Christmas Miracle Weekend Begins... [aka Week 16 & 17 Scoreboard Watching]

[HPF Bob]

Here's your live (well, semi-live) thread detailing the 12th-place Texans' pursuit to a playoff berth in just two weeks. How? Well, here's how:

Friday, Dec. 25th:

6:30 p.m. Chargers must beat Titans. Will the already-clinched Chargers have a let-down on the road in a short week or is locking down a first-round bye enough to get their juices flowing?

Sunday, Dec. 27th:

Noon Patriots must beat Jaguars. This win is crucial for our playoff hopes, both in helping us leap into second place in the AFC South but also to soften up the Pats for their final-week game in Houston.

Noon Steelers must beat Ravens.* This game is not really crucial but if the Ravens win, then the rest are playing for the last playoff berth. If the Steelers win, they stay in the playoff hunt but you'll have more teams sharing the same fate for Week 17.

Noon Texans must beat Dolphins. Nothing else matters if this doesn't happen but the Texans are undefeated lifetime against the Fins so I have confidence in them to win a close one.

3:15 p.m. Eagles must beat Broncos. Eagles get Westbrook back. The Broncos fired Shanahan for a late-season collapse. New coach, same collapse.

3:15 p.m. Colts must beat Jets. Hate to root for Manning and his quest for perfection but you can't choose your friends when you're begging for miracles.

If the miracle happens, the Texans will be 8-7 along with the Ravens, Steelers and Broncos while the Dolphins, Jets, Titans and Jaguars sit at 7-8 and in need of their own miracle next week. There would be two wild card slots up for grabs, so Houston would need to win Jan 3rd while any two of the Broncos (vs KC), Ravens (@ OAK) and Steelers (@ MIA) lose in order to make the playoffs.

*Should Baltimore beat the Steelers on Sunday, Baltimore clinches the #5 seed and it will be down to the Texans and Broncos for the #6 seed if the rest of the scenario plays out.

[painekiller]

Thank you Bob for laying that out so I could understand the road we have ahead of us..

[WMH]

From Yahoo via Kuharsky's blog:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/playoffscenario?algorithm=yahooranker

Basically, you can mix and match, and it will calculate who's in, and who's not. From the looks of it, we need to all favorites, except the Titans (and I still don't understand how they are favorites) to win this weekend. That happens, and a Denver loss to KC in week 17, and we are sliding into playoff in the 6th seed.

It will be a great weekend of football, with a lot on the line for a host of teams.

Of course that will all depend on whether or not we show up against Miami, and then play balls out against NE.

[Keith]

Well, a Titans win tonight won't eliminate the Texans, even if you expect the Titans to win in Seattle the following week.

But the road will get immensely more difficult if the Chargers can't find a way to win tonight in Nashville. The Titans are hurting at LB now though without Keith Bulluck and David Thornton. Hopefully that opens up the Charger rushing attack.

After a slow start, the Chargers rush defense has improved. Of course, they haven't had to face Chris Johnson with the threat of Vince Young running it, either. Should be a good one.

[HPF Bob]

Nice.

According to that, there's one scenario where we become the fifth seed (and face a rematch with the Patriots) as the only 9-7 team while the Jaguars survive as the sixth seed at 8-8.

[NBT]

If IF and BUTS were candy and nuts, what a wonderful Christmas it would be.

[HPF Bob]

L.T. with a one-yard TD late in the first quarter to make it 7-3 Chargers.

[HPF Bob]

Rivers to Gates for 36 Yds...TD...Tennessee challeges... Replay confirms!...TD!

XP good - SD 14, Titans 3 with 8:46 left in the second.

[Keith]

2nd VY turnover. Between the flags and TOs, the Titans are really helping out the Texans here.

and I love it.

[HPF Bob]

A 52-yd TD pass is overturned by penalty but the Chargers shrug it off and march down the field anyway... TS pass to Sprout...XP good.

Chargers 21, Titans 3 3:13 left in the second qtr. If the Titans can't score before the half, this one can be put on cruise control.

