Official Texans vs. Rams Game Thread, 10/13/2013

[Arky]

The 2-3 Texans will host the 2-3 St. Louis Rams Sunday at Reliant. The Texans are coming off a 34-3 shellacking at the hands of the San Francisco 49'ers while the Rams defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-20.

TV = FOX, Noon CST, Sunday

Announcers = Chris Myers, Tim Ryan

The line = Texans by 7 to 9

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In the the quest for 5 Pick Sixes in a row department: Per 610 radio, an announcement that Kubiak is going to go with Matt Schaub as the QB against the Rams.

[popanot]

I can't predict the winner but I can confidently predict a pick-6.

[HPF Bob]

Maybe we should start a pool for who will take back the Pick 6.

Here's the Rams' depth chart:
http://http://www.stlouisrams.com/team/depth-chart.html

It won't be Courtland Finnegan because Angry Dre would just beat him up. Therefore, I'm going with Alec Ogletree.

[Arky]

I'm going with CB Janoris Jenkins for the first Pick 6. Since OD is out, I see Schaubie leaning on AJ for extra targeting..... The CB's will be waiting...

[popanot]

I'm going with Michael Brockers.

Kubiak wins the coin toss and elects to receive (like he always does, and like most good coaches don't)... Kubiak's thinking is "Let's get Matty out there quick to start this off and get those cobwebs worked out" (that's opposed to the logical thinking of having the D open things up and letting an already frustrated and ticked-off crowd settle in, or better yet, the D making a big play and getting the crowd fired up)...

On the ensuing kickoff, the Texans are pinned down inside the 15 because Marciano's crew can't block and no one bothered to tell KMart not to carry the ball out from 8-yards deep in the endzone...

The Offense comes onto the field amidst a chorus of boos (let's get this started right, Gary)...

First down, Foster for no gain... Second down, Schaub drops back and feels the pressure (when there really is none)... He then throws an off-balance back-leg pass that bounces off Duane Brown's helmet and into the loving arms of Michael Brockers who then scampers untouched into the endzone... 0-7...

The crowd is stunned with silence where only a baby's cry can be heard in the distance...

[Nconroe]

Now that's funny.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by Arky

I'm going with CB Janoris Jenkins for the first Pick 6

LOL! You're expecting more than one, Arky?

Nothing would surprise me at this point. Actually, Schaub came very close to having 3 Pick-6's against SF. The potential second one was on an INT along the sideline in our zone (go figure, Schaub throws a noodle-arm sideline pass) that Dre fortunately stopped by pushing the guy out of bounds. He had a clear path to a TD had Dre been a step slower. The third one was a darn-near gimme INT the SF Safety dropped, where if he had caught it, he had a decent shot at taking it in for a TD.

Lance reviews the pick-6 and the dropped INT here (not sure why he didn't review the INT and possible pick-6 Dre saved).

http://www.thesidelineview.com/colum...aub-down-count

[Arky]

Originally Posted by popanot

LOL! You're expecting more than one, Arky?

Yeah, I wondered if anyone would catch that.....

Actually, I hope the fans are somewhat civil. A little booing is expected - just hope (for Schaub's sake, after all he's a human) that the crowd doesn't set any Guinness records for dB/volume.

Let Schaub decide which way it goes..... Play decently and make not too many mistakes and finish the game with a W and things may turn out OK.

I'm thinking there's short leashes all around. The crowd will have the shortest leash. You gotta think his teammates are going to have a short leash. If he starts stinking it up again, he's going to take his teammates right outta the game. Kubes better bench him before that happens.....

[cadams]

schaub throws a 4 yard out on 3rd and 9, and long jumps the route and returns it for a touchdown.

no need to only let the defensive backs have all the fun

[cadams]

Originally Posted by Arky

Yeah, I wondered if anyone would catch that.....

Actually, I hope the fans are somewhat civil. A little booing is expected - just hope (for Schaub's sake, after all he's a human) that the crowd doesn't set any Guinness records for dB/volume.

Let Schaub decide which way it goes..... Play decently and make not too many mistakes and finish the game with a W and things may turn out OK.

