I know this goes into the whole "just happy to be over .500" mentality, but I'm just thrilled that this is a game where we have a chance to actually pull off a victory. Yes, Payton is Payton. He's one of the best at tearing a team apart, but he will make a couple of mistakes a game. They key is whether or not we can capitalize on them.....I know that sounds so cliche'. I may kick myselff in the ass come Sunday afternoon for even getting my hopes up, but atleast I'm not chalking this one up to a guaranteed loss as I have done in the past. This isn't a glamorous football team, but they're scrappy and seem to be playing with heart......so I'll take that every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
I follow this team throughout the entire week, not just on Sundays. I watch
every video Houstontexans.com puts up, and I've seen the growth in this team.
That mentality (happy to be over .500) took a blow after the second Indy game last year
(their last 3-game losing streak.)
Since that point, they've gone 10-4 (5-2 road.) This team has weathered
a brutal start during Hurricane Ike (3-7,) fought to even its record (7-7,)
and did NOT finish with a losing record like most teams in their situation
would have (8-8.)
The only people who say this team has "no shot" are the ones who
barely pay attention to the team, and ONLY on Sunday. This current
group has been battle-tested and are bringing well-earned confidence
into Indy. If you listen to our players, they no longer sound like "Oh,
those guys are good. I hope we play well enough and hopefully we'll
win."
Schaub was on the radio Monday morning, and if you'd like, I'll post the
link to the hour-long interview. A caller asked Matt if they look at the Colts
in "awe," or do they go in thinking they'll get a win. Matt responded, "If you
go into a game, looking at your opponent in awe, then you've lost before
you get off the plane. Yeah, they're a pretty good team, but there are
things WE do well, TOO."
Sounds a lot different than the "Oh, these guys are good" days of David
Carr. Believe it people, your Texans are playin with swagger. They
can put points on the board offensively, and knock peoples' blocks off
defensively. I see this game close, and a 50/50 chance the Texans will
win.