Same ol' Oilers. Hey Bud! This finger's for you!

[James]

Should it work out this way, and the Broncos and Texans both finish 9-7 we would tie in conference record, leading to a head to head breakdown, in which we would tie at 3-2 apiece. That leads to a strength of victory tiebreaker. The Broncos are +5 points in those 5 games. We have played 4 of the games, with New England yet to be determined. We are currently +20. Any victory over the Patriots and a finish of 9-7 would give us a tiebreaker victory over the Broncos, thus if the scenario of dreams plays out and Baltimore loses out along with the Steelers losing to Miami would give us a berth.

[HPF Bob]

Vince comes to life and scores just before half. This one's not over yet.

Chargers 21, Titans 10 as halftime approaches.

[TheMatrix31]

so Houston would need to win Jan 3rd while any two of the Broncos (vs KC), Ravens (@ OAK) and Steelers (@ MIA) lose in order to make the playoffs.
.

Only the Broncos or Ravens need to lose. The Steelers/Miami one doesnt make a difference according to the scenario maker on Yahoo.

[popanot]

Love it when Courtland Fooligan makes an a-hole play. Doesn't look like the Titans are going to be able to hang with the Chargers tonight. Tell you what, the Chargers are probably the scariest team in the NFL right now.

[HPF Bob]

L.T. caps off a scoring drive to make it 28-10 Chargers. Not looking good for the Bud Boys in Nashpatch.

[TheMatrix31]

Love it when Courtland Fooligan makes an a-hole play. Doesn't look like the Titans are going to be able to hang with the Chargers tonight. Tell you what, the Chargers are probably the scariest team in the NFL right now.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Chargers/Eagles or Chargers/Packers in the Super Bowl.

[HPF Bob]

Only the Broncos or Ravens need to lose. The Steelers/Miami one doesnt make a difference according to the scenario maker on Yahoo.

Indeed, it gives the Texans the tiebreaker with Pittsburgh if they are both 9-7 but I'm not sure why. Both will have the same crappy conference record so it must come down to common opponents in which case our win over Cincy while they lost to them twice is probably huge.

[HPF Bob]

Sprout gets another TD. It's 35-10 and this one's over.

Step one accomplished.

[TheMatrix31]

42-10. Beatdown.

[nunusguy]

The fact that the Titans loss starts to give us more than just a glimmer of hope of making the playoffs if we win out makes it more unlikely we win in FLA tomorrow, IMO.
I can't help but be pessimistic since this team has had so many chances in key games (especially intra-division games) this year to step up and make a statement and in each opportunity it's flunked the test.

[HPF Bob]

There's always a chance we can lay an egg but if Schaub has time to throw, Miami's young corners can be burned. Getting Moats/Brown started early will be a big key to that.

Missing Slaton & Daniels takes away our second and third top weapons so Baby Shan has to get more creative.

Our LBs also have to have a great game to keep their rushing attack in check. I think I heard that Ronnie Brown is out for the season and Ricky Williams (minus the dreads) is now their primary weapon. That limits the Wildcat offense somewhat. If we can get them to the point where Chad Henne has to win the game for them, I like out chances.

[popanot]

IMO, this is the biggest game in Texans history. They have everything to play for since they're still in it and won't know their ultimate fate at game start. If they play well, even if they lose next week or miss the playoffs, then Kubiak should get another year. If they come out flat and play poorly, Kubiak should go. If you can't get up for a game like this, then something is seriously wrong with the coaching and/or resolve of the players.

[TheMatrix31]

IMO, this is the biggest game in Texans history. They have everything to play for since they're still in it and won't know their ultimate fate at game start. If they play well, even if they lose next week or miss the playoffs, then Kubiak should get another year. If they come out flat and play poorly, Kubiak should go. If you can't get up for a game like this, then something is seriously wrong with the coaching and/or resolve of the players.


Nah, not the biggest game in Texans history. That would have been one of the four games we lost in the middle of the season. This is a "everything else is just gravy" game.

