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The Texans will go to the Superbowl IF....

In your opinion, what is the most important factor in us reaching the SuperBowl?

  • 6) The WR's/TE's get open more

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 8) ST's significantly improves

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    61
  • Poll closed .

Rey

Guest
1) The defense steps it up another level

2) Kubiak does a better overall job coaching

3) Matt Schaub steps his game up/Shows up big in crucial moments

4) The O-line plays better

5) Arian takes it up a notch

6) The WR's/TE's get open more

7) We get home field throughout

8) ST's significantly improves

9) We have a few lucky bounces

10) Other



Poll coming.

Positive thread. Time to get some positive thoughts going guys. It's Friday. Football Friday. I realize that more than one of these these will likely have to occur, but what one thing happening will make you feel better (even better) about our Super Bowl chances?
 

JCTexan

Hall of Fame
Easy. #4. The OL playing better will help all aspects of this team.
No, no, no. #1 & #3 are much easier to pick over #4. Matt has to play big in huge games and the defense can't get exposed against Brady/Manning to get this team to the Super Bowl.
 

Thorn

Dirty Old Man
Señor Stan;2089680 said:
O Line.

Without the running game, this team is going nowhere.
Yep. Even if Kubiak makes some silly decisions, if the O line is doing a good job the entire offensive scheme works so much better.

If our offense is clicking, and our defense just plays up to itself, we can hang with any AFC team.
 

Rey

Guest
Easy. #4. The OL playing better will help all aspects of this team.
I purposefully just said better and not a lot better or perfect...

O-line can still play ok and create holes to give more opportunities, but we still have to be able to capitalize on them from the skill positions...There's sometimes where we block it up ok, but fail at the skill positions...Guys are going to get pressure SOMETIMES...

Not arguing with your choice, just saying that the O-line's job is to maximize opportunities...It's the other guys job to capitalize...

But I agree. Oline plays better and we should see improvement most other places...
 

Rey

Guest
No, no, no. #1 & #3 are much easier to pick over #4. Matt has to play big in huge games and the defense can't get exposed against Brady/Manning to get this team to the Super Bowl.
I haven't picked yet...

Easy to look at the O-line and say them, but did our O-line perform terribly against the Pats and Packers? In some of the other games where we've had problems has the O-line been atrocious?

I definitely want them to play better, but if I'm having to pick one thing I'm leading towards having Matt be big in clutch moments and upping his game, or the defense going to another level...The O-line choice is calling me too...I also have a problem with how this team has come out and performed under Kubiak...They seem to get jumped on far too often....If he can step up the coaching on gameday and having the team prepared to play that would be huge too IMO...

It's a tough choice for me...Need to hear more opinions...
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
No, no, no. #1 & #3 are much easier to pick over #4. Matt has to play big in huge games and the defense can't get exposed against Brady/Manning to get this team to the Super Bowl.
I picked getting homefield. Hoping that will allow Matt to sort his issues out & play championship football, & allows the OL an extra week of practice to get it figured out. Together, I think those are the most important factors.

As far as the defense getting exposed by Brady & Manning, that's going to happen. That's what those guys do. But if our offense start out strong, we'll be ok. That's what happened when we played Denver earlier this year. Peyton figured them out in the second half, but we had such a good lead, it worked out for us.

Same thing happened to Brady against the 49ers. Offensively, the 9ers started strong & their defense got torched in the 4th qtr. But since SanFran had such a big lead... it didn't matter.

But... it's important that we confuse them & give them fits early.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
I purposefully just said better and not a lot better or perfect...

O-line can still play ok and create holes to give more opportunities, but we still have to be able to capitalize on them from the skill positions...There's sometimes where we block it up ok, but fail at the skill positions...Guys are going to get pressure SOMETIMES...
MSR.

Very true. We've all seen that gaping hole ready for a big gain & Arian slips on a drop of sweat or something. Or a perfect screen set up & Andre slips on something. Or Schaub given time but no receiver is open or they drop the ball on 4th & 3.

Duane Brown said the problem with the OL is that they are all making mistakes at different times, & the plays where they all do their job right are too far between.

At least I think it was Brown who said it. Could have been Wade Smith.
 

JCTexan

Hall of Fame
I picked getting homefield. Hoping that will allow Matt to sort his issues out & play championship football, & allows the OL an extra week of practice to get it figured out. Together, I think those are the most important factors.

