I'm a huge fan of Andre Johnson but have to disagree with him saying this game is the biggest game in their franchise. Heck, it may not even be the biggest game in their regular season history with the win vs. the Bengals for their first ever play-off berth.
Biggest game of this regular season, because if we win, pretty much wrap up the seed, and put the fear the spear mentality into the rest of the nation...can still get the top seed even if losing, but I'd rather do it MNF
Right before the Packers game, that game was the biggest game. Then before the bears game, everyone said that was a big game of the whole league this season. Now this is the biggest game? Ok. As far as I'm concerned the biggest game of the season is going to be played at the super dome inext February.
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2012/12/joseph-james-likely-to-play-against-patriots/ Joseph back James back Ball doubtful Newton doubtful game time call Reed out Routt in for nickel packages
Easy for us to second-guess as fans. The fact that he's a player in this game and in all those that we might argue were more important carries tons more weight to me.
Is Tate going to play? We need our bruising back to get some carries to keep Brady and Co. off the field. Texans Football 101 - get an early lead, keep that clock running, keep those chains moving, keep that defense fresh.
Tate played last week, so I assume he's fine from a health standpoint. His problem is that Forsett has been running so well that it's tough to find carries.
I think that's AJ's shtick. Everyone has their verbal crutches. If I remember, he's already stated that exact same "biggest game in franchise history" line at least once this season already before another game. It means nothing to me. He'll probably say it again next week with a chance to wrap up the division, and then again the following week with a chance to secure home field, and then again during the week 17 when the Texans rest all their starters b/c he'll be so fond of saying it by then.
Its really annpying that no one is giving the Texans a chance to win (not here, in the media). I really hope we prove them wrong. The defense will need to win this for us. Schaub can put up the points, but the defense needs to keep them from scoring.
I think each of these have been "biggest games" in relation to the evolution of the franchise as a viable NFL property, if that makes sense. The Texans are not going to build their brand, and garner respect/interest/a national following, until they have more than a few signature wins under their belt. Whipping Tennessee is nice but exactly no one cares outside of Houston. But it doesn't - necessarily - make or break their season.
Are you surprised? Last time a elite QB with a passing game killed the Texans. So many think it will happen again with Brady and it's at their home. If I was betting this game I would go with the Pats as well.
The logic is just really bizarre. The Texans are 11-1. Why is one game so important for the Texans but not other teams? The Patriots have lost three times, including a home loss to Arizona. They were also taken to overtime by the freaking Jets (who scored 26 points!) and needed a miracle to hold on against Buffalo (who put up 31), both at home. Joe f'n Flacco threw for 382 yards and three touchdowns on them. Why don't people think those will "happen again"? There are no perfect teams in the NFL. If you blow one game out of proportion, you can make virtually any team look bad. That's why you have to look at the full body of work to get a true understanding. I don't have a problem with analysts picking the Patriots, since they're a good team and at home. It's a defensible call. What I do have a problem with is the "durrr, they were shredded by Aaron Rodgers, now every good QB will do the same!" logic. That's shallow and lazy.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>A good look! RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/ConnorBarwin98">ConnorBarwin98</a> The letterman jackets are in! <a href="http://t.co/VCyNarIY" title="http://twitter.com/ConnorBarwin98/status/277138244922126336/photo/1">pic.twitter.com/VCyNarIY</a></p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/277163588622372865" data-datetime="2012-12-07T21:32:03+00:00">December 7, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
