Texans Game Week -- at San Francisco 49ers (7:30PM CDT)

[Playoffs]

[IMGwidthsize=700]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/10029360626_7f9e4f691d_b.jpg[/IMG]

A thread for news/notes/chatter about our upcoming Sunday night game versus the San Francisco 49ers.



--thanks to EllisUnit for the cool graphics, give him some rep

 

[Thorn]

So, in the pic, the Texans are praying to the football gods for help, and the 49ers are smelling themselves to see if they need a shower.

 

[EllisUnit]

So, in the pic, the Texans are praying to the football gods for help, and the 49ers are smelling themselves to see if they need a shower.

No schaub just threw a pick 6 and Kapernick is flexing and kissing his bicep, body language tells it all really

 

[Playoffs]

So, in the pic, the Texans are praying to the football gods for help, and the 49ers are smelling themselves to see if they need a shower.

No, Texans are pounding the Earth's crust imposing their will on its orbit,

And Kaepernick overheard someone saying "he stinks this year", so he's checking to see if he's forgotten his monthly shower.

 

[Thorn]

No, Texans are pounding the Earth's crust imposing their will on its orbit,

Can't be, they're in water. No, what I think is happening is Schaub is looking down into the water for the alligator that bit Kaepernick's hand.

 

[Showtime100]

Let's see. Prime time. The Texans need to show the NFL they are in it for real. They should really play wee fueled by anger from past games.

I've bought this CD already, anyone want to know it ends?

 

[thunderkyss]

So, in the pic, the Texans are praying to the football gods for help, and the 49ers are smelling themselves to see if they need a shower.

I think that's Schaub "bringing the thunder" see how the lightning is striking where his fists hit the ground?

& that's Kaepernick wiping the Jj juice off his lips.

 

[eriadoc]

Check mark time:

Coaching: 49ers
QB: 49ers
RB: Texans by a Tate
WR: Texans, but kind of moot, since Schaub ignores Nuk until the 4th Q
TE: 49ers
OL: 49ers

DL: Texans, but barely
LB: 49ers in a landslide
CB: 49ers
S: 49ers

ST: 49ers

 

[thunderkyss]

LB: 49ers in a landslide

Looks like Patrick Willis might not play (groin) Aldon Smith is still in rehab

& Cushing is most likely going to play.....


I agree, 49ers.

:smh:

 

[infantrycak]

Check mark time:

CB: 49ers

ST: 49ers

On what basis are you giving either of these to the Niners?

 

[Texan_Bill]

So, in the pic, the Texans are praying to the football gods for help, and the 49ers are smelling themselves to see if they need a shower.

Well played, sir!

 

[eriadoc]

On what basis are you giving either of these to the Niners?

CBs: Carlos Rogers, Tarell Brown, and Asomugha are better than JJo, KJax, and McCain. The 49ers secondary was better last year and they appear to be better this year, at least based on what JJo and KJax have done so far. And I hate even thinking about McCain.

ST: I could just leave it at Joe Marciano, and that should be a sufficient answer. But consider that the Texans seldom return kicks out past the 20, despite taking it out constantly, and they never return one for a TD. The return coverage is hit and miss, between penalties and giving up the big return. The 49ers are struggling as well, but their kicker is better than ours and their punter isn't so far behind Lechler that it makes much difference. I could have said push, I suppose, so if it makes you happy, we can agree that both teams have crap ST.

 

[SCOTTexans]

Check mark time:

Coaching: 49ers
QB: 49ers
RB: Texans by a Tate
WR: Texans, but kind of moot, since Schaub ignores Nuk until the 4th Q
TE: 49ers

I agree with most but I think we win the TE category... Davis - hamstring and who is they second TE?

 

[YeaLikeRightNow]

I hope the Texans can make a huge statement here. It looks like another prime-time pivotal game on the schedule, but I realistically have my doubts.

At the beginning of the season, I thought we would win two of these last three games (Ravens, Seahawks, 49'ers) but after what McClain calls a monumental collapse at the hands of the Seahawks, I had to change my outlook. Honestly, if we can get out of San Fran with a narrow loss and no injuries in front of another national audience, at this point I would be happy. I just cannot see us going into their stadium and pulling off a win after the way we've played thus far in the season.

