the field goal on 4th and a foot will be seen as the key decision.

With a better spot we might go there. It should have been 4th and a foot but they moved it back to a full yard. Either way we should have gone. We were never winning this game on defense.

[Arky]

Another PI on L Johnson gives up big yardage.

Pass to Hill gets another big gain.

Mahomes runs for 21.

2 minute warning (1:55 actual).

Ball at the Texan 34.

[Arky]

Pass to Kelce gets a 1st down at the Texan 19.

Mahomes scrambles for 14, 1st down and goal to go. 58 seconds left in the half.

Pass to Williams off the mark, inc.

Dropped pass by Robinson. 3rd and goal coming up.

Pass to Kelce gets the TD but play will be under review - Mahomes may have crossed the LOS......

Play stands as called.

Chiefs 28, Texans 24

44 seconds left in the half.

[Arky]

Watson connects on a deep ball to Hop at the Chief's 39.

Spike. 19 seconds left in the half.

Watson flushed and throws it away. 11 seconds left.

Watson flushed and runs out of bounds at the 33.

Fairbairn on for a 51-yarder.

Kick is no good.

Chiefs 28, Texans 24

Halftime.

[barrett]

Hopkins is being mugged. On the long catch he had he gets held for 20 yards down the seam. Brutal. He’s getting killed way worse than Kelce but can’t buy a call.

[HPF Bob]

Somewhere Warren Moon is like "WOOOHOOO! We can go out in public again!"

[chuck]

It is mind boggling how fking stupid BOB is. His special teams gifts him a huge lead and he can’t fk it up fast enough. Incredible.

[Arky]

Halftime stats:

1st downs: Texans 11, Chiefs 13

Total yards: Texans 237, Chiefs 174

Penalties: Texans 3/53, Chiefs 1/5

Turnovers: Texans 1, Chiefs 1

Red zone: Texans 1/2, Chiefs 4/4

[Keith]

If the Texans lose, BOB’s pussy ass decision to kick the field goal on 4th and a foot will be seen as the key decision.
Nah, it was his decision to fake punt deep in his own territory.

[Arky]

Somewhere Warren Moon is like "WOOOHOOO! We can go out in public again!"

Hehe. When it got up to 24-0, were you thinking what I was thinking?

[HPF Bob]

Nah, it was his decision to fake punt deep in his own territory.

Reminds me of Lamar going for it on 4th and 1 early in last night's game and getting stuffed. It was unneccesary and becomes a huge momentum swing if you fail. In the first half, just take what you're given and don't give the opposition short fields to work with.

[chuck]

Nah, it was his decision to fake punt deep in his own territory.

If they score a td instead of a fg on that drive then they don’t get tempted to do stupid shit like fake punt on their own 35.

[Arky]

It's virtually a new game, a restart. Win the 2nd half and you win the game....

[HPF Bob]

Hehe. When it got up to 24-0, were you thinking what I was thinking?

It crossed my mind. I'm hoping this becomes more like the SD-MIA OT thriller where Miami came back from 24-0 to tie it at halftime.

If this stays close, I have confidence Watson can pull it out at the end.

[Arky]

Chiefs moving on down the field.....

Pass to Watkins goes for 48.

Mahomes scrambles for 16. Ball at the Texan 12.

Pass to Hill for 4.

Mahomes scrambles for 7. 1st and goal at the 1 yard line.

Williams gets the 1 yard, TD.

Unsportmanlike on the Chiefs on the TD. Will be enforced on the ensuing kickoff.

Extra point is no good.

Chiefs 34, Texans 24

11:24 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Watson scrambles for 8 but a penalty makes it 1st and 15.

Pass to Hop for 9.

Hyde for 1. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Watson dances into a sack. Texans have to punt.

Chiefs fair catch at their 23. Chiefs ball. 8:34 left in the 3rd qtr.

[chuck]

What’s amazing is that as terrible as this defense is, this fkwit mortgaged the next couple of seasons for this year.

[Arky]

Wow, say hello to the World's Worst Defense. Pass to Kelce goes for a big gainer.

Penalty on Omenihu makes it 1st and 5.

Watkins gets the handoff for another 1st down. Chiefs at the Texan 30.

Pass to Robinson gets 4.

Mahomes takes a shot to the endzone but inc. PI on Roby places the ball at the Texan 7.

