Holy cow, they beat "Peyton McNabb"!! The Texans are so wicked awesome, you can create some robotic hybrid genetic SuperQuarterback and they'd still beat him down! :grin:
Since when have the Texans really been "this" good? I know they started out 2-0 a few years ago, and I know they've had years where they were close to making the playofss, but c'mon... This team has now won 6 in a row. Has possibly the best pure passing QB in football. Definitely has the best WR in football. Has found a RB who fits the zone blocking scheme here perfectly, and is putting up god-like numbers. Has one of the best defensive lineman in football who is playing the best football of his career. Also has a defense full of young/hungry guys who have proven to be consistent playmakers (Pollard, Cushing). Most importantly, they have a coach that has full control of his team (ahem, wade phillips... take witness cowboys fans). This is Kubiak's team... has been since he first got here. Regardless what happens this season, I don't see how anybody can't get excited about this team...
That year we beat a TERRIBLE Chiefs team, and a crappy Carolina squad, to open the year (which was a game we almost let get away from us). This year we dominated the AFC champs, and then came back from 17 down on the road to knock off Donny Mac and the Shannyhans. That year looked like fool's gold. This year looks like 24K.
Secondary still scares me. Both games, we've been getting burned. We can't keep giving up 400+ passing yards each game. I mean, are we that good where we can get a 400+ passing performance from Schuab or 200+ rushing yards from Foster, each game?
I am cautiously optimistic that this year will be different than last year. The Redskins game was basically the Arizona game from last year all over again - except this time we finished. And this time, we got a few breaks like the missed FG in OT. I'd like to think that some of the bad breaks we got last year will start to even out this year. So far, that's been the case.
When I said this would happen, and told people to chill out, they blasted me. About time the ball started bouncing our way.
Not that I want to defend DD, but the 2009 Saints had a great pass defense. They gave up a lot of yards because teams were always behind and threw a lot. But they were #5 in fewest passing TDs allowed and #3 in interceptions forced. And that was despite having waiver wire scrubs filling in for chunks of the season. That said, beating the Colts despite 400+ yards passing suggests they can be elite even if they do struggle in pass defense. Before the 2009 season, I predicted 11 wins. They should outdo that this year. They've been more talented than people give them credit for the last few years. Now they are finally learning to put it all together. My biggest concern for the team would be Kubiak, but we'll see.
The NFL is 5 really good teams, 5 really bad teams and 22 teams that can win or lose any game depending on how they play. And even the 5 really good teams can lose on penalties, turnovers and injuries. I don't think the Texans are necessarily world beaters and I don't think the Cowboys will suck for 16 games. You just have to find a way to win 10 games and play well in the playoffs. 8 to go! 8 of 14.
Here's his list: Patriots - even though they lost to the Jets Saints - because of course they're the champs Vikings - Favre... Colts - because we can't beat.... oh wait, we did beat em With all these lowly teams going 2-0 in the first two weeks (e.i. Cheifs, Bucs, Dolphins) it's going to take a lot more to convince the fans and media that these Texans are for real. I'd say after this Sunday everyone will know how good they really are.
I think we're poised to start 4-0 or at least 3-1 as long as we don't let up for the Raiders. Either would be the best 4 game start in franchise history. The best we've been able to do is 2-2 a few times.
Pass defense can be sured up with a few adjustments. The only guy in the secondary getting consistently beat is Kareem Jackson. It also doesn't help that the OLBs have also been horrendous in coverage. Cush coming back will sure that up as he is among the best LBs in the NFL in coverage. Jackson should also improve as the season progresses although I would not mind seeing Brice McCain move into the starters spot.
Well the Colts have had a crappy run defense for years and they are NFL royalty. The Saints made Alex Smith look like Joe Montana last night and they are elite. The Pats couldn't stop the Sanchise and they are elite, right? NO team is perfect, every team has a weakness so I say the Texans are playing like an elite team. I won't put them into that class until they beat the Cowboys Sunday, after that you have to give them their props.
There are no elite teams at this moment. Every single team has shown weaknesses. That being said, at this moment the Texans are a top tier team.