Even though our defense has played respectfully the last few games, there has been very few turnovers come our way. It's time for the flip-flop where the offense is respectable and the defense hams it up. I can see Wade already...:wadepalm:



Did you know that 9 points, yes...only 9 points have separated the Texans from being an 0-4 team?

 

[Rey]

I think our D matches up well with the 9ers. Any team that runs a lot and has pass plays that take a while to develop, our d matches up well with them.

On offense, we can move the ball against anyone.

9ers are going to come out hungry at home. They need the win. We do too.

I don't know what to think of the prime time stuff. I don't buy into it really, but the record there is undeniable.

I'm giving this one to the 9ers. I think the 9ers have a more explosive offense and I think Schaub is going to play tight. 9ers get some pressure and he starts to shrink under the heat. I think he throws at least one pick this game.

35-21 9ers.

Texans either jump out early and are stifled late or they struggle early and get some garbage time love.

 

[ThaShark316]

I think our D matches up well with the 9ers. Any team that runs a lot and has pass plays that take a while to develop, our d matches up well with them.

On offense, we can move the ball against anyone.

9ers are going to come out hungry at home. They need the win. We do too.

I don't know what to think of the prime time stuff. I don't buy into it really, but the record there is undeniable.

I'm giving this one to the 9ers. I think the 9ers have a more explosive offense and I think Schaub is going to play tight. 9ers get some pressure and he starts to shrink under the heat. I think he throws at least one pick this game.

35-21 9ers.

Texans either jump out early and are stifled late or they struggle early and get some garbage time love.

I'm sorry but that 35 made me laugh. Good one, man.

 

[thunderkyss]

I hope the Texans can make a huge statement here. It looks like another prime-time pivotal game on the schedule, but I realistically have my doubts.

If we win, there is no statement. The 49ers were held to 3 points by the Seahawks & 7 by the Colts. They look more mediocre (actually plagued by injury) than anything this year. If we win.... I feel like it's going to be a "you should have won" kind of thing.

If we lose, then it's a statement by the 49ers... that they shouldn't be overlooked & they have every intention of being in the Super Bowl again.

 

[Playoffs]

Drew Dougherty ‏@DoughertyDrew

The #Texans Defense is holding opponents to an NFL-best 254.3 yds/game.

Speaking of @SNFonNBC, #Texans at 49ers play-by-play/color commentary handled by Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth.

PDS ‏@PatDStat

Former #Ravens and #49ers LB Tavares Gooden had a workout for the Houston #Texans.

Lunch time reading. SOTT's Quarterly Review: Risers and Fallers http://www.stateofthetexans.com/quarterly-review-risers-and-fallers/ … via @SOTTexans #Texans #NFL

Stephanie Stradley ‏@StephStradley

Here's Bill Barnwell's article re: Schaub for those who want more context of Pick 6 convo @billbarnwell at @Grantland33: http://es.pn/18Fwi6a

Interested in #Texans audibles, read my 7/25/13 blog post re: Myers/Schaub comments on topic: http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexan...e-line-matt-schaub-chris-myers-talk-audibles/ …

Pro Football Focus ‏@PFF

No defensive player has made as many run stops as Brian Cushing (18). 2nd is Posluszny (17), 3rd Ahmad Brooks & J.J. Watt (15)

Lowest amount of pressure faced by quarterbacks. 1st Peyton Manning (19.3%), 2nd Andy Dalton (22.8%) & 3rd Stafford (25.8%)

Of all QBs w/at least 100 dropbacks Mike Vick has faced the most pressure (46.5%). 2nd is Russell Wilson (44.6%) & 3rd Matt Schaub (44.4%).

 

[DX-TEX]

This is the first reason why I have no doubts they are going to physically man handle the Niners. That meeting yesterday was a come to jesus meeting holding every damn person in the locker room accountable to each other. The fact that Arian called it says a ton on its own. Arina hasn't been very vocal since he dropped twitter and started hating the media.

This team will play inspired and god help whoever stands in there way.

PERIOD.

 

[Playoffs]

Eric SanInocencio ‏@EricSan

Never would have guessed this next one either. Arian Foster leads the AFC with 292 yards rushing.

Another #Texans stat. DeAndre Hopkins leads all rookies with 270 yards receiving on 20 receptions.

Great stat nuggest -- The Texans are the only team in the NFL with a top-five offense and defense.