Mahomes flushed out throws inc into the end zone. 2nd and goal coming up.

Williams for 2. 3rd and goal at the 5.

Chiefs offsides, -5 yards. 3rd and goal at the 10 coming up.

Mahomes throws inc but a flag is down.... Cunningham with holding. 1st and goal at the 5.

Williams punches it in.

Chiefs 41, Texans 24

4:39 left in the 3rd qtr.

[chuck]

This cocksucker is so fking stupid it makes my teeth hurt.

[Arky]

Pass to Hop goes for a nice gainer.

Watson off the mark on an outlet pass, inc.

Pass to Stills gets a 1st down at the Chief's 43.

Hyde for 4.

Watson throws it away, inc. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Pass to Hop gets the 1st down at the Chief's 30.

Gadget play loses 14. Stills had a knee down as he threw the pass.

Pass to Fuller goes to the 5 yard line.

Watson sweeps left and takes it in for the TD.

Play under review.

Chiefs 41, Texans 31

24 seconds left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Kelce - 10 catches, 134 yards, 3 TD's. Seems like a lot more.....

Chiefs driving again with the ball at the Texan 49.

End of the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Chiefs finish the drive with an 8 yard pass to Bell, touchdown.

Chiefs 48, Texans 31

13:52 left in the game.

[chuck]

If they don’t fire this idiot tomorrow and replace him with Eric Bieniemy as soon as the Chiefs’ season finishes, well, I give up.

[HPF Bob]

If they don’t fire this idiot tomorrow and replace him with Eric Bieniemy as soon as the Chiefs’ season finishes, well, I give up.

You've already given up enough times before this. It's an addiction. Embrace it.

[barrett]

Our defense has been terrible for 3 months. Only ball control protected us. This was always bound to happen when we played a great offense. I just thought we could keep up better.

[barrett]

Fire him mid game for this punt.

[Arky]

Texans go for it on 4th and 4 at the Chief's 42 but pass is off the mark, inc. Chiefs ball.

11:37 left in the game.

[chuck]

Absolutely mind boggling to burn a to thinking over whether or not to go for it.

Zero chance BOB gets fired. Jethro Bodine loves him.

[Arky]

Woohoo! Chiefs have to settle for a 24-yard FG.

Chiefs 51, Texans 31

8:06 left in the game.

[HPF Bob]

So we shut them out for one quarter and still allow 51 points? Utterly Texan.

[Arky]

Texans going for it on 4th and 3 at their own 32.

Pass to D Johnson gets the 1st down.

.............

Ball at midfield after a PI call against the Chiefs.

.............

Watson sacked. 3rd and 11 coming up.

Pass to Fells gets 8. 4th and 2 coming up.

Pass too high for Hop. Chiefs takeover on downs. Ball at the Chief's 42.

4:53 left in the game.

[Arky]

Chiefs have to punt after running for 3 downs and forcing the Texans to use up all their timeouts.

Punt is downed at the Texan 5. Texan's ball with 3:49 left in the game.

[Arky]

Texans have 1st and goal at the Chief's 8 at the 2 minute mark (1:51 actual).

...............

Watson sacked on 4th and goal. Chiefs takeover on downs. Ball at their 15 yard line. 1:34 left in the game.

Chiefs will probably kneel it out....

Final score:

Chiefs 51, Texans 31

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Texans keep their record at 0-fer in divisional round games.

[Arky]

Early line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) has Chiefs as a 7 to 9 pt favorite over the Titans...

[Keith]

In retrospect, the most surprising thing about this game was that the Texans were up by 24 in the first quarter. Had they lost more conventionally by 20 points would not have really surprised anyone.

Sad fact, since O'Brien has been hired, each of the other AFC South teams have advanced to the conference championship game.

[HPF Bob]

Bob Hulsey
@BobHulseyTX
·
8m
Coming to bookstores soon: "How to Piss Away a Three-Touchdown Lead and Lose By 20 Points" by Bill O'Brien, former head coach of the #HoustonTexans .

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Hmmm. I'm finding myself agreeing with the heckler at the Broncos game.

[Arky]

..........

Sad fact, since O'Brien has been hired, each of the other AFC South teams have advanced to the conference championship game.

