Official Texans vs. Titans Game Thread, 9/15/2013
 

The Texans (1-0) will host the Tennessee Titans (1-0) in their home opener on Liberty White-out day. First divisional game and a chance to sneak a lead on one of the field. The Titans are coming off a surprising road win @ Pittsburgh last week.

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon Sunday

Announcers = Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots

The line = Texans by 9 to 10.5

Ice Ice Baby.....

I'm going to have to rearrange my beer fetching and potty break timing to catch this halftime show! ;)

The whole state will get this game locally as well as a swath between Texas and Tennessee.

Unless Chris Johnson goes crazy, I'm not worried.

Locally why do we get the NOLA and not the Dallas game this Sunday ?
I could care less about watching Dallas but I'm a Chiefs fan, their opponent this Sunday, and I'd like to record that game and then watch it later.
Seems they almost always telecast the Dallas game (if they have an NFC game locally), but the one time I want the game because of who they are playing they carry another NFC contest.

I think it is because Dallas vs. KC is an early game and in conflict with the Texans home game. I believe the rule is the Texan home game on CBS is the only one that can be shown in the Houston area in that time slot. FOX is forced into filling the late game (NO vs. Tampa).

Now, I'm pretty sure there have been instances when Houston has gone head-to-head with Dallas but I think it has to do with who's home/road and the NFL double-header rule....

Gotcha - OK thanks Arky.

Still early in the football season and teams still coming together. Both Texans and Titans are 1-0 coming into the game.

Both teams seem to be run first, depending on the situation.

So, anxious to see how Arian improves from game 1 and what percentage of run plays Ben and Arian get this week.

Antonio Smith is back in starting lineup- so see how that impacts front seven play.

And then we have the Ed Reed watch at safety, getting closer , if not this game.

Schaub and receivers did real well in passing game last week, hope that continues as it should.

@RapSheet: #Titans RB Chris Johnson had 25 carries in the opener. May match that this week, as I'm told backup Shonn Greene (knee) is very doubtful

Part of Tennessee's success last week was that the Steelers' offensive line is "turrible". They're already beat up and undermanned then Pouncey went out for the season.

The offense had to settle for FGs and Locker is still just average at best as a QB.

Matthews is the former Oilers OL so you know the running game will come first and the passing game later. It's a good week to get Antonio back and Earl Mitchell is starting to draw some notice around the league for his play. I think we match up well with Tennessee as long as they key on stopping Johnson.

Finnegan is in STL now with Fisher so their defense isn't quite as fierce as they used to be. The running backs should find lanes and Schaub should find some open receivers as long as they don't stop themselves with turnovers and dumb mistakes. Watch RG and RT play to see how well they are developing.

@RapSheet: #Texans S Ed Reed will test his hip pre game. Took more reps with the 1s this week than last week. If he plays, it'll be in the nickel.

Texans win the toss and will receive. Kickoff goes out of the endzone. Texans ball at their 20.

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Foster on the left side for 11.

Foster to the right for 4.

Tate busts it for 60 yds on a sweep left. Ball at the Titan 6.

Foster for 5. 2nd and goal at the 1.

Schaub play actions for a 1-yard TD strike to Graham.

Texans 7, Titans 0

12:30 left in the 1st quarter.

That looked pretty easy. Graham looks like our secret weapon, particularly around the goal line until opponents figure it out.

Titans down the ensuing kickoff in the endzone. Titans ball at their 20.

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CJ for 16.

Locker scrambles for no gain. 2nd and 10 coming up.

CJ for 3. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Locker is sacked but Watt is penalized for hands-to-the-face. 1st and 10 Titans at their 41.

CJ for 6.

Screen pass to Wright goes for 16.

Short pass goes for 4. Ball at the Texan 35.

CJ for no gain. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Pass to Washington goes for 17. Ball at the Texan 18.

Battle powers for 9.

CJ for 1 yard and the 1st down at the Texan 8.

Locker's pass is batted down at the LOS by Watt, inc. 2nd and goal from the 8 coming up.

CJ for 1. 3rd and goal coming up.

Locker hits Wright in the endzone for the TD. Penalty on the Titans after the fact for celebration - assessed on the kickoff.

Texans 7, Titans 7

5:10 left in the 1st quarter.