 

[EllisUnit]

Eric SanInocencio ‏@EricSan

hmmm that is a shocker, he did look good last week though, seems to be getting better and better with every game.

 

[Playoffs]

Tania Ganguli ‏@taniaganguli

#Texans worked out a slew of LBs today and at least one DE. They have Cushing in the concussion protocol and Braman "a little beat up."

James Palmer ‏@JPalmerCSN

#Texans LT Duane Brown on Matt Schaub - "I've kind of kept quiet about it for the most part, but they've got to ease up off him." (more)

"That one play, It was the best defense you could have called against it. He threw the ball & I went & watched it like ten times & all he saw was OD."

Drew Dougherty ‏@DoughertyDrew

"I still got him in grasshopper mode."- Antonio Smith on the growth as a player of OLB Whitney Mercilus, who had 2.5 sacks Sunday.

 

[htownfan32]

Playoffs, are you some kind of Twitter deity? You're plugged in, man. MSR.

Also, I'm surprised at the top five offense thing. It's just not translating into the big 1-0 every week, unfortunately.

 

[eriadoc]

Arian Foster leads the AFC with 292 yards rushing.

Just to put that into perspective, it's 9th. He has 76 carries. One rusher ahead of him (TB's Doug Martin) has a worse YPC. Tate has 64 fewer yards, good for 18th, on 34 carries. Tate's YPC is the best among RBs.

NFC has some good runners.

 

[RonnieLott42]

Hi everyone, just stopping in to see what the latest is on the game. I'm hoping for a good game but with the Niners Jekyll and Hyde offense it's tough to call.

 

[chicagotexan2]

[IMGwidthsize=700]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/10029360626_7f9e4f691d_b.jpg[/IMG]

A thread for news/notes/chatter about our upcoming Sunday night game versus the San Francisco 49ers.



--thanks to EllisUnit for the cool graphics, give him some rep

In this pic the good lord heard they prayers of ne'er do well texans fans that prayed for an injury to Matt schmuck and he shot down two bolts of lightning. The first bolt gave one warrior the power and electricity to power his team and 200 single family homes on a Sunday night. The second bolt of lightning knocked the other player to his knees even thought the bolt struck him while sitting in his bmw from momentum where he stumbled out and crumbled to the ground like a newborn thompsons gazelle.

 

[kiwitexansfan]

Hi everyone, just stopping in to see what the latest is on the game. I'm hoping for a good game but with the Niners Jekyll and Hyde offense it's tough to call.

Ronnie Lott is the greatest ever.

That is all.

 

[thunderkyss]

Ronnie Lott is the greatest ever.

That is all.

Techmo Bowl!!!!

 

[Nitrofish]

Techmo Bowl!!!!

I still suffer from a severe case of Nintendo Thumb from playing that game so much! lol

 

[Playoffs]

Stephanie Stradley ‏@StephStradley

Easy to be a fan when things go perfect. Want to hang w/ non-fairweathers? -> MT @TexanHollie: #Texans Fan Rally https://www.facebook.com/events/1423816681164136/ …

James Palmer ‏@JPalmerCSN

This is the most receptions (34) and second most receiving yards (368) Andre Johnson has started a season with through 4 games. #Texans

Dave Zangaro ‏@DZangaro

In conf. call w/ SF media, Gary Kubiak recalled how 94 SB-winning 49ers overcame adversity via @MaioccoCSN: http://bit.ly/19V9Ncp

Houston Texans ‏@HoustonTexans

The Ninja speaks! Listen to a replay of Antonio Smith show, as he dishes on all things Texans: http://bit.ly/19hnffS pic.twitter.com/5qIZ1lrd3L

Playoffs, are you some kind of Twitter deity? You're plugged in, man. MSR.

Nah, more like a Twitter loser

, but thanks.

 

[b0ng]

Check mark time:

Coaching: 49ers
QB: 49ers
RB: Texans by a Tate
WR: Texans, but kind of moot, since Schaub ignores Nuk until the 4th Q
TE: 49ers
OL: 49ers

DL: Texans, but barely
LB: 49ers in a landslide
CB: 49ers
S: 49ers

ST: 49ers

I wouldn't say that the TE spot is strictly the 49'ers. Vernon Davis is a great target and has been legitimately good but I think OD and GG put together have outplayed the 9'ers TE's. Also, did anybody catch that vicious block Ryan Griffin threw down on one of Fosters long runs to the outside (went to the left of the offensive formation)? Kid came onto the screen like the flash and just annihilated an LB/DB that sprung Foster for probably 10 extra yards.

