Texans at the halfway mark

[JW295]

With the Texans in 1st place in the division, they should easily make the playoffs. I never thought that Manning's absence would strongly affect the entire AFC landscape.

[WMH]

Yep, the D has set the tone the first half of the year, and with the exception of one really bad quarter against the Saints have been pretty damn impressive, bordering on outstanding.

If we can keep from losing anymore guys, especially on D, I think we should have enough mojo to reach the playoffs, and if the O can get back to full force and start clicking, we might actually make a game of it when we get there.

The schedule ahead is less than imposing.
W - Cleveland sucks
W - Tampa Bay might be more erratic than we are.
W - We know who the Hags are, tough D ridiculously bad O. We will have AJ back, so I don't see this game being as competitive as yesterdays.
L - Atlanta is going to be tough, especially since they have 2 #1 WR's. Hopefully we can get a good rush on Ryans. Could be a flex spot for a little SNF for this one, especially if we get on a 5 game streak.
W - I see Cincy fading shortly. Rookie QB's seldom hold up the whole season in year 1. Thier D is pretty impressive though.
W - Newton might be an exception to the above. He is downright impressive. This one could be close, but I'm glad its at home.
W - I look for TN to implode prior to Week 17, and we could see Locker by the time this rolls around.

We might have another stinker in there somewhere, definitely a possibility, but I am so impressed with the D these days, it should set up for something fun in January. 10 wins is realistic, 11 should have a good shot, and 12 is not out of the question.

Kool-Aid gents - DRINK IT UP!

[barrett]

I would not pick Atlanta against us. Like Tampa (and us) they have been very inconsistent. Matt Ryan is not having a very good year, and their defense has been very vulnerable through the air.

I think we have 8 very winnable games. I would even call us a favorite in all of them providing AJ is full strength after the bye. Unfortunately, almost any of them could be lost as well.

Not to mention any of these games could look completely different a few weeks from now. If we played Oakland today with no QB we roll, next month with AJ we roll whoever they play at QB. So much of it depends on timing. Jacksonville could be fired up for a interim coach by then or could have quit on Del Rio.

With all that said, I will predict double digit wins and a victory this week. I may pick a victory every week after this, but cannot say yet.

[HPF Bob]

If the season ended today, we would be the third seed and hosting a first-round game against the Patriots, who I think would pick them apart.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

If the season ended today, we would be the third seed and hosting a first-round game against the Patriots, who I think would pick them apart.

The Patriots would pick us apart. But they also have no defense. So I would honestly expect us to keep it close. Of course I have little doubt what would happen in a close game between Bellachik/Brady and Kubiak/Schaub.

That is why we need the #2 seed. Our win over Pittsburgh and our remaining schedule make it a realistic goal.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by barrett

The Patriots would pick us apart. But they also have no defense. So I would honestly expect us to keep it close. Of course I have little doubt what would happen in a close game between Bellachik/Brady and Kubiak/Schaub.

That is why we need the #2 seed. Our win over Pittsburgh and our remaining schedule make it a realistic goal.

This is all well and good, and well thought out I might add. But right now all I am worried about is the next game against Cleveland. They are a better version of Jacksonville and that makes me real nervous.

[cadams]

Originally Posted by painekiller

This is all well and good, and well thought out I might add. But right now all I am worried about is the next game against Cleveland. They are a better version of Jacksonville and that makes me real nervous.

while i am in no way saying that cleveland can't beat the texans, i don't know that i agree with this. they are pretty much the same team, maybe cle is SLIGHTLY better.. cleveland is averaging 15.3 ppg, jax is averaging 12.3 ppg. (jax is dead last, cle is tied for 28th with miami). on defense cle is givign up 20.0 ppg and jax is giving up 20.4.


both teams have good defenses, with not good offenses. so while cleveland could win, they shouldn't, and are basically the same team the texans just played

[NBT]

Originally Posted by painekiller

This is all well and good, and well thought out I might add. But right now all I am worried about is the next game against Cleveland. They are a better version of Jacksonville and that makes me real nervous.

Only thing is we don't play the Browns twice a year, so they are not quite as familiar with our tendencies the way the Jags are. I would say if we go at the Browns the way we did the Jags, and get ahead early, the defense will play stout again. We just need for everyone to hang on to the ball better than they did against the Jags. Two fumbles, two TDs. Otherwise we shut 'em out.