I'm thinking there's short leashes all around. The crowd will have the shortest leash. You gotta think his teammates are going to have a short leash. If he starts stinking it up again, he's going to take his teammates right outta the game. Kubes better bench him before that happens.....

honestly, i kubiak has any sense at all he should defer if the texans win the toss this week. give the crowd time to get in the game (if the defense can come up with something), and that will likely cut a lot of the boos out.

with that said, i do not suspect this will happen.

[nunusguy]

I'm actually fairly confidant the Texans win this weekend which is unusual because I tend to be pretty pessimistic in these situations. The real drama should be the following game in KC leading us into the bye week.

[Nconroe]

Interesting article strategy if win the toss

http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/fift...f-l-coin-toss/

[popanot]

IMO, Schaub has nothing to gain but everything to lose today. I don't think this game will tell us anything about Schaub even if he does well. The KC and Indy games will be the real indicators. That is, if he does play well today. If he doesn't we'll see TJ for the KC game.

As for Schaub's play, I hope he does well and can rebound. I do believe he gives this team the best chance at turning it around and making a playoff run. I don't think TJ or Keenum is the answer (and certainly not the answer long-term). However, I'm not sure Schaub can rebound. I think his funk has more to do with his arm than it does his confidence or decision making, although, those are questionable right now too. Other than mid-range passes over the middle of the field, his passes no longer have any zip on them. Who dosen't cringe now every time he throws a sideline pass?

[Arky]

Ram to receive the kickoff. Returner brings the kickoff back to the Ram 33.

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Stacy for loss of 1. 2nd and 11 coming up.

Stacy for 3. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Flags presnap.....Offsides JJ Watt. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Bradford pressured, throws inc. Rams have to punt.

Keo fair catches at the Texan 13. Texans ball.

[Arky]

Foster for 18. Ball at the Texan 31.

Foster for maybe 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Foster up the gut for about 10 and a first down. Ball at the Texan 44.

Foster caught for loss of 2. 2nd and 12 coming up.

Schaub pressured throws it into the ground, inc. Brings up 3rd and 12.

Pass to Foster complete for about 10 but flag on D Brown for facemask.. Makes it 3rd and 27 coming up.

Foster goes around left end for 4. Texans to punt.

Punt is downed by Posey at the Ram 34. Rams ball.

[Arky]

Bradford's pass in the flat sails inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Deep pass is overthrown but 2 flags on the Texans. Roughing the passer on A Smith is declined. PI on KJ is accepted. Places the ball at the Texan 25.

Stacy for no gain. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Screen to Givens goes to the Texan 12, first down.

Stacy for 6. 2nd and 4 coming up.

Stacy rushes for 5 and a 1st down at the Texan 2. 1st and goal.

Bradford's short pass to Harkey is good for the TD.

Rams 7, Texans 0

5:59 left in the 1st quarter.

[chuck]

This is a foolish question but did the Rams win the toss?

[nunusguy]

Not flagrant interference by Kareem, but nevertheless it's the play of the drive that goes against the Texans. Now Schaub is gonna have to do something more than hand the ball off.

[Arky]

Manning bobbles the ensuing kickoff but gets it out to the 12. Texans ball.

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Schaub can't find a receiver and is caught for loss of 1. 2nd and 11 coming up.

Pass to Hopkins over the middle good for 22.

Pass to Jones goes for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Foster sweeps right for about 5 but flags are down......Holding on Newton makes it 2nd and 14.

Short pass to Tate goes for about 9 but flags down.... Piling on on the Rams gives and auto 1st down at the Ram 46.

Tate for maybe 1.

Pass to AJ goes for 18 and a 1st down.

Pass to Hopkins goes for big gainer but Hopkins fumbles and Laurinaitis picks it up and returns it all the way to the Texan 43. Rams ball.

[Arky]

Stacy gets 7. 2nd and 3 coming up.

Pass to Austin goes for 3 and a 1st down.

Stacy for about 2. 2nd and 8 coming up. Ball at the Texan 31.

End of the 1st quarter.