[mussop]

Nah, not the biggest game in Texans history. That would have been one of the four games we lost in the middle of the season. This is a "everything else is just gravy" game.

I dissagree, since the inception of this franchise we've never had a chance (albeit a minute one) to make the playoffs this late in the season. We should be going into this game with the mindset it is a playoff game.

[TheMatrix31]

Weren't we still in it last year going into the second-to-last week? Or maybe that was the season before?

[HPF Bob]

Miracle Update: At the half of the early games...

Patriots 28, Jaguars 0.
Steelers 20, Rabens 10.

TEXANS 27, Dolphins 3

All systems are still go. Steelers have more work to do but we are well on the way to pulling off the blueprint. If these scores hold, we vault into second place in the division and we're in the playoff hunt for the final week at home against the nothing-to-play-for Patriots.

[HPF Bob]

Not as easy as it looked at halftime but Mission Accomplished. The Christmas Miracle Weekend continues!

New England 35, Jacksonville 7
Pittsburgh 23, Baltimore 20

HOUSTON 27, Miami 20.

Now, we are Eagle and (ahem) Colt fans. If they both win, we go into the final week with four teams left in the wild card mix.

[Arky]

Hmm, in Houston, CBS showing Colts vs. Jets ..... was supposed to be Broncos vs. Eagles...

[WMH]

Hmm, in Houston, CBS showing Colts vs. Jets ..... was supposed to be Broncos vs. Eagles...

It's on 790AM if you are in Houston.

[cland]

4/4 on the miracle games!!! Let's go Eagles and Colts!!!

[Arky]

It's on 790AM if you are in Houston.

Thanks, amigo!

[HPF Bob]

Eagles score late in first qtr - Phi 7, Den 0
Colts score but botch extra point - Ind 6, NYJ 0.

[HPF Bob]

Eagles and Colts both extend leads with field goals -

Phi 10, Den 0

Ind 9, NYJ 0

[HPF Bob]

Halftime updates:

Phi 20, Den 7
Ind 9, NYJ 3

[HPF Bob]

Jets get a TD, Colts respond with TD but fail on 2-pt conversion.

Ind 15, NYJ 10 (3rd).

[WMH]

I like the Yahoo scenario better, but the below link came from Solomon's blog.

http://www.playoffstatus.com/nfl/texansclinch.html

[HPF Bob]

Eagles score again to go up 27-10 on Denver in the third.

[HPF Bob]

Jets force a fumble and return it for a TD - 2-pt conversion is good.

NYJ 18, Ind 15 - late in the 3rd. :(

[Fonz the Boss]

It doesnt look like Peyton is coming back even after Jets took the lead.... Chalk one up for the Jets. Go Bengals!!!

[WMH]

Jets force a fumble and return it for a TD - 2-pt conversion is good.

NYJ 18, Ind 15 - late in the 3rd. :(

That Caldwell jackass pulled Manning. What a pisser.....:mad:

[TheMatrix31]

So if everything holds this way....

We need

A) Houston win, Jets loss, and EITHER Baltimore or Denver loss.

OR

B) Houston win, Jets win, and BOTH Baltimore AND Denver loss.

[HPF Bob]

Jets add a FG - Jets 21, Ind 15 (4th)

Broncos add a TD - Phi 27, Den 17 (4th)

[Fonz the Boss]

Broncos add another Eagles 27, Broncos 24

[TheMatrix31]

If the Broncos beat the Eagles....

We would need Baltimore to lose for sure, a Houston win, and a Jets loss for SURE.

[HPF Bob]

Colts have their work cut out for them now. Under 6:00 to go and Jets up, 29-15. And this was the game I was least worried about when the day began.

[TheMatrix31]

Colts have their work cut out for them now. Under 6:00 to go and Jets up, 29-15. And this was the game I was least worried about when the day began.


Seriously. I have a lot of respect and admiration for the Colts, but **************** them for this.

[HPF Bob]

Colts are not playing Manning, even with a perfect season on the line. :(

Painter intercepted. Looks like the Jets are winning this.

