This must be how the Memphis Grizzlies must've felt about the Rockets. Annoying team that keeps on winning and keeping the race close.
Except the Texans aren't battling for a # 8 seed struggling to secure a playoff sport, in a league where more teams make the playoffs then don't, and one that pales in comparison in terms of popularity. They're battling for a division championship, home field advantage and a first round bye in the omnipresent NFL.
That's what killed off a bunch of my excitement with the NBA, and turned me to an NFL fan. First Football game I ever watched live from start to finish was my freshman year of College, a TCU game. And the Texans that year. (2002). Growing up over seas, and being a homer for Houston and there not being a pro team I never cared for it. Was all about the NBA.....not so much any more.
Most of the country is right there with you... mainly because the NFL has become so powerful. The NBA also had its regression in the post-Jordan years, and that didn't help things.... but the league is on an upswing now and they thwart all of that momentum with a lockout that cancels games (and nobody seems to care).
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the Texans can officially clinch the AFC South next Sunday with a win over Cincinnati and a Titans loss to New Orleans, right? Here are the tiebreakers, in order: With the above scenario next week, the Texans would be 10-3 and the Titans 7-6, with three games remaining. But even if, somehow, the Texans lose their last three and Tennessee wins its last three, making both 10-6... Tiebreakers 1 and 2 would be a wash - each would be 1-1 head-to-head and 4-2 within the division. Then, in tiebreaker 3, the Texans would have the better record in common games. Because the only games NOT in common are Denver/Buffalo (for Tennessee) and Oakland/Miami (for Houston). The Titans went 2-0 in those games, and the Texans 1-1... meaning that if both teams are 10-6, the Texans had the better record in all the other games (common). Anyway, long story short... we can clinch next week. Right?
Official Magic Number is 3 Titans are 4-3 in the common games (AFC-N, NFC-S) with Saints left We are now 4-2 with Bengals and Panthers remaining TEN has to beat the Saints and us and hope we lose to the Colts, Bengals, and Panthers to win by virtue of tiebreakers. If any of those five things does not happen, they have to beat our record outright. For all intents and purposes, the Magic Number is 2.
Based on the tiebreaker scenario, I think that is correct. Texans win against Bengals or Panthers with Titans loss to Saints means we're division Champs! Even though we have to take it one step at a time, 1st round bye would be nice as well.
awexler Adam Wexler Looks like @BenDuBose just tweeted this, so I'll confirm #Texans clinch AFC South w/ win at Cin, Tenn L to NO next wk.(via common gm tiebrk)
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/playoffodds (taking injuries into account) Making AFC Championship Game: NE 50.8% Bal: 43.4% PIT 41.7% HOU 40.7% Win AFC Championship Game: NE 26.4% PIT 22.9% BAL 22.6% HOU 19.9% Favorites for seeding: Bye 1 BAL 33% (HOU 26.0%) 2 NE 37.5% (HOU 28.6%) ------------ 3 HOU 38.9% (NE: 36.9%) 4 DEN 72.4% (OAK: 21.0%) ------------ WC PIT 63.1% CIN 40.9% NYJ 27.7% TEN 26.6% * - percentage: odds for having that specific slot
I would love our chances in a home playoff game, even with Yates at qb and possibly no Andre. Reliant was rockin Sunday.
My predictions AFC 1. Baltimore 2. New England 3. Houston 4. Denver 5. Pittsburgh 6. New York Jets NFC 1. Green Bay 2. San Fransisco 3. New Orleans 4. Dallas 5. Atlanta 6. Detroit
To every single one of you that called this thread a jinx! I haven't believed like this since the days of Clutch City!