Huh. You are correct, I looked it up. Colts went to the AFCC game in '14, Jags in '17 and Titans this year.

If it makes anyone feel better, Titans were on a 0-3 run in divisional games before getting over the hump this year. Lost divisional games in '03, '08 and '17. The last time the Titans reached the AFCC game was '02 when they lost to the Raiders - that was Jeff Fisher/Steve McNair/Eddie George era...

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Early lines (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) have settled down a bit. Chiefs now mostly a 7½ pt favorite over the Titans. Niners a 7 pt favorite over the Packers.

[Arky]

Something has got to be done about this bondo'ed-up defense next year. This year's defense was a mix of over-the-hillers, inexperience and never-was. Some were unhealthy at the wrong time with no competent backup. A few good pieces - I'd keep McKinney, Cunningham, Watt, Martin, Reid, a couple of others... Everyone else should be on notice..... Only 3 times did they hold an opponent under 14 pts and those games were mostly in the first half of the year. Down the stretch, they declined badly.... Just gotta have a better defense than that.

The fat-boy DL had zero pass rush all year long. All those guys are questionable. No doubt they are tough guys, good teammates, blah, blah, blah but they ain't getting the job done.

I think the offense is pretty well set - it was a learning year for the rookies and new people - so, all the resources can be spent on defense next year....

[HPF Bob]

Summation by the YouTube oracle "Urinating Tree"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93lWO8lfxrs

(caution: includes profanity)

But he's spot on in evaluating O'Brien. Hit every bullet point except for Bill's talent for not challenging calls that he could win while wasting timeouts challenging calls he's guaranteed to lose.

He's right that the Texans won't fire O'Brien because they are obsessed with becoming the Patriots just like Austin/University of Texas is fixated on leaders that came from San Francisco, Sacramento or Berkeley. Hey, Houstonians, guess where Austin found Art Acevedo?

But, to be fair, let's do a quick comparison on the Clowney deal:

Clowney - 13 games, 31 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 4 FF, 2 recoveries, 13 QB hits
----------
Martin - 14 games, 11 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 0 INT, 1 FF, 1 recovery, 7 QB hits
Mingo - 16 games, 1 tackle, 0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 recovery, 2 QB hits
Conley* - 8 games, 27 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INTs, 0 FF, 0 recovery, 0 QB hits

Total of 3: 38 games, 39 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 0 INT, 1 FF, 1 recovery, 9 QB hits

* - we got Conley with the 3rd that was part of the Clowney deal.

Salary: Clowney almost $16 million
Martin, Mingo, Conley combined approximately $5.4 million

[HPF Bob]

Incidentally, if the Texans still had their first round pick, it would have been the 26th in the first round. Instead, it belongs to the Dolphins due to the trade for False Start Tunsil.

[chuck]

Something has got to be done about this bondo'ed-up defense next year.

Well, they have Mercilus locked up for the next 11 years. You gotta love that...

I'd somehow missed BOB's exchange with the fan until yesterday. I have to say, that gave me some additional insight into his ability to think on his feet. You suck! shouts the fan. YOU SUCK TOO! is BOB's agile retort.

I wonder how long it would take for him to explode if he were coaching in a real city with real fans and a real press. Sadly, I'll never know, but I would take the under on that one.

[Arky]

Well, they have Mercilus locked up for the next 11 years. You gotta love that...



Yep, not a huge fan of Merci although he seems like a good guy off the field (radio/TV). He gets one of those "loyal employee" contracts that the Texans are famous for.....

Someone in another forum suggested that obviously the defense needs OB to takeover the DC job - that should fix it. Eheh.

Perhaps we need to blow the fan confrontation out of proportion so the Texans have to let OB go ---- ala Luhnow/Hinch and the Great Sign-Stealing Scandal of 2019...

[barrett]

Yesterday was terrible. I'd fire O'Brien if I was in charge and had any real intention of winning a super bowl. I'd fire GM O'Brien even if I didn't want to win the super bowl.

But honestly there are about 5 good NFL coaches, a dozen guys who are net neutrals, and 15 idiots. We landed in the top 8 of the NFL with the worst GM in the league and one of the dozen mediocre coaches.

