Hair of the Dog Week 11: Arizona Cardinals @ Houston Texans

WHAT THE SCORE SAYS: The Houston Texans won their third straight game (longest streak since 2018), their fourth straight home game, and moved to 6-4 with their 21-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

WHAT THE SCORE DOESN’T QUITE CAPTURE: This is the SIXTH straight game that at the Two-Minute Warning in the fourth quarter, the Texans held a one-score lead, with the defense on the field, holding off a team that had driven at least to inside the Texans’ 30-yard line. The Houston Texans scored all of their points in the 1st half, but the defense stuffed Arizona on fourth down for three consecutive drive, to include the last drive, where heavy defensive pressure and a timely pass deflection, clinched the game for Houston. CJ Stroud threw his third straight 300+ yard game, his first three pick game ever (not accounting for any school-yard games he played before college), had his second consecutive three-turnover game, and yet the Texans somehow held on to win. The home crowd at NRG was the loudest it had been for a long, long time...as it cheered for the home team.

May as well accept it that the 2023 Houston Texans are going to be the latest version of the “Kardiac Kids”. The game will forever come down to the two-minute warning, with the Houston Defense, the Most Interesting Defense in the World, expected to hold on to a late lead (inside of that two minute stretch), with the opposing team getting the ball inside of the HOU 30. What happens after that? Divine providence (Hey, if that can explain the American Revolution, that can work for this team).

As always, your Battle Red Masthead had their real-time takes on this latest Texans dramatic production. Some were actually on-site at NRG. All had their takes. Plenty of less-than-classical professional business words were used, so we have, in the finest Hair-of-the-Dog tradition, edited those out.

With that, on to the ‘Dog:

HAIR OF THE DOG: VOLUME 21, ISSUE 11, ARIZONA CARDINALS @ HOUSTON TEXANS (or can Houston avoid a trap game? Yes, you read that right, can Houston avoid the trap game???)

Patrick

Going to the game

Kenneth L.

Going to be at the game!

vballretired

This barn burner is brought to you by #Bartesian. They have new holiday cocktail mixes including a nice and naughty collection. C.J. Stroud firmly belongs on the nice list unless you are a fan of the opposing team. Does he remain on the nice list? We will find out in about an hour as I type this. As per usual, we at BRB remind you to use #Bartesian responsibly. Please don’t operate any heavy machinery while enjoying #Bartesian.

Enjoy the game guys. I’ve still never attended a Texans game

I did go to numerous Oilers games

l4blitzer

Only seen the Texans on the road myself

Kenneth L.

Good [DURGA] these uniforms don’t work

The red letters look awful

These are the type of uniforms that if you lose you can’t ever, ever wear again

vballretired

True

It’s about every permutation you can think of so the diehards can buy their sixth and seventh Texans jersey

I’d poke fun but I do the same with baseball

Joe

It’s time!!!!!

im ready to see cj stroud fully launch himself into mvp contention today

Patrick

Which is a shame if they lose because they look good in this combo.

vballretired

Cardinals get it first

Joe

Honestly I’m liking this new red helmet/blue jersey combo

Two-toned look

ARZ POSSESSION

Joe

Cardinals jerseys look okay too, if eerily similar to the new commanders uniforms

Here we go!

l4blitzer

D is going to have to play contain on Murray today

vballretired

Rough start with a missed tackle

And again with the flags

Joe

Oh boy here we go

Starting early with this

l4blitzer

MOAR flags…

Kenneth L.

Yikes

vballretired

[KITTEN], this isn’t a good start

Patrick

The [KITTEN] was that, defense?!

MURRAY WITH THE 48 YD TD PASS TO MOORE: ARZ 7 – HOU 0; 13:28, 1st

Kenneth L.

Slept walked through that

Who was the safety on that

Joe

NOOOO

awful

vballretired

It’s these noon starts. They aren’t used to them with all the prime time games we’ve had this year.

My Durga, what a kitten show this is

For those wondering what happened to Hugh Grant

Joe

Well, Kyler Murray is usually a pretty good quarterback, and Moore can be hard to cover with his speed. Not the start I wanted at all, but both players have big play potential that can be hard to beat

I was more worried about Murray running all over the Texans defense, though.

vballretired

The game is still young

Here comes the vaunted running attack

You have a top five to ten MVP candidate and you only pass on third down

Joe

Alright Robert woods catch!

vballretired

Uggg a drop

[KITTEN]

Tank!!!!!!!

