The upcoming Raiders game, 10/9/2011

[chuck]

Originally Posted by barrett

That is not good.

But on the other hand we all saw him collapse without contact and immediately grab for a spot behind his knee. I found myself envisioning scenarios where he might literally never play again. Compared to the various other possibilities we all contemplated three games seems like a lark.

At the very least we're going to get to see if a solid running game, a very good and possibly great receiving TE and a rejuvenated defense are enough to beat some good teams.

Frankly, I don't really care if he sits out until the bye. The Texans will have to play out of their minds to beat the Ravens with or without AJ, and the other teams in that stretch are absolutely beatable if the Texans do the basics: run the ball, stop the run and commit no turnovers.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by chuck

But on the other hand we all saw him collapse without contact and immediately grab for a spot behind his knee. I found myself envisioning scenarios where he might literally never play again. Compared to the various other possibilities we all contemplated three games seems like a lark.

At the very least we're going to get to see if a solid running game, a very good and possibly great receiving TE and a rejuvenated defense are enough to beat some good teams.

Frankly, I don't really care if he sits out until the bye. The Texans will have to play out of their minds to beat the Ravens with or without AJ, and the other teams in that stretch are absolutely beatable if the Texans do the basics: run the ball, stop the run and commit no turnovers.

+1 Chuck!!

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by chuck

But on the other hand we all saw him collapse without contact and immediately grab for a spot behind his knee. I found myself envisioning scenarios where he might literally never play again. Compared to the various other possibilities we all contemplated three games seems like a lark.

At the very least we're going to get to see if a solid running game, a very good and possibly great receiving TE and a rejuvenated defense are enough to beat some good teams.

Frankly, I don't really care if he sits out until the bye. The Texans will have to play out of their minds to beat the Ravens with or without AJ, and the other teams in that stretch are absolutely beatable if the Texans do the basics: run the ball, stop the run and commit no turnovers.

Ditto this.

[painekiller]

I'm to lazy to look it up, but IIRC AJ has never had a big day against Oakland and we have held up pretty well against them.

And I get that this is not the same Oakland team of the last few years.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I'm to lazy to look it up, but IIRC AJ has never had a big day against Oakland and we have held up pretty well against them.

And I get that this is not the same Oakland team of the last few years.

One word: Nnamdi. And he isn't there anymore.

In 4 career games against the Raiders, Andre has 11-209, 1 TD, so yeah these are below average stats for him.

2004: (home) 6-115, 1TD
2006: (away) 1-9
2008: (away) 2-19
2009: (home) 2-66
2010: (away) DNP (ankle), Texans won 31-24

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Keith

One word: Nnamdi. And he isn't there anymore.

In 4 career games against the Raiders, Andre has 11-209, 1 TD, so yeah these are below average stats for him.

2004: (home) 6-115, 1TD
2006: (away) 1-9
2008: (away) 2-19
2009: (home) 2-66
2010: (away) DNP (ankle), Texans won 31-24

I get that Nnamdi kept AJ at bay. my point still is that without AJ being a factor we have been able to more than hold our own against the Raiders.

They do not have Nnamdi this year and AJ should've been a huge factor in the game. But that is mute now.

Can we beat the Raiders without AJ? Yes as you point out we have done it before.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I'm to lazy to look it up, but IIRC AJ has never had a big day against Oakland and we have held up pretty well against them.

And I get that this is not the same Oakland team of the last few years.

Too lazy! you once chastized me for being that way. Are you getting old too?

As for Oakland, maybe the absence of Nnamdi will make up for the lack of Andre.

[Nconroe]

I think my concerns more than pass offense are run defense and turnovers.

If we can stop Raiders run game, either by getting ahead or really stopping them, then our DL might get some sacks similar to last week.

Maybe if Raiders load up 8 guys in the box on defense, our OL is good enough to protect and make our passing attack downfield pretty successful. And our run game to do pretty good anyways.

A matured JJ will be plenty fast to stretch defense for others and his receiving has been fairly consistent lately for hanging on the ball, we shall see Sunday. A good opportunity for JJ to show his value to us now.

So, I am agreeing with Chuck as well. A winnable game.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I'm to lazy to look it up, but IIRC AJ has never had a big day against Oakland and we have held up pretty well against them.

And I get that this is not the same Oakland team of the last few years.

The problem with this logic is you're not factoring in Dre's presence on the field. He may not have had big games, but with him on the field it takes their best DB (Nnamdi at the time) and quite possibly a S out of the equation opening it up for others. That won't be the case this time around. Even still, this is a very winnable game. As chuck said, they just need to play smart, not give the football away, and keep DMC in check as best they can.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by popanot

The problem with this logic is you're not factoring in Dre's presence on the field. He may not have had big games, but with him on the field it takes their best DB (Nnamdi at the time) and quite possibly a S out of the equation opening it up for others. That won't be the case this time around. Even still, this is a very winnable game. As chuck said, they just need to play smart, not give the football away, and keep DMC in check as best they can.

Great point, but its not like we haven't been down this road before. As best I can recall, we still moved the ball rather decently without AJ last year, so there is a good possibility that we can again.

Of course last year, we couldn't stop ANYONE from moving it on us.....tale of two seasons I suppose.