The Upcoming NE Game

[NBT]

What...........? The Texans adjust? Unheard of! I think Baby Shan comes out with a good first half game plan, but no idea what to do the second half. JMHO

[Big Texas]

Originally Posted by NBT

What...........? The Texans adjust? Unheard of! I think Baby Shan comes out with a good first half game plan, but no idea what to do the second half. JMHO

Exactly my point. At some point Kyle or Kubiak (whomever) needs to realize that this is the pros. No team (not even Detroit) is gonna let you just whoop up on them ALL game long with the SAME game plan. At the half they will review what you have been doing and try to stop it.

For some odd reason Kyle or Kubiak (again whomever) seems to think otherwise. They consistently start the 3rd qtr with the same ol bag of tricks. Then you have situations like last game where you put up a goose egg for much of the second half. Barely getting 3 points out of the second half.

Belichick will definitely make the adjustments. Its up to us to be prepared for those adjustments. But the fact that they haven't done it all year is what makes me think that we will get beat. I am just gonna leave it right there. Who knows whats gonna happen.

[Arky]

The Texans are the biggest choke artists in the NFL.

This is the worst spread in NFL history.

Wow, the dude over at walterfootball.com is about as subtle as a sledgehammer. Can't say I share his love for hyperbole... At any rate, he makes some good points and likes New England 24-20. Here's the full jist of his comments:

NEW ENGLAND OFFENSE: This line would seem to indicate that the Patriots won't be playing their starters, but that's hardly the case; I'll discuss this further in the recap, but Bill Belichick said that no healthy starters will be rested this week.

I expect to see Tom Brady playing for at least three quarters. Brady finally looked healthy for the first time in about a month last week, going 23-of-26 for 267 yards and four touchdowns. You may argue that those numbers were a byproduct of Jacksonville's horrific defense, and I couldn't dispute that. However, Houston's secondary isn't very good either.

The Texans really excel at stopping the run, so don't expect as many long Sammy Morris runs this week. Still, I can't see Houston's defense having much success as long as Brady is in the game.

HOUSTON OFFENSE: Speaking of poor secondaries, New England's has had its share of embarrassment in that area this year. However, it's worth noting that the Patriots just completely shut down David Garrard, so perhaps their defensive backfield has improved.

Having said that, it's pretty difficult to contain Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. The Patriots don't have the pass rush to get to Schaub, who has taken just one sack in the past three weeks. Schaub will have all the time in the world to torch New England's secondary.

Like the Patriots, Houston's ground attack won't be much of a factor. I have no faith in Arian Foster, and New England stops the run pretty well.

RECAP: In 2005, the Patriots were locked into the No. 4 seed. Brady and the starters played only one quarter against the Dolphins in Week 17, ultimately losing, 28-26 to a hot Miami squad that had ripped off six straight victories (but finished at 9-7). That was the Doug Flutie drop kick game.

However, just one year later, New England was the No. 4 seed again, but had a chance to move up to No. 3 with an Indianapolis loss. The Patriots played the Titans, who needed a victory to get into the playoffs. In that contest, Brady played three quarters, beating Tennessee, 40-23.

This game seems a lot like the 2006 iteration. The Patriots are currently No. 3 but could move down to No. 4 with a loss and a Cincinnati win. You may wonder what the difference between those seeds are. Think about it this way: If New England is the top-seeded team remaining come the AFC Championship - a very likely scenario if they beat San Diego; the Colts have given up - they would host the Bengals. If the Patriots lose this contest, they'd have to travel to Cincinnati instead for the AFC title game.

This is the worst spread in NFL history. The assumption is that this game means nothing to the Patriots, which is dead wrong. That's exactly why Belichick said his healthy starters would play.

But what about the Texans? Don't they need a victory more than New England? Of course they do. And that's exactly why I love the Pats here. The Texans are the biggest choke artists in the NFL. How are they going to win this game, let alone cover a touchdown? I don't get it.

I'm strongly considering this as my January NFL Pick of the Month. I'll make my decision later in the week.

[HPF Bob]

So, when the Texans had great comebacks at Tennessee and at Arizona, that wasn't making halftime adjustments? When they beat up Cincinnati and Buffalo in the second half, there were no halftime adjustments there either?

[Big Texas]

I am not saying that Kubiak is completely incompetent, I am merely suggesting that his halftime adjustments are not really good. As for those games I think they were meltdowns by the opposing team more than "adjustments" at the half; also the steady play of our improving defensive unit helped out as well.

I understand that my post may have been a bit exaggerated but it is not far from the truth.

We need Kubiak to show that he is capable of out scheming the opposition.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by Big Texas

I am not saying that Kubiak is completely incompetent, I am merely suggesting that his halftime adjustments are not really good. As for those games I think they were meltdowns by the opposing team more than "adjustments" at the half; also the steady play of our improving defensive unit helped out as well.

I understand that my post may have been a bit exaggerated but it is not far from the truth.

We need Kubiak to show that he is capable of out scheming the opposition.

Your post wasnt exaggerated at all. Kubiak SUCKS at making in game adjustments. Bob please tell us what adjustments we made in the games you named. What exactly did we do different in the second half of those games that makes you think Kubiak is even capable of making the simplest of moves to change the flow of a game?

[bckey]

Originally Posted by Big Texas

I am not saying that Kubiak is completely incompetent, I am merely suggesting that his halftime adjustments are not really good. As for those games I think they were meltdowns by the opposing team more than "adjustments" at the half; also the steady play of our improving defensive unit helped out as well.

I understand that my post may have been a bit exaggerated but it is not far from the truth.

We need Kubiak to show that he is capable of out scheming the opposition.

