NFL Week 16 - Texans Only

Well it had all the makings of a trap game and the Texans fell in it. They looked like total turds in losing to the Oakland Raiders for the first time in the team's brief history.

For God knows how many times, they opened the game with a beautiful drive for a touchdown. It was down hill from there.

I turned off the TV when head coach Gary Kubiak called for a pass play on a 4th and inches. Instead of going for the first down and three more shots at the endzone, they go for it all in one stupid play and effectively ending the game.

I think this loss is disturbing for a few reasons.

First, the team started to believe their own hype. The national media was starting to sing them a few praises. Kubiak and the other coaches were not able to keep them focused on the Raiders.

Secondly Kubiak is still making the same stupid mistakes at coaching. I don't understand how you throw a pass for the endzone when you only need inches for the first down. Last week against the Titans, Kubiak never abandoned the running game. He kept on pounding the rock and it paid off. Steve Slaton is the second best player on offense. The offensive line has been glowing with confidence. Give them a chance and show you can trust them to get a few inches for the first down.

Third, Richard Smith still needs to go. The defense regressed big time in this game. JeMarcus Russell has struggled all year long. The coaching changes in Oakland have him struggling to develop. Repeatedly the Texans gave up plays that he hadn't really been making Russell shouldn't have been making consistently.

I think the Texans have a long way to go before they are a playoff contender. Consistency on the defense and some help for Mario Williams is at the top of the list. Kubiak needs to show he can coach this team up. I think he's done it with offense but they need to be more consistent too. They need a short yardage back so maybe then Kubiak will have confidence in short yardage and inches to go situations.

One more game to go. The Bears come in playing for an outside shot at the playoffs. The Texans have no motivation to win this game what so ever. How they come out prepared and how they perform will definitely mark the starting point for next season. This one is over. Start plannig and playing for next season.