Official Texans vs. Dolphins Game Thread, 9/09/12
 

The Texans will be hosting the Miami Dolphins this Sunday at Reliant with a noon kickoff. I believe this to be a Liberty Whiteout Day so one could expect a whited-out crowd under a closed roof (too hot to be open - projected high of 87º).

The Dolphins will be bringing in a new coach, Joe Philbin and a new QB, Ryan Tannehill, 1st round, 8th overall draft pick in the 2012 draft. Veteran backup QB David Garrard was just released a short while ago.

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon kickoff CST.

Announcers = Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts

The line = Texans by 11.5 to 13.5

Hard to imagine the Texans blowing this one but stranger things have happened. Watch the right side of the line and the middle of the defense if you want to follow our weak points.

Boy is this thread a sight for sore eyes.

Not sure what to expect. All the hype going into this game and season kinda scares me.

Not that hard if you just use your imagination: Holliday fumbles once or maybe twice before Kubiak can get him out of the game, or Newt whiffs on a pass-rush by the 'Phins ProBowl DE Cameron Blake who then proceeds to knock the fragile Schaub out of the game. I won't breathe easy until and if the Texans are coasting on a fat lead well into the 4th quarter.
These guys gave us a tough game last year in Miami and I also remember all too well that big loss against another rookie QB making his NFL debut in Reliant in the season-opener just a couple years ago.

Most of us have been here since the beginning. Because of that, our view is slanted towards when are we going to fail. I'm thinking we have crossed that bridge, and have a quality squad, one that should/will roll bad teams.

Miami is a bad team.

We will roll.

I don't think either of those scenarios alone is enough to cost us this game. I think Holliday could give away a TD or we could play without Schaub and still win comfortably. I'd favor us in this game with Beck at QB. Tannehill barely played college QB, the dolphins have already started trading off pieces for the future, and they don't have the defense to stop the run and make us one dimensional.

Ha, good point. I would add that most of us were Oilers fans as well... hence our predetermined sense of impending doom.

Any given Sunday is always in play, but man these Dolphins really suck. Much different vibe than in 2009 when Rex Ryan came in here to have his Jets bully the Texans.

I have a feeling the Texans defense will score more points than the Dolphins offense on Sunday.

I agree with you here. 24 -6 sound right?

If the Texans can't beat this Dolphins team with authority on Sunday then we might as well pack it up and go home.

Hopefully we beat their asses, and welcome Tannehill nicely....but.....I don't know. I AM a Texans fan after all. And I'm a cautious guy by nature when it comes to the teams I root for and proclaiming victory or domination beforehand.

So, let's see what happens. Take care of the ball, get good field position, limit penalties (including personal fouls, Antonio Smith)....and we should be good.

I suspect we will win decisively, certainly trouncing the 'Phins is a distinct possibility. Truth is I really regret our season opener coming right after last years playoff run and near-miss with a stirring effort in Baltimore being wasted on such a less than steller opponent as Miami. How great would it have been to open up the 2012 season in Reliant Sunday vs the Ravens for example ?

Truth is, I don't regret it at all. Why do you think major college teams tend to schedule cupcakes to open the season? It's because players are still adjusting to the changes of the off-season and getting themselves in game shape.

Particularly since the Texans sat their starters for the second half of the Saints game and the entire Vikings game, a game like this - if it becomes a blowout - is a good situation for the players to get "game ready" against a team who probably won't be a major challenge like the Ravens would.

It could have been nice to see the Dolphins on the schedule right after a brutal game on a short week but facing them in Week 1 isn't worthless at all. We get Jackassville on the road the following week which is, in some ways, another tune-up game. There's nothing wrong with starting 2-0 and forcing the rest of the division to play from behind all year.

and a home opening win is always a nice thing to have for those of us at the game. stadium is going to be crazy this weekend.

Amen. If the Texans could schedule the six worst teams in the NFL and start the year 6-0 that would suit me just fine. Of course with Jacksonville and Indy in the division they're on their way there.

Arian Foster has a sore knee, sat out practice. Brooks Reed and Tim Braman also sat out practice. All three are considered gametime decisions, says Kubiak. Still disappointed we're playing the Dolphins?

I guess I'm good playing Miami. They've played us tough past few years. I'm optimistic we win like 31-10. Just win, I'm happy.

Everybody knows Tate is a better pure running back than Foster, though he for sure doesn't have Arian's versatility but I'm still OK with Ben being our main back this weekend.
OK I'm not really worried but getting slightly apprehensive about the cumulative effect of all of these guys like Cody, Cushing, & Watt missing virtually all of their preseason game snaps and now going out there Sunday and playing for the first time in this new season.
I dunno, so maybe playing the biggest Vegas long shot for the '13 SB for the season opener this Sunday in Reliant isn't such bad timing after all ?

