How does the rest of schedule shake out?

[painekiller]

Oct 12 DOLPHINS Win
Oct 19 LIONS Win
Oct 26 BENGALS Win
Nov 2 @ Vikings
Nov 9 RAVENS
Nov 16 @ Colts
Nov 23 @ Browns Win
Dec 1 JAGUARS Win
Dec 7 @ Packers
Dec 14 TITANS
Dec 21 @ Raiders Win
Dec 28 BEARS Win


Only one of the wins I am showing is against a solid team. And that is on Monday night here at home. There are a couple of other games that are winnable on that schedule, and everyone should know that. This is the NFL, and the schedule they gave us.

Now if our young team can learn how to win games, not make that one or two plays a game that kills itself, then they are truly still in this.

[nero THE zero]

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see us win 8 or 9 of those games. I think every single one of them is winnable.

[kravix]

Well on the brightside we can still go 12-4....

[Joshua]

Oct 12 DOLPHINS Win
Oct 19 LIONS Win
Oct 26 BENGALS Win
Nov 2 @ Vikings
Nov 9 RAVENS
Nov 16 @ Colts
Nov 23 @ Browns Win
Dec 1 JAGUARS Win
Dec 7 @ Packers
Dec 14 TITANS
Dec 21 @ Raiders Win
Dec 28 BEARS Win


Only one of the wins I am showing is against a solid team. And that is on Monday night here at home. There are a couple of other games that are winnable on that schedule, and everyone should know that. This is the NFL, and the schedule they gave us.

Now if our young team can learn how to win games, not make that one or two plays a game that kills itself, then they are truly still in this.

I think more than than 1 of those teams are solid. Miami is playing well right now and have been very innovative. I don't have high hopes of Richard Smith deciphering whatever they throw at us. Browns are down this year but brought back basically the same team as last year that went 10-6. By starting the season slow, they are a lot like us actually, only a little better (last year and this year) and I don't see how that's a gimme, particularly on the road where we suck. Oakland is better than people give them credit for. They run the ball and stop the run, something the Texans struggle with. Finally, Chicago may win their division and are actually pretty good. I certainly wouldn't say they are below "solid." In all, I think the schedule is much tougher than you are giving it credit for.

Granted, I'm probably at the lowest point in my Texan fandom history and am being pessimistic.

[coloradodude]

Unless we do a complete recersal with game planning and preparation, we win 4 games. If we do turn it around and "come together" so to speak we can 9 games. We are so close.

The Houston Texans are definitely the delicate genius.

[nero THE zero]

Unless we do a complete recersal with game planning and preparation, we win 4 games. If we do turn it around and "come together" so to speak we can 9 games. We are so close.

The Houston Texans are definitely the delicate genius.

Yep.

I can see the story line go either way. It could be a miraculous rebound where a team, shaken by a tough opening schedule and a natural disaster, turns it around to win a franchise high 9 or 10 games. Or, we could continue to spiral downward, getting the wrong bounces in every game and end up winning 5 all season.

Either way, I think we are a better team than last year. Hopefully McNair doesn't panic and holds on to Kubiak to see how this team progresses.

[KJ3]

I say if we go backwards to 4 (or below) wins kubiak needs a real examining and probably gets fired. 5-7 wins Kubiak keeps it but gets the hot seat next year. The true sign (in my mind anyway) that this team has progressed is if they do "turn it around" and come through so much adversity to 8+ wins. Looking at the schedule though....every game could go either way.

[NBT]

Hey guys, come on, let's get off the Doom & Gloom. How about we start by winning the first one. After that they will all look easier, IMO.

[chuck]

The Texans will beat the Lions. I'm pretty sure of that.

Just to say something positive I'll note (as others have done) that Amobi played great last week. It was the first time I've ever seen him find that gear. If he keeps it up all they need is half a DL, 2/3s of their LBs and the entire secondary. Hell, I haven't seen Molden play and he might be pretty good.

[Nconroe]

yes, from 0-4 and loosing two close ones its tough, but all 12 are winnable, and then maybe 8-8 would be more realistic. agree team is better than last year, better than its record this year, and headed in right direction with players and coaches.

[nero THE zero]

I say if we go backwards to 4 (or below) wins kubiak needs a real examining and probably gets fired. 5-7 wins Kubiak keeps it but gets the hot seat next year. The true sign (in my mind anyway) that this team has progressed is if they do "turn it around" and come through so much adversity to 8+ wins. Looking at the schedule though....every game could go either way.

