Official Texans @ Dolphins Game Thread, 12/27/2009
 

The 7-7 Texans have another one of those "big games" coming up this weekend against the Miami Dolphins. The Texans could make team history if they win and go 8-7 after 15 games for the first time ever. A win might keep alive microscopic playoff hopes and set up the season finale against New England with a chance at their first winning record at 9-7. A Texan win would also eliminate the Dolphins from the playoff picture.

The Miami Dolphins won't be in a good mood having lost last weekend in OT to the Titans in Tennessee. The Miami run game is #4 in the NFL so expect the Dolphins to run, run, run. The passing game is not so great at #23 but has come on in recent weeks with QB Chad Henne throwing for 300+ yards in 2 of the last 3 games (New England, Tennessee). Miami is 4-2 at home.

These are two very evenly rated teams and Miami gets the 3 pt nod for home field advantage.

Current odds have Miami favored by 3.

Announcers = Ian Eagle, Rich Gannon

CBS @ noon CST. Set your DVR.

Worth noting: The NFLN game this week is on Friday, Christmas evening and features Vince the Prince and the Titans (sounds like the name of a rock band) against the San Diego Chargers.

Sounds like "Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs" who did Wooly Bully and Little Red Riding Hood back in the 1960s. :p

And, yes, the game is important because we need the Chargers to win in order to keep our playoff hopes alive. We have to finish second in the AFC South outright in order to claim a playoff berth. We'll lose any tiebreakers in the division.

Reading the team report in USA Today Sports Weekly, it appears that Dolphin opponents are picking on rookie Vontae Davis the way some teams pick on Jacques Reeves when they play us - and for the same reason. Both have great speed and occasionally make spectacular plays but they just aren't great in coverage and are prone to giving up the BIG PLAY.

VY completed three passes of over 20 yards against the Fins last week so you'd hope Schaub could double that.

Duane Brown has to get healthy this week or we are stuck with Rashard Butler at LT against Jason Taylor.

Please, just win.

Big ass problem.

I not so sure. I think Butler has some stones and will hold his own. IMO he can start on many of the NFL teams at LT now. Let's see what he can do.

Oh, yeah! If you went to a dance back in the late 60's, Wooly Bully was on the playlist. Ya know, actually, I was thinking of a group called Vince Vance and the Valiants - they were a retro greaser group kinda like ShaNaNa - that played Houston circa mid-70's.... :)

Anyway, back on topic, I am anxious to see how the Texan's improved run defense holds up against the Dolphins run game. I think Cushing is a key and I am hoping he is ready to go. Due to the way he plays, sounds like he's gonna be crossing the finish line of this season with a couple of flat tires....

I agree with that, now let's just hope we don't jinx him.

If you're in the Houston area and the Texans win this game, you may want to keep it on CBS after the game and root for the Eagles to beat the Broncos.....

Dolphins win the flip and defer - Texans to receive.

JJ brings the kickoff back to the 24.

Pass to AJ good for 13.

AJ catches the WR screen and turns it into 25. Flag on the play - offsides defense declined. Ball at the Dolphin 38.

Foster for about 4.

Foster for about 3 more. Brings up 3rd and 4.

Flip pass to C Brown only gets 1. Texans to go for the FG.

49 yard attempt is good!

Texans 3, Dolphins 0

Chris Brown did a good job getting the ball back into FG range. Texans take the early lead but they squandered a good opportunity by running the ball twice and leaving a predictable third down situation.

Dolphins bring the kickoff back to the 24.

Pass to Best good for 6.

R Williams for about 5 and a 1st down.

R Williams TFL -4 by DeMeco.

Pass to Fasano good for 8. Brings up 3rd and 6.

Henne's pass good for the 1st down.

R Williams TFL -1 by DeMeco.

Short pass goes for 4. Brings up 3rd and 6.

Henne's 3rd down pass goes inc. Dolphins to punt on 4th down.

Punt goes into the endzone. Texans ball at the 20.

Christmas Miracle Update: Mulroney fumbles on the Jacksonville 1 yd line. Jaguars take over.

Steelers intercept Flacco. Winds up with a Jeff Reed FG - PIT 3, BAL 0.

Ok, this is a decent start... need four quarters today, boys.

I liked seeing Dunta trying to rip that ball away from the receiver. Seemed like a possible replay sitch, but Kubiak kept the flag in his pocket.

DeMeco is on fire.

Schaub takes too long and is sacked -6.

Moats gets 16 on the screen and a 1st down.

Moats for 2.

Pass to Moats good for 14 and a 1st down.

Pass to JJ goes for good YAC. 35 yards - ball at the Miami 19.

C Brown stumbles for about 9.

C Brown gets maybe 1/2 yard... brings up 3rd and 1.