EDIT: Second half I believe.

 

[Norg]

What ever the colts did lets just do that

yes and even a bootleg matt Running TD LOL

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

[IMGwidthsize=700]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/10029360626_7f9e4f691d_b.jpg[/IMG]

A thread for news/notes/chatter about our upcoming Sunday night game versus the San Francisco 49ers.



--thanks to EllisUnit for the cool graphics, give him some rep

Nope, it's Schaub still playing paper, rock, scissors...........

 

[htowntexans1985]

 

[Uncle Rico]

Hou 24
sf 20

 

[Playoffs]

James Palmer ‏@JPalmerCSN

"I have a lot of anger." J.J. Watt is still steaming. #texans

Tania Ganguli ‏@taniaganguli

Ben Tate initially thought Kubiak was punishing him for the fumble by not giving him more carries. Kubiak told him otherwise. #Texans

JJ Watt here w/stitches still prominent on nose. "It's fine," he says on fans turning on #Texans. "...You pay for tickets, I understand."

And on the burned jersey, Schaub says his goal is to have the kind of season where that guy will want to buy another jersey to wear. #Texans

"I don't think anything about that. That's someone's choice," Schaub says on the burned jersey. #Texans

"Support is great. Our locker room, our team ... they've been excellent," Schaub says. #Texans

"We're not one of those teams that's going to change our plays every time we get to the line of scrimmage," Schaub says. #Texans

"Any time you don't achieve your ultimate goal of winning, you can't wait to get back out there," Schaub says. #Texans

"San Francisco is not feeling sorry for us," Wade Smith. #Texans

"Do I feel like we're the best team in the division? I feel like we're the best team in the NFL." Arian Foster #Texans

Arian Foster won't talk about the players only meeting he called. "I don't know what you're talking about." #Texans

49ers S Donte Whitner is asked if Matt Schaub is a QB he fears. Whitner says yes. #Texans

"Big, powerful player. Very difficult to tackle. Extends plays. He has a tremendous arm," Kubiak on Colin Kaepernick. #Texans #49ers

"Yeah, I think we've had to," Kubiak says, when asked if the #Texans have thrown too much this year.

"When u play that position and you make a glaring mistake or two, that's the difference between winning & losing," Kubiak says on QBs. #Texans

Darryl Sharpton was fined. #Texans

"Won a championship. Got a nice ring from there, so that's a nice memory," Kubiak on his best memory of San Francisco. #Texans

Kubiak says Matt Schaub is upbeat and ready to go. Wants to "get back on the field and get that taste out of his mouth." #Texans

ILB Tim Dobbins and OG Brandon Brooks were out with injuries. Greg Jones, Johnathan Joseph, Owen Daniels all rested. #Texans

Gary Kubiak is here. Duane Brown, Brian Cushing participated, but the #Texans were light with what they did today.

PDS ‏@PatDStat

If Brandon Brooks can't go this week, it will be Wade Smith, Ben Jones and Cody White as the backup guard. #Texans

Dale Robertson ‏@sportywineguy

Harbaugh: Will be opportunistic. Always trying to force turnovers. That's every week. #Texans

Harbaugh on JJ Watt: He can ruin a game for an opponent. Can get on a QB immediately. #Texans

Harbaugh: Texans good football tam. I know what I see on tape. Well coached. Big test for us. #Texans.

Harbaugh: Backup QB change gives 49ers two veteran backups. #Texans

Smith: Loves watching JJ Watt play. Will follow him when he retires. #Texans

Smith on beating Rams: Important to get back to what we do as team. We got our identity back. We stopped the run. #Texans

Justin Smith: Texans pretty similar to what Seattle does. Watch tape. There's a lot of guys on the ground. They got two good RBs. #Texans

 

[Playoffs]

Texans Quotes: October 2

Head Coach Gary Kubiak
Offensive Coordinator Rick Dennison
RB Arian Foster
OLB Whitney Mercilus
NT Earl Mitchell
QB Matt Schaub
G Wade Smith
DE J.J. Watt
San Francisco Head Coach Jim Harbaugh
San Francisco S Donte Whitner

PDS ‏@PatDStat

Texans to Watch: 49ers Edition | State of the Texans http://www.stateofthetexans.com/texans-to-watch-49ers-edition/ … #Texans

Digging Deep: Seahawks Edition | State of the Texans http://www.stateofthetexans.com/digging-deep-seahawks-edition/ … #Texans

James Palmer ‏@JPalmerCSN

#Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins named #NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month. First Texans player since Brian Cushing in 2009 to earn the award.

