Sure... but on the flipside, you can look at teams like the Patriots and 49ers and tell them that giving up 41 points is not going to get it done come playoff time either. Every team going into the playoffs has flaws... even Denver, who has benefitted from a prolonged stretch of playing teams that either have no prospects, or are fading fast (Baltimore). I could easily see them struggling in their first playoff game as it will be against a team of a calibur they have not seen since very early in the season (when they struggled against the Falcons and Texans). The Texans, when they are at their best, seem to be the most complete team... but they haven't been at their best since Cushing went out. They also need to get the revolving embarrassment that the secondary displays week in/week out resolved. Also, of all the teams, the Texans running game (if it comes close to what they showed in the second half on sunday) can offer them a dimension that none of the other AFC playoff teams can stick with regularly.
Yup. Yesterday really encouraged me because it was one of the first times all year that we've seen the Texans physically wear a team down with their running game. This was vintage 2011 Texans in the sense that the opponent knew exactly what was coming and still couldn't stop it. We're not going to beat New England or Denver in a shootout... but if the running game gets going, we control the clock and hit a few big plays by playaction, it can easily be done.
controlling the clock will be huge against those teams, however I would add to that that touchdowns need to be had instead of FGs. It was fine in this game since Texans were always in control, but against Peyton and Brady you just can't leave any little bit of a window open
One encouraging thing besides a 12-2 record is that the Texans have STILL in my opinion not put together the COMPLETE game. That is a game where the offense is clicking at both passing and running along with a stellar defensive effort. Surely that game is still coming, hopefully during the playoffs.
Absolutely. But for the most part, I think red-zone efficiency is fairly random. In the Schaub-Foster-Johnson era, we've seen them go from mediocre (#13 in 2009) to good (#5 in 2010) to bad (#23 in 2011) to pretty good again (#8 in 2012), all with similar personnel and scheme. We need to be better than against Indy, but I think it'll come. My personal opinion on yesterday is that Kubiak saw something on film that made him believe he could wear the Colts out if he consistently stuck with the ground game. Because where the Texans have had a TON of red-zone success this year is throwing to Daniels and Graham, and we basically saw none of that yesterday. Very formulaic inside the 15 with running the ball and the occasional bubble screen to Andre. My guess is that against a better opponent, you'll see them be a lot more diverse in playcalling.
Baltimore was a complete game... and it was the last time they played a "complete" game. The running game coming alive yesterday was huge. Even though we know Indy is a little "smoke and mirrorish" with their record, they were still a team that was on a roll... and they provided a good test. Minnesota will also provide a good test this week. I think its good to be playing quality teams LATE in the season, before the playoffs... as it can definitely get the confidence going (or expose what needs to be worked on and improved upon). Denver is going to have trouble when they finally go against a good team again.
I thought about the Ravens game when I said that. Yes, I agree that was the most complete game they have played, but I still think there is an even better performance in them. Brady is great, but New England was made to look a bit more vulnerable last night, and Denver is not invincible as you suggest. The Texans have looked "wobbly" of late, but maybe they can jell at the right time.
That's actually discouraging to me. If they haven't played a complete game yet, what are the odds of them finally putting it all together in the playoffs? If they're as good as they're supposed to be, how come we never see them play complete games? I'd hope for at least a few of those types of games throughout the season. The fact that we've gone 2 full months without one (Baltimore) it troubling to me for a team that's supposed to be elite.
i'd say the Texans did exactly that last year. They went into the playoffs on a 3 game losing streak. They then annihilated the Bengals and played a pretty damn good game against the Ravens, even with TJ Yates 3 INTS.
I'd argue yesterday was very close. Yes, we needed one or two more touchdowns in the red zone to truly be dominating, but that was as balanced a team win as we've had in some time, when you factor in the running-game dominance, special teams touchdown, etc. Lot to be proud of with that one.
