Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍
Anyone else starting to feel optimistic?
- Thread starter keyser
- Start date
Dread-Head
Hall of Fame
I never lost my optimism. Whenever I have doubts one word comes to mind...Watt! Then the doubt subsides.
Speedy
Former Yeller Dweller
Cincy at home - a winnable game.
Titans at home - very winnable game.
Jags away - still very winnable.
Being 8-5 going to Indy is a very real possibility. Provided Mallett gives us play at QB that has been better than what's been here the last season and a half. One game doesn't tell anyone anything.
Winning in Indy, low probability, it's never happened and I'm not expecting to get the W there.
Jags at home is one that should be a win.
That means the Ravens at home is the game you've got to steal.
None of that is out of the question. That would put them at 10-6 with a legit shot at a Wild Card.
Sure would have been nice to get one or 2 of those games against Dallas, Pittsburgh or Indy when you had a shot.
Titans at home - very winnable game.
Jags away - still very winnable.
Being 8-5 going to Indy is a very real possibility. Provided Mallett gives us play at QB that has been better than what's been here the last season and a half. One game doesn't tell anyone anything.
Winning in Indy, low probability, it's never happened and I'm not expecting to get the W there.
Jags at home is one that should be a win.
That means the Ravens at home is the game you've got to steal.
None of that is out of the question. That would put them at 10-6 with a legit shot at a Wild Card.
Sure would have been nice to get one or 2 of those games against Dallas, Pittsburgh or Indy when you had a shot.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
If we win out, we are only assured of having the same overall record and the same divisional record.
The next tie breaker is w/l in common games. Our common games is our divisional record + our record vs. the NFL East and the AFC North.
If the Colts win out except for a loss against us and we win out, they end up with a better record against the common opponents because they will have lost 2 games against common opponents so far and we've already lost 4.
And there are no scenarios where we end up with the same record with the Colts and win the tie-breakers based on common opponents. They'd have to drop some more divisional games and we'd have to drop non-divisional games, I think.
That's what I'm thinking. Right now, the thought of winning the next 6 games just doesn't sound like the kind of thing the Texans do. Beating Cincinnati next week is going to be huge.
I haven't penciled a win all year, only held the belief that we'll be in a position to win every game. So I'm not looking past Tennessee & Jacksonville. Both teams are going through major changes right now & we have no idea what we're going to be up against when we get there.
But yeah, if we can get to 8-5, I'll be even more optimistic about the last three. Indy, Baltimore, Jacksonville.
michaelm
vox nihili
Good catch. MSR.
ChampionTexan
Hall of Fame
I'll just say this - while I hoped for success with Case, at no point would I ever characterize how I felt during the games he started as "hopeful".
While I'm not jumping to any conclusions regarding Mallett, I would absolutely categorize the way I felt after yesterday's game as "hopeful". Maybe actually winning a game had something to do with it, but I definitely have a different attitude towards the rest of the season after the Browns game than I did after the Chiefs game last season.
While I'm not jumping to any conclusions regarding Mallett, I would absolutely categorize the way I felt after yesterday's game as "hopeful". Maybe actually winning a game had something to do with it, but I definitely have a different attitude towards the rest of the season after the Browns game than I did after the Chiefs game last season.
Norg
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
never lost it I expected a 8 or 9 win season this year was the bench mark IMO but by doing that we are not going to get the top 2 QB's in next years draft that's ok maybe one falls 2 us or we look else were
But intilll we fire rick smith this team isn't going any where IMO we need to fire him like right now or by seasons end IMO
But intilll we fire rick smith this team isn't going any where IMO we need to fire him like right now or by seasons end IMO
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
Which means we all need to be Cowboy fans in a few weeks.
Every week, I'll be rooting for whoever's playing the Colts.
That means I'm rooting for the Jags next week.
Norg
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
not with rick smith at the helm all our picks will never see the field or get cut or be busts
I'm really not seeing that. I may be alone, but I've really liked Ben Jones' play this year & we didn't draft anyone to take over at RT. I'm still down with DBrown76 & I think they'll ask Myers to take a pay cut before straight ditching him.
I know PFF doesn't agree with me either, but I think Ben Jones has easily been our best lineman, in both the run & passing game. Had we played him last year in stead of Wade Smith, I doubt we'd have drafted XSF with that 2nd round pick.