Great catch by Wright. The new celebration penalty is for anything that could be construed as taunting.

Titans kickoff from their 20 due to penalty. Martin brings it out to about the Texan 41. Texans ball.

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Tate for 2.

Dumpoff pass to Tate over the middle only gets 3. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Short pass to Hopkins goes for 14 and the 1st down.

Pass to AJ gets 6. AJ shaken up on the play but walks off on his own power.

Schaub pressured throws it away, inc. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Foster for 2. Bullock on for the FG.

50-yarder is no good.

Titans takeover on downs.

Ball at the Titan 40.

Locker's deep pass to Walker is overthrown, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

CJ for 12 on the right side.

Pass to Wright off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

CJ for about 8. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Dumpoff to CJ only gets 1. Brings up 4th and 1 at the Texan 39.

End of the 1st quarter.

Titans go for it on 4th down and Battle is stopped cold. Texans takeover on downs. Ball at the Texan 40.

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Foster for 2 or 3. A Titan (Hill) injured on the play - injury timeout.

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14:56 left in the half. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Schaub's pass is deflected at the LOS. Flags down..... offsetting penalties. Still 2nd and 7.

Schaub's pass to Foster off the mark, inc. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Pass to AJ only gets 4. Texans have to punt.

Titans field the punt at their 7 - downed immediately. Titans ball.

CJ for -2. Nice tackle by Watt.

Battle for 1. Brings up 3rd and 11.

Deep pass to Britt is overthrown, inc. He had a step.... Titans have to punt.

Martin gets 4 yards on the punt return. Ball at the Texan 48. 11:56 left in the half.

Foster is pissing me off. That missed block was infuriating.

False start on Brooks -5. Makes it 1st and 15.

Dumpoff pass to Tate only gets 2. 2nd and 13 coming up.

Timeout Texans.

Schaub's pass to Tate off the mark, inc. D Brown shaken up on the play. Injury timeout. 3rd and 13 coming up.

Pass to AJ gets 17 and the 1st down. Ball at the Titan 39.

Tate for 1.

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

Deep pass to AJ is broken up, inc. Texans to go for the FG.

Bullock's 50-yarder is no good. Titans takeover on downs. Ball at the Titan 40.

CJ rolls left for 9.

CJ for 3 and the 1st down.

Battle for 2.

Pass is nearly INT'ed by Sharpton but inc.

On 3rd and 8, Locker scrambles for 9 and the 1st down.

CJ for 2. Ball at the Texan 35. 2nd and 8 coming up.

CJ for 2 more. Flag on the play.... Holding on Titans - repeat 2nd down. 2nd and 18 coming up.

CJ for 8. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Titans call a timeout with 5:30 left in the half.

On 3rd and 10, CJ gets 5. Titans to go for the FG.

Baronis 48-yarder is no good. Texans takeover on downs. Ball at the Texan 38.

Foster sweeps left for 4.

Foster for 10 and a 1st down.

Tate rumbles for 5.

Tate for no gain. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Deep pass to Hopkins off the mark but flag down...... no penalty - ball was uncatchable. Texans have to punt.

Punt trickles into the endzone. Titans ball at their 20.

CJ for loss of 2. 2nd and 12 coming up.

2 minute warning.

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On 2nd and 12, CJ gets 3.

Timeout Texans..

On 3rd and 8, screen to Wright gets 11 and a 1st down.... flag down.....Holding on Titans repeat 3rd down. Makes it 3rd and 13.

Bad snap! Locker falls on it at the 5 yard line. Titans have to punt.

Punt goes out of bounds at midfield. Texans ball with 1:35 left in the half and no timeouts.

Schaub's pass is INT'ed by Pollard who returns it all the way to the Texan 24.

Play is under review.......

Play and spot of the ball is confirmed........

Schaub's Shitty Throw of the Game (tm)

Locker is sacked by Cushing, et al..... 2nd and 19 coming up.

CJ for 1. 3rd and 18 coming up. Timeout Titans. Ball at the Texan 31.

Pass complete Washington for 3. Bironas on for the FG.

47-yard FG is good.

Titans 10, Texans 7

Halftime.

Texans once again stinking up the joint in the 1st half. This is getting old.

