Official Texans vs. Vikings Game Thread, 12/23/2012
 

The 12-2 Texans will host the 8-6 Minnesota Vikings this Sunday at Reliant. The Texans hope to get a W which would wrap up the #1 seed in the AFC. Minnesota is currently sitting in the 6th seed of the NFC playoffs but has plenty of people breathing down their neck.

The Texans are coming off a 29-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts. The Texan defense will have the monumental task of trying to contain Adrian Peterson who has a shot at setting a new NFL record for rushing yards. Peterson currently has 1812 yards and needs to average 147 yds/game over the last two regular season games to break the record.

The Vikings won last week over the St. Louis Rams 36-22. QB Christian Ponder has thrown for 2,527 yards with 14 TD's and 12 INT's on the season with a QB rating of 78.6. Favorite targets are WR Percy Harvin and TE Kyle Rudolph. On the defensive side of the ball, keep an eye out for #52 LB Chad Greenway who lead the NFL in tackles with 140.

TV = FOX (channel 26 local), noon Sunday CST

Announcers = Chris Myers, Tim Ryan

The line = Texans by 7.5 to 9

A lot of Texas will miss this game because the Cowboys are also slated for Fox in the same time slot.

Correction:

So how do we deal with AP? Let him get his yards but deny him the "big play"? Concentrate on stopping Ponder and the passing game? Put nine in the box and dare them to throw?

Of more concern to me is keeping Schaub upright around Jared Allen. There's a history there.

Looks like Brooks Reed will start at OLB. Might help our run defense some.

And Eddie Pleasant promoted off practice squad to help special team coverages.

I'm thinking we let Petersen get lots of runs under 5-10 yards, but hopefully no long runs.

Two really good RB in the game, hoping Arian has a big day, and all Texans RB.

Our OL has been starting to stabalize and get better recently.

With everyone but Ball healthy wondering who inactives might be.

AJ will likely go over 800 catches this week, second fastest ever to reach 800, doing it in 137 games.

Last time we played Vikings was 2008 and they won 31-28, I predict this time we win 31-13.

And it would be nice to see Posey continue to shine at WR.

Inactives:

Alan Ball CB Foot
Antoine Caldwell G N/A
Andrew Gardner T N/A
Cody White G N/A
Terrell McClain NT N/A
Quintin Demps S N/A
Stanford Routt CB

More likely in this game: Peterson rushes for 294 yards or JJ gets 3 sacks? Cause all I've been hearing (from NFLN and ESPN) the last two days is Peterson mania....

Oh well, hope Foster out gains him.......

Kickoff in a few.....

Texans win the toss and will receive. Martin brings the kickoff back to the Texan 21.

----------------------------

Dumpoff to Foster gets 12.

Short pass to AJ gets 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Pass over the middle to AJ gets nice gainer. Ball spotted at the Viking 44, 19 yard pickup.

Pass to Posey off his hands inc.

Foster for not much. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass to OD off the mark but flag on the play.... PI on Vikings, auto 1st down for the Texans at the 33 yard line.

Foster for 2.

Foster bottled up for loss of 2. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass to AJ misses.... Texans to go for the 51-yard FG.....

FG is good.

Texans 3, Vikings 0

10:50 left in the 1st quarter.

Vikings bring the ensuing kickoff back to their 22. Vikings ball.

------------------------------

Flags presnap..... false start Vikes backs it up 5. 1st and 15 coming up.

Peterson for 20.

Peterson caught for loss of 2.

Dumpoff pass to Rudolph goes for big gainer... 27 yards...

Reed tackles Ponder for no gain. Ball at the Texan 37.

Peterson for 3. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Pass to Jenkins goes all the way to the Texan 2. 32 yards.

Peterson for no gain. 2nd and goal at the 3.

Ponder's pass to Rudolph goes for the TD.

Vikings 7, Texan 3

6:19 left in the 1st quarter.

Jags 10, Pats 0

Colts 7, Chiefs 3

Saints 7, Cowboys 0

Eagles 7, Redskins 0

Ponder starts 3 for 3, 67 yds and a TD. Hmm.

