Houston Texans 2014 Thread

[eagle eye]

The Texans have a quick turnaround but the circumstances seem eerily the same as they did with the Cowboys.

 

Instead of an in-state rival the Texans are playing a bitter division rival in the Colts who, when Peyton Manning was there was a thorn in the Texans side. Now that Andrew Luck has sort of ascended to the throne in Indianapolis the Colts are a thorn once more.

 

The Texans went to Dallas with both teams sitting at 3-1. This week the Texans and the Colts are both 3-2.

 

The Texans face a team again that seems to have found it's running game. Last week it's Dallas and DeMarco Murray. This week it's Indy and a resurgent Ahmad Bradshaw. (That's right, I didn't say Trent Richardson).

 

While Indy's defense isn't as suspect as the Cowboys the Colts have been, since the beginning of the Peyton Manning era, an offense dominated team just as the Cowboys have been. But, like the Cowboys, Indy has found a new life in the defensive side of the ball.

 

Dallas was a division co-leader (and they still are) as is Indy and the team they co-lead the division with is---wait for it----that's right. Our very own Houston Texans.

 

As the Texans seemed to be overmatched last week going in you just have to feel they are again. Mainly because of the quarterback. In Dallas last week Tony Romo was clearly the difference in the game for the Cowboys. Two huge plays by Romo, and I'll bet you know exactly which two, was the real difference in the game. Indy's Andrew Luck can scramble but I doubt he's got any Jedi in him. If JJ Watt gets around the left tackle like he did in Dallas Luck will be toast. But, Luck has also proved that he can make plays too. There is no Dez in Indy but TY Hilton and Reggie Wayne aren't chopped liver and provide Luck with pretty good targets. Houston can play defense. They have proven that all season. They harassed Tony Romo to distraction last Sunday and I don't see the quality O-line in Indy that Dallas has.

It's Indianapolis vs Houston on Thursday Night Football. Guess what I'll be doing tomorrow night. Fact is, I don't much care for Thursday night football but I'll put that prejudice on the back burner for this week. I won't be torn about who I'm rooting for because it's Texans all the way, baby. I hope Bill O'Brien lets Fitz throw the ball downfield a little more this week. Word is the Bill O'Brien said today both Brian Cushing and Arian Foster will be available to play. We can only hope they show up and play like they did Sunday in Dallas. Houston is going to win this game, I feel it. Final score?

 

Houston 23 Indianapolis 18

Edited October 9, 2014 by eagle eye

[eagle eye]

The Texans played a good game. I'm proud of the way they came back from being down 24-0 early on. The final score was 33-28 and Houston had the ball with 2 minutes and change left to drive for a winning score. Unfortunately, after one first down Fitz coughed up the ball trying to avoid the Colts rush and that was it--ballgame. JJ Watt scored on a fumble recovery and he became the first pro football player to score on an interseption return, a fumble return and score a TD on offense since the caveman days of the NFL. If Watt keeps on keeping on he would be a legit candidate for MVP. The first quarter Houston couldn't do anything right and allowed the Colts to score seemingly at will. But, the Texans made a game of it and I'm sure there were some worried men on the Indy sideline especially with the crowd really into the game and making noise like nobody else can. It's one loss and Houston is just a game back of Indy and there are so many games left it is definitely not panic time.

I am so of tired of DJ Swearinger. All talk and no substance. He missed several tackles last night and anyone who talks like he does needs to tackle better. That's okay, minor complaint. I'm glad Houston has 11 days off before they play in Week 7 and there are a lot of people who didn't think the Texans would be 3-3 at this point.

[eagle eye]

Some good news is coming out of Houston. Today, NFL.com is reporting that Jadeveon Clowney could be back on the field next Monday night to face the Pittsburgh Steelers. Clowney is six weeks removed from the knee surgery he had at the end of training camp and he has been seen at the Texans facility running and doing his rehab work. Clowney is saying he's anxious to "hit somebody" but Bill O'Brien is less optimistic saying they (the Texans) will see how the next 10 days go before making a decision about Clowney's availability. At least some help for Superman (JJ Watt) is nearer than before.

