Green Bay to give Texans a Cold Reception

[CloakNNNdagger]

The National Weather Service is forecasting a game-time temperature of 11 degrees (with a wind chill of zero) for kickoff Sunday, which McCarthy (Green Bay head coach) called "definitely an advantage, (when) you play a particular team that's not used to it." But Texans defensive end Mario Williams claims it won't be a factor.

"I'm from North Carolina, and it snows in North Carolina, and it gets cold in North Carolina," Williams said. "So to me personally, I really don't care."

[LINK]

Odds makers are also giving the Texans a chilly reception, favoring the Packers by 5 1/2.

Both teams are 5-7 and the Packers experienced some "Texans moments" when they were unable to stop the Panthers' short yardage game in the red zone five times.

Now, one big question........How will the sub-freezing weather potentially affect the Texans?........and how much?

I don't want to even think about the Schaub premiere. I'll be holding my every breadth. Several of our players have been exposed to inclement conditions in the past. Though, even they have been conditioned for the most part to exist in a spa environment. This game promises to prove to be an extreme test for most of our team. If the weather has significant adverse effects on play, will the coaching staff recognize it and, unlike many previous games, adjust appropriately..........or just stubbornly self-destructively "stay the course"?

[Thorn]

In order to go 8-8, the Texans have to beat Oakland and Chicago, along with either Green Bay or the Tits. Personally, I think they have a better chance of beating Green Bay than they do the Vince Young I'm having a mental episode titty babies since VY isn't the QB.

We need to win this weekend to go 8-8. We just have to, cold or not.

[TexanSam]

Hopefully the outcome is the same as the Bears game a few years ago where it was even colder.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=241219003

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by TexanSam

Hopefully the outcome is the same as the Bears game a few years ago where it was even colder.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=241219003

That game was 4 years ago though, and the personnel is entirely different. If the Texans can work on the Packers less than stellar run defense, then we've got a great shot at winning. The more we limit Matt Schaub to what he HAS to do in order to win this particular game, the better. If Schaub only has to pass out of the play-action, then it will be pretty smooth sailing, especially with having to worry about injuries to our QB.

Stevie Wonder is going to need to have yet another stellar performance.

[edo783]

As a former resident of Wis for 30+ Years, if we have the lead or are VERY close at the half we can win. If we are down by 7 or more our guys will crowd the heaters and just want to get warm.

[Speedy]

The Texans are 5-0 when the temperature is 40 or below.

[76Texan]

I hope Jacoby can handle the ball in the cold so he can be the wild card.
Current temperature at his alma mater Lane College is 20F, so it looks like he does have experience returning punts in incremental weather.

I found the following interesting blog by a Packers fan.
Too funny!

-----------------------------------------

Packers Sign Punter, Mike McCarthy Expects Him To Kick Ball in Right Direction
Posted Dec 4th 2008 5:45PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Packers, NFC North, NFL Fans, NFL Coaching

Yesterday, Ciskie pointed out that the Packers were still without a punter. (Even though nobody pays them any attention, they are sort of important.) On Monday, they released incumbent Derrick Frost, who was signed just prior to the season opener to replace the inconsistent Jon Ryan.

Well, got some good news, Bruce: Green Bay inked former Nittany Lion Jeremy Kapinos, which means, barring an asteroid strike, the team will have a punter for this weekend's game against the Texans. And while I'll gladly admit that punters are seldom newsworthy, it was hard to overlook head coach Mike McCarthy's comments following the Kapinos signing:
"I want him to punt the ball in the right direction," McCarthy said. "I'm expected to win games. He's expected to punt the ball in the right direction." Then, McCarthy added, "I'm not trying to be funny."

Whoa, there, Mike. Let's try to keep expectations realistic here. You want this guy to not only kick the ball, but kick it in the right direction!?

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Speedy

The Texans are 5-0 when the temperature is 40 or below.

or is it because when the cold weather sets in we are already out of the playoff chase.

[Speedy]

Originally Posted by Vinny

or is it because when the cold weather sets in we are already out of the playoff chase.

I don't know. Maybe McNair needs to close the roof and dial down that A/C in September and October.

[mancunian]

Originally Posted by Speedy

The Texans are 5-0 when the temperature is 40 or below.

not bad for a team that is use to the Texas heat

[Silver Oak]

Originally Posted by Speedy

The Texans are 5-0 when the temperature is 40 or below.

that's a pretty good record irregardless of why it occurs.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by TexanSam

Hopefully the outcome is the same as the Bears game a few years ago where it was even colder.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=241219003

The turnover battle, a stat we have seldom won this year, accounted for this one. The Bears fumbled five times , while the Texans did not fumble. Maybe the Texans can be encouraged to play WITHOUT gloves, and spit on their hands to ensure that the ball sticks fast.

[nunusguy]

Temp is really a secondary consideration to the amount of sunshine and wind conditions in terms in how uncomfortable the players will be during the game. For example, ample sumshine and calm or near calm wind conditions at 12 degrees would be preferable to mostly cloudy skys with a sustained wind at 30 degrees.
BTW, I can't help but think about the TV commercials when the players have to stand around in the cold and wait for action to resume. That can't be fun.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

The turnover battle, a stat we have seldom won this year, accounted for this one. The Bears fumbled five times , while the Texans did not fumble. Maybe the Texans can be encouraged to play WITHOUT gloves, and spit on their hands to ensure that the ball sticks fast.

Somehow, I don't have enough faith in the 08 version of the Texans to believe they'll win the T/O battle at all; much less 5 to 0.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

If the weather has significant adverse effects on play, will the coaching staff recognize it and, unlike many previous games, adjust appropriately..........or just stubbornly self-destructively "stay the course"?

Remind me where Kubiak played and coached before coming here?

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Remind me where Kubiak played and coached before coming here?

I can appreciate that, infantrycak, but I can't really see how that gives advantage to our players, or take away the spector of some very questionable prior game plans and game-time decisions made under ideal weather conditions. Game preparation has been a big question with our Texans in the past, even with the sun shining and the flags standing still. I'm really hoping that your inference has some clout and we come through with a victory, but I will still be guarded anticipating the final outcome while I hold my breath for Schaub on each and every play.

[ATX]

I knew we played pretty well in cold weather, but 5-0 under 40 degrees is pretty damn good for a team from Houston. Now if we can just get to playing cold weather games that matter.......I'd love to go into Pittsburgh, Buffalo, or Denver in January and lay down some smack for all those old Oilers' losses we endured.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

I can appreciate that, infantrycak, but I can't really see how that gives advantage to our players, or take away the spector of some very questionable prior game plans and game-time decisions made under ideal weather conditions. Game preparation has been a big question with our Texans in the past, even with the sun shining and the flags standing still. I'm really hoping that your inference has some clout and we come through with a victory, but I will still be guarded anticipating the final outcome while I hold my breath for Schaub on each and every play.

All I was pointing out is Kubiak is very used to playing in cold weather and whatever adjustments that entails.

[Texans_Chick]

Both Schaub and Slaton are from Pennsylvania.

[dtran04]

Hell you think Aaron Rodgers likes that cold? The guy was used to it being 70 degrees in California no matter the month. The only thing that would drastically change the game is if it was snowing.