Houston Texans ‏@HoustonTexans

The Oct. 20 Texans-Chiefs game will move from noon CT to 3:25 PM CT on CBS, the NFL announced today. http://bit.ly/GB4sje

 

[HOU-TEX]

Ok, I've reset my fan-o-meter and moved on to the 9ers. As always, I'm hoping we can establish a run game to set up PA.

Keep Kap contained with the OLBs, rush with Watt, Smith and Cush (at times).

Stop Gore

 

[Playoffs]

Tania Ganguli ‏@taniaganguli

Like Kubiak, Wade Phillips disagreed with the penalty on Kareem Jackson. "In my opinion it cost us the game." #Texans

"He's very positive when we lose and gets on me when we win," Phillips on his dad. #Texans

Bum Phillips' birthday was Sunday. "I told my dad his birthday present was the first half," @sonofbum says. #Texans

Kubiak says Greg Jones missed a bit of practice today, but he expects him to practice full-time tomorrow & play. #Texans

Kubiak says what's impressive about 49ers' ILBs is that they never come off the field because they can do everything. #Texans

Kubiak says "we were all surprised early" at how well Whitney Mercilus played given how much time he missed in the offseason.

Kubiak says Cushing, Greg Jones, Andre Johnson limited. Darryl Sharpton, Brandon Brooks and Tim Dobbins did not practice at all. #Texans

Dave Zangaro ‏@DZangaro

"It's pretty cool for a young guy like that." Gary Kubiak on DeAndre Hopkins' being named Offensive Rookie of the Month. #Texans

Duane Brown was a full participant, Kubiak said. #Texans

Houston Texans ‏@HoustonTexans

Kubiak on team penalties: "I don't want to take the aggression out of our game, but we've got to play smarter." #Texans

"He's off to one heck of a start. That's what we brought him here for." Kubiak on DeAndre Hopkins Rookie of the Month honors. #Texans

James Palmer ‏@JPalmerCSN

Wade Phillips said that he dad's 90th birthday present was the "1st half" of the #Texans game Sunday.

Brian T. Smith ‏@ChronBrianSmith

#Texans' Wade Phillips said late penalty on Kareem Jackson "cost us the game." #NFL #Seahawks

#Texans' Phillips said he has complete confidence in Schaub, offense. Pointed out someone (Schaub) has been linking up with Johnson, Hopkins

Deepi Sidhu ‏@DeepSlant

Phillips on Mercilus: If you let him go and let him rush, he does a heck of a job. #Texans

Phillips (on Schaub): We've got the leading WR of the league & Offensive Rookie of month WR. Somebody's throwing them the ball. #Texans

 

[kiwitexansfan]

James Palmer ‏@JPalmerCSN
Quote:
#Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins named #NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month. First Texans player since Brian Cushing in 2009 to earn the award.

Brian Cushing won offensive rookie of the month?!?!?!?!?

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

Came across this article I believe brings out some interesting points............points made by a familiar name........

Vic Fangio: Err on 'correct side'
Updated: October 3, 2013, 5:34 PM ET
By Bill Williamson | ESPN.com

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Without emotion or even rancor in his voice, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said Thursday he wants to see the NFL improve its calling of illegal hits.

San Francisco safety Donte Whitner -- who said this week he is legally changing his last name to "Hitner," partly as a protest of what he thinks are unjust penalties -- has been penalized for illegal hits the past two weeks and was fined $21,000 on Tuesday for a Week 4 hit.

Fangio said, from the angles he saw on Whtiner's hit on the Rams' Chris Givens, that it was a "good play." In Week 3, Whitner was penalized for using the crown of his helmet, but the NFL later admitted it was a legal hit.

The straight-shooting Fangio was asked his thoughts and he gave them.

