ha i screwed up! sorry meant to quote macalu's post. i tried to rep you, ima, but i have to spread more around first.
You're right, if the Patriots get eliminated before they play us then they would not be the best team this year. However, over the last 10 years or so, the Patriots have been the best team. Just look at their record, making the playoffs almost every year, getting lots of national attention, etc. Why wouldn't you want to go up against them? It's a feather in your hat if you can knock them out. There's one other reason I would like to face the Patriots and that's the revenge factor. They knocked us out last year, so I would like to return the favor. If we can't face the Patriots then the Ravens would be the next opponent I'd like to face. They knocked us out two years ago, so once again a little revenge would be in order. Best case scenario would be to beat both teams in the playoffs.
Because I want to win? As others have said, I'll be as amped as anybody if we play them because of what is at stake, but I'm not going to be looking for that fight. Superbowl win > Patriots win
Maybe he has a point: The Ravens made the playoffs in 06, 08, 09, 10, 11, before making it to the superbowl in '12. The Falcons made the playoffs in 08, 10, 11, and '12. Still haven't smelt the superbowl. The colts made the playoffs in 00, 02, 03, 04, 05 before making it to the superbowl in '06. Obviously there are exceptions but the Texans have made the playoffs 2 years in a row. A third year in the playoffs without making it to the superbowl is not a failure. I would love if they do it and I know they are capable; but I'm still going to be a fan next year if they don't.
Eh. Flacco's 3rd postseason appearance was considered a failure. (12-4 but lost vs Pittsburgh in the divisional round, 24-31) Same with Matt Ryan. (10-6 but curb stomped vs. NYG in the wildcard round, 2-24) Lord knows almost every year Peyton went to the playoffs was considered a failure before he actually won it. The Texans have been a Superbowl caliber team the past 2, and now 3, seasons. Expectations have obviously been a little different around here than most places, but I think anything less than a Superbowl appearance for this team should be considered a failure. Granted, people will be happy with an AFC champ game appearance, but remember, expectation does not always go hand-in-hand with capability. The Texans are more capable of achieving success than our overall expectations demand, which is a rare thing in professional sports.
It's a failure by your expectations. Most teams will say their goal is to win super bowl and all but one of them accomplishes that goal. By that logic it's a failure. The Ravens moved past their "failure" and won the superbowl a couple season later. Should they have gotten rid of their QB and coach? You can't tell me luck doesn't go into winning. What if the Broncos didn't choke to the Ravens or the Patriots had a healthy Gronk?Or the 49ers had to face the seahawks instead of the falcons? Broncos. 49ers. Seahawks. Packers. Patriots. Falcons. All those teams are capable and have been picked to go to the superbowl next year. Only two teams get to go. If the Texans are the 3rd, 4th, or 5th best team in the league I don't think that is a failure. Especially since the team still has it's questions on defense. Plus only God knows what injury problems might come up.
I didn't say anything about my personal expectations. Right, but that is beside the point. No, and I'm not sure why you're asking me since I didn't suggest we should. Have you read any of my numerous other posts in this thread stating how it will require forces beyond our control (i.e. the Patriots losing) in order for us to win? That's the definition of luck. This is why I said "people would be happy with an AFC champ game appearance". Your opinion is the majority opinion. Your opinion does not mirror their capability. Which is a very rare thing. That was my point (other than noting that those 3rd year playoff teams you mentioned were indeed considered failures by the NFL and their fans vis a vis their performance vs. expectation).
My wife said, "Maybe you should move your office so you could concentrate, Kubiak! I want you getting ready for the game!"
His arms are so long...He may supplant Mercilus for realz... These boys can do damage, but it cant be just one facet. These Texans need Matt to get to a level, that I dont know he has. Matt has been a solid QB. He has accomplished a lot more than Carr. Kubiak's system doesnt bother me as much as Matt's ability to deliver. There was recently a stat that was put up about Matt vs. non playoff teams and playoff teams. Matt's been wonderful against non playoff teams and piss poor against playoff teams. Schaub has to deliver this season, more than just a title; but an ability to show that he can be the man. He has to be the shoulder the Texans rely upon. More than Foster, more than JJ/Cush, and more than Andre...Matt has to be the one that brings us to the promise land: He has to avoid bone headed INT's. His deep route throws need to be there faster and more accurately. He has to have a sense of unshakable confidence even if his arm fails him. I am pumped up after watching Kubiak's luncheon speech. And I am sure the players are really ready to get that bad NE loss out of their mouths. Chargers should be our first victim...GO TEXANS...
On any given day, any team can beat any other team in major pro sports. Basketball, baseball, and hockey try to account for that by playing a series of games. It's more likely that the better team will win. In football, it's best of one. While it's still more likely that the best team will win, the odds for moving on to the next round aren't as great as they are in the other sports. So yes, luck plays a larger role in winning the Super Bowl than it does in winning the World Series, Stanley Cup, or NBA Finals. The Ravens had a good, but not great year. And they lost 4 out of their last 5 going into the playoffs. Flacco played great in the playoffs but was pretty average during the regular season. On the whole, the Ravens were not the best team in the NFL last year. But they were the best team in the playoffs, and that's what matters. Putting it all together at the right time is to a degree a matter of Luck. The Texans had put it all together at one point last season, it just happened at the wrong time. For that reason alone, you shouldn't write off the Texans' Super Bowl chance before the season even begins. We've seen them dominate before. There's no reason to believe they can't again. And if they're lucky enough to hit the groove at the right time, they could definitely make it to the Super Bowl.
We've got a chance. Better than last year I think. Ravens will regress. Flacco got the fat contract and they lost major leadership backbone of that team. Colts were a fluke. Their point differential was -30. The only playoff team with a negative. In fact, the next worst differential for a playoff team was the Vikings with +31. Bengals will be good but Dalton isn't anything special. I think he has peaked. Broncos secondary is very weak and Peyton can't play in the winter outdoors. They also lost their starting center for the year. Pats lost their TE's and Welker. Will Brady sling it to himself?!?! Still we should try and avoid if at all possible due to matchup. The issue with making it to the big dance is the NFC is stacked!!! But it would be a nice problem to have no doubt.
they have a chance. surly one of the teams that will make it far this year...but sometimes you lose it just by having a bad game..lets hope they can keep up the fighting spirit for 16 weeks.
I think we're going to have a problem with our defense this yr.(specifically talking about going deep in the playoffs). I don't think we'll be able to get consistent pressure rushing only 4 against the better qbs (Manning/Brady etc). I also think we'll be hurting big time (in the playoffs) when teams go three wide on us because I don't think Brice will hold up against someone like Welker. So in my opinion, the way we can win it all is to win some high scoring gms in the playoffs. The 49ers defense was really good last yr, and they gave up 27 pts to the Ravens in the Super Bowl (Ravens scored 34 pts but 7 pts came on a kickoff return). The Ravens offense (especially Flacco) stepped it up and wound up winning a shoot out against the 49ers. The offense is going to have to step it up BIG time in the playoffs for us to win it all.
I honestly liked the speech. I have no problem with Kubiak, in fact, he's done a marvelous job. Show me a QB with an average arm and 00000000 pocket presence/mobility that has won a Super Bowl.