That's how good Watson is. Normally I'd hesitate to fire a mediocre coach when your replacement is likely to be worse. But I have to figure any great coach would want to coach Deshaun Watson. That means guys who normally wouldn't take our calls would line up for the job. You only have to get like 2 or 3 things right as a coach and you win the title with Watson.

Throw $15 million a year at Tony Dungy to be the HC and to hire the GM, and then give him like double what everyone else spends to spend on staff. Everyone wants the next young mind as their HC, but half of those guys screw up the organizational stuff. Let Dungy play a HC role and hire the young mind and give him a large OC salary and offensive autonomy. It's not like you can screw up a Deshaun Watson offense. Then let Dungy cobble together a defense made of veterans and high level defensive coaches.

[nunusguy]

Yesterday was terrible. I'd fire O'Brien if I was in charge and had any real intention of winning a super bowl. I'd fire GM O'Brien even if I didn't want to win the super bowl.

But honestly there are about 5 good NFL coaches, a dozen guys who are net neutrals, and 15 idiots. We landed in the top 8 of the NFL with the worst GM in the league and one of the dozen mediocre coaches.

That's how good Watson is. Normally I'd hesitate to fire a mediocre coach when your replacement is likely to be worse. But I have to figure any great coach would want to coach Deshaun Watson. That means guys who normally wouldn't take our calls would line up for the job. You only have to get like 2 or 3 things right as a coach and you win the title with Watson.

Throw $15 million a year at Tony Dungy to be the HC and to hire the GM, and then give him like double what everyone else spends to spend on staff. Everyone wants the next young mind as their HC, but half of those guys screw up the organizational stuff. Let Dungy play a HC role and hire the young mind and give him a large OC salary and offensive autonomy. It's not like you can screw up a Deshaun Watson offense. Then let Dungy cobble together a defense made of veterans and high level defensive coaches.
Hey Barrett how long have you been such a big fan of former Indy coach Dungy ? Why do you like him so much, because of his well know ability
as a mentor of the players ?
Do you see a role for your boy Brian Cushing (currently a rookie coach for O'Brien), in the Dungy regime ? Maybe Cush could be the DC though of course historically that's been Dungys forte ?

[barrett]

Hey Barrett how long have you been such a big fan of former Indy coach Dungy ? Why do you like him so much, because of his well know ability
as a mentor of the players ?
Do you see a role for your boy Brian Cushing (currently a rookie coach for O'Brien), in the Dungy regime ? Maybe Cush could be the DC though of course historically that's been Dungys forte ?

I don't love Dungy or at least I haven't in the past. I thought he was a solid coach but never thought much more. That's why I think you give him tools to put together a great staff. His cover 2 system won't work in today's NFL because safeties can't murder guys who go up the seam.

So why did I bring him up? It's a combination of factors.

1. I think we have no grownups in the room right now.
2. I think you should hire the HC before the GM. Then let the HC have input in GM hire.
3. I think you then need a GM who is on equal footing with the HC.
4. I think if you have a talent like Watson your offense will be fine.
5. I think the trades we have made have handicapped our ability to get better.
6. I think someone needs to cobble together a defense with mid level vets.
7. I think if you have a defensive HC it boosts your D automatically.
8. I think we are hiring last if we fire BOB right now so in order to get a good candidate it has to be someone not truly available.

All of those things made Dungy come to mind.

[HPF Bob]

This may make some incredulous but the guy I think about is...Dom Capers. It wasn't his fault that he was saddled with an expansion team. Now it's not an expansion team and I'd be interested to see how he would tweak the defense.

[nunusguy]

This may make some incredulous but the guy I think about is...Dom Capers. It wasn't his fault that he was saddled with an expansion team. Now it's not an expansion team and I'd be interested to see how he would tweak the defense.

Dom Capers ? Wow that's an interesting idea and who am I to say,it might
a good move, maybe a stroke of genus but I don't think Cal Mcnair is
nearly secure enough to do something so controversial.
However Barrett would like it because he wants a defensive oriented HC as
I understand it.

[Keith]

Dom Capers. It wasn't his fault that he was saddled with an expansion team.
I think you meant to say saddled with Charley Casserly.

[HPF Bob]

I think you meant to say saddled with Charley Casserly.

LOL...that too. Well, Chatty Cathy wasn't all bad. He did get Dom some pieces on defense like Aaron Glenn and Seth Payne. Just not enough of them.