"They need to err on the correct side, not on the safe side," Fangio said. "Because if it is an illegal hit, the guy will get fined on Monday or Tuesday. If you miss it as an official, that doesn't mean that it's over and done with. ... The part that's hard about it all is the league has instructed officials to err on the side of caution, so they're going to throw the flag no matter what."

Fangio said often "great" defensive plays initially look illegal and he thinks that's why officials have been quick to throw penalty flags with such an emphasis on safety.

"They should be fining the quarterback for throwing these guys into those big hits," Fangio quipped.

Wonder who this brings to mind??

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

Kubiak:

(on if the 49ers defense is similar to the one Wade Phillips runs here) “A little bit. Front-wise, yeah it is. Front-wise, yeah it’s what we’ve got going on coverage-wise, a little bit the same and different in some areas. Built a little bit different as far as the size. Really a big, big defensive football team. Obviously, they’re missing 99 (Aldon Smith) right now. With him being out, the other guy has come in and played very well. The two inside guys are probably as good as we play against. And this team will play a little bit of nickel, they play a little bit of everything. Very active. What are they fourth or fifth in defense? This will be the second week in a row we’ll play an excellent defense in our league, a very physical team.”

(on what 49ers ILB’s Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman bring) “The thing that’s impressive is, usually in a 3-4 defense, you may have some inside linebackers that leave the field. These guys aren’t leaving the field. They’re going to play every down, whether it’s nickel, dime, base. They can run. They can cover. A lot like (Brian) Cushing from that standpoint, what you get on the field when they play. They’re interchangeable in a lot of things they do. They can put their hand down and rush. Those things just make it tough on you.”



Wade:

(on if the team missed ILB Brian Cushing in the second half and if that was why Seattle was able to come back and win) “I don’t know. It always makes a difference when a star player is out of there. We had them down fourth-and-4. They only had one drive in the whole game. They had 225 yards of total offense when regulation was over. They were 20 percent on third downs. I think we played good without him, but you can always play better if you have a great player in there.”

(on if has keys for his players to keeping a mobile quarterback like Colin Kaepernick contained) “Last week, it wasn’t as much the read-option. They didn’t hurt us with that. It was just quarterback scrambling on pass plays. It’s hard to replicate those kinds of guys—their speed, their elusiveness—in practice. On that one drive, we found out the guy can really do some magical things. This guy is the same way. They can have big games running the ball when they’re supposed to pass it. We learned something from that, but this guy is similar. He can give you the same kind of problem.”

(on how he balances letting his players be aggressive and containing a mobile quarterback) “You want them to be aggressive and there is a fine line in there. Part of it is experience, I think, experience against those kinds of quarterbacks. If you play enough of them, you realize hey I can really go on this guy but I have to pull up if he starts outside or he can do this or that. When you haven’t played against them, it’s a little different too. If you play a certain guy twice a year, every year, you get a feel for whoever it is.”

link

 

[thunderkyss]

Came across this article I believe brings out some interesting points............points made by a familiar name........

Wonder who this brings to mind??

It boggles my mind that Fangio & Capers went on to craft excellent defenses when they went their separate ways, but here, together... not so much.

 

[Uncle Rico]

It boggles my mind that Fangio & Capers went on to craft excellent defenses when they went their separate ways, but here, together... not so much.

You gotta have the players, kailee Wong and Jaime sharper just won't cut it. This team lacked talent for a long time.

They should review those defensive hits and long play pass interferences to remove all doubt from the equation, if the offense can call for a review why not the defense.

 

[utahmark]

Brian Cushing won offensive rookie of the month?!?!?!?!?

He's everywhere.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

Houston (2-2) at San Francisco (2-2) — 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC: Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has been through a tough season so far. He’s thrown pick-sixes in three straight games, and angry fans are burning his replica jersey in the Reliant Stadium parking lot. It’s not all Schaub’s fault, though — the Texans tend to run predictable route concepts out of their trips and bunch formations, and defenses are catching on. Schaub has vowed to “cut it loose” against San Francisco’s defense, which is an interesting strategy.

The 49ers currently rank 18th in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted defensive metrics, and 18th against the pass. That’s down from third and sixth, respectively, in 2012. Losing Aldon Smith to rehab is one issue, but the real problem lies with San Francisco’s coverages. The 49ers’ ferocious pass rush in 2012 hid the fact that this team doesn’t have a dominant defensive back, and that’s coming home to roost right now. Carlos Rogers ranks 44th in Pro Football Focus’ coverage metrics, allowing an opponent passer rating of 85.6, and Tarell Brown has been even less impressive.

