Every year before this one, the Week 17 game thread has been the last Texans game thread of the season.

Not this year.

Your Houston Texans will host the first playoff game in franchise history next week. Before that, however, they must attend to the business of ending Bud Adams' dreams of postseason glory. Kindly leave your pre-game, in-game, and post-game exuberance here as we conclude the 2011 regular season.

Titans vs Texans coverage

Before we officially open tonight's game thread, a final plug for BRBAPALOOZA. If you're in the Houston area, come on out to 360 Sports Lounge to watch your Houston Texans take on the Indianapolis Colts. You'll enjoy good food, cheap drinks, and, most importantly, you'll be surrounded by a gaggle of Texans fans. Hope to see everyone there.

For those who can't partake in the festivities, this is the first of your open game threads. Do it to it.

Texans vs Colts coverage

With the first playoff berth and division title in team history already clinched, your Houston Texans take the field at Reliant Stadium against the Panthers today to chase their 11th win of the season and to continue their pursuit of a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs.

Man, that felt good to type.

This is the first of your open threads for this afternoon's contest between the Texans and Panthers. Enjoy.

Panthers vs Texans coverage

Today has the potential to be a hugely historic day in Texans history. With a win, your Houston Texans will set the franchise record for wins in a single season. With a win and a loss by Bud Adams' Army of Darkness, your Houston Texans will win the division for the first time in franchise history. With a loss, your Houston Texans will have lost four games for the tenth time in franchise history. Lot on the line this afternoon in Cincinnati.

Leave your pre-game, in-game, and post-game certifiably insane T.J. Yates/Aaron Rodgers comparisons and glowing reviews of Katy's own Andy Dalton in the Comments below. Until such time that a new game thread opens, anyway.

Texans vs Bengals coverage

Before the season started, if you had told me your Houston Texans were starting T.J. Yates against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13, I probably would have reacted with a look of stunned disbelief, shook my head, punched a wall, cried because my hand hurt, fell to my knees, and started banging my head against the ground until I knocked myself out.

Now? I simply affix a steely glare in the direction of Reliant Stadium and mutter, "So be it." Zeno would be proud.

Let the T.J. Yates Era begin, friends. This is the first of your open game threads for Falcons-Texans.

Falcons vs Texans coverage

Matt Leinart's first game as the starting QB for your Houston Texans.
Andre Johnson's return from injury.
Danieal Manning's return from injury.

Pick your favorite storyline. Me? I'm hoping for the one where the Texans go five games above .500 for the first time in franchise history.

This is the first of your open game thread for today's Texans game. Let's go.

Texans vs Jaguars coverage

Last week, your Houston Texans managed to go three (3) games above .500 for the first time in franchise history. Today, only the Buccaneers stand between them and an even greater historical achievement--four (4) games above .500. 7-3 heading into the bye week? Or 6-4?

This is the first of your open threads for this afternoon's tilt in Tampa Bay. As is the custom around these parts, leave your pre-game, in-game, and post-game mash notes to Wade Phillips and jokes about Gary Kubiak's challenges in the Comments below.

Texans vs Buccaneers coverage