I don't think XSF isn't playing because he sucks, it's just that the guys in front of him are playing too good. I know... I know.. they looked to be struggling in every game but the last, but that's blitz pick up & trying to run against 8 & 9 man boxes.
I think that will start to clear up here in a little bit.
Vinnie
with an I E
I've been pretty happy with Ben Jones's play as well this season. Did anyone else notice how red he was on the sideline at the end of the game? he looked like this guy ---->
Thorn
Dirty Old Man
Which means we all need to be Cowboy fans in a few weeks.
Never. Ever. I'll simply ignore the game and wait for the final score. Don't care. Dallas can kiss my ass.
Which means we all need to be Cowboy fans in a few weeks.
No kitten required. I can hold my nose and do it.
I do that against the Colts anyway. I hate that team. I want them to suck and have Luck feel the weight of suck. I want Hoover to buy the rights to their stadium because they suck so bad. Indy did not suffer long enough to lose Manning and get Luck. One bad season is a blip. Hate hate hate.
EllisUnit
Vote RED!!!
I agree the colts and greenbay have to be the luckiest franchises ever as far as getting QBs
burro
probably drunk
There was nothing particularly lucky about GB getting Rodgers, they drafted him and then groomed him for three years. That's just good planning.
OTOH, I'm fairly certain that Jim Irsay has sold his soul to the devil.
EllisUnit
Vote RED!!!
Yes but still no certainty it will work out doing that. Many QBs have sat behind all Pros and turned out to be nothings.
burro
probably drunk
I think it's a combo of raw potential & a quality NFL education. No, sitting behind an all-pro vet wont make a scrub into a star. But it does increase the chances of a rookie succeeding in the long term. From that perspective, I like Mallett's chances of making it.
If the Mallett lead Texans can beat Indy in Indy the division is there for the taking. Gotta believe.
Number19
Hall of Fame
I've already taken the position we beat Cinci and go into Indy 8-5. And there's nothing about Mallet I can say that hasn't already been said in the many posts over the past 24 hours. I saw a QB yesterday in command of his team and the game. Four weeks until Indy and he'll only get more familiar with his receivers. That game is going to be exciting. It's not just Mallet; but JJ, Foster, Cushing, Clowney and Mercilus. If we're healthy going into the game, our defense gives us an edge. I'm optimistic.
We need Cushing to lay a couple of those hits Hoyer got on Ginger. Watt needs to get him some, Merci needs to get a little. Swag should get in on the feast... Dent, Grease, Crick needs to get some...
Which Dalton shows up depends on which Texans show up at the table.
Vance87
All Pro
I know you probably don't care... but I'm out of optimism.
In no scenario did I ever imagine Ryan Fitzpatrick would still be our starting QB this late into the season. My optimism was based on a weak schedule & Ryan Mallett being competent, healthy, & starting by now.
I tried to believe Ryan Fitzpatrick would do sufficiently, & he really impressed me vs Tennessee. But today, even though we won, I feel like we're playing not to lose.
I'll root for the Texans next week. I'll be at NRG the week after & the week after that; cheering, rooting, & acting like a damn fool.
But I don't think we'll win the next two. Not playing small ball, not against the two teams we'll be playing.
So... I'm just saying I was wrong. We're not mathematically out. I haven't given up hope, I just now realize it's a fool's hope & I'm the fool.
In no scenario did I ever imagine Ryan Fitzpatrick would still be our starting QB this late into the season. My optimism was based on a weak schedule & Ryan Mallett being competent, healthy, & starting by now.
I tried to believe Ryan Fitzpatrick would do sufficiently, & he really impressed me vs Tennessee. But today, even though we won, I feel like we're playing not to lose.
I'll root for the Texans next week. I'll be at NRG the week after & the week after that; cheering, rooting, & acting like a damn fool.
But I don't think we'll win the next two. Not playing small ball, not against the two teams we'll be playing.
So... I'm just saying I was wrong. We're not mathematically out. I haven't given up hope, I just now realize it's a fool's hope & I'm the fool.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
Really? Seriously? NOW you stop feeling optimistic?
I was not good a couple of weeks ago after the Bengal's loss but I'm OK now. Sure, the odds are against us but so what? We almost beat the Colts before and they haven't gotten any better (and we might have.) So I'm looking forward to beating them this week.
And the Ravens? They ain't all that. We can beat those guys.
We might not but what the hell, it's for times like this that we're fans, times like this when we're still in the thick of the playoff hunt in December, times like this when we've been counted out but we keep fighting back. This is when to get excited.