[eagle eye]

Jadeveon Clowney may play this week in Pittsburgh then again, he may not. That's where he stands right now, a 50-50 shot at playing and that's a lot better than last week and if he's 50-50 now next week he should be good to go, don't you think? Besides JJ Watt the pressure hasn't been really forthcoming. Occasionally, a guy will make a play but Watt could use some reinforcement and if Clowney is what he's been advertised even a rookie can have an impact. I, for one, can't wait until Clowney is back on the field. I just don't want the Texans to rush him back. I want them to make darn sure he's 100% before he is thrown into a game.

 

I think it's safe to say Arian Foster is back. He ran all over the Cowboys who stopped Percy Harvin and Marshawn Lynch in their tracks last week. Even though they lost Houston gave Indianapolis all they could handle last week with Foster gaining 109 yards on 20 carries. He's got that burst back which is what makes him so special. Good to see and I'd like to see him get his 3rd consecutive 100 yard game against the hated Steelers this week.

 

Brian Cushing has been working his way back into game shape as he is seeing more and more snaps in the games as each week passes. Cush played in 64% of the Texans snap against the Cowboys while he was on the field for 97% of the defensive snaps last week against the Colts.

 

The Texans 2nd round draft pick, Xavier Su'a-Filo, got his first start and he and the rest of the starting O-line played every snap on offense.

 

Houston may have found their slot receiver in Damaris Johnson. Last week he was on the field for over half the Texans offensive snaps. He contributed 3 catches for 62 yards which included a 40 yard reception.

[eagle eye]

Jadeveon Clowney is a "game time decision" according to Bill O'Brien but we saw something yesterday we haven't seen since Week 1 when Clowney was injured against the Redskins. What's that? It's JC back at practice with the team instead of doing work with trainers on the side. It's pretty clear that if he isn't in the lineup Sunday he will be back next week. The Texans practice today and we'll see what Texans.com says after today's practice. The 50-50 chance is looking a little 60-40-ish but still I don't want Houston to rush him back. After all this is a marathon, not a sprint.

[eagle eye]

Houston returned home from Pittsburgh last night after losing to the Steelers 30-23. Now, on the surface it would appear that it was a good game that Houston just came up short in but, the real story is much more disheartening. You see, the Texans led with just under 3 minutes left in the first half 13-0. Pittsburgh could do virtually nothing right and really the score should have been by a wider margin. I think Houston could realistically been up 17-0 at very least. That's when all hell broke loose and by the time the half ended Houston trailed the Steelers 24-13. That's what happens when you fumble inside your own 5 and get a pass intercepted by a shaggy bearded upper 30-something who wasn't even on the Steelers roster when the season began. Of course I'm talking about long time Steeler Brett Keisel who tipped a Ryan Fitzpatrick pass which then bounced off a a helmet and back into Keisel's arms. When it goes south it goes south. The good thing was that Houston did come back and make the game close. In fact, if an on-side kick attempt had gone Houston's way and it almost did then Houston would have had a realistic chance to tie the game and send it into overtime. Fitz looked okay, Foster rushed for 102 yards things were going all Houston's way including a JJ Watt fumble recovery. It just wasn't meant to be as Pittsburgh won on Monday Night Football for the 16th consecutive time. Damn, I hate Pittsburgh. I posted a while back that I was getting tired of DJ Swearinger's act and I haven't given up that notion. I guess he thinks he's being a leader by pointing the finger at teammates when he's the one who appears to have screwed up. Either way, I think the guy is a jerk and an average football player at best. Houston got bad news before the game started when Jadeveon Clowney was a last minute scratch despite having warmed up on the field prior to the game. I don't think there's any way he won't be in the lineup next week at Tennessee. Besides Swearinger there was a list of bad performances in the second half of the game starting with Whitney Mercilus who seemed to be the focus of every bad play Houston made. Brian Cushing was shown up as slow in coverage and then there's Swearinger. Houston needs help, more help than Clowney can bring but he should help. Thank God Tennessee isn't all that good because Houston isn't either it seems and it's a game Houston SHOULD win. That is unless they give away the game like they did last night. Edited October 21, 2014 by eagle eye

[eagle eye]