Another problem for the 49ers right now is that in three of four games this season, their formerly dominant offensive line has been pushed back far too often. That changed last Thursday night against the St. Louis Rams, when Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman went back to basics with power/counter/wham concepts, and left the more advanced offensive conceits for another time. Harbaugh and Roman will want to stick with that script against Houston’s amazing front seven, which is of course led by J.J. Watt, who may be playing even better than he did last season. For the 49ers to pull this one off, they’ll need to manage Colin Kaepernick in and out of the pocket. The Texans, on the other hand, need to diversify their passing concepts — because you can bet that whatever they’ve been running this season, 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has it on lock.

link

 

[Bulls on Parade]

You can throw away all of the stats and records going into this game. This game is all about heart and determination. If the Texans have it they will beat the 49ers and have one of those satisfying road wins that can lift the entire franchise: Coaches, players, fans, everybody will feel good.

If the Texans don't have it we will be left scratching our heads after the game on Sunday Night, yet again, and trying to figure out how we lost again and what the hell went wrong. That's a depressing feeling that I don't want to experience for a third week in a row.

We need more players like J.J. Watt. Guys who actually give a damn about winning and losing. Guys who will be pissed off and ready to beat somebody's ass after another frustrating loss. Who actually put the game ahead of their own personal lives. Watt has had some on-and-off again girlfriends just because he's so devoted to being one of the all-time greats. He doesn't even think about some marriage or family life leading up to games like most players do. All he does is focus on winning games.

That type of heart and dedication is what I want to see out of the entire team. I realize it's not possible to get that level of passion from every player - some of them have busy lives with a wife and kids - but at least on gamedays we need more effort than what we're getting out of a lot of the guys.

The only way the Houston Texans are going to win the Super Bowl with Matt Schaub as quarterback, is if every player elevates their game, and plays even better than what their own talent level suggests. We have to play so damn good that we can still win games even if Schaub doesn't play his best.

That old saying... You're only as good as your weakest link. It rings very true regarding the 2013 Houston Texans.

 

[Nitrofish]

You can throw away all of the stats and records going into this game. This game is all about heart and determination. If the Texans have it they will beat the 49ers and have one of those satisfying road wins that can lift the entire franchise: Coaches, players, fans, everybody will feel good.

If the Texans don't have it we will be left scratching our heads after the game on Sunday Night, yet again, and trying to figure out how we lost again and what the hell went wrong. That's a depressing feeling that I don't want to experience for a third week in a row.

We need more players like J.J. Watt. Guys who actually give a damn about winning and losing. Guys who will be pissed off and ready to beat somebody's ass after another frustrating loss. Who actually put the game ahead of their own personal lives. Watt has had some on-and-off again girlfriends just because he's so devoted to being one of the all-time greats. He doesn't even think about some marriage or family life leading up to games like most players do. All he does is focus on winning games.

That type of heart and dedication is what I want to see out of the entire team. I realize it's not possible to get that level of passion from every player - some of them have busy lives with a wife and kids - but at least on gamedays we need more effort than what we're getting out of a lot of the guys.

The only way the Houston Texans are going to win the Super Bowl with Matt Schaub as quarterback, is if every player elevates their game, and plays even better than what their own talent level suggests. We have to play so damn good that we can still win games even if Schaub doesn't play his best.

That old saying... You're only as good as your weakest link. It rings very true regarding the 2013 Houston Texans.

Nice post and I agree with almost everything you said, but Schaub is not the weakest link on this team. I believe that distinction belongs to the OL. We have them out there to stop defenders, not just slow them down. They need to start doing their jobs better.

 

[thunderkyss]

Nice post and I agree with almost everything you said, but Schaub is not the weakest link on this team. I believe that distinction belongs to the OL. We have them out there to stop defenders, not just slow them down. They need to start doing their jobs better.

That's the point. He's not the weak link, but he doesn't have the skills necessary to "make up" for the deficiencies of the team.

 

[MistaRed]

Via Kubiak: Cushing cleared to play, Duane Brown good to go.

Tim Dobbins and Brandon Brooks are out.