A BIG TEXAS PARTY
David Gow: Re-celebrating Super Bowl week in Houston, and why this city will beat Minneapolis as a host
David Gow
Jan 29, 2018, 6:34 am
The Big Texas Party was better than anything Minneapolis will do. ABC13.com
Every year thousands of media members travel to cover the Super Bowl, leading to widespread reviews of the host city. This year will be no different. There will be stories about the weather, the logistics, the food, hotels, transportation, hospitality, etc. The point: The Super Bowl is so much more than the game; it is a week-long, deep-dive experience of learning the dynamics of the host city.
Last year, Houston truly shined. This year, we have Minneapolis. Minneapolis in February -- a head-scratcher that has media members and fans from both sides grumbling. As a member of the media, I have travelled to the Super Bowl city each of the last eight years. Never has there been a back-to-back comparison of cities that is so one-sided. Allow me to offer my top five reasons why Houston is a superior host city to Minneapolis.
Weather
Idyllic conditions vs. artic freeze. This one is stating the obvious. It is almost too easy, like telling everyone that Tom Brady is a better QB than Nick Foles. Of course. But, more than any other year, the weather will define the experience leading up to the game. Last year Houston weather ranged between 60-75 degrees. The forecast in Minneapolis: temperatures ranging from 10 degrees to 0 degrees – the coldest host city experience, ever.
People
Minnesota Nice vs. Texas Hospitality. Having visited Minneapolis many times, I will affirm the unofficial state motto: Minnesotans are, indeed, “nice.” But sometimes I feel this is stated merely due to context. Think: well, given that the winters they endure, they do a good job of being nice. It is hunkered-down, grit-your-teeth, survivalist “nice.” Last year one of the common themes I heard from visitors about Houston: the hospitality was over the top. From the moment visitors arrived at the airport, to the time they needed directions, when they wanted restaurant recommendations, etc., there was a pervasive spirit in the air: Texas-sized Hospitality.
Nexus of Activity
Mall of America vs. Discovery Green. Every year there is a hub of all the week’s activities: the site for the NFL experience, radio row, restaurants/hotels, bands performing, etc. I don’t want to revisit the point about weather, but as I said, it defines the week. In Minnesota, the hub will be the Mall of America, a sprawling indoor monster mall. In Houston, guests strolled outdoors, sat on the lawn listening to bands, ate at covered patios. For the removal of doubt, ours was Discovery Green.
Food
Booya vs. Barbecue. Minnesotans make stew in large vats and call it booya. Other signature dishes include cheese curds or casserole. MMM. Give me a plate of Pinkerton’s barbecue – please. I might have touted fresh walleye, a delicious fresh water fish found in Minnesota’s many lakes but, right now, those lakes are frozen – ugh! (and, no, I do not recommend ice fishing). Of course, what makes Houston’s restaurant scene world class is our incredible ethnic diversity. If Minnesota is “twin-cities,” we are about “10 cities” of different ethnic groups. Thus, the challenge for last year’s visitors was how to try it all: barbecue, Mexican, steak houses, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, etc., etc. You get the point.
Parties
The Big Texas Party vs. Anything. Every year there are large parties thrown by out-of-town entities: the Maxim Party, the Leather and Laces party, the Playboy party, etc. Those parties took place in Houston; they will take place in Minneapolis – same thing. But here is what is different. I am now revealing my ultimate “homer” status. The best party I have ever attended was last year: The Big Texas Party. Thrown by CultureMap and ESPN 97.5, the party headline was beer, bourbon and barbecue. The Mayor came. A ton of former and current football players showed up -- Mike Barber, Chris Dishman, Bubba McDowell and legendary Cowboys Ed “Too Tall” Jones and Randy White. Even a few Patriots, who would play in the big game a few days later, snuck in to enjoy the festivities. Most Super Bowl parties are a bunch of men hanging around drinking beer, wishing there were more women or staring at the few models who have been paid to attend. But this party had the perfect balance: CultureMap turned out women; ESPN 97.5 turned out the men. When Bart Crow fired up his band, the dance floor was full. The event was such a success we had folks suggesting we do it again this year. Rather, we will cling to a great memory, a party that capped off a week where Houston put its best boot forward!
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Here's what the next era of Astros baseball will look like
Dec 13, 2024, 8:31 pm
Miami (6-7) at Houston (8-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS
BetMGM Odds: Texans by 3.
Against the spread: Dolphins 5-8; Texans 5-6-2.
Series record: Texans lead 8-3.
Last meeting: Dolphins beat Texans 30-15, on Nov. 27, 2022, in Miami.