[TheMatrix31]

This is despicable.

[HPF Bob]

Jets beat the Colts. Broncos trail by 3 late in Philly and are at Midfield.

Broncos tie game at 27-27 midway through 4th.

[popanot]

I'm completely disgusted by what the Colts did today. I'm sure Manning is pretty disgusted, too. If they were going to play Manning at all they should have at least racked up some points and then played Painter and the other slugs all they wanted and let the chips fall were they may.

Since we've been in the AFC South with the Colts I never really had the passionate hate for them like I do the Jags and Titans. That all changed today. From here on I want nothing more than for them to get destroyed in any game they play.

[TheMatrix31]

Since we've been in the AFC South with the Colts I never really had the passionate hate for them like I do the Jags and Titans. That all changed today. From here on I want nothing more than for them to get destroyed in any game they play.

Not sure if I feel EXACTLY the same way, but I feel the same way.

[HPF Bob]

The good news is that the Jets close the season with the Bengals and if the Bengals take next week's game more seriously the Colts did this week, the Jets aren't home free yet.

[HPF Bob]

Akers FG w/:04 left... Phi 30, Den 27.

Looks like the miracle plan worked until the Colts gave up.

[WMH]

The good news is that the Jets close the season with the Bengals and if the Bengals take next week's game more seriously the Colts did this week, the Jets aren't home free yet.

Do the Bengals have anything to play for next week? That is a HUGE question in my mind.

[TheMatrix31]

So here it is...assuming the Texans beat NE....

Jets have to lose to Cincy, coupled with a Ravens OR Broncos loss.

OR

Jets beat Cincy, and the Ravens AND Broncos have to lose.

[Arky]

We owe the Colts so, so many paybacks. This is just one more...

Can't say I will be rooting for them during the playoffs....

[HPF Bob]

AFC Conference Records of wild card candidates (w wk16 opp)

NYJ 6-5 vs CIN
BAL 6-5 at Oak
DEN 6-5 vs KC
HOU 5-6 vs NE
PIT 5-6 at Mia

While the 7-8 teams still have a mathematical chance, they'd need four of the above teams to lose next week in order to get in.

[TheMatrix31]

You just KNOW that Bengals/Jets game is going to be one of those ugly 15-12 games.

[TexanJedi]

I'm completely disgusted by what the Colts did today. I'm sure Manning is pretty disgusted, too. If they were going to play Manning at all they should have at least racked up some points and then played Painter and the other slugs all they wanted and let the chips fall were they may.

Since we've been in the AFC South with the Colts I never really had the passionate hate for them like I do the Jags and Titans. That all changed today. From here on I want nothing more than for them to get destroyed in any game they play.

Yeah, I am ticked too. I mean does Caldwell have any respect for the integrity of the game. I know, if we had taken care of business earlier we would not be score board watching, but really they simply handed the game to the Jets and their perfect season right along with it. So, Indy will be sitting on their hands for basically three weeks. I was rooting for Dungy and Indy to win the Super Bowl in the past (until our time comes assuming it does) but no more. I hope they bow out quickly for this stunt today. And I will say this, any coach should remember this incident in the future if they should ever hold Indy's fate in their hands.:(

[Keith]

I hope the Texans make it as the #6 seed and win in the wild card round only so they can do medieval things to the Colts in the divisional round. That is my dream.

[WMH]

PFT is reporting that the Bengals vs Jets game has been flexed to Sunday night......At least we will know if it really means something.

I just hope Cincy plays their starters.

[Big Texas]

TO BREAK A TIE FOR THE WILD-CARD TEAM

If it is necessary to break ties to determine the two Wild-Card clubs from each conference, the following steps will be taken.

1. If the tied clubs are from the same division, apply division tie breaker.
2. If the tied clubs are from different divisions, apply the following steps.

Three or More Clubs

(Note: If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are eliminated, tie breaker reverts to step 1 of applicable two-club format.)