Joe

TAAAAANKKK

Kenneth L.

Htown first down. I love it

Joe

Tank Dell like saves the day every week

LETS GO DEVIN SINGLETARY

OOOHHH I LOVE IT

vballretired

They really need to let the pass set up the run like this

Joe

It’s working so well

He’s so good though I love him

vballretired

They can’t do the run it on first and second down thing. The run must follow the pass

Ok, go or not?

Joe

Oh man I don’t know

vballretired

That was incredibly stupid

Joe

well

You’re right about that haha

I think I’m ready to embrace the glory of the all fg offense again

These 4th down disasters the past couple weeks have made me a field goal guy again

vballretired

The decision to go wasn’t horrible. You have a top ten QB. Let him decide if you sink or swim

HOU TURNOVER ON DOWNS. ARZ POSSESSION

vballretired

Your third string back should not be deciding the fate of your drive/game

Joe

Pressure back on the defense

I’d like to see some plays by Will Anderson and Sheldon Rankins again

vballretired

Simply put, this team loses when it takes it out of Stroud’s hands

Joe

Take the pressure off of an injured linebacker group

vballretired

That’s better

Joe

Isn’t it funny the Stroud has become like the entire offense

And it’s like really working well

vballretired

Nice pressure

Cards punt

HOU POSSESSION

Joe

Here we go!

vballretired

Tank!!!!!

l4blitzer

MOAR Matriculation of that football boys…

So Roy Lopez ended up in ARZ…huh, go figure

Kenneth L.

Oh is that him?

vballretired

Timeout

Joe

LETS GOOOO

is that a Schultz touchdown?

vballretired

Schultz!!!!!!

Kenneth L.

Great ball. Had fantastic pace on it.

Felt like he escorted the ball to him

vballretired

Good or bad, this team has to let Stroud decide this game

STROUD TO SCHULTZ WITH THE 20 YD TD PASS; HOU 7 - ARZ 7; 5:48, 1st

vballretired

We are going to Disney over New Years

l4blitzer

The Mouse thanks you for your contribution

vballretired

We are frequent contributors

l4blitzer

Let’s just say that Disney+ will be the last steaming service we give up…

vballretired

True

ARZ POSSESSION

l4blitzer

It will be interesting to see what happens if Disney get full ownership of Hulu and ESPN gets their separate streaming service going for the flagship events

vballretired

When I was a kid there was a silver tube we screwed into our tv to get just HSE. I’d pay 30 a month for just Spacecity now

Joe

James Conner carving the Texans up right now

l4blitzer

Uh, I thought we fixed the run D…

vballretired

Good [DURGA]

Holding helps

Joe

NOOOOO

Kyler Murray just sprinted like Marvin the Martian for like 40 yards

l4blitzer

Have to contain/get home on Murray…

Joe

Let’s goooo! Holding on the offense!

vballretired

Ok, a little better

Joe

The cardinals players are just so fast

vballretired

Need a big play

Joe

Man it would be nice to have to’oto’o

vballretired

That helps

l4blitzer

Hmmm…well, and we wonder why the Cards are high on the draft pecking order

vballretired

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kenneth L.

That was an impressive kick

vballretired

Will Anderson!!!!!! He needs three today

Joe

YESSSS

will Anderson let’s goooo

l4blitzer

::Will Anderson Jr enters the chat::

Kenneth L.

Number 41 is huge. Not very good for us though. They keep attacking him in the run

PRATER WITH THE 57 YD FG; ARZ 10 - HOU 7; 1:21, 1st

vballretired

Murray might be better in this offense. They can get good in a hurry with him AND two first rounders

Joe

But will he ever be as good as CJ Stroud????

l4blitzer

It is a strange situation for ARZ. Play Murray, and cost yourself the #1 pick, but maybe you still have the franchise QB and should still get some good prospects

vballretired

Well…..

