The upcoming Chicago game (12-28-08)

[Arky]

For the Texans final game of the season, the early line has the Bears as a 2.5 to 3 point favorite depending on where you check. Chicago has lots to play for - they have to win and get a little help to make the playoffs so they should be up for the game. Expect their best effort.

For the Texans, it will mark a chance to redeem themselves after the "chokin' in Oakton". They can even up their record at 8-8 like last year's record or they can lose and make many unhappy (of course, the "downside" of losing is that they will move up the draft board just a tad).

It's the home closer for the Texans and I look forward to an exciting game. Last year's closer had two exciting TD kickoff returns by Andre Davis and I expect the Texans to come out firing. It will be the last chance for some players and coaches to show they deserve to stick around.

[nunusguy]

I think the Texans will produce a much stronger effort in the season finale in Reliant than they did in Oakland and I expect them to win the game.
If they don't we draft marginally higher in April which should improve our chances of getting one of those potential NFL-defensive-playmakers we so need to take our D to another level. I dunno, but that sounds like an "upside" to me for a defeat Sunday ?

[Big Texas]

statistically speaking we should win. But with dumb coaching decisions, and at least one mistake every game on the part of our qb we could conceivably lose as well.

And with the likes of Urlacher, Briggs, and a 4th ranked defense against the run. They are no pushovers.

But again we do play well at home. So I think its a toss up.

[Mike]

I think we will see the Texan team that resembled the squad during the win streak. They were flat last weekend.

This last game of the season is somewhat of a relief. This has been a long season. Seems that life has really went by fast since Ike blew through here.

I still feel this team although it has warts is going to be OK. I think they and we should quell the word playoffs and hopefully get off to a better start next year. I think we have more good pieces now than ever before.

Sucks that walking out of Reliant this Sunday will cause the mind to leap forward 8 months until August and cause too many "what if's" flashbacks for this year. (what if Sage slides, what if we stopped Garrard on one of the 4th downs, what if the defense played all year like they played during the win streak.") I am tired of the what if's. I want to have a football team that is a dominant force, but come February, I'll be making my season ticket payment.

[Arky]

Update:

Seems that ESPN's (http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/scoreboard) point spreads are just wacky. The Texans are actually the one favored by 2.5 to 3 points (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php).

Also, the Texan's game will be an early game (http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/2008-17-FOX1.html) on FOX. Apparently, the NFL has waived the TV rules for Week 17 as everyone will get 2 CBS games and 2 FOX games on Sunday. I think most will keep it right on FOX as Dallas goes against Philadelphia in the late game (http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/2008-17-FOX2.html). The Sunday night flex game on NBC features Denver @ San Diego for all the marbles in the AFC West.

[NBT]

For Chicago, a playoff berth. For Houston, there is nothing to play for. Chgo 31 - Hou - 16.

7-9 season, and a bitter pill for the fans who thought 9-7, or 10-6 was not out of the realm of possibility at the start of the season.

For the New Year I wish for a really good Texan Draft, and a coach that doesn't get outplayed and outcoached.