Official Texans @ Lions Game Thread, 11/22/2012

[HPF Bob]

My DVR ran out so I missed everything past the first OT FG attempt. Watched the highlights.

I agree that JJo may be our defense's most important player. Anyone would have struggles against Calvin Johnson and Ball didn't do that badly given what we would have expected from him.

I think it is worth noting that the Jaguars and Lions are two of the most physical teams in the NFL and to play 10 quarters against them in five days is a tough grind. What you take away is that these are the sort of games that the Oilers and even some of the recent Texans ballclubs would have lost. The Texans are still good enough to win games they ought to lose. That's the mark of a champion.

I just hope they have enough healthy bodies left, particularly on defense, going into the final weeks of the season.

[today]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

My DVR ran out so I missed everything past the first OT FG attempt.

I hate that... I had that happen to me awhile back and vowed never again. Now I always add 1 to 1.5 hours beyond the expected end of the game.

Sorry you had to miss out on it... Probably was easier on your heart though =)

[today]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Ball didn't do that badly given what we would have expected from him.

Seemed to me like he really just had one bad series where Megatron ate him up for 3 big plays. Aside from that one drive, I only found myself cursing him when he dropped that INT in the end zone... HOW DO YOU DROP THAT?!?!

[Arky]

Seemed like there was several dropped INT's....and Schaub was missing wide open receivers.... that is usually a recipe for an L. But Schaubie put it together at the end there despite his penchant for the ill-timed bad toss... A lot of similarities between this game and the Jags game last week.... I think some credit should be given to the Texans conditioning program and the people involved in this.... To my eye, in the waning moments of the last two games, the Texans appeared to physically outlast their opponents (Jags/Lions).

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Saw a crawler saying AJ set an NFL record for yardage in two games (273+188 = 461) though that will probably have an asterisk for both games going OT... For a guy who was starting to border on milk carton celebrity, he is rocketing up the stat sheets for wide receivers....

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Dang, 10-1. Enjoy it while you can - these don't come along very often. The Oilers never did it... Even if the Texans go 2-3 over the next five games that is still 12-4 and should be a certified lock for the playoffs.... Homefield throughout should still be the regular season goal....

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Glad to see Arian get a mere 20 carries..... don't care what he and Kubes are saying publicly...... Arian will need his legs down the stretch and into post-season....

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Arky

Even if the Texans go 2-3 over the next five games that is still 12-4 and should be a certified lock for the playoffs.... Homefield throughout should still be the regular season goal....

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Given that we've got 2 division games & a MNF with NE all on the road, a 2-3 finish is not at all unlikely. The Monday night matchup could be huge when it comes down to tie-breakers ? With NE, Baltimore, & Denver as our competition for top-seed, I think we've got the toughest remaining schedule ?

[WMH]

Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) tweeted:
Texans D takes a hit -- Brooks Reed expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a groin injury. No surgery, but tough loss as home-field race heats up.

[HPF Bob]

For a speed rusher, that's even worse. He'll probably be out until the playoffs. Just means Mercilus will get a lot of PT now. Schools out, time for the exam.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

For a speed rusher, that's even worse. He'll probably be out until the playoffs. Just means Mercilus will get a lot of PT now. Schools out, time for the exam.

With Braman in the rotation. I've been waiting to see what he and Mercelus can do, and now I will get to.

[TheMatrix31]

Sucks that we lose Reed but honestly he hasn't been anything so at least we'll get to see more of Braman and Mercilus. Killer problem for depth at this point though.

[Nconroe]

I think we also have Jesse Nading who has been with Texans 4 yrs as pretty good OLB depth in addition to Braman and Mercilus.

It will be interesting how they try to get all these injured players ready for playoffs, like Dobbins, Cody, JJo, Tate, Newton, and Reed..

[Arky]

Early line Texans vs. Titans in Nashville - Texans by 4.5.... Probably right where it should be to attract betting on both sides.....