This season has been full of heartache and indigestion for me. All of our losses have been winable. All of our losses have been within 7 points. (With the exception of the Colts loss last week, we lost by 8.) I keep coming back to this because it is my biggest complaint: Gary Kubiak is a bad game manager. He might be an ok player manager (I doubt it though, look at all of the penalties) but he cannot manage a game to save his life. Stupid play calls (A Chris Brown option…what?), poor clock management (not taking a timeout in the fourth quarter of the first Indy game) and settling for field goals when a touchdown will win the game (has anyone told Coach that we have a potent offense?) Say what you want, but Kubiak should instill confidence in our offense by putting the game on their shoulders. Let Schaub take us to the promise land and win a game with some big passes. That’s telling your offense, ‘I believe in you guys, win the game for us.’ Trying to tie the game instead of winning it is saying, ‘Our offense can’t score, let’s just settle for three.’

But then again, maybe that was a good decision. Poor Kris Brown is on suicide watch. Kris Brown is an original Texans and has been a clutch kicker his entire career. But putting so much pressure on a kicker when he’s in a bit of a slump is making him the scapegoat and writing him a ticket out of town. Maybe Kubiak wanted a scapegoat for the season. I’d hate to see Kris Brown have a Brad Lidge meltdown of confidence but that could happen. Brown might be in another jersey soon even though these games shouldn’t have been on him to begin with.

And speaking of men named Kris Brown, let’s move on to the other: Chris Brown. What a stupid option play to call. Every Texan fan died a little bit when that play was called. You never, never, never let a running back have an option of throwing the ball…because they’ll THROW IT. 99.9 % of the time a running back will go with the option to throw instead of run because it’s in all of our natures to want to be the quarterback. We aren’t a wildkat team, Kubiak. Did you call that play on a dare?

Here’s a dare: Andre Johnson, I dare you to stick around. Andre said in an interview earlier this season that he wanted to stick around and make this team great. Andre Johnson is the best receiver in the league. He’s tough, has great hands, unselfish, not a media hog, or a lunatic, and he’s fast! That’s the perfect receiver for a franchise. I’ve heard so much talk nationally and locally about Johnson’s future. I believe Andre when he says he wants to stick around, but we have to prove that we want to be a winning team.

Gary Kubiak wants to coach a winning team, but I don’t think he’s a head coach. He’s not a bad coach. Gary Kubiak brought the Texans into contention. The Texans can compete with any team. The thing is the Texans beat themselves. Gary Kubiak is vanilla. He’s mediocre. And because he’s mediocre the player are mediocre. The Texans might be the biggest group of underachievers this year. I don’t see Kubiak turning this around. We need to move on. Which is ridiculous of me to say because I subscribe to the give the coach a chance to get his system going philosophy.

I just don’t see this working out. I see a good offense system. I see a defense that’s improving. But I do not see the leadership that takes it to the next level. I’m afraid we suck this year, again. We’re worse than a bad team, we’re a good team that can’t play like a good team.

The Vikings are for real and the Steelers need to continue to win to make progress. This is the game of the week. I’m taking the Steelers because they’re more hungry for a win and have a stingier defense than the Vikings. And the Steelers have home field advantage and Polamalu. This will be a tough game for both teams.

Texans beat the ‘Niners

So far this season the Texans have been taken odd numbered weeks off. However, now that the Texans have found their groove on offense and defense they will be more consistent. Or at least they should be, I’m probably speaking too soon. I think the Schaub and Johnson will find a way around the ‘Niners defense and the ‘Niners offense won’t be spectacular. Frank Gore will probably get 100 + yards but it won’t be easy. Man, I hope I’m right about this game…

San Diego beat the Chiefs

San Diego is sliding down a very slippery slope of failure. They are under .500 yet they should be their division leader. San Diego has played much tougher games than the Chiefs and have been relatively keeping the score close. In other words they could be winning they just aren’t. If that game they almost lost wasn’t a sign I don’t know what was. Because we all know Oakland isn’t a good team no matter what Richard Seymour says. The Chiefs are good but not good enough.

