DT1
6161
So the last Houston team to make the playoffs was the run-and-shoot Oilers team led by Warren Moon back in '94. They played the Chiefs that year in the Astrodome and lost to some guy named Joe Montana who led the Chiefs to a 4th quarter comeback to beat the them. (Imagine that!)
With TJ Yates or (yikes!) Jake Delhomme, the Texans aren’t going to be able to fall behind and have to rely on their passing game. Hopefully, Foster and Tate can dominate the ground game and turn it into a grind it out type of affair. If it turns into a shootout, it’s hard not to give the nod to Dalton and Green. It’s pretty amazing to think that the Texans will have to win this with their defense to advance. It’s a beautiful day in Houston today. I can’t wait for the kick!
Sarkus
6162
It seems like a bad idea to fire Jackson after only one year. Though new era and all of that. If Mark Davis wants to be a hands off owner, then the smart thing is to hire someone from a good organzation (like McKenzie) and give them total control. McKenzie may also have legitimate concerns about Jackson’s attitude going forward, as evidenced by recent public comments Jackson made. But Jackson does seem to have the makings of a good head coach; it just really depends on whether he and McKenzie can come to a quick understanding.
Sarkus
6163
In coaching news, reports say Crennel will get the job full time in Kansas City and that Josh McDaniels will be heading back to New England to be offensive coordinator again (current Pats OC O’Brien took the Penn State head coaching job). Whats interesting is that McDaniels will be involved in some capacity right away. And it seems most expect Fisher to choose St. Louis over Miami and that the Dolphins will end up with a coordinator. That would not be the big splash they seem to desire, though, which makes me wonder if the Dolphins will try and go after another big name.
That was nice of Kroenke to release McDaniels from his contract for a lateral move. He didn’t have to do that, even if he suspected the new HC wouldn’t want McDaniels.
I can’t handicap the Fisher sweepstakes. From what I’ve heard Miami has offered more money but the Rams organization seems more stable.
Volksy
6165
Why in the world did Marvin Lewis use his last challenge on a basically inconsequential play with 4:30 to go in the 2nd quarter? I swear, some coaches seem to think they’re supposed to challenge every marginal call the officials may have gotten wrong. My thinking is the challenges are for major, game-breaking plays such as turnovers. Sure, with all scoring plays now reviewed it’s not quite as critical to save the challenges, but that one I don’t get.
OOOOH fat man with an interception and TD! I love those.
Yeah, don’t waste a challenge on trivial plays. I’d say that if it’s the first half I might not even challenge a play that resulted in a first down, or loss of one.
Just read that Quinn got half the reps in practice this week. He may be coming in for Tebow on some obvious passing downs.
This would be an interesting approach to a difficult situation. I’m not sure how effective it would be, though. You can’t really establish a good offensive rhythm if you’re swapping QBs in and out. I think I remember the Eagles trying this sort of thing unsuccessfully a few years back with Vick and McNabb.
sluggo
6169
The way this game is going, that TD to Andre feels like that may be the ballgame.
Also: Holy Hurdles, Batman!
Shadarr
6170
The problem with swapping guys in and out like that is that it tells the defense “Tebow’s in, it’s gonna be a run!” Of course, they kind of know that all the time, now. It’s why the wildcat, despite being a huge fad, never really worked for anyone other than the Dolphins. With the Dolphins, it allowed them to get the ball in the hands of their best player more, and put their two starting-quality RBs on the field at the same time. Other teams that didn’t have two star RBs, or whose best player was a QB or WR, were just putting weaker players on the field and telegraphing to the defense that it was gonna be a run.
Additionally I think that the time to try this out would’ve been three or more weeks ago, not in the playoffs. Dance with the girl what brung you.
DT1
6171
So the last time that Houston has actually won a playoff game was '91. It’s amazing how long it has been. It’s going to be tough against the Ravens next week and they probably won’t win but it’s at least a nice feeling today.
The NFL has just GOT to fix that stupid “process of the catch” rule. It is ruining the game.
Hell, I’m cheering for the Lions, who have gotten boned by that rule repeatedly, and I’m perfectly willing to call that NO end zone catch a catch.
Its an easy rule: if you have possession of the ball while your entire body is in the air, as soon as any part of your body hits the ground the play is over. Over. No questions. Possession in the air=possession when you hit the ground and the play is over.
The Houston - Cincy game was a dud. At least the second game is shaping up to be a good one. That was a big stop in the red zone at the end of the first half.
About shuttling in Quinn, why not? Even if he doesn’t have his rhythm he’s still probably a better passer than Tebow. And just because Tebow is in it doesn’t mean they can’t run play-action and pass from time to time.
I suspect they will stick with Tebow for the first couple of possessions, but if they are not moving the ball they may try something else.
Edit: lol just realized I needed to add: while being tackled. Obviously if the receiver lands on their feet they could continue to run.
Lorini
6175
According to one of the Insidethebay.com beat writers, McKenzie will be re-interviewing for the coaching position and most likely Jackson having the inside track will be retained. I hope so, they don’t need another coach and another system. Thing is, will Jackson be there for the 2013/2014 season?
Contrai
6176
Valiant try by the Lions, but the Saints are moving on.
Yeah, to beat the Saints you have got to get in Brees’ face, and the Lions didn’t manage that at all. Maybe twice the whole game.
I wasn’t impressed with Suh at all in that game. The Saints kept running right at him for big gains and he only got pressure a few times on Brees.
Should be a classic matchup next week – offense vs. defense in the NO at SF game.
Sarkus
6179
My guess is that after the last few weeks, where much less formidable teams managed to shut down the Tebow offense, they are trying to have something to fall back on. But they have to be careful, because if they replace Tebow too quickly the Bronco fans will never shut up about how unfair it is. Better they let Tebow dig a deep hole before they put in Quinn, as in basically conceeding the game (i.e. a big Steeler lead). If the game is close they need to keep Tebow in so nobody can later claim he didn’t have a chance to provide a miraculous 4th quarter comeback.
And as banged up as the Steelers are, it would not surprise me at all if its a close game late.
As a once upon a time Bronco fan I wouldn’t wish Tebow on them as the starting QB next season (which if he wins will make it that much harder to replace him), but as a current Patriot fan, I’ll be rooting for the Tebow’s anyway :/
Or maybe Quinn, accuracy issues and all, can pull it out. Not that the Pat’s can’t beat Pittsburgh, but why risk it? :)
