Official Texans @ Rams Game Thread, 12/20/2009
 

The 6-7 Texans have an excellent opportunity this weekend to even up their record in St. Louis going into the final two games (@ Miami and home for New England).

The Texans are coming off one of their best performances of the year and should have little trouble with the Rams if they focus and take care of business. Should the Texans get out to an early lead, look for some of the youngsters (McCain, Foster, Barber, etc.) to see heavy reps.

The St. Louis Rams are a young team that just hasn't had a whole lot of breaks this year. 3rd string QB Keith Null was pressed into service and threw 5 INT's and had a fumble in blowout loss (47-7) against Tennessee. At present, 2nd string QB Kyle Boller is the expected start against the Texans. Starting QB Marc Bulger has been out 3 weeks with a shin injury and may miss the rest of the season. Because of the uncertainty at QB, Vegas has yet to post a point spread but suffice it to say, the Texans will be the favorite.

Current odds = no line

CBS announcers = Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots

CBS @ noon. Set your DVR's.

Worth noting: NFLN has two very watchable games before Sunday's action. Colts vs. Jags on Thursday night and Cowboys vs. Saints on Saturday night.

Odds have been posted. The Texans are currently 11 pt. favorites over the Rams.

Also, the Chron's take on the Rams swine flu problem....

Well, we oughta win comfortably, perhaps 28 to 10?

Texans defense this year is averaging giving up 21 points a game, while St. Louis defense has been giviing up 27.8 points a game.

Texans offense has been averaging scoring 23.9 points per game while St. Louis has only been scoring about 11.2 points per game.

I'd like to see some of young guys as well once we jump out to a nice lead.

Is a consistent grind em out running game still biggest question on the team? Is this due to the OL, RB, coaching, injuries, defenses we're facing, youth vs experience, size, bad luck, bad ref calls, penalties, or play calling, or a little of each?

The Texans are now 14 point favorites against the Rams. Gotta be a record spread for the Texans (on the road, no less)...

They better not lose.

I was thinking about this the other day. The way I see it, the running game is not all that different from last year except for one thing: just about no big gainers this year. Last year, Slaton would putter along getting 1, 2, 3, 4 yards a carry and then get loose for a big gainer. This year when he was in there, he just never got any big gainers. Part of that, I believe, was due to the injuries in the middle of the line and part of it was Slaton himself - his approach seemed different this year - he seemed to dance too much and/or try to do too much....

That's the way I see it.... :)

Texans won the flip and will receive.

AD brings the kick back to the 20.

Pass over the middle to KW good for 21.

Another to KW good for 16. Ball at the Rams 42.

C Brown for 2.

Foster for 6. Brings up 3rd and 2.

Foster for 1. Brings up 4th and 1. Texans to go for it.

Moats gets 2 and the 1st down. Butler (Rams) is down. Injury timeout.

Dump to Leach is dropped. Brings up 2nd and 10.

Oh no, Foster catches the dump picks up about 12 but fumbles on the tackle. Rams recover at their own 8.

Jackson TFL -1 by Mario. Brings up 2nd and 11.

Pass to Smith good for 7 but flag on the play. Texans offsides. Do-over. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Jackson for about 1. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Pass to Martin good for 23. Ball at the Rams 36.

Pass to Amendola good for 5.

Jackson for 4. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Jackson gets a half yard. Brings up 4th and inches. Rams to go for it....

Pass to Jackson good for 16 and the 1st down. Ball at the Texans 39.

Fumble in the backfield! Recovered by Mario! Texans ball.

Ball at the Texans 43.

Moats for 2.

Pass to AJ good for 38. Ball at the Rams 17.

Schaub can't find anyone open and throws it away. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Moats for about 3. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Pass to AJ only for 4. Texans to go for the FG.

K Brown is good from 27.

Texans 3, Rams 0

3:30 left in the 1st quarter.

Amendola brings the kickoff back to the 27.

Pass good for 5.

Snap is fumbled -1. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Pass to Avery good for 9 and the 1st down. Ball at the Rams 40.

Jackson for no gain.

Null is sacked by Cushing/Pollard!

3rd down pass goes inc. so Rams have to punt.

Punt rolls out of bounds at the Texan 20. Texans ball. 26 seconds left in the 1st quarter.

Foster, meet doghouse. :rolleyes:

Dump to C Brown goes for no gain.

Pass to Dreesen is dropped but flag on the play. Illegal contact Rams = 5 yards, auto 1st down.

End around to JJ goes for no gain.

Pass to DA good for 9. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Schaub sneaks for 1 and the 1st down.

Deep pass over the middle to KW just out of reach, inc.

C Brown for no gain. Brings up 3rd and 10.

Schaub can't find anyone open and throws it away but flag on the play. Holding Texans = declined. 4th down and Texans have to punt.

Amendola brings the punt back to the Ram 26.

Jackson for 1. Brings up 2nd and 9.

Deep pass to Avery overthrown inc.

Pass (to Gado?) gets 9 and the 1st down.

Texans to challenge the spot....

Bad review. Play on the field is upheld.

Jackson TFL -2 but offsides Texans so 1st and 5.

Dump to Jackson -2. Brings up 2nd and 7.

Pass is inc. but offsides Cushing brings up 2nd and 2.

Jackson big gainer around end. 35 yards. Ball at the Texans 20.

Delay of game Rams -5. Makes it 1st and 15.

Gado for 1.

Pass to Avery good for 10. Brings up 3rd and 4.

Pass to Avery caught out of bounds so Rams to go for the FG.

33 yard FG is good.

Texans 3, Rams 3

7:34 left in the half.

Texans really playing down to the competition at present....

AD brings the kickoff back to the 22.

Bombs away to AJ. 48 yards! Ball at the Rams 29.

Moats around end for 12.

Moats for 11. Ball at the Rams 5. 1st and goal.

Moats TFL -2.

Pass to AJ inc. Brings up 3rd and goal from the 7.

Timeout Texans.

This is just a disgrace.

Pass to Dreesen is dropped. :( Texans to go for the FG.

25 yard FG is good.

Texans 6, Rams 3

4:24 left in the half.

Amendola brings the kickoff back all the way to the Texan 40 and it looks like facemask on Reeves on the tackle....

Ruling is facemask. 15 yarder at the end of the play. Ball is at the Texan 25.

Jackson for 12.

Jackson for 3. Ball at the 9. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Pass to Avery gets 6. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Jackson gets 2 and the 1st down. 1st and goal from the 2. 2:19 left in the half.

1st down pass goes inc.

Jackson for no gain. Brings up 3rd and goal from the 2.

Dump to Amendola good for the TD.

Rams 10, Texans 6.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

1:47 left in the half.