Unless you can play 2 QBs, I don't see how it's interesting. Why would you ever both yourself in the position of having to root against the Texans? Play Schaub, end of story.....not to mention the fact that the Texans have the better defense out of the two. Onto the game: Some pretty major keys for the defense/special teams 1) Our secondary is going to have to find a way to contain Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. Both of them are having monster seasons. Against the Saints, we saw a lot more zone defense than usual (mainly due to the fact that Dunta is out), but surprisingly, it worked well. I think this secondary succeeds when you aren't having to put someone "on an island". Dunta was the only one good enough to do that with, so now we're seeing a lot more team defense. I'm hoping we continue this strategy. 2) Mario & Co. are going to have to take what they did last week and continue to pressure the QB. Anderson has shown in the past that when you flush him out of the pocket, and make him run around, he's not nearly as effective. Make him rush a few passes, hit him after a few passes, and make him feel your presence, and I think we can force him to make some mistakes. 3) DO NOT KICK TO JOSHUA CRIBBS. The guy is simply unbelievable. 32.3 YPR so far on kick returns this year.
A few years back, the Texans headed into a week 17 contest with the Browns with a 7-8 record and their first opportunity to finished the season at .500. Now the Texans head into a week 12 contest against a much better Browns team with their first opportunity to be above .500 after the halfway point in the season. I'm starting to hate the Browns. Kill 'em. Beat 'em down.
On offense, here's what I see as being the major issues: 1) This team is obviously a completely different squad when Andre Johnson is out there. They play with more confidence, Schaub has a bigger presence in the pocket, and the other receivers are able to do more because of the single coverages they draw. The team definitely feeds off him, and it shows. 2) Whatever the running back situation ends up being, the backs are going to have to play solid, mistake-free football. This allows the air attack to work effectively, and it causes the Browns DBs to creep up a little bit on first and second down, which then opens up that deadly play-action. 3) DO NOT TURN THE BALL OVER. This cannot be stated enough times. The Texans are tied for most turnovers in the league right now with 25. We do not need to give the Browns free possessions in this game. With all that being said, I think it's going to be a little more defense oriented than everyone thinks, a lot like the Saints game. I think the Texans force Anderson to make a couple of mistakes early, take an early lead, and never really look back. Final score : Texans 24 Browns 13
Amen to that. Also, even with Dunta hurt, Petey is benched. Faggins not starting the last 2 games = 2 wins. Only 10 points given up last game, no points in the 2nd half. Tied for the lowest point total for NO this season. Statistically speaking, the offenses are about the same. We average 350 yards per game and Cleveland averages 346 yards per game. But Cleveland has the worst defense in the NFL. They give up the most points (29.4), most yards (406.3; only team to give up more than 400 ypg), and 2nd most passing yards (269.5). Their run defense isn't that great either. In their last 3 games, they've given up 30, 31, and 30 points. They've given up at least 30 points 7 times this season. Cleveland has to try to outscore you to win because they have no D. If our defense plays like it did against New Orleans (no big plays, keeping things in front of them, and forcing turnovers), Houston wins. Texans 30 Browns 24
GAH, are you serious? How can you, in good conscience, start the opposing team's QB? As a Texans fan, you should only feel pain, remorse, and frustration when the other team scores a TD. Now, at best, you'll have a mixed bag of emotions. And just think of this moment : Texans have the ball on their own 38 yd line. It's First and 10. The ball is snapped, Schaub hands it off to Dayne....but wait, it's not a handoff! He steps back, and he sees Andre Johnson streaking over the middle of the field uncovered! He hits him with a strike....15...10...5...TOUCHDOWN TEXANS!!! YES! What a HUGE play for your fantasy team as well!! But wait....you started Derek Anderson, who threw the interception on the previous Browns possession to give the Texans the ball in the first place. Crap. Do you really want to feel any sort of regret when Schaub throws for 315 2 TDs and no int's? Come on man....do the right thing.
Easiest way to never have divided loyalties: don't play fantasy football. I can hate on the Browns, Titans, Cowboys, Jaguars, or anyone without reservation. FREE THE HATE!!
Honestly I can't hate the Browns more than the Jags/Titans/Colts. If anything, if the Texans do not get the wild card, I would rather it be the Browns over the Jags or Titans.
Ahhhhh...the ghost of Bernie Kosar reincarnate. I remember that Week 17 loss...what a disappointment. Let's score a little payback this weekend!
This game is all on the defense. If they can hold the Browns on key third-down situations, they will win. Texans - 27 Browns - 27 (That's right. A tie! The NFL hasn't had one in years. It's time!)
Funny! OK screw that. Go Texans!!! BEAT 'EM DOWN!! Here's to Amobi batting a pass and Mario taking it to the house.
So, you expect 54 points to be score in 60 minutes and then all of a sudden disappear in the overtime period?
It's called hedging your emotions. If your fantasy team loses, at least the Texans win. If the Texans lose, at least your fantasy team wins. I agree with everyone saying they like the fact that we're playing more zone with Dunta out. I hate that he's not out there, but the blessing in disquise is that we are forced to play better team defense in the secondary.