The football gods giveth and they taketh away. This week it's the return of the #1 pick in this year's draft Jadeveon Clowney is 99.9% sure he'll be playing against the Tennessee Titans Sunday in Nashville. That's the giveth part. The taketh away is the loss of at least one week of LB Brian Cushing who is having swelling in his knee. It was apparent that Cush wasn't himself against the Steelers Monday night and now we know why. This could actually wrong because Bill O'Brien said today that Cushing is 'day-to-day' and he will travel with the team to Nashville. I would rather Houston hold him out and give a an opportunity to get healthy, or as healthy as he can be during the season. Getting Clowney back should help offset the loss of Cushing but Houston needs him on the field. Am I wrong to wish it was Whitney Mercilus who has the swollen knee and not Cushing? If Cushing is out the likely replacement will veteran LB Justin Tuggle with Akeen Dent and Mike Mohamed in the mix as well.

[eagle eye]

Texans should be Tennessee. All the cards stack up for Houston. Better run game and a better quarterback (yeah, I said it. Ryan Fitzpatrick SHOULD be better than rookie Zack Mettenberger making his first NFL start) and at least a comparable defense. The difference maker of course is JJ Watt. Epic is the impact he's had this season and I would venture to say he's been better than his MVP season two years ago. Houston won't have Brian Cushing, or they shouldn't have him. It's been quite clear he isn't himself and Houston still has a shot at the division if they can string together some wins. Long term the Texans would be much better served by giving Cush a chance to heal and get back to the player he can be. Or at least a close proximity which is better than most player's best. It would be time for Jadeveon Clowney to get into the mix and prove the Texans right for using that No 1 pick on him back in May. Having an impact pass rusher to compliment Watt would be a huge boost in the Texans pass rush which would help the secondary out a bunch. Aside from Cushing the Texans are healthy. The advantage will be taking advantage of Mettenberger's rookie-ness. It's time for Houston to bring to a halt the current 3 game losing streak. This ain't 2013 and there's no time like the present. A road game against a division opponent and two games out of first in the division. If Houston wins and Indy loses to Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh we're one game out. This season isn't over yet and I, for one, won't give up on Houston. God help me, I still believe Ryan Fitzpatrick can get us on the winning path. The Texans just need to stop shooting themselves in the foot like they did in Pittsburgh last Monday. Final score?

 

Houston 27 Tennessee 19

[eagle eye]

Houston got off the losing train and they dominated doing it. 30-17 is pretty much domination. Arian Foster was his usual self gaining 151 yards on only 20 carries with 2 TDs. He added 4 catches for 22 yards and another TD. Ryan Fitzpatrick dinked and dunked his way to 227 yards on 19 completions in 35 attempts. DeAndre Hopkins getting the most yards (95) and Andre Johnson the most catches (7) with a total of 5 different receivers none catching less than 4 passes. The great thing was there were zero turnovers. The offense was efficient, almost surgical. It was the type of game I envisioned Houston playing week in and week out before the season began.

The defense was tough as well. They harassed rookie Zack Mettenberger into an interception and several bad passes. They did allow Mettenberger to throw for 299 yards and 2 scores but they did hold them to only the 17 points. The Texans only allowed 36 yards rushing on the day with Bishop Sankey getting the most carries, 9, for a mere 35 yards. JJ Watt was his usual badass self as he recorded 2 sacks, a batted pass he nearly picked off and forced fumble. Jadeveon Clowney played in his first game since opening week against Washington. He played mostly on passing downs and he ended up with only one tackle but at least he got out there. It may take a couple of weeks to get into game shape but it was nice to see him back on the field.

 

Houston has evened up their record now they sit at 4-4 on the season but they have a really stern test this week when Philadelphia comes to town. The Texans got the scenario I posted last week. They got a win in Tennessee and Colts got dismantled by Pittsburgh which means Houston is only one game out of first place in the AFC South. Houston now needs to to start stringing together some wins and they could very well do that vs an Eagles team that is sort of struggling right now. Good defense, a good running game and an effective controlled passing game with no turnovers is the recipe lets hope Houston can follow it.