Right on! That's what being a fan is all about. Not doom and gloom pessimism, no matter how realistic
EllisUnit
Vote RED!!!
You confuse the hell out of me TK.
Imagine this your wife talks about having sex all day, and then it comes time for bed and she says she isn't in the mood.
Yeah that is you and the texans in yalls F'ed up relationship.
dalemurphy
Hall of Fame
The Texans have a fair chance to make the playoffs if they finish the season 2-1. They are very likely to make the playoffs if they sweep these last three games (2 of which are at home).
Reasons for optimism:
1. Excellent coaching staff that will have a game plan designed to defeat each opponent.
2. The best football player in the universe.
3. at INDY, a healthy Arian Foster against a very flawed run defense.
4. Indy is playing poorly and key injuries have grounded their offense (Bradshaw, Wayne).
5. The Texans offensive line is playing well and all 5 positions are healthy and have played together all season.
6. Texans defense is healthier than it has been all year... including both starting CBs.
7. Texans are mentally tough and will not wilt under pressure or give up if things don't go well.
8. Law of averages screams "WE ARE DUE!"
Reasons for optimism:
1. Excellent coaching staff that will have a game plan designed to defeat each opponent.
2. The best football player in the universe.
3. at INDY, a healthy Arian Foster against a very flawed run defense.
4. Indy is playing poorly and key injuries have grounded their offense (Bradshaw, Wayne).
5. The Texans offensive line is playing well and all 5 positions are healthy and have played together all season.
6. Texans defense is healthier than it has been all year... including both starting CBs.
7. Texans are mentally tough and will not wilt under pressure or give up if things don't go well.
8. Law of averages screams "WE ARE DUE!"
In this situation it would be like talking about that sexy lingerie I got her three months ago, the romantic music we used to listen to back in the day, & a house with no kids... then getting to the bedroom & she's wearing the same sweatpants she wore last night, watching "the real housewives" off the DVR, & my kids having a slumber party.
Such is my life.
TEXANRED
Texan-American
So you know my wife?
Refs didn't do us no favors @NRG.
EllisUnit
Vote RED!!!
EllisUnit
Vote RED!!!
Refs helped the colts big time yesterday. A few big questionable penalties to keep the final drive alive. Which was no shock to me, cause the colts always get stuff like that to help them.
One of the worst things I find about interacting with almost all* fan bases is listening to them complaining about the refs. It's as if the refs have a conspiracy to make every team lose. I find it tiresome and that it is usually used by fans to rationalize or excuse their team's losses. The Texans fan base as a group is no exception to this, even if it is a small portion making most of the noise. There are bad calls, but a truly impartial observer probably sees them going both ways.
*I say "almost all" because absolutes are always wrong.
I agree for the most part. However, most teams can offset bad officiating with big plays. Like I was watching the Patriots last night, 3rd & forever from their endzone... we most likely would have called a stretch play in that situation, or some kind of pass behind the LOS (I'm exaggerating) but they let Brady drop back & throw a 14 yard pass to pick up the 1st down. We'd have been trying to get room for our punter.
We don't even trust our QB to throw the ball away in a 3rd & long situation.
My point is, it most likely look worse to our fans, because we're not a big play offense. Without big plays, we can't overcome "poor" officiating, or even legitimate penalties.
EllisUnit
Vote RED!!!
We looked like a big play offense 2 weeks ago against the Titans.
PHILLYTEXANFAN
Saddle Up Partner
If we win at Indy I'll be optimistic. Could spark a run like the Giants had a few years back
& in Cleveland.
GNTLEWOLF
Rookie
The answer to the title question is once again, "NO!!!"
In order for the Texans to have a "real" chance at making the play-offs, they need to win the next three games. Not gonna happen. I've seen all the convaluted play-off scenerios. , and that is what they are, "convaluted". This team has already won way more than I expected this year, but I'm still not optimistic, and just can't be really with Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB.
In order for the Texans to have a "real" chance at making the play-offs, they need to win the next three games. Not gonna happen. I've seen all the convaluted play-off scenerios. , and that is what they are, "convaluted". This team has already won way more than I expected this year, but I'm still not optimistic, and just can't be really with Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB.
EllisUnit
Vote RED!!!
That is why i am optimistic, because of how good we have been with Ryan F, with all things considered.
Not until they win in Indy.
McNair appreciates fools.