Official Texans @ Redskins Game Thread, 9/19/2010

[HPF Bob]

I don't mind if the passing game keeps under wraps if we continue to run this effectively. The wonderful thing about a great ground game is that they rarely beat themselves. A passing-based offense can be plagued by tipped balls, dropsies, high winds, etc. A great running game can only be plagued by fumblitits or knee injuries.

Still, I'm not sold that we're a great running team until I see them repeat the Colts game two or three more times. I think it was a special circumstance. Back when Kubiak was the OC in Denver, they went into Indy and upset the Colts by getting the lead and taking the air out of the ball, consuming time of possession to the point that Manning had to be perfect to catch up. That strategy worked again Sunday.

The Skins have a great secondary and a so-so front seven so I expect the ground game will need to show up again this week. They have plenty of weapons on offense but they didn't look very coordinated in the opening week.

I have to believe that both teams are going to have a little letdown after defeating a key division rival to open the season. I'm frankly surprised that the Texans are favored since the peripheral factors don't favor the Texans.

The key things I would look at are how successful the Texans are at moving the ball early and whether McNabb is in sync with his offense. Keep in mind that the Redskins offense failed to score a touchdown on Sunday. McNabb lost a lot of time this training camp due to injury and I thought they looked rusty.

The Texans have never beaten the Redskins and I'm not sold that they are good enough to go on the road in September and win there this week. If they do, well, maybe the Texans are turning the corner we've all been waiting for.

[Nconroe]

So I am optimistic as usual and expecting another win this week.

Both teams are 1-0 and feel happy about beating good teams in week 1. Hope the Texans continue their intensity and consistency week by week and all season.

Fed-ex field holds 92,000 fans, outdoors, always a sellout, and is very loud making play calling difficult for opposing teams.

Kyle Shanahan and Ray Wright are two ex-Texan coaches from last year with the Redskins this year. And Philip Buchanan and Rex Greossman appear to be ex -Texans players with Redskins now. Maybe I missed someone.

Of course most Texan coaches and system came from Mike Shanahan in Denver so offenses should be similar system, but different personnel.

Looks like Redskins have practically no one hurt or on IR yet compared to Texans.

Redskins RB's are Larry Johnson, 32, and Clinton Portis, 31, but both are strong, healthy, and have many great years. Our defense will be quicker than Redskins offense, I think.

Texans RB's, Foster and Slayton, both 24, and Derrick Ward is 30. I guess all three will get the ball some this week. Can't expect RB to do as good as last week, but hopefully pretty good against the Skins 3 big DL in their 3-4 system. We'll see if our OL is strong enough to keep these guys off Shaub and our RB's.

Then there is the Albert Haynesworth factor, is he gonna be motivated and how many reps will he get?

If our two lines, OL and DL continue doing well, I think Texans will do well. And maybe we can win the turnover battle, that would be nice.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

...... I'm frankly surprised that the Texans are favored since the peripheral factors don't favor the Texans.......

Here's what Walter of walterfootball.com said about that:

First, this line is completely inflated. A week ago, the Redskins would have been -2 or -3. Houston being favored by three is a complete overreaction - whether warranted or not.

Second, the Texans just enjoyed the biggest win in franchise history. How can they possibly match that same intensity against the Redskins?

And third, Washington offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan held the exact same position with the Texans last year. If there's anyone who knows Schaub's weaknesses, it's the son of Mike Shanahan.

He also offers this about overrated teams:

Overrated NFL Teams:

A good handicapper is always aware of which teams are overrated and underrated by the public. I'll attempt to list the teams I think are the most overrated and underrated each week. Keep in mind that even if a team is listed here, that doesn't mean that I think lowly of them; they are simply overrated in Vegas' eyes. These are the squads that Vegas can boost the spread on....

.....Houston Texans - I love the Texans - I had them going to the AFC Championship in my season previews - but the line movement (Redskins would have been -3 a week ago) and betting action on them is absolutely insane right now.....

(He also listed the Chiefs and Cowboys as overrated, i.e., in the eyes of the public).

This ain't no gimme game for the Texans. The coaching staff really needs to make sure that the team's heads remain secured in place going into this game....