Official Texans vs. Packers Game Thread, 10/14/2012
 

The Texans (5-0) will be hosting the Green Bay Packers (2-3) in their first Sunday Night Football game (under NBC's watch) this weekend. Can the Texans keep it going? Green Bay would love nothing better than to upset the Texans and "get back on track". Texans have lost ace Linebacker Brian Cushing for the season due to an ACL tear in the Monday night game against the Jets.

Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers has been getting sacked (21 times) more than usual this year but still has an impressive 97.0 QB rating with 10 TD's and 4 INT's. Main running back Cedric Benson is listed on IR and RB James Starks is questionable, so look for RB Alex Green (11 rushes, 57 yds.) to take their place. Rodgers likes to spread the ball around in the passing game having four receivers (TE Jermichael Finley, WR's James Jones, Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson) with over 20 catches each, although Finley is currently listed as questionable for the game.

TV = NBC (channel 2 local), Sunday 7:30 pm CST

Announcers = Al Michaels, Chris Collinsworth

The line = Texans by 3 to 3.5

Early Sunday games in the Houston area:

Early CBS = Indy @ NY Jets
Early FOX = Dallas @ Baltimore
Late FOX = NY Giants @ San Francisco

Another benefit for these PT Texans' games is the menu of other games on Sunday, including an option to the Dallas game.
Like all games our Sunday PTer is important, but obviously not nearly as important as the one the following Sunday afternoon with the Ravens.

Ever since I got NFL Redzone, the local broadcast lineup hasn't mattered all that much to me. Other than the Texans games, I can't remember the last time I tuned into one station during the normal Sunday morning/afternoon schedule and watched a game in its enitrety. Not sure if that's good or bad, really, but I sure do love my Redzone.

IIRC, the first time the Texans hosted a Sunday Night game (after the inaugural game against the Cowboys) was against the Packers and the game was won in the final seconds when Brett Favre set up a field goal. I hope history doesn't repeat.

Packers are banged up and coming off a nightmare second half against the Colts. Still, can't overlook them with their offense.

Incidentally, Dom Capers (remember him?) is the Packers' DC running his 3-4 and dialing up the blitzes.

Matthews vs. Newton/Harris is a little concerning.

Aaron Rodgers, while not playing the way he normally does, is VERY concerning. Dude is a baller.

Glad Finley is likely not to play, as coverage on TE's is likely to be a problem with our current ILB. I would imagine that Quinn will be involved, leaving a hole in our secondary.

Hope JJo picks it up this week, but it appears Jennings may be out too, so we may catch a break there too.

No running game for the Pack this week, that should help us out with the ILB by committee situation, as we will likely be in nickel/dime alot of the game.

Don't have a strong feeling either way, which hopefully translates into a great game.

Ya, I remember that. Seems like there was another Sunday nighter against the Seahawks where the Texans got demolished back when ESPN was doing the Sunday night games.... Texans lost like 41-7 or some such...

ESPN took over MNF from ABC and it doesn't seem to be quite as glamorous as it used to be. NBC took over Sunday Night Football from ESPN and it is now the premiere game of the week IMO. Kinda says something about ESPN doesn't it? :p

---------------------------------

6-0 sure has nice ring to it. We really need to enjoy this time as fans while it's happening. Atlanta, also 5-0, has been around since like '69 and they are doing this for the first time (i.e. staying undefeated this far into the season).

I would be ready for a lot screens and swings to make up for a lack of a running game.

BTW, Tate and Jean are expected to play for Houston.

Maybe special teams will be a lot better overall and help in the field position battle.

Sweet... I can't wait to see Jean make some plays on Sunday. Hopefully he's healthy enough to get his normal share of snaps.

A number of people are picking Green Bay in this game. A couple of the ESPN "experts" and Walter over at Walterfootball likes the Packers so much that it is his October Pick of the Month. But, I wouldn't read too much into it - Walt has been in a slump going on a couple of years, now...

On paper, IMO, the Texans have the better team plus we have "less key injuries" than they do so the Texans should win. This should be a good opportunity for Schaub to assert himself as belonging among the best. I expect Rodgers to come out firing and to throw a lot - I don't see more than 12-15 rushes from them the entire game. The DB's need to be on their toes moreso than what we saw in the Jets game. (looking back, that Jets game reminded me of how a good, fundamental boxer sometimes has trouble with an awkward, unorthodox opponent.)

If he's ready to go I've been thinking that this could be a huge boost to the offense.

From PFT:
Greg Jennings ruled out for Sunday’s trip to Houston
Posted by Darin Gantt on October 12, 2012, 1:46 PM EDT
AP
We mentioned earlier today that Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings wasn’t making positive noises when asked if he’d play this week.

Now we know why.

The Packers have officially ruled Jennings out for Sunday night’s game at Houston, according to Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.

Not having Jennings will make things that much more difficult for an offense that hasn’t been firing on all cylinders, and, you know, has to play the Texans.

Help s(watt) out breast cancer sun night!!
 

Texans fans.
Lets make a good showing on national TV Sun night for "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" & bring a pink fly s(WATT)er, or a red/white/blue one with a pink ribon to the game Sunday night!
Hey, be energetic & bring out a big handfull of them & hand them out at the entrances!

Reliant full of waving pink swatters would bring the cause plenty of "TV" time! It would show our appreciation for JJ's great performances, AND PROMOTE THE GREAT CAUSE IN BREAST CANCER AWARENESS (swatt away breast cancer by making every woman out there aware of how many lives breast screening can save!)

Lets get this movement started & tweet/facebook this idea to all your season ticket holder friends!

I think everyone supports breast cancer awareness arnd research for cures.