It's amazing how few people want to talk about the Texans when they win. This year is the fewest ever by far. I guess complaining is just more fun than cheering.

Martin brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Texan 22.

--------------------------------

Tate for no gain.

Schaub can't find a receiver and throws it away, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass to AJ only gets 4. Texans to punt.

Vikes bring the punt back to their 26 but flags are down.... Posey went out of bounds - gives the Vikings 5 more yards. Ball at the Viking 31.

Peterson for 2..

Wright on the end around gets 8 and the 1st down.

Ponder keeps for 2.

Ponder pressured, throws it away, inc. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Screen to Gerhart goes for short gain but flags down... Personal foul -15 after the play on the Vikes..... Brings up 4th and 19 and a punting situation.

Martin brings the punt back to near the Texan 28. Texans ball.

Foster for 8.

Pass to AJ goes into Viking territory. Ball at the Vikes 47.

Foster caught for loss of 4. 2nd and 14 coming up.

Short pass to OD goes for 6. Brings up 3rd and 8.

End of the 1st quarter.

So how fun is it to complain about people not complaining?

Pass to OD goes for the 1st down at the Viking 31.

Dumpoff pass to Foster goes for 3.

Oy, Foster gets 4 or 5 and then fumbles. Vikings recover at their 21. Vikings ball.

Not nearly as fun as complaining about the game.

And on that note our pass rush looks terrible.

We sure do have a lot of problems for a team that's 12-2. Barwin in particular has been a big disappointment.

It would be nice if Texans got a turnover now.

This isn't start I was expecting.

Peterson caught for loss of 1.

Dumpoff pass to Wright goes for 7. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Pass to Jenkins gets about 12 and the 1st down at the Vikes 36.

Peterson for 7.

Peterson gets nice gainer.... ball in the Texan territory at the 46.

Short pass to Simpson gets 2. Less than 10 minutes left in the half.

Pass to Rudolph off the mark, inc. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Pass to Simpson gets 8 and the 1st down. Ball at the Texan 36.

Peterson caught for loss of 2.

Pass to Carlson off the mark, inc. 3rd and 12 coming up.

Ponder's deep pass too long, inc. Vikings to go for the 56-yard FG.

FG is good.

Vikings 10, Texans 3

8:15 left in the half.

Ok, let's tie this game up now.

Get Arian running.

Martin downs the ensuing kickoff in the endzone, touchback. Texans ball at their 20.

-------------------------------

Pass over the middle to AJ goes for 19.

Short pass to Casey goes for 6.

Foster gets 2 or 3. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Schaub rolls out but can't connect, pass is inc. Texans to punt.

Vikings bring the punt back to their 7. Vikes ball.

6:02 left in the half.

Peterson for no gain.

Pass to Simpson broken up by JJo, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Ponder scrambles for 21 up the gut, 1st down.

Peterson for maybe 1.

Peterson for 2. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Pass to Simpson gets 5. Vikings have to punt with less than 3 minutes in the half.

Martin gets the punt back to near the Texan 20. Texans ball with 2:30 left in the half.

Schaub's pass to KW off the mark, inc.

Foster for 1. 3rd and 9 coming up.

2 minute warning.

--------------------------------

Packers 20, Titans 0

Jets 14, Chargers 10

Redskins 13, Eagles 7

Jags 13, Pats 6

On 3rd and 9, Schaub is sacked for loss of 9. Texans have to punt.

Vikings get 19 yards on the punt return - places the ball at the Texan 44 with 1:39 left in the half.

Pass to Wright goes for 21.

Peterson for no gain.

Ponder pressured, throws it away. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Ponder's pass to the sideline goes inc. Vikes will go for the FG.

41-yard FG is good.

Vikings 13, Texans 3

37 seconds left in the half.

Martin brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Texan 23. Texans ball.

------------------

Pass to Posey off the mark, inc.

Schaub's pass is batted down at the LOS, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up. Texans use a timeout....

Schaub throws inc on 3rd down. Texans have to punt with 15 seconds left in the half.

Vikes bring the punt back to their 24. 4 seconds left.

Vikes kneel it.

Halftime.