Green Bay over Cleveland

Cleveland is horrible. There is no way I can see Cleveland winning this, but every dog has it’s day…it’s just not on Sunday or this season for Cleveland. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cleveland can’t find a way to knock down Aaron Rodgers. Any time I turn on a Green Bay Packers game this season it appears Rodgers is napping.

Indy over St. Louis

The Rams are a little bit more of a contender with Marc Bulger back. They almost won a game! But Indy is too good of a team. Sorry Rams, your win will come someday.

New England over Tampa Bay

This week Tampa Bay is in London. The NFL International Series is presented to you by Pepsi Max. New England has proved that they are still a good team and the Bucs have proved they want the first pick of the draft. Did the NFL intentionally plan a mismatched game to make American football seem more exciting? Picking New England over Tampa isn’t really any news so I pick British people to politely clap their hands and mildly shout out, “Good shot!” and “What a pleasant forward lateral!”

Carolina beats Buffalo

The Buffalo Bills have had problems this year and this week they have a guy named Ryan Fitzpatrick starting under center. The Bills running game will not be enough to beat the Panthers who have a great running game themselves. Carolina has won their last two games and will probably win their next.

New York Jets over Oakland

So which quarterback will make more mistakes? Probably JaMarcus Russell. I feel bad for the guy but this team stinks. The Jets defense will look incredible and as long as the Jets can score once they will win.

Atlanta over Dallas

The Falcons offense will prove to be too much for Dallas. But I think it’s going to be a good game. The Cowboys offense will put up some points but I think the Falcons offense will be better.

Chicago loses to  Cincinnati

I like the Cardiac Cats at home. The Bengals lost last week and are a good streaky team which means we might count on a win from them.

New Orleans over Miami

The Miami Dolphins defense will be tested this week. But the Saints are good on both sides of the ball. This should be an easy win for the Saints.

Arizona loses to the New York Giants

Start spreading the news, the Giants are bouncing back this week. They suffered a tough loss against the Saints last week and are ready to prove themselves.

Philly over Washington

I asked Alex, my girlfriend and fashion consultant, who would win the Eagles or Redskins.  Alex says that the Eagles will beat the Redskins because they can fly. I have to agree. Even though the Eagles lost last week they should still be better than the Redskins…if not their season is over.

So this week we play the Tennessee Titans. Great. This team is rough but not as rough as they have been in years past. The Texans can win this one But this is what we need to win.

• Steve Slaton and Andre Johnson…they were not allowed to play last week. (Tip my hat to you, Rex Ryan).
• Run stopping defensive line.
• Good play calling by Kubiak.

We need to establish the running game in order for our offense to work. Our offense is not imaginative. It is really simple. 1. Establish the run. 2. Play-action. If Slaton doesn’t run, Johnson won’t have as many opportunities to catch. Either we establish the run so we can playaction or we expect Kubiak to get creative (hint: he won’t).  Next, we need to stop the run. The Titans are going to come out running, right at us. Our defense looked good but it’s no secret that they need to be better. This week will show how effective this new defense will be. And lastly, Gary Kubiak needs to call good plays. If we are getting blitzed, use two tight ends. If our strategy isn’t working, call some different plays! The Texans will win this game and swing everything back in our favor, if these things are used. Texans by three in a close one.

The other game on my radar today is Pats at the Jets. That Jets team is for real and the Pats looked sloppy Monday Night. This could be intense. Now I’m not a guy that hates the Pats just because they win. I personally like the Pats but the Jets could smack ‘em around to show the rest of the league last week wasn’t a fluke. The Jets win this one.

Week One Picks

Atlanta over the Panthers

Minnesota over Detroit

Green Bay over Cincy

Jacksonville beats the Cards

Oakland barely beats KC

Jets shock the Pats

My man Kevin Kolb and the Eagles beat the Saints

Texans over Titans

Washington embarrasses St. Louis

The Bills beat the Bucs

Seattle goes to work against San Fran

Steelers over Bears

No one wins Cleveland and Denver…okay…Denver

Baltimore over Chargers

Giants over Dallas

and Indy shows Miami how to be consistent winners. That’s it Go Texans, peace!