Only about 8 more hours to our Sunday night game.

Seems.Demps is only Texan out of game, of course Cushing on IR.

If front 4 or 6 on defense get lots of pressure on Rodgers will see lots of DBs on defense.

I think Dobbins will do well at ILB. Maybe this is week Barwin gets some sacks.

According to Texans site many guys nicked up but practiced Friday so should be another exciting game.

I agree with my wife who is an NFL fan (Texans of course are her team) when she says they've gone overboard with all of this "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" hype. She says she'd be fine with a full week devoted to the subject, but not an entire month. BTW, my wife is a breast cancer survivor.

Way too much pink. I love boobs....perhaps more than anybody else on Earth.....and way more familiar with the devastating effects of cancer than anybody should have to be but really....it's too much.

Raji and Jennings are inactive for the Packers. J Finley is active.

Full list of inactives

Texans inactives
20 CB Roc Carmichael
26 CB Brandon Harris
27 SS Quintin Demps
66 T Andrew Gardner
67 G Cody White
79 G Brandon Brooks
97 ILB Barrett Ruud


Packers inactives
28 S Sean Richardson
31 CB Davon House
56 LB Terrell Manning
64 G Greg Vanroten
84 TE D.J. Williams
85 WR Greg Jennings
90 DT B.J. Raji

Another big game starting soon

Let's go baby! National TV!

Keys the same as always. Take care of the ball, no stupid penalties, and control the field position battle. For Schaub, don't throw one of your trademark shitty passes to Charles Woodson (or anyone, for that matter). We should be able to throw on their secondary, but I'd like to run the ball a lot to keep Rodgers off the field. They don't have a run game, so they'll be throwing too. Would like to pressure him into some mistakes.

Cool. Patriots lose and Ravens get two key defenders hurt. If we take tonight's game, we could be three up on everyone in the conference except Baltimore with a chance to win the tie-breaker at home next week.

This is lining up almost too perfectly. That makes me nervous.

Ravens have been gashed on the ground the past two weeks by the Chiefs and the Cowboys. Let's hope we put some schemes to break Foster and Tate for some long ones next week.

Big game! Big game!

That Faith Hill is-a one-a spicy meatboll...

Texans win the toss and will receive.

Martin brings it back to the Texan 19.

Schaub sacked for -2.

Schaub can't find a receiver and throws it away, inc. 3rd and 12 coming up.

Tate gets about 10 on the draw. Texans have to punt.

Cobb brings the punt back to the Packer 33.

Let's go Defense

Green for about 2 or 3.

Green for a couple more. Brings up 3rd and 5.

Pass to Nelson good for about 10 and a 1st down.

Green for 7. Ball at the Texan 46.

Pass to Cobb is dropped, inc. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Deep pass down the sideline is inc. - Jones was wide open. Packers have to punt.

Punt is downed at the Texan 2 yard line but flag on the play. Offsides Texans (Posey) on the play is enough to give the Packers a 1st down.

Ball at the Texan 41.

Deep pass to Nelson is good for the TD.

Flags on the extra point... Two fouls on the Texans will be enforced on the ensuing kickoff....

Packers 7, Texans 0

11:34 left in the 1st quarter.

Crap, that penalty hurt. Now two catches including TD past JJo.

Come on offense.

Good job guys. Just beat yourselves why don't you?

How does Marciano have a job?

So far on special teams: kickoff return to the 18, line up in the neutral zone to give the ball back to Green Bay, offsides on an extra point attempt and a personal foul on the same extra point attempt.

Outrageous.

Martin brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Texan 14.

---------------------

Pass to Casey good for 15.

Schaub, pressured, throws it away, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Foster for about 4. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Schaub sacked - loss of 10. Texans have to punt.

Punt goes out of bounds around the Packer 30. Packers ball.

Good golly Caldwell was awful on that sack.

I've seen more than enough of Caldwell.

Ball at the Packer 27.

Pass to Cobb for 9.

Green for 7 and a 1st down.

Pass to Finley goes for 1.

Rodgers is sacked by Watt! Loss of 14. 3rd and 15 coming up.

Pass to Cobb good for 15 and the 1st down.

Green for 1.

Deep pass down the sideline to Nelson is too long, inc. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Rodgers pass to Cobb is inc. Packers have to punt.

Punt is downed by the Packers at the Texan 3. Texans ball.

Foster for 2.

Pass to OD goes for 4. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Flags presnap. False start D Brown backs it up 1/2 the distance. Makes it 3rd and 9.

Pass to AJ goes for about 12 and the 1st down.

Foster for 2 or 3.

Foster caught in the backfield for -2. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Schaub, pressured, throws it away, inc. Texans have to punt.

Cobb brings the punt back to the Packer 44. Packers ball.

2:46 left in the 1st quarter.

Awful game so far. Offense is missing....something. Not sure what.

The Texans have a terrible tandem of OGs. I was hoping they might improve as the year progressed. Now I'm just hoping their confidence doesn't get so shattered that they become totally useless.

Pass to Cobb goes for big gainer. 24 yards. Jamison shaken up on the play.. injury timeout.... Ball at the Texan 32.

Schaub looks a little off ....... nervous?

Pass to Jones goes for 9.

Green gets 2 yards and the 1st down.

Rodgers, pressured, throws it away, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Shovel pass to Crabtree goes all the way to the Texan 6. 1st and goal.

Pass to Jones is complete for the 6 yard TD.

Packers 14, Texans 0

24 seconds left in the 1st quarter.

Ensuing kickoff goes into and out of the endzone for a touchback. Texans ball at their 20.

----------------------------

Foster for loss of 1.

End of the 1st quarter.