2nd Half Reset

[HPF Bob]

Update: Per Mortensen, Brissett has an MCL "sprain" and could play against the Dolphins if needed for Week 10 but will likely be held out for caution and because, well, it's the Dolphins at home.

The Colts play at home against Jackwagonville before playing the Texans so it is likely both Brissett and Hilton will be healthy again by our game against them (drat!).

Also saw an item that said Keke Coutee was held out against the Jaguars not for injury but because of "lack of attention to detail". O'Brien also added that Keke is "a great guy" so I guess the coach likes him even though he doesn't remember what he's doing out on the field, like maybe running the right routes or throwing a block when called upon.

We ought to be using Stills more anyway. If you've noticed, Stills grabs the ball with his hands while Fuller and Coutee tend to body the ball against their chests, not trusting their hands alone to make the catch. Hopkins and Stills use their hands which is what you should be coached to do. Fells also uses his hands while Akins is more of a body-catcher.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

................
We ought to be using Stills more anyway. If you've noticed, Stills grabs the ball with his hands while Fuller and Coutee tend to body the ball against their chests, not trusting their hands alone to make the catch. Hopkins and Stills use their hands which is what you should be coached to do. Fells also uses his hands while Akins is more of a body-catcher.

Hopefully, Hopkins, Stills and Fells stay healthy so the Texans are not left with an invasion of the body-catchers. (har, har)

[Arky]

In the still-a-little-too-early dept., Fivethirtyeight has the Texans power ranked 8th with an 84% chance of getting into the playoffs.

They also have a calculated spread on the upcoming games. For the Texans next 3 games it goes like this:

Baltimore -3 vs. the Texans

Indianapolis +5 vs. the Texans

New England -1 vs. the Texans

Sometimes these are close, sometimes not to when the actual spread comes out. Injury and good or bad play can change things but it should be give one an idea of the possibilities....

[HPF Bob]

HOU and JAX off this week. Titans with a miraculous win over KC and the Colts succumb to the hapless Dolphins.

Buffalo loses while Oakland and Pittsburgh pull out big wins. The revised AFC playoff standings (conference records in parentheses):

1. New England 8-1 (6-1)
2. Baltimore 7-2 (5-2)
3. Houston 6-3 (5-1)
4. Kansas City 6-4 (4-3)
5. Buffalo 6-3 (4-2)
6. Pittsburgh 5-4 (4-2)
==================
Oakland 5-4 (3-2)
Indianapolis 5-4 (4-4)
Tennessee 5-5 (3-4)
Jacksonville 4-5 (4-3)
London Chargers 4-6 (2-5)

Head-to-head is the first tiebreaker, division record is next but only for ties within the division and conference record is third. Houston has only one conference loss which can be a big help in tiebreakers.

Houston has the head-to-head tiebreaker (if needed) with Kansas City, Oakland, Jacksonville and the Chargers. They currently would lose a tiebreaker with Indianapolis but have a chance to eliminate that if they beat the Colts in two weeks.

[Arky]

Texan defense really needs to up their game when they face the Ravens next weekend - Ravens lead the league with 33.3 pts/game.

Early line has them as 4½ pt favorite over the Texans....

[HPF Bob]

4-1/2? Definitely take the Ravens, man, before Vegas comes to their senses.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

4-1/2? Definitely take the Ravens, man, before Vegas comes to their senses.

I think it's going to be close. Well, either that or we get blown out.

Can't wait for this game. I tell ya, the Texans have shown some encouraging things, it's nearly mid-November and we are still talking playoffs, etc. As a fan, enjoy it while you can..... Too many seasons have started in the toilet only to remain in the toilet - it's tons more fun to be where we are at now....