I don't know, I think Kubiak's situation is kind of special. Because of his system, we have built an o-line that is relatively small and light, that would certainly have to be changed if we were to switch to any other offensive system. Given that, I think we should be positively certain that Kubiak is not the guy before we dump him for someone else. If we have a 4 win season, but a bunch of losses like the past 2, I would have no problem keeping him on as the season was more bad luck than bad play/coaching.

Of course, that's all an exercise in futility as we will end up with 9 wins this season

[KJ3]

Of course, that's all an exercise in futility as we will end up with 9 wins this season

oh yea! I forgot!

really though, I just don't want losing to become acceptable.....if it hasn't already.

[NBT]

The Texans will beat the Lions. I'm pretty sure of that.

Just to say something positive I'll note (as others have done) that Amobi played great last week. It was the first time I've ever seen him find that gear. If he keeps it up all they need is half a DL, 2/3s of their LBs and the entire secondary. Hell, I haven't seen Molden play and he might be pretty good.

Hey Chuck, are you becoming a homer down there in Miami? We will beat the Dolphins this weekend at Reliant stadium. You just hafta feelit.

[NBT]

Hey Chuck, you didn't reply, but your answer was plain enough. Can you say I gotcha?!

[painekiller]

Oct 12 DOLPHINS Win
Oct 19 LIONS Win
Oct 26 BENGALS Win
Nov 2 @ Vikings
Nov 9 RAVENS
Nov 16 @ Colts
Nov 23 @ Browns Win
Dec 1 JAGUARS Win
Dec 7 @ Packers
Dec 14 TITANS
Dec 21 @ Raiders Win
Dec 28 BEARS Win



It appears that this team is a what it is, a young team learning how to win. We won the 3 games that we should have, and we lost a game we could have won. If this team learns to stop beating itself, then they will dangerous.

I will not be calling for Kubiak's job when the season is over, and I will not be surprised if he does not have a major coaching change. I am not saying that I would keep the coaches, only that I believe that Kubiak keeps his guys.

This team did not get a bye week and it will start to show, guys like Ryans will start to wear down. So unlike last year expect a drop off in play in December.

So I see the team being close to where I thought, how about you?

[WMH]

I think all 8 are "winnable" games......Are we going to win all 8, probably not. There are no dominant teams this year (even Bud's team at 8-0 is not flawless), and we have shown glimpses that we have the talent to hang with the best of them. It all depends on which team shows up.
Lame answer, but that is my two cents.

[NBT]

Honestly, I can't see us with even a break even year. What an absolute bummer. We are right back at the bottom of the division where we always are, while the Tacks, who weren't supposed to be that good are unbeaten. Who'd of thunk?

6-10 or 7-9 best guess.

[chuck]

The Texans should beat the Jags and the Raiders. I'm not sure they'll win both games, though. I can't see them winning any of the others.

[nero THE zero]

I'll be surprised if we win more than 6

[NBT]

I wonder what that would do to Kubiak's future as HC of the Texans. He seems to be in over his head.

[Joshua]

I wonder what that would do to Kubiak's future as HC of the Texans. He seems to be in over his head.

While I haven't quite given up on Kubiak yet, I saw an interesting stat in the chronicle today. Apparently, only 13 of the league's 32 coaches have had a longer tenure than Kubiak's 2 1/2 years with the Texans. My first thought is how this really highlights how the NFL is a "what have you done for me lately" league where results are expected, and quickly. Second, this should end the notion that Kubiak is still learning the ropes, etc. He's been with this team longer than 2/3 of the league's coaches have been with theirs.

[Arky]

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

How do you win football games? One game at a time.

While it's kind of a fun exercise to predict the final record at the start of the season, you'll find no shortage of messageboard posters that will be happy to enlighten you with their Nostradamus-like powers each and every week of the season. ;) Don't get me wrong, not picking at anyone here specifically, but the record that only counts is the one after Week 17. (and while I'm at it, if you read a lot of messageboards/blogs like I do, beware of anyone that declares themselves a "realist". These "realists" are almost always spewing pessimism - not realism).

Having said that, the Texans are 3-5 at the halfway point - the same record as last year at this time. Last year they finished 8-8 so I see no reason why they can't at least do that again this year.

Before the season started, I was thinking 9-7 but wouldn't have been shocked with an 8-8 finish. There were even a few very wise folks that said something along the lines of "we could go 7-9 and might be a better team (than 2007))"....

So, I'm seeing a lot of really angry, disgruntled and disappointed fans on the various Texan messageboards and blogs, undoubtedly, people who were thinking 10+ wins, playoffs, etc... My expectations were 8-9 wins so I can't say as I'm too upset at what has transpired so far (although that Colt game was a rough one). While I'll probably be disappointed with a 5 or 6 win season, we won't really know what happens until Week 17....