Official Texans vs. Dolphins Game Thread, 9/09/12

[Arky]

The Texans will be hosting the Miami Dolphins this Sunday at Reliant with a noon kickoff. I believe this to be a Liberty Whiteout Day so one could expect a whited-out crowd under a closed roof (too hot to be open - projected high of 87º).

The Dolphins will be bringing in a new coach, Joe Philbin and a new QB, Ryan Tannehill, 1st round, 8th overall draft pick in the 2012 draft. Veteran backup QB David Garrard was just released a short while ago.

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon kickoff CST.

Announcers = Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts

The line = Texans by 11.5 to 13.5

[HPF Bob]

Hard to imagine the Texans blowing this one but stranger things have happened. Watch the right side of the line and the middle of the defense if you want to follow our weak points.

[TheMatrix31]

Boy is this thread a sight for sore eyes.

Not sure what to expect. All the hype going into this game and season kinda scares me.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Hard to imagine the Texans blowing this one but stranger things have happened. Watch the right side of the line and the middle of the defense if you want to follow our weak points.

Not that hard if you just use your imagination: Holliday fumbles once or maybe twice before Kubiak can get him out of the game, or Newt whiffs on a pass-rush by the 'Phins ProBowl DE Cameron Blake who then proceeds to knock the fragile Schaub out of the game. I won't breathe easy until and if the Texans are coasting on a fat lead well into the 4th quarter.
These guys gave us a tough game last year in Miami and I also remember all too well that big loss against another rookie QB making his NFL debut in Reliant in the season-opener just a couple years ago.

[WMH]

Most of us have been here since the beginning. Because of that, our view is slanted towards when are we going to fail. I'm thinking we have crossed that bridge, and have a quality squad, one that should/will roll bad teams.

Miami is a bad team.

We will roll.

[barrett]

I don't think either of those scenarios alone is enough to cost us this game. I think Holliday could give away a TD or we could play without Schaub and still win comfortably. I'd favor us in this game with Beck at QB. Tannehill barely played college QB, the dolphins have already started trading off pieces for the future, and they don't have the defense to stop the run and make us one dimensional.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by WMH

Most of us have been here since the beginning. Because of that, our view is slanted towards when are we going to fail.

Ha, good point. I would add that most of us were Oilers fans as well... hence our predetermined sense of impending doom.

Any given Sunday is always in play, but man these Dolphins really suck. Much different vibe than in 2009 when Rex Ryan came in here to have his Jets bully the Texans.

I have a feeling the Texans defense will score more points than the Dolphins offense on Sunday.

[cadams]

Originally Posted by Keith

I have a feeling the Texans defense will score more points than the Dolphins offense on Sunday.

I agree with you here. 24 -6 sound right?

[chuck]

If the Texans can't beat this Dolphins team with authority on Sunday then we might as well pack it up and go home.

[TheMatrix31]

Hopefully we beat their asses, and welcome Tannehill nicely....but.....I don't know. I AM a Texans fan after all. And I'm a cautious guy by nature when it comes to the teams I root for and proclaiming victory or domination beforehand.

So, let's see what happens. Take care of the ball, get good field position, limit penalties (including personal fouls, Antonio Smith)....and we should be good.

[nunusguy]

I suspect we will win decisively, certainly trouncing the 'Phins is a distinct possibility. Truth is I really regret our season opener coming right after last years playoff run and near-miss with a stirring effort in Baltimore being wasted on such a less than steller opponent as Miami. How great would it have been to open up the 2012 season in Reliant Sunday vs the Ravens for example ?

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Truth is I really regret our season opener coming right after last years playoff run and near-miss with a stirring effort in Baltimore being wasted on such a less than steller opponent as Miami. How great would it have been to open up the 2012 season in Reliant Sunday vs the Ravens for example ?

Truth is, I don't regret it at all. Why do you think major college teams tend to schedule cupcakes to open the season? It's because players are still adjusting to the changes of the off-season and getting themselves in game shape.

Particularly since the Texans sat their starters for the second half of the Saints game and the entire Vikings game, a game like this - if it becomes a blowout - is a good situation for the players to get "game ready" against a team who probably won't be a major challenge like the Ravens would.

It could have been nice to see the Dolphins on the schedule right after a brutal game on a short week but facing them in Week 1 isn't worthless at all. We get Jackassville on the road the following week which is, in some ways, another tune-up game. There's nothing wrong with starting 2-0 and forcing the rest of the division to play from behind all year.

[cadams]

and a home opening win is always a nice thing to have for those of us at the game. stadium is going to be crazy this weekend.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Truth is, I don't regret it at all.

Amen. If the Texans could schedule the six worst teams in the NFL and start the year 6-0 that would suit me just fine. Of course with Jacksonville and Indy in the division they're on their way there.

[HPF Bob]

Arian Foster has a sore knee, sat out practice. Brooks Reed and Tim Braman also sat out practice. All three are considered gametime decisions, says Kubiak. Still disappointed we're playing the Dolphins?

[Nconroe]

I guess I'm good playing Miami. They've played us tough past few years. I'm optimistic we win like 31-10. Just win, I'm happy.

[nunusguy]

Everybody knows Tate is a better pure running back than Foster, though he for sure doesn't have Arian's versatility but I'm still OK with Ben being our main back this weekend.
OK I'm not really worried but getting slightly apprehensive about the cumulative effect of all of these guys like Cody, Cushing, & Watt missing virtually all of their preseason game snaps and now going out there Sunday and playing for the first time in this new season.
I dunno, so maybe playing the biggest Vegas long shot for the '13 SB for the season opener this Sunday in Reliant isn't such bad timing after all ?

[HPF Bob]

Well, Vegas is a different proposition. If I were to wager, I might take the Fins and the points myself. A lot of very good teams start off ragged in week one. I'd definitely take the Texans straight up but with the points, that's different and that's what the Vegas book is all about - an attempt to get a 50/50 distribution of bets so the House ultimately wins.

[Roy P]

My biggest concern about this game isn't our RBs. It's attitude and dealing with expectations. If this team believes all the wonderful things being said about them and thinks all they have to do is find the stadium on Sunday, they might get punched in the mouth. We can't underestimate the Dolphins' defense. Cameron Wake may abuse Newton & Schaub all afternoon. They have good DBs and Burnett & Dansby are very athletic. This could be a low scoring game where a turnover could cost us the game. I'd feel better if Cody, Watts, Cushing, & Reed were 100% healthy. Hopeful that Tannehill doesn't run a lot or able to get the ball to whoever K. Jackson is covering. Reggie Bush isn't nicked up yet, so his speed outside is also a concern. Picking the Texans 22-21.

[TheMatrix31]

OMG.....it's here.