As far as the defense getting exposed by Brady & Manning, that's going to happen. That's what those guys do. But if our offense start out strong, we'll be ok. That's what happened when we played Denver earlier this year. Peyton figured them out in the second half, but we had such a good lead, it worked out for us.

Same thing happened to Brady against the 49ers. Offensively, the 9ers started strong & their defense got torched in the 4th qtr. But since SanFran had such a big lead... it didn't matter.

But... it's important that we confuse them & give them fits early.
Agreed, but it can't happen to the tune of 6 TD passes like Rodgers had against Houston or 21 points on three possessions like Brady did. They simply can't get exposed like that if Houston wants to win.
 

JCTexan

Hall of Fame
I picked getting homefield.
This is probably the darkhorse and true deciding factor of how far the Texans go in the playoffs. The road to the Super Bowl is much easier if it's played in Reliant Stadium. They wouldn't have to play against Cincy in the Wild-Card game and then travel to New England to take on the Patriots. Instead they would just stay at home and wait for the Ravens/Colts.
 

Showtime100

Got JJ?
Easy. #4. The OL playing better will help all aspects of this team.
Same.

No, no, no. #1 & #3 are much easier to pick over #4. Matt has to play big in huge games and the defense can't get exposed against Brady/Manning to get this team to the Super Bowl.
I think if the O line plays better it will help Schaub immensely. If he's getting harrassed all day he'll be ducking his own shadow by midway through the 1st quarter, jmo.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
I definitely want them to play better, but if I'm having to pick one thing I'm leading towards having Matt be big in clutch moments and upping his game,
I think we probably need to define clutch. To me, clutch isn't just when we're down by 4 & need a touchdown to win the game. But anytime we get into the red zone, or on third down, or when we want to take a shot downfield & Andre has his guy beat by a hair.

Those moments that change the game.

That way, we aren't in that position where we need him to be "clutch" in the last few minutes of a game?

I also have a problem with how this team has come out and performed under Kubiak...They seem to get jumped on far too often....If he can step up the coaching on gameday and having the team prepared to play that would be huge too IMO...

It's a tough choice for me...Need to hear more opinions...
far too often?

I'm not seeing it. I'll give you our three losses & the Denver game. That's four games where we were "jumped on" four out of 15 games isn't any worse than any other coach has done so far this year. Looking at the Patriots & Broncos, if you consider their losses + 1... which I think you can make that argument. The Patriots lost 4 plus the Jags had them for half the game.

Now if you're going to say the four I gave you (losses + 1 (Broncos) then add the Detroit & Jags game making 6 of 15 games... I'd say you have a point. But I don't think the Lions or Jags jumped out on us, especially the Jags. We bottled them up early. Our mistake was knocking Gabbert out of the game early & bringing in an "unknown" at the most important position.

Detroit, again... I don't think they jumped out on us, but they're as talented as we are. They are a good bunch of players, but they shoot themselves in the foot too much.
 

JCTexan

Hall of Fame
I think if the O line plays better it will help Schaub immensely. If he's getting harrassed all day he'll be ducking his own shadow by midway through the 1st quarter, jmo.
So then should we take Schaub out of the equation since the O-line's play will factor too much into Schaub's play? :thinking:
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
Agreed, but it can't happen to the tune of 6 TD passes like Rodgers had against Houston or 21 points on three possessions like Brady did. They simply can't get exposed like that if Houston wants to win.
Did you see the 49ers & Patriots game? Brady did the same thing to them that he did to us. The only difference is that he did it to us in the first qtr & to them in the 4th.

So it's not the fact that it did happen, it was more important when it happened.
 

Rey

Guest
I think we probably need to define clutch. To me, clutch isn't just when we're down by 4 & need a touchdown to win the game. But anytime we get into the red zone, or on third down, or when we want to take a shot downfield & Andre has his guy beat by a hair.

Those moments that change the game.

That way, we aren't in that position where we need him to be "clutch" in the last few minutes of a game?
To me clutch moments are the moments where you 'feel' like....ok WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS...Even if it isn't true in the long run....

It's those high pressure/tension moments where you feel like it's make this play or it's going to suck really bad...

Not scientific, I know.....


far too often?