[eagle eye]

Houston added some linebacker depth today by signing former Texan Zac Diles.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Former-Texan-Zac-Diles-returns-to-team/cb51adb0-348f-4bc7-b2e4-ecba3d9cdf90

 

The Texans will get to see more familiar faces Sunday at Reliant, uh I mean NRG Stadium. Sunday will see the return of former Texans Connor Barwin and DeMeco Ryans but they won't be wearing familiar unis. Now they are mainstays in the Philadelphia Eagles defense and they will be looking to reek havoc in Houston's backfield.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/DeMeco-Ryans-Connor-Barwin-return-to-NRG/8fab8b05-3c25-45ae-97ef-46302acfc157

[eagle eye]

Houston will have challenge they haven't faced so far in 2014 and that is an uptempo, get after it offense. Chip Kelly and his high octane offense are coming to town this week and Houston better have their big boy pants on or the Eagles will run them right out of NRG Stadium. It's a good thing Jadeveon Clowney got a game in under his belt last week. He should get more snaps this week and his athleticism will be much needed. I think the Texans offense can have some success against the Philly defense because they rely on an old school running game and an emerging passing game. Philly may be a little beat up after a very physical game against the Cardinals last week and the fact they have two long road trips in a row cannot be forgotten. Houston showed the ability to effectively pass the ball to a lot of different receivers and it may not be a bad strategy to play an uptempo offense of their own to try to wear down the Eagles early. As a Texans fan I am hoping that Houston discovered something in Tennessee last week that carries over this week and the weeks to come. It's something that remains to be seen. Heavy doses of Arian Foster and JJ Watt will give Houston a chance to win especially if the offense can keep the Philly offense on the sideline as spectators.

 

Nose tackle Ryan Pickett will play his 200th NFL game this week against the Eagles. Sounds like a nice extra motivation to stuff RB LeSean McCoy squash QB NIck Foles as a nice anniversary selfie gift. The 6'2" 340 DT will be a load to run around in the middle of the Texans line. It would be nice to see the big guy twist off on the Eagles.

 

In the spirit of Halloween this item from Texans.com was a bit of a hoot. Alfred Blue, Travis Labhart, Andre Hal and Jay Prosch dressed up as a group of super heroes for an event called TORO's Kids Club Cookies and Rookies. These players and the Texans cheerleaders joined about 100 kids at the Methodist Training Center for some holiday fun.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/BWTB-Super-Rookies/03e39d8b-ed66-4b90-b702-c59ae9e88117

[eagle eye]

I mentioned in an earlier post that former Texans DeMico Ryans and Connor Barwin along with 5 other former Texans will be coming back to the familiar digs at NRG Stadium but they come here as members of the Philadelphia Eagles. I was shocked that Houston let Ryans go. He was a mainstay on the defense in Houston and team captain. Now Ryans is a team captain in Philly and is also the leading tackler on the team. The loss of Ryans and Connor Barwin helped delute the talent of the Texans defense and along with the loss of Brian Cushing contributed mightily to the 2-14 season Houston had last year. Barwin was a 2nd round pick in 2009 and he was a good, solid player for Houston that Houston felt they could do without. I disagreed about that too. Unfortunately, I don't have a dog in that fight as far as the Texans brass is concerned. I miss Ryans and Barwin as part of the Texans team. If Houston could've, or would've, found a way to keep them how good could this defense be with what we've added. Right now, I would trade Whitney Mercilus for Connor Barwin in a heartbeat.

 

I was listening to 97.5 yesterday and A J Hoffman on The Blitz was in a discussion with a guest about the betting line this week in the Houston-Philly game and Hoffman was his usual negative self stating that he didn't think Houston had enough talent to even keep the game close against the Eagles. He was taking the Eagles and the points because he has zero faith in the Texans chances. Houston isn't that bad and they sure don't deserve the negativity that Hoffman and Fred Faour heap on the Texans. Did they not notice the Texans are 4-4 rather than -0-8 which is what they seem to feel is what they are? With basketball season under way now they can stop bashing the Astros and start ripping on the Rockets. That is just what Hoffman and Faour do.

 

Here is an article from Texans.com about 5 things we need to be watching this week when Houston hosts the Eagles by Texans beat writer Drew Dougherty.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/5-Things-to-Watch-Texans-vs-Eagles/56b19666-4674-4b9a-b019-61eeeea7c0d9

[eagle eye]

That whole 'football gods giveth and taketh' thing from an earlier post is just what seems to have reared it's ugly head. It was learned yesterday that Clowney was listed on the Friday official injury report as "questionable" due to a knee injury and an illness. It isn't known if something in the knee he tore his meniscus that caused him to miss six weeks of play was the knee that he had a problem with. When asked about Clowney's status this week Bill O'Brien said, "I don't know, I wouldn't say it looks very good for him playing Sunday.". O'Brien added that Jadeveon will be checked out again today and he will ultimately be a game time decision.

