Here is the deal, unless the Texans rebound against the Titans with a strong game then the playoffs are a pipe dream. If they fumble and bumble like they did the last two games, they will do the same against their first playoff opponent. The time is now to right the ship, if they can't, then they are going to finish the season with a four game losing streak.
This is the beginning and the end of the TJ Yates/Kubiak playcalling/throwing downfield discussion for the last two weeks. TJ Yates is not this bad is Kubiak is not an idiot. His playcalling can be questionable but he knows you have to throw the ball down the field to win. He also knows that we have the worst deep passing attack in the league without AJ.
This is how I unfortunately see it playing out. Lose to the Titans, one and done in the playoffs.(10-3 to 10-7, dang!) Sucks but....not much you can do. Get healthy and try again next year.
They have no relation to one another. None whatsoever. It's looking more and more likely that the Texans are going to draw a beatable team in round 1. None of the 6-seed contenders should scare you.
The main problem is . . . . We said the same thing about Indy before Thursday night Rocket River So now . . .we worry about everyone!
I've got to believe that Kubiak and company coached the team to "play not to lose" against the Colts on Thursday night. No big shots down field, limit mistakes, and rely on your running game and defense. The problem was that we couldn't overcome our mistakes: ill-timed penalties, bad pass protection from Caldwell and Winston, and poor special teams. After we went up 7-0 and got the ball back, that strip/sack by Mathis turned around field position and put the Texans into a less than favorable spot to try and build the lead. Additionally, we gave up some plays on special teams (big return by Garcon set them up for their first score), committed penalties that extended drives, and then Indy really moved the ball well on the Texans' defense in two-minute situations. Kubiak and company probably thought they could line up and beat these guys with a simple gameplan, but it played right into Indy's hands and ended up costing the team a win in the end. Hopefully, in the playoffs, they'll play "to win" instead of "not to lose."
play AJ only in the 1st half, rest Daniels, and any injured players on the defense, play Yates in the 1st half, and let Delhomme play in the 2nd half. I dont believe in this momentum, look Chargers had won a lot in december going with "momentum" into the playoffs, but always lost in the 1st or 2nd game 2009 season - San Diego: they won their last 11 games, and finished with the #2 seed with a 13-3 record, then after the bye, they lost against the 5 seed the jets, playing awful that game. and in the same 2009, Colts started 14-0 and rested their starters, and lost two games, but still made it to the superbowl. the 2009 saints started 13-0 and lost the last 3. and still won the title.
