Earlier this afternoon some Texans fans were ecstatic with the possibility of a playoff run. However most knew the reality of the situation, the Texans needed two bad teams to win and the Bengals to play well in a meaningless game. After the Kansas City Chiefs won playoffs looked like they could be on the horizon. But as we all know by now the Jets beat the Bengals and got the much coveted second wild card berth. So let the blaming begin! The scapegoat of the bunch is Kris Brown, a veteran kicker who lost his confidence Brad Lidge style. While he didn’t do his job, Kubiak put him on the hot seat by not using his stellar offense to score touchdowns. Coach Kubiak opted to set up for field goals at the end of the game. (Someone should have told him he had a good offense.) Of course Kubiak is on the list as well. And maybe Steve Slaton losing the magic he had in the first season. (Which might be attributed to the loss of our two starting guards but that seems like a free pass.)

While we could sit here and play the blame game, which I’m sure myself and many other fans will do in the off season, I’d like to look at some positive.

First the defense.  After last seasons miserable excuse for a defense we made a new hire in DC, Mr. Frank Bush. Frank Bush’s defense had a rocky start, but as it started to gel with the hardcore tendencies of Brian Cushing and the acquisition of Bernard Pollard. The linebacking core was amazing and as the year went on the defense only got better.

Second, Matt Schaub started 16 games and silenced all doubters. With a little more leadership and charisma the guy should be a pro bowler next year.

Third Arian Foster. The main reason we even won the game against the Pats was the rushing effort on the new guy. He might not be the answer but he was a Godsend for the closing of our first winning record.

The season shouldn’t have ended like this yes. (Relying on other teams to win games instead of letting our record speak for itself.) We only have to look at the first game of the season and think that if we would have beat the lowly Jets we would be in the playoffs right now.

All right, all right football fans everyone needs to calm down from week one and buckle in for game two. Last week was, to be honest, a crushing blow to the face of every Houston Texans fan. We were all excited, this was going to be the year we get to the playoffs, people have started to pick Houston as a sleeper team. Even Peter King of SI chose the Texans to win the division. Then we get punched in the mouth by a should-not-have-been-a-surprise Jets defense. Our offense looked confused and destroyed, it did not look like a premier NFL offense. On the bright side our defense looked like they wanted to play football. Instead of phoning it in, the defense showed up, but then they got run over. Sigh.

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!