Well, Vegas is a different proposition. If I were to wager, I might take the Fins and the points myself. A lot of very good teams start off ragged in week one. I'd definitely take the Texans straight up but with the points, that's different and that's what the Vegas book is all about - an attempt to get a 50/50 distribution of bets so the House ultimately wins.

My biggest concern about this game isn't our RBs. It's attitude and dealing with expectations. If this team believes all the wonderful things being said about them and thinks all they have to do is find the stadium on Sunday, they might get punched in the mouth. We can't underestimate the Dolphins' defense. Cameron Wake may abuse Newton & Schaub all afternoon. They have good DBs and Burnett & Dansby are very athletic. This could be a low scoring game where a turnover could cost us the game. I'd feel better if Cody, Watts, Cushing, & Reed were 100% healthy. Hopeful that Tannehill doesn't run a lot or able to get the ball to whoever K. Jackson is covering. Reggie Bush isn't nicked up yet, so his speed outside is also a concern. Picking the Texans 22-21.

OMG.....it's here.

Hard to believe, isn't it?

Almost gametime! Let's go Texans!

Texans were up to a whopping 15 pt favorite for a while there at 5 Dimes. Finish at 14.5. Just get the W, boys....

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Texans to kick off.

Miami brings the kickoff back to their 28 or so. Flag down. Holding on Miami, they will start at their 18.

Bush for 1.

Pass to Bess gets 10 and the 1st down.

Bush for 7 up the middle.

Bush gets the 1st down at the Miami 45.

Dump off to Bush gets 4 or 5. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Pass to Thomas in the flat sails inc. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Snap is bobbled and Thomas ends up with it for a 1 yard gain. Dolphins have to punt.

Holliday fair catches the punt at the Texan 10.

Uh, boys....stop dropping the ball yeah?

Dump off to Foster is dropped, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to AJ complete for 11.

Pass complete to OD for 23 over the middle.

Foster sweeps left for about 5. 2nd and 4 coming up.

Quick slant to Martin is dropped. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Short pass to Jean gets about 7 and the 1st down. Ball at the Dolphin 41.

Foster goes left again for about 5.

Tate sweeps right for 6 and the 1st down.

Schaub gets sacked by Starks -4. 2nd and 14 coming up.

Oh man, pass to Jean in the endzone is caught but ruled out of bounds. Kubes tosses the red flag.....

Hey that's a damn touchdown!

Argh. Damn CBS not showing Jean holding onto the ball.

Boooo, plays stands as inc. Jean kinda bobbled the ball on the ground....

On 3rd and 14, dump off to Foster bounces off his hands, inc. Graham to attempt a 52-yard FG.

FG is just short, no good. Dolphins ball at their 42.

Bush up the middle for 11.

Bush for 5.

Bush for 7 and a 1st down. Ball at the Texan 34.

Pass to Fasano good for a 1st down at the Texan 22.

Thomas for about 2.

Pass to Bess gets 6. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Bush caught in the backfield, ball is fumbled but Dolphins recover. Dolphins to go for the FG.

39-yard attempt by Carpenter is good.

Dolphins 3, Texans 0

3:12 left in the 1st quarter.

Is anybody worried about Reggie Bush?

Doh, Holliday bobbles the kickoff and only gets back to the 5. Texans ball.

Foster for 5.

Foster for about 4. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Foster gets caught for no gain. Texans have to punt.

Dolphins fair catch at their 38. Dolphins ball.

1:01 left in the 1st quarter.

Dang, ball is tipped up in the air and somehow Fasano comes down with it for a 4 yard gain.

Thomas for 6 and a 1st down. Ball at midfield.

End of the 1st quarter.

Wake up Defense

Deep pass to Hartline inc. Holding on Dolphins forces a redo. 1st and 20 coming up.

Dump off to Thomas off his hands, inc. 2nd and 20 coming up.

Pass to Bess good for 9. 3rd and 11 coming up.

Pass to Armstrong goes off his hands, inc. Dolphins to punt.

Holliday fair catches the punt at the Texan 12.

So far Miami is getting all bounces...We need to steal the momentum back...

Pass to AJ is broken up, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Dumpoff to Tate gets 8. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Pass to OD wide open is complete to midfield.

Timeout Texans (#1)........

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Colts and Bears tied up at 7.

Falcons and Chiefs tied at 10.

Redskins 10 to 7 over the Saints.

Jags 3, Vikings 0

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Foster sweeps left for 7.

Foster for 1. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Pass to OD is overthrown, inc. Texans to punt.

Ball downs the punt at the Dolphin 6. Dolphins ball.

This is not exactly how I'd drawn this one up.

Forcing a turnover would be nice.

These guys are playing like sh....