I'm not seeing it. I'll give you our three losses & the Denver game. That's four games where we were "jumped on" four out of 15 games isn't any worse than any other coach has done so far this year.
A couple weeks ago when Kubiak said he ripped the players, I ripped him. I wasn't just talking about this year. If you think back over the years, there have been too many times (IMO) where the team has come out and underachieved.
 

markn

All Pro
1) The defense steps it up another level

2) Kubiak does a better overall job coaching

3) Matt Schaub steps his game up/Shows up big in crucial moments

4) The O-line plays better

5) Arian takes it up a notch

6) The WR's/TE's get open more

7) We get home field throughout

8) ST's significantly improves

9) We have a few lucky bounces

Either 3 on its own, or all the rest combined.
 

Rey

Guest
I went ahead and chose Schaub for the purposes of this exercise because if you have a QB that is making plays and doing it when you need it most that might be the single most valuable thing for a football team...

But in reality it's going to take a combination of these things. It's not all on Schaub or all on one area.
 

JCTexan

Hall of Fame
Did you see the 49ers & Patriots game? Brady did the same thing to them that he did to us. The only difference is that he did it to us in the first qtr & to them in the 4th.

So it's not the fact that it did happen, it was more important when it happened.
Yes, I watched the game. Brady did the same thing and it resulted in 28 unanswered points and a tie game. The 49ers had a 28 point lead so it didn't cost them the game. If Houston has a 28 point lead I like their chances, but you have to stop Brady in the first half in order to get that type of lead. Brady started out hot to the tune of 21 points in the first three possessions against Houston. The defense can't get exposed that early and that often if they want to win.
 

Showtime100

Got JJ?
So then should we take Schaub out of the equation since the O-line's play will factor too much into Schaub's play? :thinking:
I'm saying what I said. Schaub will benfit greatly with an O line doing it's job. So will Foster.

Most of us say games are won and lost in the trenches for many reasons.

Would it help if Schaub did some improving on his own?? Absolutely.
 

JCTexan

Hall of Fame
I'm saying what I said. Schaub will benfit greatly with an O line doing it's job. So will Foster.

Most of us say games are won and lost in the trenches for many reasons.

Would it help if Schaub did some improving on his own?? Absolutely.
Every aspect of the game will have some sort of effect on other parts of the team. If the defense doesn't show up, the offense will have to keep pace with the other teams offense (which they failed against NE, GB). If the O-line doesn't show up then that equates to no running lanes for the RB's and a lot of pressure on Schaub. If Foster struggles like he did last week against Minnesota then Schaub has to do so much more to win a game for this team.

I'm still waiting for the "All of the above" option. :foottap:
 

eriadoc

Texan-American
I chose OL play because it's probably the most important of the bunch, but not by much. A few of those things have to get better. Every team needs a few lucky bounces, so I could just have easily chosen that one. That's no knock on the Texans; it's just the NFL. The defense needs to play better, particularly at LB and on 3rd downs. The QB needs to play better, though I suspect keeping him clean will accomplish enough of that. The ST really needs to play better and at the very least, stop getting so many penalties.
 

Showtime100

Got JJ?
Every aspect of the game will have some sort of effect on other parts of the team. If the defense doesn't show up, the offense will have to keep pace with the other teams offense (which they failed against NE, GB). If the O-line doesn't show up then that equates to no running lanes for the RB's and a lot of pressure on Schaub. If Foster struggles like he did last week against Minnesota then Schaub has to do so much more to win a game for this team.

I'm still waiting for the "All of the above" option. :foottap:
Lol, yeah.
 

mussop

Hall of Fame
I picked getting homefield.
Im kinda wondering if getting home field could be a bad thing. Hear me out. There is a high probability for snow the next few weeks in Denver and NE. That should favor the better running team. Would you rather face Manning in an open stadium with snow coming down or in a closed loud stadium with good conditions? Same goes for Brady but he has experience in it. I don't like the fact that we will have 2 weeks off either if we get home field. Not the way we have been playing.

I know it's crazy! Dammit I wish Denver and NE would get eliminated in the first round!!!!!! Seems like time is standing still right now. HURRY UP PLAYOFFS!!!!!:aggressive:
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
Schaub for me. He can and has overcome Oline, Rb and receiver issues before. Team needs to look at the QB to keep them focused and pumped up. He calls the plays and per both him and Kubiak, Matt can audible out. I want to not see a dazed look but a keen "I know where we go next." He has to check down, not force ball & keep the chains moving. Open it up and stop the dinkem passes that get AJ beat up hoping he can turn 2-3 yards into 10. Utilize his RB in passing scheme a bit too.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
Im kinda wondering if getting home field could be a bad thing.

Not the way we have been playing.
Playing the way we're playing, the only team we would beat, is the Colts. We need to get healthy, we need extra time, extra practice.

