Official Texans @ Colts Game Thread, 12/31/2017

[Arky]

The 4-11 Houston Texans hit the road one last time this year as they visit the 3-12 Indianapolis Colts. The Texans are coming off a 35-6 home loss to the Steelers and the Colts are coming off a 23-16 road loss to the Ravens. The Texans have lost five in a row, the Colts have lost six in a row. The Colts won 20-14 in the first meeting between the two back in Week 9.

Andre Hopkins (calf) is not expected to play.

No prime time in Week 17. All 16 NFL games take place on Sunday during the day.

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TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon CST, December 31, 2017

Announcers = Tom McCarthy, Steve Beuerlein, Steve Tasker

The line = Colts by 4 to 5½

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Other Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

CBS (late) = Jacksonville @ Tennessee, Greg Gumbel, Trent Green

FOX (early) = Dallas @ Philadelphia, Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber

FOX (late) = New Orleans @ Tampa Bay, Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Arky

The 4-11 Houston Texans hit the road one last time this year as they visit the 3-12 Indianapolis Colts.

So the loser of this game takes last place in the division? If so, then that's something... a last place schedule would do quite nicely next season as it means a home game with the Browns.

Home: Indy, Tenn, Jax, Bills, Dolphins, Giants, Cowboys, AFC North
Away: Indy, Tenn, Jax, Pats, Jets, Eagles, Skins, AFC West

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Keith

So the loser of this game takes last place in the division? If so, then that's something... a last place schedule would do quite nicely next season as it means a home game with the Browns.

Home: Indy, Tenn, Jax, Bills, Dolphins, Giants, Cowboys, AFC North
Away: Indy, Tenn, Jax, Pats, Jets, Eagles, Skins, AFC West

Maybe you found the reason why we're tanking without a 1st or 2nd round pick.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by barrett

Maybe you found the reason why we're tanking without a 1st or 2nd round pick.

This organization is nowhere near as forward-thinking as all that.

Where do you goons stand on firing BOB? I have my issues with him, of course, so do all of you I expect. But he did make magic with Deshaun in the ten minutes they had together.

The main problem I have with a firing, which I feel sure will happen, is I have no confidence at all that this group of idiots, McNeck and his lapdog and his idiot son, will have the wherewithal to find someone as good much less better.

Frank Reich is a guy who is plainly right up their alley - churchgoing dumbass. And these people are so deaf to / ignorant of history that they will be shocked when people like me howl with derision at their pick, should they pick that asshole.

The Texans fan in me wants them to keep BOB around because I think he and Deshaun could do crazy things on the field, and because I know BOB hates Slick Rick and McNeck, maybe more than I do. Probably more than I do. The Texans hater in me, an ever increasing percentage, hopes they fire BOB, hire some goon and see it all go sideways, watch McNeck kick it while his team is in the shitter and watch junior Irsay the whole thing up even worse than it was before. All while BOB goes on to win a SB with another team, of course, preferably the Titans but any old team would do.

[HPF Bob]

First-run head coaches rarely work out well, not even Belichick which is why the Texans keep tapping that well. Capers was a well-thought choice and one can hardly say that Kubiak and O'Brien were disasters given what they've done since. If the Texans play it smart, they'll make Mike Vrabel their next head coach. He's still a little wet behind the ears but it seems everyone around the league is lusting for the guy. If they're idiots, they'll promote the offensive line coach. Wild card choice: Wade Phillips after a complete physical.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by chuck

This organization is nowhere near as forward-thinking as all that.

Where do you goons stand on firing BOB? I have my issues with him, of course, so do all of you I expect. But he did make magic with Deshaun in the ten minutes they had together.

The main problem I have with a firing, which I feel sure will happen, is I have no confidence at all that this group of idiots, McNeck and his lapdog and his idiot son, will have the wherewithal to find someone as good much less better.

Frank Reich is a guy who is plainly right up their alley - churchgoing dumbass. And these people are so deaf to / ignorant of history that they will be shocked when people like me howl with derision at their pick, should they pick that asshole.

The Texans fan in me wants them to keep BOB around because I think he and Deshaun could do crazy things on the field, and because I know BOB hates Slick Rick and McNeck, maybe more than I do. Probably more than I do. The Texans hater in me, an ever increasing percentage, hopes they fire BOB, hire some goon and see it all go sideways, watch McNeck kick it while his team is in the shitter and watch junior Irsay the whole thing up even worse than it was before. All while BOB goes on to win a SB with another team, of course, preferably the Titans but any old team would do.

I'm in San Diego visiting my family for Christmas and we both agreed that going to a division rival would be a very O'Brien thing to do. The Titans were my pick while he guessed Colts. Either way we agreed O'Brien would be unemployed for about a half hour. We also agreed that if Rick Smith lost his job, he'd be sitting next to Louis Riddick or Charlie Casserly on some pregame show. By the way, my brother didn't have these opinions because he's a bitter Texans fan, but rather because as a Patriots fan he laughs at the Texans from afar.

I happen to think the Colts are dumb enough to move on from Luck over the shoulder injury/non-injury, so I am not sold on him going to the Colts. Can't you see the Colts talking themselves into going with Brissett as their QB and getting the number 1 and 3 draft picks from the Browns for Andrew Luck?

[chuck]

Originally Posted by barrett

I happen to think the Colts are dumb enough to move on from Luck over the shoulder injury/non-injury, so I am not sold on him going to the Colts. Can't you see the Colts talking themselves into going with Brissett as their QB and getting the number 1 and 3 draft picks from the Browns for Andrew Luck?

Depends on how many percocets ole Jimmy downs with his breakfast bourbon.

[Arky]

Colts opened with a 3 and out.

Texans dinking and dunking their way down the field.....

9:40 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Fairbairn good from 52.

Texans 3, Colts 0

8:15 left in the 1st qtr.

[Keith]

Yates with a few checkdowns to Blue. No complaints here. Take the easy yardage.

I've been looking for the team to find improvements for Blue for a couple years now, but gotta give him credit. Guy's a pro and contributes in several ways.

[Arky]

Colts open the 2nd qtr with a 6-yard TD pass to Doyle.

Colts 7, Texans 3

[Arky]

Blue punches it in from 2 yards out.

Texans 10, Colts 7

6:55 left in the half.

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Fuller out with a knee.....

[Arky]

Texans add another FG on their way to halftime.

At the half:

Texans 13, Colts 7

[Arky]

Gore punches it in after a long drive as the Colts take the lead:

Colts 14, Texans 13

6:51 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Colts add a safety and a FG.

Colts 19, Texans 13

8:47 left in the game.

[Keith]

It's finally over. Goodbye 2017.


Going to get interesting at Kirby over the next day or so...

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Keith

Going to get interesting at Kirby over the next day or so...

We're going to see if the owner wants to win or if, as I have always maintained, winning is simply not a priority.

[Arky]

Final Score:

Colts 22, Texans 13

TJ did himself no favors.

Lone bright spot: Zach Cunningham, 12 tackles.