Official Texans @ Ravens Game Thread, 9/22/2013

[WMH]

Originally Posted by popanot

I'm not talking about just this game, I'm talking about what this team has become. It's been going on for awhile now. As for this game, IMO, the Ravens were definitely more physical than us. When I came time to hit someone and make a stop, they did it and we didn't. Yes, our offense shut them down the in the 1rst QTR, but after that, they didn't do squat to slow down the Ravens. Yes, they gave up that pick-6 and punt return, but even after that they were still in the game. They did nothing and were no threat at all offensively or defensively after the half despite still being within striking distance.

Soft, Really?
The same team that out slugged TN last week is soft?
The same team that squashed SD in the 2nd half in week 1?
The same team that allowed less than 240 TOTAL yards today?

Totally disagree.

We played like shit today. Period, exclamation point. I still don't think we suck, and I don't think the Colts are better than us. I have no idea where they got that defensive effort from, but they played well today. San Fran is taking a nose dive, and are about to lose their major pass rusher.

Its week 3, and we're 2-1. Regardless of how we got there, we're there. Surely you didn't thing we were going to go thru the entire season without laying an egg.

News flash, we're probably going to do it again too. And so is just about every other team. It happens.

[TheMatrix31]

Originally Posted by barrett

They weren't more physical than us, we ran the ball effectively and completely shut down their running game. We lost the game on 2 terrible plays. We let an offense that couldn't get a 1st down off the hook by spotting them free TDs. Being phyical had nothing to do with it.

Yep. Just like we spotted them 7 free points with that loser Jacoby Jones' muffed punt in the playoffs. Our defense shuts down their offense, gift them free points, and don't do anything offensively. That's how they won the playoff game. That's how they won today.

For what it's worth....SF, GB, and Atlanta all lost (and looked horrible, especially SF) today and all have Super Bowl expectations like we do. Like I said, it's just one of those days.

[Nconroe]

For sure the pick six changed the momentum. Followed by the punt return for six really made it tough against a good defense at home on Ray Rice day.

It seems end of second quarter and start of third quarter the team has had a let down all three games so far.

Our defense did hold Ravens to less first downs, less yards, and less time of possessions than Texans. But they aren't getting turnovers despite pretty good pressure on opposing QB.

Then consistency really was hurt by 14 penalties for 113 yds, both offense and defense. For a reasonably experienced team that was a lot of penalties, many just stupid penalties.

Colts and Titans are 2-1 just like Texans. Texans are bound to get more consistency as games go by, although next two games could be difficult as well.

Foster looked a lot better but didn't get that many carries. And nice to see Posey out there again.

I thought Mercilus, Sweringer, and Manning showed up on defense.

OL I'm hoping a few more games will get healthy and jell into a very good OL going through Nov, Dec and Jan

[popanot]

Originally Posted by WMH

Soft, Really?
The same team that out slugged TN last week is soft?
The same team that squashed SD in the 2nd half in week 1?
The same team that allowed less than 240 TOTAL yards today?

Yes. And yes, that team. I'll give you they played physical smash-mouth football in the 2nd half of the SD game, but that's about it. You're not going to convince me this is a physical team that imposes their will on either side of the ball. Shoot, I'd be happy if just one side of the ball did it somewhat consistently. Maybe the D did 2 years ago in Wade's fist year, but that's been a loooong time ago.

We played like shit today. Period, exclamation point. I still don't think we suck, and I don't think the Colts are better than us.

I don't think we suck, but I don't think we're very good right now. And do think the Colts are better right now. JMHO. And believe me, it hurts to say that.

Its week 3, and we're 2-1. Regardless of how we got there, we're there. Surely you didn't thing we were going to go thru the entire season without laying an egg.

Never said that they'd go 16-0. However, this team is supposed to be a SB contender and I expect them to show up. They got asses kicked today. I don't care if it's pick-6's, ST TD's, whatever. It's a team game and they all got their asses kicked. 30-9, ZERO points in the 2nd half when they were still in the game - in spite of the 1rst half egg laying. And BTW, I don't care about what SF, GB, ATL, or anyone else does. They're a non-factor. I care about our team and they're not playing well..