If we end up getting soft & stale because of the extra time off, then we're no better off imo... We're not going to get better just because we want to.
 

fiasco west

All Pro
O-Line and running game.

Schaub is not elite and never will be...but you don't need that to go to a superbowl and even win it.

A Elite o-line (which we had last season) and running game can make a average QB look great. Not that Schaub is average, he's better than that.

I don't know...Foster is just not as nasty as he was last season. How many broken tackles does he have this year compared to last? I remember Foster trucking guys and juking them out of their shoes. Now when he does get room and breaks free he's more likely to slip or fall forward before getting hit. This is coming from a big time Foster fan.

I just want to see the same explosive running back that the Texans paid for. I know he dives forward to avoid getting hit and stay healthy...that's cool...but now we need the Foster that is either going to run over you or make you look silly and pick up that extra 20-30 yards.
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
All of the above...no doubt we could use all of those...but if i had 1 to choose it'd be the o-line blocking better...if the block better, it's pretty much a domino effect for the rest of the choices.
 

Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
Part of me wants to pick o-line, but great play by the line cannot overcome a bad QB performance. However, a great QB performance can overcome mediocre line play.

No Super Bowl champion has ever made it through the playoffs in spite of lousy performances by their QB. The QB touches the ball on every offensive play, has the ability to change plays at the line, and has the ability to make something happen when things break down.

Schaub has to step up and 'be the man' in the playoffs if the Texans want to have a chance at the Lombardi. So for that reason, I'm picking #3.
 

Thorn

Dirty Old Man
The huge majority of the votes are directed at either Schaub or the O line. Guess we're pretty in sync as to where the problem lies.
 

drs23

Veteran
All of the above...no doubt we could use all of those...but if i had 1 to choose it'd be the o-line blocking better...if the block better, it's pretty much a domino effect for the rest of the choices.
I'm glad I read all the responses before replying because Mr teX quoted my exact thoughts.

Thanks Mr teX.
 

Wolf6151

All Pro
#10 Other = All of the above.

There's no one factor getting us to the Super Bowl, everyone is going to have to step up bigtime.
 

2slik4u

Veteran
Yep. Even if Kubiak makes some silly decisions, if the O line is doing a good job the entire offensive scheme works so much better.

If our offense is clicking, and our defense just plays up to itself, we can hang with any AFC team.
This is the main problem. Other than Watt, our defense has shown to take SEVERAL steps back over the past 6 games.

I think if the defense steps up and starts playing lights out like they once were then that will be the cog in our machine. Key third down stops, sacks, defended passes, QB knockdowns, RB stuffs, and increased 3 and outs then equates to a loud crowd and then the "Big Mo". I truely believe that the defense is the key to our success...(i.e. the arrival of Wade Phillips = two back to back playoff appearances)
 

burro

probably drunk
Haven't had much of a chance to post this season, but here's my take.

There is no 'magic bullet', but a few observations:

1. The d-line can only do so much, and by that I mean Watt. Simply put, our secondary isn't good enough to the carry the weight of mediocre front-seven play against the best of the best in a playoff scenario. Step up and make the play, ladies.

2. We do not play well from behind. Blame whoever you want for this but, either way, we won't make it past the first round if we start the 2nd quarter down by 17 to 21 points. There are no miracles in our future. Both offense and defense need to universally step it up and play up to their caliber if we wish to avoid this scenario.

3. Red zone offense; leaving points on the field and settling for FGs will not be good enough in the playoffs. This is something Kubiak (and Schaub) needs to focus on in the weeks to come.

Ultimately, I think it comes down to whether or not Gary and Wade have the boys ready to play...which makes me nervous.
 

ObsiWan

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
1) The defense steps it up another level

2) Kubiak does a better overall job coaching

3) Matt Schaub steps his game up/Shows up big in crucial moments

4) The O-line plays better

5) Arian takes it up a notch

6) The WR's/TE's get open more

7) We get home field throughout

8) ST's significantly improves

9) We have a few lucky bounces

10) Other



Poll coming.

Positive thread. Time to get some positive thoughts going guys. It's Friday. Football Friday. I realize that more than one of these these will likely have to occur, but what one thing happening will make you feel better (even better) about our Super Bowl chances?
Okay... success will depend upon a variety of occurrences, not one thing. So instead of picking the one thing, I'm gonna go the order of importance route. For example, say Schaub fails to "step it up a notch" and has a Meh game BUT the defense gets turnovers, Foster steps it up and keeps finding his way into the endzone, and ST wakes up and actually gets some long returns or even one or two for TDs on our journey to Lombardi TrophyLand, then we can STILL win it all.