You substitute a touchdown in for even one of those field goals, and the complexion of that game feels very, very different. In the playoffs, I would hope that Kubiak doesn't call a draw play on 3rd and 4 inside the red zone, so that's something we can take solace in. In the playoffs, if you can get into field goal range 6 times, and come away with points, you're going to be in good shape to win the game.
anyone know where i can watch the whole game, or if there are extensive highlights of the game available?
Never got around to it yesterday after going to the game, but.... Very happy for them to seal up and clinch the division. You can say this about the 2012 Texans - they take care of business. I think we all knew the Colts were more feel good paper tigers than contenders going into this game, and we handed them a giant sized reality check to ChuckStrong. Absolutely dominant performance by the front 5. Watt is simply the most amazing pro we've had in the city since Olajuwon. 6 Tackles in their backfield. Incredible. It's been en vouge to hate on Conner Barwin, be he was active out there too - a sack and deflected pass (would have gone for several yards out of the flats) and plenty of other plays. I did notice the Colts pick on Mercilus a little in the run game and had success. This was exacerbated by what I felt was overall dismal play by our ILBs. It was worrisome to me how often James and Sharpton were either blown out of the play or were chasing a RB from behind rather than coming forward to meet him in the gaps. This should be a point of concern going into next week. Been saying it a lot....but man I miss Cushing. Secondary did have one bad drive, including an absolutely awful Hilton catch and run TD behind the coverage. We had 7 men back in a zone with 2 deep, and I just don't understand what Demps was doing letting Hilton get behind him. Harris had a bad PI penalty but otherwise held his own. I was surprised we aren't seeing more of Routt with Ball still out. Didn't like seeing Joseph get (slightly) hurt and come out. Overall, they did well enough. Nice job on Wayne all day. Couldn't be happier for Braman. That man deserves a TD for what he's done this year. Fantastic play. Not as in love with Jones shanking a punt sidewise (being fair, it happens to everyone once in a while) or Graham continuing to show that he's a dice roll if the ball isn't inside the 30. On offense, I think we did great, aside from the overly-safe playcalling. 1 TD and 6 FG tries. The game shouldn't have been anywhere near as close it was in the 4th. First quarter, we showed how fast we can tear down the field. Happy to see Posey make his way up the chain and make good on the opportunities. It'll be a surprise if Walter survives this offseason. The Colts did do a good job scheming for us by lining up their ends wide often and sending them both to cover potential boots. Nailed Schaub twice. It seemed that Kubiak was able to take advantage of their wide 9 alignment later to help blow big holes open for Foster. I have to say this for Luck - he impressed me by his poise. We came after him all day, and he didn't go Gabbert from the pressure. We caused a load of bad throws off of hurries, but he did a nice job not putting the ball where it could be intercepted. Not many QBs could throw for less than 200 yards, complete less than half their passes, absorb 5 sacks....and still finish with a 95 rating. Going forward, we've got one least critical game in Minnesota. None of us want to believe they're a real threat, but here they come at 8-6 and fighting like hell to maintain a playoff berth. No Harvin, but Peterson's somehow bounced back from ACL surgery into straight up GOD mode. Our defense has been stellar against the run all year (despite yesterday's dubious showing), but Peterson's having one of the greatest RB seasons of all time. Seeing what we saw against Ballard (targeting Mercilus, abusing James + Sharpton), I'd think about employing a more standard 3-4 against the Vikes by returning Barwin to WOLB and rotating in Ruud to play 3 ILBs (Sharpton at SOLB). Shut down those gaps.
When we eventually write the history of this era, the loss of Cushing will be infinitely more damaging than the loss of Schaub last year, IMO. The defense is still playoff-caliber - but they really miss him. re: the secondary - clinching this week is vital as it'll give JJo three full weeks to rest and recover. He's playing - but he is not 100%.
Cushing is sorely missed but that's a bit of a reach. The offense was severely limited without Schaub and effectively put out of SB contention. This year we are still very much SB contenders even though the defense has regressed. They are still very opportunistic and capable of forcing turnovers.