They've played basically 30 minutes of good, quality offensive and defensive football (2nd half in SD) so far in 3 games. I'm glad they have 2 wins, wish it was 3, but I'm not happy with what they're doing and will express it. Other than the 2 wins, I can't imagine what positives people can pull out of what they're doing right now. Great, 2 wins, but how many more wins can we expect with how they're playing? That's my concern. They better figure it out soon.

[barrett]

You can rant and wine after an ugly loss all you want. You can see about purcahsing Firekubiak.com . You can bemoan Matt Schaub's lack of mobility and arm strength. You can burn Bob McNair in effegy and remember the good old days when Wade's defense was tough. Good for you if that's how you deal with a loss. I deal with a loss by getting cranky and disagreeing with the specific content of posts meant to express general displeasure. I look to be 'reasonable', and to poke those who aren't. And someone else is not posting and just drinking. To each his own.

But your idea that we are soft is still more football cliche than truth. People love to talk soft and physical without anything real to back up either. The Ravens couldn't run the ball, didn't stop the run, made no big tackles, got absolutely stuffed on 3rd and 1 in the 2nd half, and won on a few big plays from fast players. They were as finesse as it comes. And they were the far better team. It wasn't even close who the better team was today and it had nothing to do with hitting hard.

As for Indy, there season was in jeopardy 24 hours ago. They inched by Oakland at home, got beat by Miami, and then panic traded for a guy who has 2 runs over 20 yards in 300 career carries (and that guy ran for 2.7 YPC today, just like he did in Cleveland). Then they got a great win today in SF and the whole narrative changes. That is the nature of the NFL. You only play 16 games, so everyone matters. A loss means the sky is falling and a win means you're super bowl bound. Except all that matters is getting into the playoffs and being hot in January.

I am very worried about our OL right now. I continue to be permanently nervous about our QB. I don't know why our coaching staff hasn't had our guys ready to play yet. And I am totally confused about our mostly missing in action OLBs (should we file a missing persons report for Brooks Reed?). But I am not the slightest bit worried about how physical we are.

[Arky]

Early line vs. Seattle next Sunday is Seahawks by 3.

[TheMatrix31]

I brought up SF, Atlanta, and Green Bay because they're in in an even worse position than we are and they have "legitimate QBs" which we supposedly do not. The point is, everyone seems to lament us having Schaub but look what having Kaepernick, Ryan, and Rodgers gets ya!

The point is that it's Week 3. The regular season is to work out the kinks. Do we want to look like this? Of course not. Neither do they. After what the Giants pulled in the last five years, and after all the other countless examples, you'd think we'd learn not to freak out about the regular season.

We're not the ****************ing Pittsburgh Steelers, here. It's ugly but jeez, have some patience.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by TheMatrix31

We're not the ****************ing Pittsburgh Steelers, here. It's ugly but jeez, have some patience.

Relax. No one, certainly not me, said the team totally sucks or that the season is over. All I did was point out the GLARING weaknesses this team has had since well into last season and continue to have this season. I also said this team lacks physicality. Whether our voice of 'reason', barrett, thinks so or not, I do and I'll say so. Sorry that seems to have upset some folks.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by barrett

You can rant and wine after an ugly loss all you want. You can see about purcahsing Firekubiak.com . You can bemoan Matt Schaub's lack of mobility and arm strength. You can burn Bob McNair in effegy and remember the good old days when Wade's defense was tough. Good for you if that's how you deal with a loss. I deal with a loss by getting cranky and disagreeing with the specific content of posts meant to express general displeasure. I look to be 'reasonable', and to poke those who aren't. And someone else is not posting and just drinking. To each his own..

Nothing like taking one comment of mine and blowing it totally out of proportion. I appreciate you allowing me to voice my displeasure how I want.

Originally Posted by barrett

But your idea that we are soft is still more football cliche than truth. People love to talk soft and physical without anything real to back up either. ..