The Texans defense definately helped us out this year. I think if Richard Smith was still here we would be looking at a new coaching staff next year. Bush has pretty much saved Kubiak's job this year. Kubiak is still making the same mistakes he always does. No halftime adjustments, consistantly gets out coached, doesn't always put the best talent on the field, makes questionable calls at the most crucial times, can't ever seem to have his team prepared from one week to the next or one half to the next. He had 2 weeks to prepare for the Titans and we got totally embarrassed on national tv.

I just don't see how you can look at his past 4 years and be excited about next season. The only hope for this team that I can see is if Frank Bush can put together a defense so dominating that it makes up for Kubiaks head coaching ineptness.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by bckey

Kubiak is still making the same mistakes he always does. No halftime adjustments, consistantly gets out coached, doesn't always put the best talent on the field, makes questionable calls at the most crucial times, can't ever seem to have his team prepared from one week to the next or one half to the next. He had 2 weeks to prepare for the Titans and we got totally embarrassed on national tv.

What team are you watching? The Texans enter the final week ranked 4th in the AFC in points scored but 9th in the AFC in points allowed. Schaub is now the league's top QB in terms of passing yards. The offense has lost their second and third best offensive weapons and two starting guards but are still humming.

The defense is improved over last season but they still need a lot of improvement. The defense needs more help than the offense does.

Oh, and how does a three-point loss to a 4-6 team qualify as "totally embarassed"?

The Texans are a frustrating team to watch, no doubt, but they are far more productive than the fans on the couch seems to think. And as for "never makes adjustments", that myth has already been debunked. Try finding some more valid reasons for hating on the head coach.

[Big Texas]

Bob,

I agree the offense seems to be doing really well. However, stats don't always tell the entire story. SD is one spot above us in scoring allowed and they are doing fantastic and we are fighting for our playoff lives. We are also at that same 9 spot in 3rd down conversions.

My argument is not about statistics. It is more about game time decision making. I hope in all honesty that we go out there tomorrow and wipe the floor NE. However, I think that we are gonna have to step up our game. As I look back over our wins, the only one I can really point to of much significance is the Cincy game.

Do I think we can do it? Definitely. But Kubiak (Kyle whomever) needs to step it up. I think the players are busting their asses and doing what they are asked to do. Its time to Kubiak to prove he is worth keeping around.

[bckey]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

What team are you watching? The Texans enter the final week ranked 4th in the AFC in points scored but 9th in the AFC in points allowed. Schaub is now the league's top QB in terms of passing yards. The offense has lost their second and third best offensive weapons and two starting guards but are still humming.

If you are counting Slaton in there I don't think it was too much of a loss this year because he never was productive.

That is all stats and they are great but I want wins. The Texans keep losing because of not playing a full 60 minute game and making dumb mistakes at crucial times. Kubiak keeps putting Chris Brown in when we can all see he doesn't give us our best chance to win and he keeps fumbling.

Some of the calls like the Indy game with about 8 seconds left they throw over the middle with no time outs. Dumb but Kubiak defends it.

How about letting the clock run down to 2 minutes just before half and allowing our opposition to review a fumble.

How about the half back pass that goes for an interception.

How about going for the endzone at midfield on 3rd and 1.

How about not having your team prepared after 2 weeks for what was then the biggest game in franchise history.

How about getting blown out by a rookie head coach and rookie qb on opening day in our house.

How about not playing 2 halves of football almost every game. Alot of that is not making adjustments. We damn near lost to Miami after being up 27-0. Same thing with the 49ers. We also played it way too close with the Rams

How about being outcoached every year by your own division rivals. Kubiak loses to those that know him best. His record against the AFC south is 3-3, 1-5, 2-4 and now 1-5 again.

This year we beat the Titans, Raiders, Bengals, 49ers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams and Dolphins. It doesn't look like too tough of a group of teams to me. This was a cake schedule this year and we might still go 8-8 or naybe 9-7 if the Patriots rest their starters. I'd like to know what about that impresses you.

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

The defense is improved over last season but they still need a lot of improvement. The defense needs more help than the offense does.

Last I checked we didn't have a running game. And that was with Slaton. Yeah the defense could use a free safety to go with Pollard and a pass rush but Bush has them playing pretty well. If we had a decent pass rush it would help our corners out.

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Oh, and how does a three-point loss to a 4-6 team qualify as "totally embarassed"?

Maybe because they had 2 weeks to prepare and the Titans started out 0-6. I believe Kubiak unveiled his secret weapon that game after thinking about it for 2weeks. Chris Brown. The game was on national tv and that was supposed to be where the Texans finally turn the corner and begin a run at the playoffs. Not to mention we could finally have shut up the VY fans for a while. Well that was the 2nd of 4 division losses in a row.

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

The Texans are a frustrating team to watch, no doubt, but they are far more productive than the fans on the couch seems to think. And as for "never makes adjustments", that myth has already been debunked. Try finding some more valid reasons for hating on the head coach.

I never said they weren't productive. And maybe not making adjustments is a myth to you but it is fact to me.

I like Kubiak. Great guy but I think he has done all he can with this team as far as moving forward imho. Maybe we make the playoffs this year but it won't be because we did anything different this year. The Texans are right where they always are hovering around .500 with a horrible division record. If we go 9-7 because the Patriots rest their starters will you really credit Kubiak for the improvement in record? Now if they beat the Patriots starters I will definately be giving Kubiak some credit for that. I just don't see it.

This team has the talent to beat any team in the NFL. But they don't half the time. You can blame injuries or the players or whatever but I think Kubiak has a 4 year body of work here that you can look at and it = MEDIOCRITY

I care about this team and want them to win. If it looks like the head coach is the problem then I will naturally state that opinion and hope that it happens.