Official Texans vs. Chiefs Wild Card Game Thread, 1/9/2016

[Arky]

One thing the Texans do is run the ball whether it is working or not.

Several weeks ago, the Texan run game was abysmal averaging 87 yards/gm (28th) and 3.3 yds. per carry (last). Since then and probably due to somewhat poorer competition, they have improved to 108 yards/gm (15th) and got out of the cellar with 3.7 yds. per carry (tied for 28th).

The Chiefs are a step up in run defense - they give up 98 yards/gm rushing (8th) and allow 4.1 yds. per carry (tied for 16th with the Texans and Raiders). If the Texan run game is truly improving, then Saturday will be a good test....

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Statistically, the Chiefs defense and the Texan defense are just about one and the same. I might give the edge to the Texan defense going into the game because they got their best stats in the 2nd half of the season - i.e., on a bit of a roll.....

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One edge going the Chiefs way is there giveaway/takeaway of +14, 2nd in the NFL behind only Carolina's +20. The Texans managed to get into positive territory finishing the season at +5 after being -8 at one point in the year.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/givetake

Alex Smith is your ultimate don't-turn-the-ball-over/conservative passing QB (not many giveaways) while the Chiefs defense is pretty good at the takeaways....

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Speaking of rolls, the Chiefs have won 10 in a row. That's "hot" in today's NFL. Obviously, a big test for the Texans this Sunday...............

[barrett]

The Chiefs D is tough but I think the running of Arian Foster should be able to neutralize the pass rush a bit...oh wait...

Well at least we will have Duane Brown to protect the backside...wait, he's hurt too...

At least we still have Brian Hoyer!

[HPF Bob]

And there's a new front page article questioning if Hoyer is the best choice to be quarterbacking this Sunday. All of our signature wins this season came with somebody else at the helm while all but one of our worst defeats came with you-know-who under center.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

And there's a new front page article questioning if Hoyer is the best choice to be quarterbacking this Sunday. All of our signature wins this season came with somebody else at the helm while all but one of our worst defeats came with you-know-who under center.

Given the alternatives we have, I think its ludicrous to think anyone other than Hoyer should be the QB. This is not an endorsement of Hoyer, but lack of options that we have.

IMO, he gives us the best chance to win in the playoffs. Damn, that's hard to type....OK, our D gives us the best chance to win, and I hope Hoyer doesn't screw that up. Need the "decent" Hoyer to show up for the next 4 weeks.

[Nconroe]

Probably just typos above, but the game is Saturday, not Sunday.

If the Oline holds without Duane Brown then I think Hoyer and offense will be fine.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

Probably just typos above, but the game is Saturday, not Sunday.

If the Oline holds without Duane Brown then I think Hoyer and offense will be fine.

I believe our o-line has no problems at all with holding.........

[Arky]

The 4th seeded Texans will be hosting some playoff football this Saturday as the Kansas City Chiefs come to town for the wild card round. The two teams met in Week 1 at NRG and the Chiefs walked away winners in an easy 27-20 victory, a game not as close as the score indicated. The Texan defense did hold the Chiefs scoreless in the second half and will need a similar effort for four quarters if they hope to advance in this win-or-go-home game.....

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TV = ABC/ESPN, 3:20 pm CST, Saturday, Jan 9

Announcers = Mike Turico, John Gruden (I think)

The line = Chiefs by 3 to 4

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Other playoff games this weekend:

Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati, Saturday, 7:15 pm CST, CBS

Seattle @ Minnesota, Sunday, 12:05 pm CST, NBC

Green Bay @ Washington, 3:40 pm CST, FOX

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Geno Bisconte is a part time comic and not a half bad handicapper. See Geno's take on KC vs. Hou here. Geno's videos are always entertaining and he likes the Texans to cover in this one...........

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No respect. Can you believe the out-of-the-playoffs Jets (who the Texans beat) finished ahead of the Texans in the final ESPN Power Rankings?

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I got a baaad feeling about this..... Brian Hoyer is a major key, IMO. He'll need to be accurate and on point if the Texans have a chance. He's allowed one turnover, two is unacceptable...