And What A Sunday It Was

For goodness sake some Sunday's are better than you could even wish for. The Texans punch the Steelers in the mouth the same weekend Dallas and their boy wonder Romo take it on the chin in the worst collapse in team history. And that's a storied history with 5 Super Bowl rings and blah, blah blah. Oh Tony by the way, stop calling Jessica in the middle of the night. She has had enough of it, and you should be getting your rest or studying the playbook or getting ready for a 7am tee time. Not that the win over the Steelers deemed the Texans playoff bound, but it was one of hopefully more games where this team needs to start sending messages to the league that they are for real. Now they need to win one of the next two against the Raiders and Ravens. They really need a quality win on the road to send louder statements as to their plans this playoff season, but we'll get there in time. As much as I was crackin' on Jason Allen and hoping somebody else would get a chance, I have to give the man credit for delivering the hit of the game on Hines Ward on the the 3rd down in the 4th Quarter. We have been on the receiving end of bone shattering hits during the history of this franchise. It was nice to be the team dishing it out. This was an offensive line, Arian Foster and Defensive win more than anything. Thanks Gary for trying to keep the Steelers off the field in the 2nd half by grinding it out with Foster. The penalties seemed to take away the Defensive intensity for a little bit in the game when the Steelers sustained a few nice drives, but just like in the Texans other wins, they stepped up when they needed to late in the game to seal the deal. If last season taught us anything, it's too early to get too excited, but let's have some fun while we can.

Promotion Time

For pete's sake, if Sunday's game to did not merit a demotion for Kareem Jackson, it may never happen. It just did not matter who he was covering. Drew Brees made sure he attacked him, especially on the one drive in the 4th where every single throw went to the receiver Jackson was covering. It's not like the guy is a 10 mil/year player. It seems hard to fathom that anyone could play worse. Brandon Harris deserves a shot. If he doesn't work out, you can always go back to Kareem. Did I just say that?

Texans had it in their hands

Despite a poor showing in the red zone in the first half against the Saints. The Texans still had a shot to win this game going into the 4th quarter. This was partly a result of an offense that controlled the clock in the 1st half and kept the Saints off the field. One thing you cannot hide: Kareem Jackson and the lack of consistent pressure on the quarterback. When the Saints had the ball in the 2nd half, they moved the ball at will other than a couple of possessions. Make no mistake, they must play better defense. 23 points in the 4th quarter is unacceptable against anyone. However, there is old football logic that must be so old that it has been forgotten, but it says this: When you are on the road against a quality opponent, just keep it close and hope you can find a way to win in the end. To this end, the Texans should have tried to continue to own the clock by using more of Tate and a short passing game. The Saints can't score 23 in the 4th if they only get two possessions. Instead, I saw the Texans trying to air it out, with the lead mind you. There was one possession they threw all three times. 3 & out, clock stopped on every throw. Saints come back out with no time off the clock. Not smart. I'm not saying you have to run it exclusively, but there should be more runs than passes when trying to eat the clock and your passes should be very safe plays like screens to AJ or quick slants. Kubes went 5 out of 6 passes to open the 4th. Too cute for me. We missed you Arian. If management had taken your hamstring seriously in training camp, maybe you could have been the difference. 1st close game of the season, and we are reminded that there was no turnover at the head coaching position this past offseason.