Foster comes up short on 3rd down. 4th and 1 - Texans to go for it.

Toss over the middle to AJ good for the TD!

Texans 10, Dolphins 0

2:05 left in the 1st quarter.

HELLZ YEAH

Angry Dre!

Nice start, guys.

Miracle update: Pats stuff MJ-D on 4th and 1 , take over at Jax 35. Ravens now in the red zone.

Brady to Moss - TD - - NE 7, Jax 0
Ravens FG - Bal 3, Pit 3.

If these scores hold, we vault into second place in the AFC South.

Questionable play call on third down running east-west, beautiful play call on fourth down with a quick slant to the best receiver in the league. Beautifully led ball, perfect play call. I'd rather have seen that on third down, but I'll happily take in on fourth down. How about a TO here?

Ginn brings the kickoff back to the 20.

R Williams for 8.

R Williams for 1. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Henne's pass goes inc. Good pressure from A Smith. Dolphins to punt.

JJ brings the punt back to the Texan 20. Flag on the play. Two fouls. Illegal block and personal foul on Texans. PF is accepted = 15 yards.

What kind of game would it be without a brain dead special teams penalty? Two on the same idiot. I can't wait until next year when he's no longer a member of the team.

Ball at the Texans 5.

Moats for 2.

End of 1st quarter.

Miracle update: Gerrard intercept and the Pats run it back to the Jax 27.

Steelers add another FG - Pit 6, Bal 3

On 2nd and 8, pass to Dreesen goes for a nice gain, 21 yards and a 1st down.

Pass over the middle slightly behind KW inc. KW should have had it.

Pass to Dreesen goes for 22. Ball in Dolphin territory at the 49. 1st down.

Foster for 5.

Pass to JJ - JJ puts the wiggle on and takes it to the house!

Texans 17, Dolphins 0

Still need 60 minutes, fellas......

Brady TD Pass - NE 14, Jax 0.

Jacoby Jones doing what we've always wanted from him. Hou 17, Mia 0.

They're booing at Landshark Dolphin Pro Player Joe Robbie Stadium...

Anyone ever have Landshark beer? I have, unfortunately. I was in a bar in Orlando last March and they had a promotion with suggestively clad ladies wandering about offering small cups of the stuff. You like bananas? I do, sure. Do you like beer that tastes like bananas? Nope? Me neither.

Ginn brings the kickoff back to the 27.

Henne's pass is INT'ed by Cushing! Texans ball at the 27!

Baby, I'm lovin' this! Cushing with the pick!

Steelers in the red zone, up by three.

Screen to Leach goes inc.

Moats breaks a tackle on the screen and gets 11.

Foster up the gut walks in! TD Texans.

Texans 24, Dolphins 0

This is beautiful. Why couldnt we play like this all the f'n time?

Foster - Australian for Fishkill. Hou 24 Mia 0

Steelers punch it in - Pit 13 Bal 3.

I don't know who decided to draft Cushing over, say, Matthews, but whoever it was knew what the f*$# he was doing.

It's amazing though. All the USC LBs are whoopin' ass this year.

Ginn brings the kickoff back to the 25.

R Williams for 4. Flag on the play. Illegal use of hands on Dolphins - repeat 1st down. 1st and 20.

R Williams powers for about 9.

2nd down pass goes inc. Brings up 3rd and 11.

3rd down pass is dropped. Dolphins have to punt.

Punt is downed at the Texan 37.

Pittsburgh up 13-3, New England up 14-0,, Cincy-KC tied at 0.

We've got the Dolphins exactly where we want them - forced to throw the ball with a rookie QB. Houston just needs to avoid major mistakes.

Pass to Dreesen goes for nice gain, 18 yards.

Moats gets about 7. Ball at the Dolphins 39.

Moats for 5. 1st down.

Pass to JJ is INT'ed inside the 5 but out of bounds. Call on the field is inc. Dolphins to challenge that the ball was INT'ed in bounds.

Ruling on the field is confirmed, inc. Dolphins charged a TO.

Brings up 2nd and 10.

Pass to AJ goes for 9. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Foster darts for about 5 and a 1st down. Ball at the Dolphin 16.

Moats for about 4.

Pass to KW goes for 9. 1st and goal at the 3.

Moats for no gain. 2nd and goal.

Miracle update: Ravens score then recover a fumble and are driving again. Pit 13, Bal 10.

Patriots score again, NE 21, Jax 0.

Schaub scrambles for no gain. 3rd and goal.

Dolphins use a timeout because they've got 12 men on the field.

Pass to DA goes inc. Texans to go for the FG.

K Brown's 22 yard attempt is good.

Texans 27, Dolphins 0

Disappointed that we didn't put it in the end zone with three chances but I've never seen the Texans more dominant - ever.

HOU 27, Mia 0.