Halftime stats:

Passing: Schaub 8/14, 52 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing: Foster 7/38, Tate 5/69

Receiving: AJ 4/33, Tate 2/4, Hopkins 1/14

Tackles: Cushing 9 (!), KJ 5, Sharpton 4, Joseph/Manning/Watt/Swearinger 3 each

Time of possession: Texans 12:27, Titans 17:33

1st downs: Texans 6, Titans 9

Total yards: Texans 159, Titans 135

3rd down conversions: Texans 2/6, Titans 3/9

Red zone: Texans 1/1, Titans 1/1

Turnovers: Texans 1, Titans 0

Penalties: Texans 2/10, Titans 3/35

So meanwhile the Dolphins also have a rookie kicker. As he attempted and made a 54 yard fg to end the half Pagano calls time out. No problem, second try he drills it again.

This Texans team, especially the offense, is utterly depressing.

Titans down the 2nd half kickoff in their endzone. Titans ball at their 20.

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CJ for about 5.

CJ for no gain. Brings up 3rd and 5.

Pass to Wright gets 3. Titans have to punt.

Martin fair catches the punt at the Texan 33. Texans ball.

12:56 to go in the 3rd quarter.

Foster loses 3. 2nd and 13 coming up.

Screen to Foster goes for 6. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Schaub off the mark on screen pass to Foster, inc. Texans have to punt.

Titans bring the punt back to their 6 yard. Nice punt by Lechler. Titans ball.

CJ for 1.

CJ loses 1. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass too tall for Wright, inc. Titans have to punt from their endzone with 9:54 left in the 3rd quarter.

Punt goes out of bounds at the Texan 45. Texans ball.

Pass to AJ gets 13.

Pass to Hopkins gets 11. Roughing the passer on the Titans +15. Ball at the Titan 16.

Pass to Graham too high in the endzone, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Dumpoff pass to Tate gets 4. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Awesome catch by OD for the TD! 12 yards.

Texans 14, Titans 10

7:46 left in the 3rd quarter.

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the endzone. Titans ball at their 20.

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Locker is sacked by Watt. Loss of 7.

Battle for maybe 2. 3rd and 15 coming up.

Deep pass to Wright is broken up by KJ, inc. Titans have to punt.

Martin fields the punt and steps out of bounds at the Texan 39. Texans ball.

Schaub is pressured and throws it away....holding on Tate backs it up 10. 1st and 20 coming up.

Short pass to AJ gets 4. 2nd and 16 coming up.

Pass to Graham gets 11. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Pass to AJ over the middle goes inc. Texans have to punt.

Titans bring the punt back to their 19. Titans ball.

Pass to Wright gets 7.

Pass to Britt a little off the mark, inc. 3rd and 3 coming up.

3rd down pass sails inc., nearly INT'ed by KJ. Titans have to punt.

Martin brings the punt back to the Texan 27 but flags are down..... Holding on Texans.... Places the ball at the Texan 10. Texans ball.

Foster goes right for 8.

Foster for 2 and the 1st down.

Foster goes right for 14.

Foster for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Schaub can't find a receiver and throws it away. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Pass to Martin gets 6. Texans have to punt.

Titans bring the punt back to their 12 yard line. Titans ball.

Screen to CJ goes for 13 but flags on the play..... Peel-back block on the Titans backs it up... Ball at the Titan 6. 1st and 16.

End of the 3rd quarter.

CJ gets 9 but holding on the Titans back it up more. 1st and 19 from the Titans 3 yard line.

CJ for loss of 1. 2nd and 20 coming up.

Delay of game on the Titans. Makes it 2nd and 21 from the Titan 1.

CJ for no gain. Texans challenge that CJ didn't make it out of the endzone....Play is under review.....

Ruling on the play is a safety! Texans get 2 points and the ball.

Texans 16, Titans 10

13:26 left in the game. Texans to receive the follow-up kickoff/punt.

Martin brings the punt back to the Texan 44. Texans ball.

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Tate for 11.

Tate for no gain.

Pass to Hopkins goes inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass to AJ goes for 4. Lechler on to punt...

Wow. Punt almost goes into the endzone..... after the mad scramble, officials rule it's Titans ball at their 1 yard line.