If Case were to beat KC in Arrowhead in his debut, and Kubiak tried to play Schaub the following week, all hell would break loose, among fans and among other players.
Any win against the cowboys is a fluke....because the cowboys suck. And I'm predicting a Texans loss, so not sure where you got that I'm saying we are anything different than our record. All I'm saying is that the chiefs aren't your typical undefeated 6-0 juggernaut. The combined record of their opponents this year is 11-25.
I don't understand the vitriol towards the Texan defense; I think, given the circumstances, that it's been pretty solid. Consider... Of the 177 points the Texans have surrendered, the defense wasn't even on the field for 49 of them. That alone drops their points *actually* allowed by 9/game (from 29.5 to 21.3). Additionally, 26 of the points have come after turnovers in Texan territory, where they've, again, been pretty decent - of the six turnovers, teams have only converted two of them into TDs. Given that a FG is very nearly a given in those circumstances, I think that's commendable. And let's also not forget that two long Randy Bullock misses have led to 59- and 65-yard scoring drives. Turnovers are killers in part because they (often) shorten the field; well, missed field goals are, too. So that's a total of 89 points that we can at least initially blame on the ineptness of the offense/special teams; 49 of which we can directly blame. When opponents *aren't* getting an assist from our weaker elements, the defense is fairly stout - 88 points in six games. That's 14.6/game. I'm not suggesting they're *that* good (because that number is skewed) - but they're too often up against a wall much like the offense was in 2010. As for a lack of forcing turnovers... of their six games, they've trailed significantly in 3 of them (SD, SF, STL) and in all of them except Seattle. It's much harder to turnover teams that are leading and playing conservatively. Again, I'm not suggesting they'd be a turnover machine in normal circumstances - but we shouldn't dismiss the less-than-ideal circumstances, either, IMO.
That's true but a bit distorted. 12 of those losses are by 2 wretched teams. The other 4 have a combined record of 11-13, with 4 of those losses being to the Chiefs. So against everyone else, those teams are 11-9. Not great, but not terrible either.
Spoiler <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Sharpton, Foster (sore hamstring), Schaub, Dobbins, & Greg Jones did not practice. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/390910068708761600">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Matt Schaub will not play this week. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/390910113009000448">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Case Keenum will start the game Sunday. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/390910188661637120">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Foster had a sore hamstring so he did not practice. Expected out there tomorrow, as per Kubiak.</p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/390910106398756864">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Players were told this morning that Case would start at KC. "We're struggling and we're looking for a spark." -Kubiak</p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/390910404433440768">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: We need a spark and Case deserves a chance. I thought he practiced really well. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Dale Robertson (@sportywineguy) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportywineguy/statuses/390910493281357824">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak on <a href="https://twitter.com/casekeenum7">@casekeenum7</a>: He's given me confidence thru camp. He continues to grow. We're looking for a spark and he deserves an opportunity.</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/390910557257097217">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"His eyes got kinda big." - <a href="https://twitter.com/casekeenum7">@casekeenum7</a>'s reaction when Kubiak told him he'd start vs. Chiefs. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Drew Dougherty (@DoughertyDrew) <a href="https://twitter.com/DoughertyDrew/statuses/390910505528725504">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: Obviously, T.J. is disappointed but he's a pro. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/390910792045834240">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak said he told the team today that Keenum will start at KC. "It's a tough decision cause both have done so well."</p>— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/390910342370295808">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak "We need a spark. Tough place to play. We're not sending him out there alone. He's excited. He's done well since camp."</p>— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/390910536121987072">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak "TJ is disappointed as he should be. He promised me he'd be ready to go if we need him."</p>— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/390910658197204992">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak "I have confidence in Case. Matt and TJ will help. We trust his reactions. He's going against one of the toughest defenses."</p>— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/390910801281703936">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"We just want him to go out there and react. That's why he's on this football team." Kubiak on <a href="https://twitter.com/casekeenum7">@casekeenum7</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/390910909339553792">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Sharpton, Foster, Schaub, Dobbins did not practice. Greg Jones is sick. Foster has a sore hamstring. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/statuses/390910020130701312">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"I didn't hesitate because I felt like we needed a spark."- Kubiak on naming <a href="https://twitter.com/casekeenum7">@casekeenum7</a> the starter. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Drew Dougherty (@DoughertyDrew) <a href="https://twitter.com/DoughertyDrew/statuses/390911103846199296">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak "We have to run our offense. I worry about our team. I want everybody moving forward and understanding where we're going."</p>— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/390911258557300736">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak said he didn't wait until the end of the week to announce Keenum cause he's concerned with what's best for Texans.</p>— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/390911556801675264">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: team will feed off Case's natural energy. He needs team to help him. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregBailey13/statuses/390910987622420480">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Wade Phillips drops another bomb. But a smaller one. D.J. Swearinger will start in place of Danieal Manning. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/statuses/390912406740037632">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Phillips (on playing at KC): This is the biggest game of the year for our team and our guys know that. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/390913141812379648">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"It reminds me a little bit of Tony Romo's story. Hopefully it ends out that way. ... He's got some moxie." Wade Phillips on Keenum <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/statuses/390913986981801984">October 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Texans defensive stats this year and just weird and often inexplicable. Take this, for instance: The defense is giving up 131 passing yards per game. That's insane. Seattle is 2nd best at 190. I wouldn't be surprised if no team has done this in a decade. On the flipside, opponent QB Rating is 93.5, ranking the Texans 21st in the league. How does this even work? Teams are really efficient when throwing, but they just don't throw at all against the Texans? It's not like teams are running all over them. But teams have only *attempted* 137 passes against the Texans in 6 games. That makes no sense, especially in a pass happy league when you're throwing the ball well the few times you actually do it.
They aren't passing because we give them field position/points early through turnovers, they're building big leads, and running the clock out. Chargers/Titans were come from behind wins. Seattle has Wilson who was more successful running than passing. Ravens, 49ers, Rams games were blowouts. They don't need to pass against us. I'd imagine the Texans time of possession is crazy high in comparison to their opponents as well.
Throw him to the wolves. SEE, I TOLD YOU HE SUCKS! (Fans might be calling for Schaub again, ha. Maybe be careful what you wish for?) Excited & hopeful but not real confident. (Although I'm not real confident with any of the three QBs on the roster.)
i was about to say the same thing. texans DB has been penalized a lot when opponent throw deep balls this is what i'm afraid kubiak is going to do if keenum struggles. is he really putting keenum in a position to succeed? so, how many penalties is he going to get for hitting defenseless WR? or blown coverage?
We need to retire the #8 forever in Houston. After Carr and Schaub, I don't ever want to see anyone wear that number again in a Texans uniform.
I mentioned it - big leads and short fields. We saw this manifest in the Saint game - when teams turn their opponents' over in their end of the field, they get *very* conservative because, again, a FG (attempt) is all but guaranteed if you don't a) lose yardage; b) turn it back over. And coaches tend to look at those as gift points and are all too satisfied with 3 because its 3 points they didn't really expect. Again, I don't think the Texan defense is among the best in football; but I don't think it's a paticularly glaring issue, either. Certainly not on par with the QB. But the turnovers are skewing the numbers significantly. I can't imagine there's a team in football who's defense wasn't even on the field for nearly 30% (27.6) of the points allowed by the team. Forty-two percent of those points they were either on the bench, or the drive started in their end of the field. Just staggering.