1. Apply division tie breaker to eliminate all but the highest ranked club in each division prior to proceeding to step 2. The original seeding within a division upon application of the division tie breaker remains the same for all subsequent applications of the procedure that are necessary to identify the two Wild-Card participants.
2. Head-to-head sweep. (Applicable only if one club has defeated each of the others or if one club has lost to each of the others.)
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9. Best net points in conference games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
12. Coin toss

When the first Wild-Card team has been identified, the procedure is repeated to name the second Wild-Card, i.e., eliminate all but the highest-ranked club in each division prior to proceeding to step 2. In situations where three or more teams from the same division are involved in the procedure, the original seeding of the teams remains the same for subsequent applications of the tie breaker if the top-ranked team in that division qualifies for a Wild-Card berth.

This is just in case there is someone out there trying to figure out what we are talking about.

[Big Texas]

PFT is reporting that the Bengals vs Jets game has been flexed to Sunday night......At least we will know if it really means something.

I just hope Cincy plays their starters.

Cincy and NE are tied. I would imagine they would continue to play for homefield advantage should they meet one another in the AFC championship game. This is what I would think.

Bad news for us. This would mean that NE would be breaking out the big dawgs next Sunday.

[Arky]

Bad news for us. This would mean that NE would be breaking out the big dawgs next Sunday.

Bring 'em on. Don't want anyone saying that NE gave it to us. If the Texans can't beat NE at home, then they don't deserve the playoffs....

[Arky]

Eheh, early line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) has the Texans as 7 to 8 point favorites over New England....

[WMH]

Eheh, early line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) has the Texans as 7 to 8 point favorites over New England....

WOW.......That is very surprising. I would guess they are expecting Belecheat to mail it in.

[Arky]

WOW.......That is very surprising. I would guess they are expecting Belecheat to mail it in.

Yep, Baltimore (-10), NYJ (-8.5) and Denver (-13) are all heavy favorites, too...

[itssharif]

You know to be able to wake up on the morning of our final regular season game and be able to say hey by the end of this day we could be a PLAYOFF team just feels so good to me right now. So proud of the team for today's performance. Now aside from that back to scenarios:

Week 17 - Starting 12 p (CST)

New England (10-5) @ Houston Texans (8-7)
Pittsburgh (8-7) @ Miami Dolphins (7-8)

Week 17 Starting 3:15p (CST)

Baltimore Ravens (8-7) @ Oakland Raiders (5-10)
Kansas City (3-12) @ Denver Broncos (8-7)

Week 17 Starting at 7:20 (CST)

Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) @ New York Jets (8-7)

Looking at this if the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers take care of business the pressure will be on the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos (and it pretty much already is anyway) but hopefully it will be a little more pressureful maybe so much so that hopefully it ends up being catastrophic for them. The Cincinnati Bengals by the start of their game will probably be playing out scenario after scenario over and over again based on the outcome of their game with the Jets. OUR GAME is so critical, mainly because if we don't win we're done, but also because if we can just somehow force the Bengals to have to play they may want to consider playing a team that has never been to the playoffs in us (although they probably do already know how dangerous we could be seeing as to how we have beaten them already) but also in a sense dictate what they believe would be their best way through the 2009/10 NFL Playoffs. They probably don't want anything to do with the Colts and since their affair with the San Diego Chargers ended with a valiant hard fought loss by a game winning field goal they may just believe their best shot in the NFL playoffs is by winning their initial game at home and then playing at San Diego rather than at Indy. All this being said I just hope they show up for this game and don't just pull a Jim Caldwell on us and rest their players and not care. The Jets shouldn't even deserve being in such a favorable position after not even realizing that they weren't yet eliminated from playoff contention. All this being said here's to hope guys.

[WMH]

If it is true, and sticks.....this certainly helps our miracle cause:

From PFT:

Brandon Marshall benched
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 1, 2010 12:34 PM ET
Brandon Marshall will sit out Denver's season finale, but it's not just because of his hamstring injury.

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels announced Friday Marshall will sit because of a coach's decision.