 

That's the taketh away part. The giveth part is that LB Brian Cushing may be able to play Sunday. Cushing returned to practice Friday for the first time in two weeks and Bill O'Brien said, “It looked like he was moving around pretty good today so we’ll have to see how he’s doing this afternoon with a little bit more treatment,” O’Brien said. “We’ll touch base with him tomorrow and see how it feels in the morning.”

 

In a perfect world both Clowney and Cushing will play and play well but that's just me dreaming. If Clowney's knee is going to be a problem I would rather they just shut him down until he's 100%. I don't believe you can surgically repair a meniscus, in fact I just looked it up on WebMD and surgery is a last resort and may not work anyway. Rest is the only realiable medicine for a meniscus tear. If the inflammation is in that knee he may have to deal with issues his entire career. But, there's no use worrying about that now. Clowney is young, he's a rookie and his potential is too high to believe anything bad will happen to him. I'm a glass-half-full guy so let's rub some dirt of it and take a lap and get in the game because it's going to be okay!

[eagle eye]

Houston is going to be without to important cogs in their defensive machine. Jadeveon Clowney is out with a knee issue and Brian Cushing is out as well as he has a bum knee too. This is a problem for a defense who pretty much has to saddle up JJ Watt every week and ride on his back. Houston has some decent players on defense and it ain't like Cushing or Clowney have been in the lineup all season. They know how to play with what they have. It would seem about time Brian Cushing caught a break with all this knee business. He's a good player and good dude and he really deserves better than he's gotten. The Texans have to be getting a little frustrated with Jadeveon. He's played in 5 quarters this season so far and that ain't enough for the #1 pick in the freaking draft. That's okay. He'll be back, they both will and maybe it will be after Houston's bye next week. This defense could use a break. But, they have a day ahead of them today. Philadelphia is no slouch and they have to be feeling a little salty after losing to Arizona last week. But, the one thing we have is a run game. Arian Foster can do well against these Eagles and Fitzpatrick can too if he stays away from throwing picks like he did last week in Tennessee. The Texans will have to deal with an Eagle team that likes to blitz but they have the personnel to make them pay if they do. The Eagles are on the road for 2nd week in a row and they were long road trips. Arizona is physical team as is Houston. Home field means something in Houston and despite the nay-sayers on the The Blitz radio show I think the 4-4 Texans have more than a shot at the 5-2 Eagles. So much so that I believe I, and a lot of other Texans fans, will be happy campers come about 3:15 today. Final score?

 

Houston 26 Philadelphia 24

[eagle eye]

The Texans could have beaten the Eagles. No, check that, they should've beaten the Eagles. They knock the starting QB out of the game and possibly the season with a broken collar bone. They won the turnover battle 4-1 including a pick-six by CB AJ Bouye. Didn't matter because Houston couldn't contain LeSean McCoy or Jeremy Maclin both of whom had 100+ yards rushing and receiving respectively with Maclin scoring 2 TDs. Marc Sanchez played better than anyone could expect and Fitz just was the next best thing to mediocre. He was so bad that backup Ryan Mallett tweeted that he was ready to start right now. He pulled the tweet later that evening but the message seems clear. Some of the team is tired of Fitzpatrick's inconsistancy. DeAndre Hopkins got his 3rd career 100 yard game to which I say, "Big Whoop", some receivers have 3 or more 100 yard games this season. Houston is clutching at straws to find a silver lining to the so-so play of their QB. I have to admit that Fitz is the thing holding this offense back and it was clearly on display yesterday. I would be all for making the switch to Ryan Mallett after this week's bye. Houston is 4-5 now and they would be lucky to be a .500 club by season's end with Fitzpatrick under center. Some folks may be happy with a .500 record after last year. The Texans would certainly be ahead of the expectations of many of the NFL pundits around the league but Houston is better than that. They do keep making stupid mistakes that invariably bite them in the backside. They need to show better discipline than they have. They played a mistake free game last week against Tennessee and they won going away. But, in most games they didn't and they lost most of those games. The bye is here and it comes at just the right time. Arian Foster tweeked his groin late in yesterday's game so he and Jadeveon Clowney and Brian Cushing get an extra week to heal. In two week Houston comes back, hopefully a lot healthier, to face Cleveland on the road. It won't be an easy game but Houston can and should win, if they are healthy and hopefully with a new signal caller.

