Official Texans @ Redskins Game Thread, 9/19/2010

[Arky]

Next up, the Texans will be hitting the road for their first away game. It should be a good'un as the Texans will do combat with some old friends on the other sideline. Hopefully, the passing game will make an appearance and reassure fans that yes, there still is a passing game in the Texans arsenal and that Mr. Foster won't be needed as much. But hey, they should do whatever it takes because you never know when you'll be surrounded by Redskins.

TV = 3pm CBS late game (Channel 11 local)

Announcers = Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts

Opening line = Texans by 2
Current line = Texans by 2.5 to 3

Set your DVR's.

[HPF Bob]

I don't mind if the passing game keeps under wraps if we continue to run this effectively. The wonderful thing about a great ground game is that they rarely beat themselves. A passing-based offense can be plagued by tipped balls, dropsies, high winds, etc. A great running game can only be plagued by fumblitits or knee injuries.

Still, I'm not sold that we're a great running team until I see them repeat the Colts game two or three more times. I think it was a special circumstance. Back when Kubiak was the OC in Denver, they went into Indy and upset the Colts by getting the lead and taking the air out of the ball, consuming time of possession to the point that Manning had to be perfect to catch up. That strategy worked again Sunday.

The Skins have a great secondary and a so-so front seven so I expect the ground game will need to show up again this week. They have plenty of weapons on offense but they didn't look very coordinated in the opening week.

I have to believe that both teams are going to have a little letdown after defeating a key division rival to open the season. I'm frankly surprised that the Texans are favored since the peripheral factors don't favor the Texans.

The key things I would look at are how successful the Texans are at moving the ball early and whether McNabb is in sync with his offense. Keep in mind that the Redskins offense failed to score a touchdown on Sunday. McNabb lost a lot of time this training camp due to injury and I thought they looked rusty.

The Texans have never beaten the Redskins and I'm not sold that they are good enough to go on the road in September and win there this week. If they do, well, maybe the Texans are turning the corner we've all been waiting for.

[Nconroe]

So I am optimistic as usual and expecting another win this week.

Both teams are 1-0 and feel happy about beating good teams in week 1. Hope the Texans continue their intensity and consistency week by week and all season.

Fed-ex field holds 92,000 fans, outdoors, always a sellout, and is very loud making play calling difficult for opposing teams.

Kyle Shanahan and Ray Wright are two ex-Texan coaches from last year with the Redskins this year. And Philip Buchanan and Rex Greossman appear to be ex -Texans players with Redskins now. Maybe I missed someone.

Of course most Texan coaches and system came from Mike Shanahan in Denver so offenses should be similar system, but different personnel.

Looks like Redskins have practically no one hurt or on IR yet compared to Texans.

Redskins RB's are Larry Johnson, 32, and Clinton Portis, 31, but both are strong, healthy, and have many great years. Our defense will be quicker than Redskins offense, I think.

Texans RB's, Foster and Slayton, both 24, and Derrick Ward is 30. I guess all three will get the ball some this week. Can't expect RB to do as good as last week, but hopefully pretty good against the Skins 3 big DL in their 3-4 system. We'll see if our OL is strong enough to keep these guys off Shaub and our RB's.

Then there is the Albert Haynesworth factor, is he gonna be motivated and how many reps will he get?

If our two lines, OL and DL continue doing well, I think Texans will do well. And maybe we can win the turnover battle, that would be nice.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

...... I'm frankly surprised that the Texans are favored since the peripheral factors don't favor the Texans.......

Here's what Walter of walterfootball.com said about that:

First, this line is completely inflated. A week ago, the Redskins would have been -2 or -3. Houston being favored by three is a complete overreaction - whether warranted or not.

Second, the Texans just enjoyed the biggest win in franchise history. How can they possibly match that same intensity against the Redskins?

And third, Washington offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan held the exact same position with the Texans last year. If there's anyone who knows Schaub's weaknesses, it's the son of Mike Shanahan.

He also offers this about overrated teams:

Overrated NFL Teams:

A good handicapper is always aware of which teams are overrated and underrated by the public. I'll attempt to list the teams I think are the most overrated and underrated each week. Keep in mind that even if a team is listed here, that doesn't mean that I think lowly of them; they are simply overrated in Vegas' eyes. These are the squads that Vegas can boost the spread on....