McDaniels reportedly said the reason was an accountability issue. According to the Twitter account of Colorado Springs Gazette reporter Frank Schwab: "McD's message is Marshall wouldn't play through some injuries that others will play with on Sunday."

Marshall was suspended by McDaniels in training camp, when Marshall also appeared to milk an injury and give less than full effort. Marshall's contract is up after the season, and he may be trying to avoid an injury that keeps him from getting paid.

Of course, an incident like this is a huge reminder that any long-term contract for Marshall will have its risks.

[HPF Bob]

If Houston wins, the Bengals will have more to play for (the #3 seed). If New England wins, the Bengals will have nothing specific to play for and the Jets may get the double gift of free wins over two division champs.

[Big Texas]

If it is true, and sticks.....this certainly helps our miracle cause:

From PFT:

Brandon Marshall benched
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 1, 2010 12:34 PM ET
Brandon Marshall will sit out Denver's season finale, but it's not just because of his hamstring injury.

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels announced Friday Marshall will sit because of a coach's decision.

McDaniels reportedly said the reason was an accountability issue. According to the Twitter account of Colorado Springs Gazette reporter Frank Schwab: "McD's message is Marshall wouldn't play through some injuries that others will play with on Sunday."

Marshall was suspended by McDaniels in training camp, when Marshall also appeared to milk an injury and give less than full effort. Marshall's contract is up after the season, and he may be trying to avoid an injury that keeps him from getting paid.

Of course, an incident like this is a huge reminder that any long-term contract for Marshall will have its risks.

As I understand it, Royal is out as well.

[HPF Bob]

As I understand it, Royal is out as well.

And Scheffler has been benched. Their receiving weapons on Sunday will be Stokely, Gaffney and Graham.

[bckey]

And Scheffler has been benched. Their receiving weapons on Sunday will be Stokely, Gaffney and Graham.

Heaven knows the Texans need handouts.

[Arky]

The whole Brandon Marshall thing I believe has caused the Denver/KC spread to drop a full 3 points - now at Denver by 10 (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php).

Also, late money seems to be pouring in on NE - Texans now favored by just 7.....

So, as of early Sunday morning, Texans by 7 and the three other teams in the Texans' playoff scenario are all roughly favored by 10....

[painekiller]

Not to rain on the parade. I wanted to say a couple of things.

1st off if you told me 9-7 to start the season I would have been happy, I might have guessed that that would be shy of the playoffs, but would have been satisfied.

2nd This team is still one of the youngest teams in the league, we have virtually no veteran leadership with winning experience. The culture has changed, and it moving in the right direction.

3rd Kubiak will not be fired even if we loose tomorrow due to a $3M buy out in his contract. That is on top of his salary that Mcnair would still have to pay. Not a wise business move. Plus Bob is on record of saying he thought the players where not executing the plays the way the coaches were coaching. Kubiak has one more draft to hit a Home run in.

4th We are still shy on the talent pool, but most teams are. Most teams play inconsistent, watch them like you do the Texans, and you will notice this. Every team has fans that complain about their team, welcome to the internet.

5th Th average Houston fan is a front runner, he only goes to events, he does not know the roster and will come out of the wood work if this team makes the play offs.

Now go cheer the team to a new high in wins and expectation for next season.

[TheMatrix31]

Chiefs score early!

[TheMatrix31]

What....the ****************....was that.

[gunn]

If they sneek in to the playoffs... I hope they bring in kicker

[HPF Bob]

Late in the third, Denver losing by 10. Ravens lead by only one but JaSuckus has just thrown a pick so Ravens are in the red zone.

[Big Texas]

Orton has just thrown his second interception to Derrick Brooks for a TD. This could be our game.

[Roy P]

I think we will have to depend upon the Chiefs and Bengals.

[Keith]

A Chiefs win only makes me that much more upset at the Colts from last week. :mad:

Who DEY!! :p Let's go!

[Big Texas]

The Chiefs have all but taken out the Broncos. Up by 18. Come on Bengals. The Jets are a bunch of free loaders.