So here goes...
1. Defense steps it up another level. This is tops on my list because this will keep games close that we may otherwise be blown out of if the offense flounders. And if the D gets turnovers to give us extra possessions - before I was just talking generating 3-&-outs - now we have significantly improved our chances to win. Extra possessions, even those that result in FGs, take away possessions from the opposition.

2. The O-line plays better. And I mean 2010-level better. Arian Foster leading the league in rushing better. Schaub having 3-4 secs to find someone open better.

3. Arian takes it up another level. If Foster (and by inference, the O-line) is clicking, then the rest of our offense should work as designed. The TEs and WRs should get open on playaction. All Schaub has to do is not go blind and the whole offense will have good days.

4. Matt Schaub ups his game. This also means A.J. has a big day (I noticed he wasn't among the choices) and OD and the young WR corps have big days. Schaub gets the ball out of his hands quickly and is on target. The "dumb Schaub throw of the game" is thankfully absent during the playoff run.

5. Home field throughout. This one is on us fans. We shut the hell up when we have the ball and make the other guys' ears bleed when they have the ball. Teams have to use their timeouts at inappropriate times because they can't hear. We cause multiple false start penalties because they can't hear. We pump J.J. and Ninja up so much they both have multi-sack games.
 
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Exascor

Veteran
Oline for me as well.
-It will make the running game better
-It will make Matt Schaub better
-It will help Kubiak by not having to avoid certain plays
-It will help control the clock
-It will help the defense stay rested

They just need to get it together for 4 more wins.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
Part of me wants to pick o-line, but great play by the line cannot overcome a bad QB performance. However, a great QB performance can overcome mediocre line play.

No Super Bowl champion has ever made it through the playoffs in spite of lousy performances by their QB. The QB touches the ball on every offensive play, has the ability to change plays at the line, and has the ability to make something happen when things break down.

Schaub has to step up and 'be the man' in the playoffs if the Texans want to have a chance at the Lombardi. So for that reason, I'm picking #3.
I see what you're saying.

But if this line plays better, that's in both the run & passing game. If Arian & Tate gets the run on, everything is easier for Matt Schaub. His play won't look so bad, because then he can just take what the defense gives him instead of having to create like an elite QB.
 

ObsiWan

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
I see what you're saying.

But if this line plays better, that's in both the run & passing game. If Arian & Tate gets the run on, everything is easier for Matt Schaub. His play won't look so bad, because then he can just take what the defense gives him instead of having to create like an elite QB.
yep, my thoughts exactly.
 

dream_team

Hall of Fame
No, no, no. #1 & #3 are much easier to pick over #4. Matt has to play big in huge games and the defense can't get exposed against Brady/Manning to get this team to the Super Bowl.
I disagree. The identity of this team is built on running the ball effectively.
 

GNTLEWOLF

Rookie
Back when Carr was our QB, I defended him with criticism of the O-line. As an ex offensive lineman, I believe the O-line is the heart and soul of any working Offense. A good O-line can cover a multitude of frailties in a QB, running back and game plan. A great o-line can make hall of famers out of mediocre coaches, QB's, running backs and WR's.
In spite of the obvious weaKnesses of Schaub and Kubiak and a regression by Foster, I have to say that if the O-line plays better, The Texans have a chance at a SuperBowl
 

DocBar

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
I went ahead and chose Schaub for the purposes of this exercise because if you have a QB that is making plays and doing it when you need it most that might be the single most valuable thing for a football team...

But in reality it's going to take a combination of these things. It's not all on Schaub or all on one area.
I chose the OL playing better for the same reason. Schaub can and does make plays when protected and the defense is having to key on the running game instead of stopping it on their way to the QB.

I also 100% agree that it will take a combination of those things (OL and have a big ST play or two are my two biggest ones) to reach the Super Bowl.
 

DocBar

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
I disagree. The identity of this team is built on running the ball effectively.
I disagree. I think that this teams offensive identity is making opposing defenses never really know what the offense is going to do. The threat of the big play, whether a run or pass, is the defining threat.

How many times have we seen Kubiak come out and throw the ball 3 or 4 times in a row on the opening drive to force the defense to honor that? You can either run to open up the passing game or pass to open up the running game. Either one works if the OL is doing a good job.
 
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