.....Houston Texans - I love the Texans - I had them going to the AFC Championship in my season previews - but the line movement (Redskins would have been -3 a week ago) and betting action on them is absolutely insane right now.....

(He also listed the Chiefs and Cowboys as overrated, i.e., in the eyes of the public).

This ain't no gimme game for the Texans. The coaching staff really needs to make sure that the team's heads remain secured in place going into this game....

[EndZoneSeats]

For me, this is an absolutely critical game for the Texans.

If this is the same-old Texans they’ll come out in this game flat and lay an egg. This is a classic let down game and the really good teams play with consistency. If the team comes out and plays hard, and has success, we’ll have a pretty good signal that a new breed of team has come to Houston. Either way I’ve never been this excited about a week two game in franchise history.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by EndZoneSeats

For me, this is an absolutely critical game for the Texans.

If this is the same-old Texans they’ll come out in this game flat and lay an egg. This is a classic let down game and the really good teams play with consistency. If the team comes out and plays hard, and has success, we’ll have a pretty good signal that a new breed of team has come to Houston. Either way I’ve never been this excited about a week two game in franchise history.

You summed up how I am feeling exactly

[Bigtinylittle]

The great thing about football is that it is so unpredictable. I never thought before the preseason that Schaub's decision making would be a concern to me, but it is. I can't really figure out what is going on with him. I'll be watching to see whether he straightens it out.

Another thing I'll be watching is whether JJ has the dropsies again. I think he's doing the same thing as a receiver that he was doing as a returner, that is, he's too focused on breaking a long run and not enough on just catching the damn ball. If that his problem right now, I think it's correcable.

I'm also going to be watching to see whether Okoye gets pressure again. I have always wondered why we drafted him if we weren't going to let him shoot gaps, because that's what he was great at in college. Maybe with the new coach in charge, Amobe's going to have a breakout year.

I'm also going to watch to see whether Mario is the savage this week that he was last week. Last week, I would have hated to have been the man assigned to stop him. Mario may just be on the verge of harnessing his awesome physical abilities. If he is, then watch out NFL.

Also, this week may give us a better idea of what we have right now in Jackson. I think playing well against Manning was a little too much to expect from him. If he looks bad against Washington, I'm going to be disappointed.

[barrett]

We need to run it well again this week. Dallas ran it well all night and struggled to pass effectively. And yet they threw it twice as much as the passed (that's what happens when your OC is trying to show how smart he is while auditioning for head jobs).

I honestly thought Washington looked pretty bad on Sunday and was very fortunate the Cowboys handed them the game. Additionally, all the factors that would concern me about the Texans are true for the Redskins (coming off of a big emotional win over a division rival).

McNabb has never been a very accurate passer and I hope we force him to move the chains and take away the deep ball like we did with Manning. If we do they will struggle badly on offense.

I think we are playing with confidence and that is not a bad thing. And I don't think Schaub struggles for a 2nd game in a row. I also think we are going to score points, and I don't know if that Redskins offense can score enough to keep up. I just don't think this is the trap game everyone is making it out to be. Avoid big turnover issues and its Texans by double figures.

[WMH]

We should roll......

That's all I have to say about that

[Arky]

Redskins win toss. Texans kickoff into the endzone. Redskins ball at the 20.

Dump to Sellers go for big gain - 23 yards. Ball at the Redskins 43.

McNabb's pass to Moss good for 12.

Portis rushes for 2.

Flare pass to Moss goes for 9 and a 1st down.

Dump to Sellers goes for 10 and another 1st down. Ball at the Texan 24.

Nading nice tackle holds Portis for no gain.

Dump to Sellers gets 1 or 2. Brings up 3rd and 9.

[HPF Bob]

Sellers get Diles-ed up!

[Arky]

Dump to Moss goes for no gain. Redskins to go for the FG.

42 yarder is good.

Redskins 3, Texans 0

[TheMatrix31]

Let's get seven.

[TheMatrix31]

Really Steve? REALLY.

[HPF Bob]

Texans D tightened up as the Skins got into scoring range. That's good to see. Expect a lot of misdirection plays. Players need to stay home and not overpursue.

[Arky]

Slaton pulls a bonehead play.... Catches the kickoff in the corner of the field and steps out at the 1 yard line. Texans ball with 99 yards to go.

[chuck]

Just mind-bogglingly stupid. That idiot harms the team in new ways each week. Incredible.