EVERY-THING SPORTS
Deciphering the inconsistencies in latest Texans criticism
Jan 19, 2024, 4:51 pm
NRG was rocking when Cleveland came to town. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.
Whenever you go to a live sporting event, one of the things you notice is how full the stadium/arena is. You'll make note of how loud it becomes when something exciting happens, or how low it sounds when things aren't going as well. The atmosphere is unlike anything else when it comes to a live event. Especially if you're talking about an NFL game.
Houston is a bit of a fair weather town. With so many transplants, there's a ton of fans of other teams here. There's a Chiefs bar for goodness’s sake! Like, really?!? When the hometown teams are doing well, the city will support them. They may make it to the game a little late, or sell their tickets to opposing fans, but the teams are supported pretty well when winning. When they're losing, it can look like a Covid year game. People will totally disengage.
In Texas, football is king. That's even more true when it comes to the Texans. It took them years of losing for fans to finally get fed up and show their displeasure at the box office. You heard boos, people left early, and opposing fans outnumbered Texans fans in certain games. Until now. When DeMeco Ryans was hired, people took notice. When they drafted C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr, people saw they were serious about rebuilding.
The fans responded by buying more tickets and merch. Games were well attended and got loud during exciting moments. When they made an improbable run to the playoffs this year, it was magical! They ended up beating the Browns in a home Wildcard game 45-14. It was a real beatdown! A whoopin if you will. Some Cleveland media folks think the noise was piped in.
Take a minute and think about what this buffoon is saying. The Texans organization, who once had a pastor on staff in a prominent front office role and refusal to draft guys with any bad behavior in their background to the point it became a radio bit, piped in sound?!? He thinks the middle and upper bowls weren't completely full, so the noise had to be piped in because it was way too loud for a “half empty” stadium?!?
Check out this tweet from a season ticket holder during the third quarter of that Browns game. Does that stadium look half empty? Does the middle and upper bowl look empty? Does that noise sound piped in? Or is it that a fan base, known for being insufferable and miserable, can't get over the fact they lost to a team NOBODY thought would even sniff a playoff spot this season? Could it be the fact that the quarterback they traded for and gave a fully guaranteed contract to and lost draft picks for used to play for said team? Is it the fact that one of the last picks from said trade got better because they took that loss?
I'm truly confused as to why they would express such an awful take that's so easily refutable. Sour grapes is one thing, but being a straight-up hater is something else. I said earlier this city can be a front-runner, but it truly loves football. They went without an NFL team for almost seven years and supported them religiously when they returned. The fans may have been upset about the losing and direction of the franchise, but they are back in full force now!
Jealousy makes people do and say some crazy things. The Browns should be proud of the season they had. They made the playoffs after having four different starting quarterbacks win games for them. It just so happens that the Texans were the better tea when it mattered most. Sorry your team didn't win and it caused you to hurt in your nether regions. I wish you nothing but worse luck next time, losers.
The NFL playoffs are finally here, and the Texans will kick off the postseason by hosting the LA Chargers this Saturday at NRG.
And while the Texans are only 3 point underdogs, the national media is making it seem like Houston has no chance against Justin Herbert and company.
ESPN's Rex Ryan has gone as far as calling the Texans a "bye" week for the Chargers, giving the team no chance to win despite playing at home.
However, the Texans are no stranger to this situation, as they were given little chance to win against the Browns in last year's Wild Card game. And we know how that ended, with the Texans thrashing the Browns 45-14.
It's certainly fair to predict the Chargers will come away with a win this Saturday, they have been playing much better football than Houston in recent weeks.
But it's important to remember that home underdogs have performed well in the Wild Card round. In fact, home underdogs are 16-14 all-time in the Wild Card playoffs, and both home underdogs won last year (Texans, Buccaneers).
Speaking of last year, many credit the Texans defense for securing the win over Cleveland, with two pick sixes in the second half helping to seal the deal.
But the real reason Houston won the game was because of CJ Stroud and the offense. Stroud threw 3 touchdowns before halftime and the team was leading 24-14 with six minutes left in the third quarter. That's when the defense tacked on two interceptions for touchdowns and put the game out of reach. Stroud and the offense also went on to score another TD on a Devin Singletary run.
If Stroud and the offense didn't put so much pressure on Joe Flacco and the Cleveland offense to score, he may not have forced those passes that were picked off.
Now, many will point to the Chargers having the best defense (points allowed) this season, but it's worth noting the Browns had the number one defense (yards allowed) last year as well.
Bulls on Parade
Houston's defense will have its hands full against a strong rushing attack led by JK Dobbins. And Justin Herbert has been terrific this season, spreading the ball around to his top two targets, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.
Fortunately for the Texans, they are extremely healthy on defense this week. While Jimmy Ward and Jalen Pitre are out for the year, we'll finally get to see linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Christian Harris play together for the first time this season.
The defensive line is expected to be at full strength as well, keep in mind Jonathan Greenard was injured and unable to play against the Browns last year.
Outlook on offense
We should see the best possible version of the offensive line this Saturday. We're all aware how many hits Stroud has taken due to poor o-line play. But with Tytus Howard and left guard and Juice Scruggs at right guard, Stroud should have more time to get the passing game going, featuring Nico Collins.
Speaking of the receivers, it's pretty amazing that this receiver group is almost identical to last year's in the Wild Card round. Stroud didn't have Stefon Diggs (on the Bills) or Tank Dell (injured) to throw to last year, either. But he does have one big addition in Joe Mixon this year. Hopefully, they can get Mixon involved in the passing game, and the shuffling of the o-line provides Mixon with some holes to run through.
X-factor
At least there's a possibility newly acquired receiver Diontae Johnson could provide a spark to the offense. Last year John Metchie and Robert Woods were the main targets besides Collins and Dalton Schultz.
What does Vegas think?
The Chargers are favored by 3 and the total is set at 42.5 points
Don't miss the video above as the crew from Texans on Tap previews this week's big game!