[eagle eye]

Well, they did it. In an earlier post I said that this bye week was a good opportunity to make the change at QB. What do you think happened today? I'll bet you know already but just in case you didn't here it is. Ryan Fitzpatrick is now the backup QB for the Texans and the other Ryan, Mallett, is now the starter. Bill O'Brien said in the press conference today that this isn't just a one game tryout. Mallett is likely going to get the rest of the season to show if he was worth all the hype. If he is he may be considered one of the best values for a sixth round draft pick, which is what Houston gave up to New England for him, ever. If not then Bill O'Brien and Ryan Mallett may be run out of Houston on a rail. Here's one item of hope. Tom Brady was a sixth round draft pick. Mallett is from the SEC (Arkansas) and he learned under Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and, yes, Bill O'Brien in New England for 3 years. At 26 years of age he could be ready to step into this role and be ready to go. That's what Bill O'Brien and the Texans want and that's what Texans fans hope will happen.

[eagle eye]

Andre Johnson had enough drama in Houston? This week he tweeted that he just needed to find an island some place. Hope Dre gets a nice week of rest so he can come back recharged. This team isn't as bad as their 4-5 record would indicate. What Bill O'Brien referenced in his press conference announcing the change at QB was that he felt that Ryan Mallett gave the Texans a better chance to win. Whether that comes to fruition or not remains to be seen but it's pretty much a fact that Ryan Fitzpatrick wasn't getting it done. He wasn't bad, he just wasn't all that good either. Mallett is O'Brien's guy. He wanted him because he knew him from his days at New England. He sees talent there. He's the kind of pocket passer that O'Brien likes in the mold of Tom Brady. So, Dre needs to get with the program and give the kid a chance and earn his freaking money. It's not like the Texans season is lost. They still have a shot at the playoffs and if Mallett is as good as many feel he is, that chance just got better. The Texans website always has an article about 5 Things to Watch well, IMO the other thing to watch is whether or not Mallett is the real deal. That and whether or not Jadeveon Clowney and Brian Cushing get back on the field next week. So, I guess that's 2 things to watch.

[eagle eye]

The Texans got back to work today after a much needed week off. They are starting their stretch run with a tough road game vs the AFC North leading Cleveland Browns. Be serious now, how many of you thought "AFC North leading" and "Cleveland Browns" would be in the same sentence? But, it's true after the Pittsburgh Steelers inexplicably lost to the New York Jets yesterday. That HAS to be the upset of the week. Houston will be in the elements facing the aftermath of a strong winter storm that will affect us in the Golden Triangle this week. They will have to deal with the strong wind coming off Lake Erie as well as the Browns stout defense. I guess there's no reason to shed any tears of self pity. Strap it up and let's go.

 

The Texans already know they will be without CB Kareem Jackson is all but ruled out of this week's game. We will need to keep and eye on a handful of players who have been nursing injuries through this bye week. Arian Foster (groin), Jadeveon Clowney (knee), Brian Cushing (knee), and Darryl Morris (ankle) are players who we have to question their status this week. CB Jonathan Joseph was cleared to practice after passing the NFL concussion protocols and he was on the field today. So, there's that anyway.

 

It is a healthy sign that instead of taking the week and the weekend off new starting QB Ryan Mallett was at the Texans practice facility working to get ready for his first start in the NFL in the regular season. In his fourth season in the NFL Mallett has had the opportunity to learn how to be an NFL QB from one of the best, Tom Brady. Learning in the Patriot way under Bill Belichick and, for one year, Bill O'Brien who was the offensive coordinator in New England before accepting the head coaching position at Penn State. Mallett was a guy Bill O'Brien wanted and he eventually got him just before the season began in a trade with the Patriots and all they had to give for him was a late round draft pick. If Mallett turns out to be what Houston hopes it will be a heckuva return on a minimal investment. This weekend is the first step in the Ryan Mallett Experiment.