Last week: Dolphins beat Jets 32-26 in OT; Texans were off, beat Jaguars 23-20 on Dec. 1.
Dolphins offense: overall (19), rush (24), pass (14), scoring (23).
Dolphins defense: overall (9), rush (7), pass (11), scoring (T14).
Texans offense: overall (18), rush (16), pass (17), scoring (11).
Texans defense: overall (5), rush (10), pass (7), scoring (T12).
Turnover differential: Dolphins minus-2; Texans plus-10.
Dolphins player to watch
QB Tua Tagovailoa, who has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL at throwing with anticipation and accuracy since he returned from a concussion in Week 8. Tagovailoa leads the NFL with a 73.8% completion rate and threw for 300 yards for the third straight game last week vs. the Jets. Tagovailoa is the first player in NFL history to have at least 40 pass attempts, multiple touchdown passes and no interceptions in three consecutive games within a single season.
Texans player to watch
QB C.J. Stroud has thrown for at least 225 yards in each of his six home games this season and is 11-4 in 15 starts in Houston, including the playoffs. He has thrown for 3,117 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.
Key matchup
Houston RB Joe Mixon vs. Miami’s run defense. Mixon ran for 101 yards in Houston’s previous game for his seventh 100-yard game this season. He ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game. This week he’ll face a run defense that ranks seventh in the NFL by holding teams to 105.6 yards a game.
Key injuries
Miami LT Terron Armstead is dealing with a knee injury that limited him to just five snaps last week. He did not practice Wednesday… LBs Bradley Chubb (knee) and Cameron Goode (knee) could make their season debut, depending on how this week of practice goes, coach Mike McDaniel said. … WRs Tyreek Hill (wrist) and Jaylen Waddle (hamstring), RB Raheem Mostert (hip), and LB Anthony Walker Jr. (hamstring) were among those limited in practice Wednesday. … Houston S Jalen Pitre is expected to miss a second straight game with a shoulder injury. … DE Denico Autry was limited in practice Wednesday because of a knee injury.
Series notes
Houston won the first seven meetings in this series. … Miami didn’t get its first win against the Texans until a 44-26 victory in 2015. … The Dolphins have won the past two meetings. … These teams first met in the season opener in 2003 when Houston got a 21-20 win on a late field goal.
Stats and stuff
Three of Miami’s final four games of the season are on the road. … K Jason Sanders needs 13 points Sunday to reach 800. He also needs one field goal to reach 177, which would give him the second-most field goals made in franchise history. … TE Jonnu Smith needs 100 yards receiving to reach 792 and set a franchise record for most yards receiving by a tight end in a single season. Smith had three catches for 44 yards, including the game-winning TD vs. the Jets last week after having no receptions during regulation. … Tagovailoa needs a completion rate of 70% or better on Sunday to reach eight consecutive games completing at least 70% of his passes. That would tie him with Joe Montana (1989) and Drew Brees (2017-18) for the longest streak in NFL history. … The Dolphins gave up a season-high 402 yards to the Jets last week. Aaron Rodgers burned Miami’s pass defense for 319 yards, and Miami’s secondary allowed a combined 223 yards by Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams. … Houston can clinch the AFC South title for the second straight year with a win and a loss by Indianapolis Sunday. … The Texans rank second in the NFL with 84 tackles for loss. … Their 42 sacks also rank second. … WR Nico Collins had eight receptions for 119 yards for his fourth 100-yard game this season in Houston’s previous game. He has had at least 75 yards receiving and a TD reception in each of his four home games this season. … TE Dalton Schultz had five receptions for 61 yards and a score in Week 13. He has had at least five catches in two of his past three games. … LB Azeez Al-Shaai will serve the first game of a three-game suspension for an illegal hit to the head of QB Trevor Lawrence Sunday. … DE Danielle Hunter is one of two players in the NFL this season with at least 15 tackles for loss (15) and 10 sacks (10 1/2). It’s his sixth career season with at least 10 sacks. He has eight tackles for loss and five sacks combined in his past three games. … DE Will Anderson has had a sack in his past two home games. … LB Henry To’oTo’o has had at least five tackles in four straight games. … CB Derek Stingley had his third interception of the season in his previous game. … CB Kamari Lassiter had a career-high eight tackles, including a tackle for loss in Week 13. … S Jimmie Ward has had an interception in his past two home games. He also had an interception in his previous game against Miami in 2022 while with San Francisco.
Fantasy tip
Collins has 456 yards receiving and four touchdown receptions in four home games this season.