Whether you think it's real or not, that's how I, and I'm sure many others, perceive this team. It's called an opinion.

Originally Posted by barrett

As for Indy, there season was in jeopardy 24 hours ago. They inched by Oakland at home, got beat by Miami, and then panic traded for a guy who has 2 runs over 20 yards in 300 career carries (and that guy ran for 2.7 YPC today, just like he did in Cleveland). Then they got a great win today in SF and the whole narrative changes. That is the nature of the NFL. You only play 16 games, so everyone matters. A loss means the sky is falling and a win means you're super bowl bound. Except all that matters is getting into the playoffs and being hot in January...

Again, totally blowing what I said out of proportion. Never once did I crown them champion. I said, as of right this moment, I think the Colts are better than we are. I understand that upsets people.

Originally Posted by barrett

I am very worried about our OL right now. I continue to be permanently nervous about our QB. I don't know why our coaching staff hasn't had our guys ready to play yet. And I am totally confused about our mostly missing in action OLBs (should we file a missing persons report for Brooks Reed?).

Thanks for reiterating every concern I brought up in my original post. I'll let you know when firekubiak.com is live. Promise, free to the public and no advertising.

[HPF Bob]

I said back when the season began that some will panic if the Texans start 2-3. But fear not. Even if we start 2-3, we basically have four tough games after that for the rest of the schedule (Indy twice, NE and Den and three of those are home games). I presume Duane Brown is back soon and we get back to teaching K-Jack not to interfere on passes.

If we split with Indy, I see us no worse than 10-6 and a wild card.

Interesting to note that, in the NFC (the allegedly superior conference), they don't have enough teams over .500 to fill out a playoff bracket while the AFC has four undefeateds and ten teams over .500. So there is a lot to shake out and the skies will probably get darker before it gets brighter.

Seattle spends the next two weeks at Houston then at Indianapolis so they should be a good barometer of where we stand vis-a-vis the Colts.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

... and we get back to teaching K-Jack not to interfere on passes.

I'm sure those lessons will start to sink in right about the time he signs as a free agent with Atlanta.

I don't see the Texans as soft. I simply see a team whose OL blows, whose QB is a statue, whose play caller is an idiot and whose owner protects and coddles the coach of the worst special teams unit in football. Other than that they're doing great.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by chuck

I'm sure those lessons will start to sink in right about the time he signs as a free agent with Atlanta.

I don't see the Texans as soft. I simply see a team whose OL blows, whose QB is a statue, whose play caller is an idiot and whose owner protects and coddles the coach of the worst special teams unit in football. Other than that they're doing great.

I tend to agree with this, although I think Kareem got screwed on at least one of those penalties and is actually a pretty good player at this point. At least he's running stride for stride with his guy where he can interfere. More than we can say for Joseph these days.

Unfortunately, the Texans probably are what they are. An above average team, but one with a fairly low ceiling due to their QB's limitations. So, I suspect they'll go 10-6 or somewhere around there and make the playoffs, but I just don't see how they're going to "get hot" come January. Getting hot generally means your QB starts playing out of his mind. Even at his best, I don't think Schaub is capable of much more than "efficiently running the offense."

[chuck]

If the team goes 10-6 this year it will be a miracle.

[Nconroe]

Originally Posted by chuck

If the team goes 10-6 this year it will be a miracle.

I don't believe in miracles, but perhaps a magic spell could help.

[nunusguy]

At the beginning of the year with this years schedule I was thinking 10-6 and 4-2 in the division, and now I'm wondering if achieving both of those goals is starting to look downright ambitous ? However I realize that we were just 2 plays away from being in Sundays game to the way end, but wow were they big plays.
Watching Kubiak settle for those field goals in the first half was really frustrating and although I know the Ravens offense hasn't been a juggernaut this year, I wondered just what the HC was thinking ? I expected Kubiak to come out in a full single-wing formation any series. Did the Texans throw the ball down field one time ?
I just hope somebody tells the HC to think TDs first and then FGs this Sunday in Reliant vs Seattle.
And I'm still trying to figure out the Indy in San Fran game ? What was that about ?