Edited November 11, 2014 by eagle eye

[eagle eye]

This the Texans don't get any publicity. That may be somewhat true to some extent but JJ Watt helping to shine a light on Houston by making adding to his legend. In this short article from Texans.com Watt is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated and ESPN the Magazine with pictures of the covers.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/JJ-Watt-featured-on-Sports-Illustrated-and-ESPN-The-Magazine-covers/11c8d3c5-06ab-48bc-9f3c-b9454c664efe

 

In a BWTB (Breakfast With The Bulls) article in Texans.com beat writer Eric Saninocencio looks at the fortunes of other NFL QBs who took over the starting jobs mid season like Ryan Mallett will do this week against the Cleveland Browns.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/BWTB-Mallett-and-the-history-of-mid-season-starters/18adb7ec-a49c-4ada-b2fd-25230b2f185b

[eagle eye]

I don't know how but I just figured out that today's game vs the Browns has an underlying story line. It's really not that big a deal but if you look at how well that Brian Hoyer has been playing, after all his Browns lead the AFC North with a 6-3 record, and the first ever NFL regular season start of Ryan Mallett I suppose it bears mentioning that these two guys are both born of the same mother, so to speak. What? That's right, both Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer began their careers as New England Patriots. Both learned how to be NFL QBs under the great Tom Brady and learned the right way to go about becoming NFL players under the great Bill Belichick. I don't mind giving Brady props because the guy is good but Belicheat I still have my doubts but you can't deny the success the Pats have had. Hoyer has had a stumble or two this season but by and large the Browns have been so pleased with his play Johnny Manziel has gone from Johnny Football to Johnny Who. It is an interesting story line I'd say and don't we hope Mallett is as good as Hoyer has been?

Houston is going to be severely handicapped going into this game. On a cold day you'd like to have one of the best RBs in the league to lean on but it won't happen today as Texans head man Bill O'Brien told the media yesterday Arian Foster is out still nursing an injured groin from the Philly game two weeks ago. So, the Texans will try to lean on Alfred Blue. What the Texans are really hoping is that Mallett will make their passing game click. The Browns defense won't make that task as simple as when you say it. Those guys are good. The good thing is both Jadeveon Clowney and Brian Cushing will be back on the field. It's going to be a good game I think but unfortunately I think the Texans have too tall a hill to climb this week. I hate to say it but.......the final score?

 

Cleveland 24 Houston 10

[eagle eye]

Houston did it. I didn't think they could and I stand happily corrected. For his first start in the NFL 4th year man Ryan Mallett did a good job. He spread the ball around and he even got his first TD pass as a pro. What's memorable about it will be it was to DE JJ Watt who made a heckuva catch to score his fourth TD of the season. Watt's 4 TDs ties a record for TDs for defensive lineman set by somebody I never heard of who did it before I was even born.

Watt had a Watt kind of day. Besides his TD catch he forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and recorded a sack, his 9th of the season. In short he seemed to be everywhere and the Browns will probably have nightmares about Watt for a few days. Watt wasn't perfect though as he was flagged twice for roughing the kicker trying block punts. The second one gave the Browns new life and they scored on the drive kept alive by Watt.

The win evens their season record at 5-5 which is only one game behind the 6-4 Indianapolis Colts who got pounded by the New England Patriots. The switch to Mallett seems to have given the Texans a spark but we'll have to see if it's a one hit wonder like Case Keenum brought to last year. The difference was Keenum's Texans lost despite the spark he brought to the team and Mallett is a more NFL ready QB that Keenum will probably ever be. We'll see if Houston can duplicate, or better, yesterday's performance when they come back to NRG Stadium to play Cincinnati.

[eagle eye]

The Texans will have to wait and see if Arian Foster is in the lineup this week as he is still battling a groin injury suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles 3 weeks ago. If Foster can't go the job will again fall on Alfred Blue. Blue did a nice job against Cleveland last week gaining 159 yards on the ground to help ease the burden of first time starter Ryan Mallett.

