Official Texans @ Browns Game Thread, 11/16/14

[Nconroe]

Been a while since our last game.

We thought this was a winnable easy game up to a month or so ago, but now Cleveland is 6-3. Cleveland is in first place in the strong AFC North and won three in a row. Overall yards per game are statistically about equal.

Our old friend RB Ben Tate should play.

Can't wait to see our ex Brady backup, Mallett, play against the Browns ex Brady backup, Hoyer.

ESPN had these traits -
Poise: Advantage Hoyer. This is his thing. Pretty simple choice until Mallett proves otherwise. Hoyer proven patience and decision making.

Potential: Advantage Mallett. He had first-round potential in 2011 and was eventually traded. Obviously Hoyer has long-term potential, too, but the Texans can’t give up on Mallett’s value.

Huddle command: Advantage Hoyer. Character was a concern for Mallett out of Arkansas, and though some of that might’ve been overblown, he needs time to show he can lead a huddle. Hoyer is a good locker-room guy and has no problems in this area.

Arm strength: Advantage Mallett. This is his thing. Hoyer throws a tight spiral but doesn’t have the prototypical arm strength of Mallett, though that can be overplayed (see: Cutler, Jay).

Pedigree: Tie. Both learned from Brady for three years, and former draft status is irrelevant to 2014. Both have starting jobs.

Supporting cast: Advantage Mallett. This is a close one, but Arian Foster, Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins provide a formidable backstop for any quarterback.

Accuracy: Advantage Hoyer. Hoyer is more accurate this season (58.5 completion percentage) than Mallett was in three years of college (57.8). Mallett might take more shots downfield, but Hoyer will complete more passes.

Personnel exec’s take: Advantage Hoyer. According to an NFC personnel executive who’s scouted both players: “I like Hoyer much better. Mallett has more arm talent than Hoyer, but Hoyer is a better decision-maker. [Mallett] not good with decision-making. Tries to muscle the ball because he knows he has the arm. Hoyer needs talent around him, but I would pick Hoyer.”

[Arky]

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon CST, Sunday, Nov 16

Announcers = Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beuerlein (a big chunk of Arkansas tuning in to watch the prodigal son)

The line = Browns by 3

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Other Sunday viewing in Houston:

Early:

FOX = Seattle @ Kansas City -- Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa

Late afternoon:

FOX = Philadelphia @ Green Bay -- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

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TNF = Buffalo @ Miami

SNF = New England @ Indianapolis

MNF = Pittsburgh @ Tennessee

[HPF Bob]

It's going to be hard for me not to root for Indy and Tennessee this week against the two NFL teams I despise the most. Just sayin'.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

It's going to be hard for me not to root for Indy and Tennessee this week against the two NFL teams I despise the most. Just sayin'.

Are not the Colts our primary competition in the AFC South and our franchises nemesis during our entire existence ? With that in mind, you don't go with the Pats, i.e., the enemy of my enemy is my friend ?

[HPF Bob]

Hate doesn't need to be rational. The reality is that we aren't catching the Colts and I still have a small warm spot for the old Oilers. Don't get me wrong. Anytime we play the Titans or Colts, I want the Texans to beat them but I don't have the frothing-at-the-mouth hatred for them that I do for other teams.

I have a longstanding hate of the Steelers going back to the 70s. Hate them. Hate their fans. Hate the constant breaks they get from the refs.

The Patriots have become to me the new century's version of the Steelers. Hate them, Hate their front-running fans, their cheating head coach, the fawning they get from the media, the constant breaks they get from the refs, etc. Neither the Colts or the Titans have screwed with me enough to earn that place yet.

[chuck]

It sounds like you hate consistent displays of excellence. It's a good thing you're a Texans fan.