[HPF Bob]

Jets don't deserve to make it. Unfortunately, the NFL has probably told the refs to make sure a NY team makes the playoffs - for the ratings.

C'mon Ben-GALS! Put the Texans in the playoffs!

[TexanJedi]

Jets don't deserve to make it. Unfortunately, the NFL has probably told the refs to make sure a NY team makes the playoffs - for the ratings.

C'mon Ben-GALS! Put the Texans in the playoffs!

I fear you are right, that and the Bengals don't want to face us again. I hope we are going to witness one of the biggest choke jobs in NFL history tonight on the Jets part.

[Big Texas]

Mark Sanchez is poised to choke tonight.

[TheMatrix31]

Go bengals!

[WMH]

Cedric Benson is inactive for the game tonight, but Palmer is active and starting.

From PFT:
Let there be no doubt about the Bengals' intentions Sunday night. They are resting their starters. Or at least one of them.

Running back Cedric Benson was among the inactives announced by the Bengals before the Jets-Bengals game tonight. Bernard Scott will start for Benson.

Also out: Fui Vakapuna, Chris Crocker, Jonathan Luigs, J.P. Foschi, Robert Geathers, and Domako Peko.

Carson Palmer will still start at quarterback for the Bengals.

Wide receiver David Clowney is among the Jets inactives.

[HPF Bob]

Brad Smith makes a long run on the first possession and Thomas Jones punches it it. 7-0 Jets early.

[Mike]

Bengals finally with a first down... c'mon guys!

[Mike]

Rex Ryan is a big fat bag of hot garbage.

[TheMatrix31]

What a joke. This is why you take matters into your own freakin' hands. This is why you don't rely on garbage teams like the Raiders, Chiefs, and Bengals to get you in. This is why you don't blow six games in one year. This is why you don't rely on having to hope that teams play their ****************ing starters or with heart in a generally meaningless game.This is WHY, Houston. THIS IS WHY.

[popanot]

Nice job Bengals! Wouldn't be surprised if the Jets go in your house and smack your @ss again next week.

[popanot]

I hate fkn Mark Sanchez. He has annoying Romo thing about him.

[popanot]

Special thanks go out to Chris Brown and all the other Texans RBs that played like fumbling wimps this year! Hopefully we found an RB who has some toughness.

[Arky]

Ewww.... not looking good is it?

Bengals performance is embarrassing.... :o :o :o And by gosh, I know embarrassment when I see it...

Texans may get the dubious honor of last team eliminated..

[TheMatrix31]

This hurts. My personal confidence and morale is not perfect as is, and this doesn't help.

[Fonz the Boss]

no playoffs so that sucks.... on the the other hand, YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! 9-7 baby!!! Franchise took another step forward with their first ever winning season :D AFC playoff teams were hoping that the Texans were left out because we can beat anybody on any given Sunday. Bengals are gonna crush the weak a$$ Jets.

[TexanJedi]

no playoffs so that sucks.... on the the other hand, YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! 9-7 baby!!! Franchise took another step forward with their first ever winning season :D AFC playoff teams were hoping that the Texans were left out because we can beat anybody on any given Sunday. Bengals are gonna crush the weak a$$ Jets.

A vengeful part of me wishes the Jets were the 6 seed (and Cinci the 3 seed) so they could knock off the Bengals and Colts in back to back weeks. Small justice.:o

[Rush23]

This week's Grossman Fail of the Week award goes to Chad OchoCinco. If you didn't catch it, this past week OchoCinco trash talked Jets CB Darrelle Revis on Twitter all week long and then when the game came around he had 0 catches. Check out the full article here.

http://www.virtualsportsnet.com/2010/01/05/grossman-fail-of-the-week-15/

How do you feel about him trash talking Revis over twitter and then getting shut down? Makes not only him but the Bengals look foolish.

[TheMatrix31]

This is the message I sent him on Twitter....

@ogochocinco maybe next time, you should focus on not talking so much shit and focus on teaching your team to play with testicles, assholes. 6:56 PM Jan 3rd from web