Vikings 13, Texans 3

Halftime stats:

Passing: Schaub 10/18, 104 yards

Rushing: Foster 8/12

Receiving: AJ 5/64, OD 2/20, Foster 2/14

Tackles: GQ 7, Reed 4, Harris/KJ 3 each, James/Smith/JJo/Manning 2 each

TOP: Texans 13:07, Vikings 16:53

1st downs: Texans 6, Vikings 10

3rd down efficiency: Texans 1/6, Vikings 4/8

Red zone: Texans 0/0, Vikings 1/1

Penalties: Texans 1/5, Vikings 3/32

Turnovers: Texans 1, Vikings 0

Total yards: Texans 107, Vikings 189

So far, lookin' like Foster's fumble was a game changer...

Texans need to hold'em after the 2nd half kickoff and then get 7 pretty dang quick....

ESPN has AP with 40 yards rushing.

Schaub seems to be getting worse as the game goes along.

Vikes bring the 2nd half kickoff back to about their 27. Vikings ball.

--------------------------

Peterson for no gain.

Peterson for 21.

Pass is broken up and nearly INT'ed by B James, inc.

Ponder's pass to Wright off the mark, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Wright is complete for the 1st down and they're gonna get Mercilus for roughing the QB. Places the ball at the Texan 22.

Dumpoff pass to Peterson over the middle goes for 4.

Peterson caught by Watt for loss of 3. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Ponder's short pass goes inc. Vikings to go for the FG.

Walsh's 39-yarder is good.

Vikings 16, Texans 3

11:31 left in the 3rd quarter.

Schaub is getting outplayed by Christian Ponder. I thought Schaub could take a team to the Super Bowl. I guess I was wrong.

The Texans peaked earlier in the year, maybe the Ravens game, hard to say. Since then the offense has steadily become worse and worse.

Martin brings the kickoff back to the 45 but holding on the Texans (Casey) wipes it out. Texans ball at their 15.

-------------------------------

Foster loses 1 on the sweep right.

Foster goes left side for 4.

On 3rd and 7, flags presnap... false start Brown -5. 3rd and 12 coming up.

Schaub can't find a receiver and throws it at the feet of KW, inc. Texans have to punt.

Vikes bring the punt back to their 48. Vikes ball with 9:44 left in the 3rd quarter.

Man, do they need a turnover right here.....

------------------------------

Ponder sacked and fumbles- B James on the recovery! Texans ball at the Viking 45.

Schaub's deep pass to AJ just off his fingertips, inc.

Schaub's pass to the sideline goes inc, but holding on Brown makes it 2nd and 20.

Pass to Graham goes for 12. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Short pass to Tate goes for 2. Texans have to punt.

Vikes fair catch the punt at their 9 yard line. Vikings ball.

Peterson for no gain.

Ponder is pressured in the endzone and throws it away... Flag down..... Holding on Texans is an auto 1st down at the 14.

Deep pass to Wright is inc - nice coverage by KJ.....

Peterson for loss of 1.

On 3rd and 11, pass to Wright gets about 5. Vikings have to punt with 6:06 left in the 3rd quarter.

Martin fair catches at the Texan 39. Texans ball.

How about 7, fellas?

----------------------------

Tate improvises for 4.

Pass to AJ goes to the 38 of the Vikings, 1st down.

Tate goes for 12, turf monster on the tackle.

Pass to OD is dropped, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Aj goes to the 11 yard line, 1st down.

Schaub bungles the snap but holds on. Loss of 2.

Pass to Walter goes to the 1. Looked like a TD but should be a 1st down at the least.

On 1st and goal, Schaub throws it away, inc.

Tate for no gain. 3rd and goal coming up.

Schaub is sacked for huge loss. 15 yards. Texans to go for the FG.

Graham's 33-yarder is good.

Vikings 16, Texans 6

26 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.

How can Schaub take the sack ! No way !

As much as I hate how bad the OL is it bothers me more that Kubiak refuses to admit it and carries on as if he's coaching the 1982 Redskins.

Vikes down the ensuing kickoff in the endzone, touchback. Vikings ball at their 20.

-------------------------------

Flags presnap.... offsides Vikes -5. 1st and 15 coming up.

Peterson gets 20.

End of the 3rd quarter.