An interesting sidebar here is if Blue is the main ball carrier he will be facing off against his old LSU teammate Jeremy Hill who is starting in place of Giovanni Bernard, who is also nursing a groin injury, for the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Texans host Cincinnati this week and you wonder who the heck will show up for the Bengals. The crappy Bengals who lost to Cleveland two weeks ago or the good Bengals who beat the Saints in New Orleans last week. I think we all hope the crappy Bengals show up. Just like we all hope Jacksonville finally puts it together and beats the Colts in Indy. If all that happens Houston and Indy will be tied for the division lead at 6-5. Shoot, a guy can dream can't he?

 

A little Football 101 comes from Texans analyst John Harris. Most of you guys already know this stuff but it may help you explain it to someone else.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/BWTB-Explaining-coverages/b24b6a72-e15c-4069-8f65-e20bcca6eed7

[eagle eye]

I'm sitting here at my house watching the Lamar-Indiana game (we're not doing bad so far --- down 10 with about 7 minutes left in the 1st half) when I got a feeling that I just had to get down. Houston is going to win tomorrow. I can't tell you for sure how or why but I do know that Houston seems to be kryptonite to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are missing their best defensive player in Vontase Berfect and they haven't been consistent all season. I guess that's why they are 6-3-1. It will be the 2nd week in a row that Houston will play the AFC North division leader. Last week it was Cleveland in Cleveland and Houston pretty much opened up a can of whup-ass on the Browns.

Now, I'm not saying we are going to put a smack-down on the Bengals but every week Jadeveon Clowney gets into better game shape and gets a little closer to being the impact player he was supposed to be when he was drafted. JJ is JJ and enough said about that. The linebackers are playing well and especially in the case of Brian Cushing they are healthy. Or as healthy as players can be at this time of the season. The DBs are playing pretty well too. On the offensive side of the ball we are healthy except for Foster but in his debut last week Ryan Mallett sure looked like a guy who was ready, willing and able to lead an NFL team. He made good decisions, he was pretty accurate passing the ball and the road crowd didn't seem too big for him to handle. Bill O'Brien may have been right, that Mallett gives Houston the best chance to win games. I like our team and I like them against the Bengals. Shoot, in a perfect world Jacksonville will upset the Colts at home and Houston takes care of business vs Cincy and by 3:30 tomorrow afternoon Houston will be tied for 1st place in the AFC South with the Colts with identical 6-5 records. I may be a glass 3/4 full guy here but the final score?

 

Houston 27 Cincinnati 20

[eagle eye]

Looks like Andy Dalton found immunity from kryptonite because, while he wasn't great he did enough to lead his Bengals over the Texans. I don't think it was a beat down by the Bengals so much as a missed opportunity by the Texans. As solid as Ryan Mallett was against the Browns last week. He was high and behind to most of the receivers he threw to and that was the real difference in the game. Houston couldn't sustain drives and the only real drive they put together was late in the 4th qtr when the game was out of reach. The Texans managed only 2 field goals on offense. Their lone TD came on a 60 yd interception by Jonathan Joseph in the 3rd qtr. After that and a 25 yd field goal by Randy Bullock actually got Houston within 3 at 16-13. But, Cincy was able to get a couple of 4th qtr field goals of their own to stretch the lead to 22-13 and that's how it ended up. It's hard to believe Mallett was so off and he was never able to right the ship.

So now Houston is a game under .500 and two behind the Colts for the division lead. They have 5 games left to try to make a run at the playoffs but if Mallet plays like he did yesterday Houston has no shot.

[eagle eye]

Well, now I got the reason why Ryan Mallett had such a bad game yesterday. The news just came out today and lo and behold Mallett tore a pectoral muscle during warmups before the game. He played the whole game likely in a lot of pain. Now neither he nor the Texans will have to worry about his pain for the rest of the season because he season is over. Ryan wanted to play despite the pain in his chest because he was finally getting his chance to start after a 4 year apprenticeship. He didn't want to come out. Ironically, he should have been benched because of the bad game he ultimately had. Now it's going to be Ryan Fitzpatrick down the stretch with Tom Savage backing him up.

It's too bad for Mallett, you gotta feel for the guy who bided his time, paid his dues, waited for his chance and after two games his season is done.

 

One good thing is that Arian Foster should be back in the lineup next week to face Tennessee.