Joe

Hahaha

l4blitzer

I guess ARZ could still lose but Murray plays well

Joe

I think I’m a little early

l4blitzer

That would be their ideal

HOU POSSESSION

vballretired

Honestly everyone of those top 10-12 guys do different things. It’s about what kind of play caller they are paired with

l4blitzer

jussssstttttt missed a breakout

vballretired

This season in Cleveland is like a Twilight Zone episode. M[KITTEN]age Boy wishes for a winning record and gets it on IR

You get your money but someone else takes your job

END OF 1ST QUARTER: THE KYLER MURRAYS 10 - THE CJ STROUDS 7

vballretired

Woods more active today

l4blitzer

Maybe Cleveland suffers the worst in that Twilight Zone. Get the franchise QB, but he does nothing and it destroys your cap for 3 years, costing much of that defense

vballretired

That is Alanis Morrisette irony

l4blitzer

Dontcha think???

vballretired

It’s an O’Henry story ready to be written

Now we are cooking with sauce

Get rid of the ball [KITTEN]

l4blitzer

That’s the running game from San Fran we wanted. The sack, er, not so much

vballretired

I don’t think the sack is part of any offense save David Culley’s.

l4blitzer

Screens…that work? I…I don’t recognize this

vballretired

Nico and Sims….sounds like a law firm

l4blitzer

Nico and home cookin’…nice combo

vballretired

Touchdown muther[KITTEN]ers!!!!!!!!!

Joe

WOOOOO

vballretired

Dameon who?

Joe

Devin Singletary is BACK

SINGLETARY WITH THE 11 YD TD RUN: HOU 14 – ARZ 10; 11:20, 2nd

Kenneth L.

Bruv offense is stealthy

vballretired

14-10 Texans

Patrick

10 plays for 75 yards and five minutes. You love to see it.

vballretired

I’ll talk about this at half, but Singletary is just a better scheme fit

Patrick

He’s definitely got more of the Arian Foster vibe of the RBs we have.

Kenneth L.

THAT WAS STINGLEYS BEST PLAY YET

vballretired

Maybe they trade Pierce. Ideally a bigger back who can run in a zone blocking scheme would be a better complement to Singletary

Patrick

I’d have been pissed if he didn’t come down with that.

Joe

LETS GOOOOO

DEREK STINGLEY INTERCEPTION; HOU POSSESSION

vballretired

Tank!!!!!!!!

That pick was like a punt

Joe

TAAAANK

I love this Texans team

vballretired

Just keep matriculating that ball boys

Tank!!!!!!!!

Good to take a shot though

Joe

I like John metchie make some plays too

Tank and metchie combo might be good

vballretired

Nice carry there

Joe

Man is tank Dell good

vballretired

Nico!!!!!!!!

Uggggggg

Joe

Nico Collins!

Hey Nico want to go bowling

vballretired

Timeout

Kenneth L.

He was never open

Bad pass

Should have looked away

vballretired

[KITTEN]

Patrick

Rookie throw.

vballretired

And I was behind so……

We are moving it at will though

Patrick

We’ll get that one back.

Did I just say that?

vballretired

It could be 20-10 now

Joe

Noooo!

It’s hard to complain amount ints when this is only his third though

Joe

Is this what hope feels like?

Patrick

I…I think so?

vballretired

Yeah, he should probably have twice that many but that’s still really good

Ok better run defense

First down Cards

Joe

Jeez that was close

vballretired

Wow

Joe

Good coverage there

vballretired

Ouch that looked like it hurt

You gotta get off the field

Joe

I think tavierre Thomas might be pretty good

vballretired

Another sack

Joe

Alright!

vballretired

Who gets credit for that?

Realistically you are going to have moments like that pick when you take the training wheels off Stroud but this offense is so much more explosive when you do

Joe

You’re absolutely right

Patrick

And he’s still a rookie he’s going to make dumb plays sometimes.

Joe

And he’s been so good at avoiding interceptions so far I basically trust him to make the risky pass when he wants to because it usually works

vballretired

I’m trying to remember is it NRG or the Juice Box with the non functioning roof?

Patrick

Yes.

vballretired

Both?

Patrick

Exactly.

vballretired

Tank!!!!!!!!!

Here we go

Schultz!!!!!!!!!

Joe

here we go

oh goodness

vballretired

Okay those watching live are barred from reacting for at least 60 seconds

Joe

AAAAAAAA

TAAAANK

vballretired

Holy [KITTEN]

Kenneth L.

TUDDY

STROUD 40 YD TD PASS TO DELL: HOU 21 – ARZ 10; 0:26, 2nd

Patrick

I’ve seen the face of [DURGA].

Joe

CJ STROUD MVP CONFIRMED

vballretired

Ladies and gentlemen Tank Dell is a man among boys

Random roughness penalty on the Cards

Joe

hahahahaha

refs were like “that play was so good we need to layer it on the cardinals”

cj stroud is just unreal

Patrick

An MVP chant just rang out at the stadium.

Joe

i think we’ve made it!

these are the good times

Patrick

And they’re only starting.

HALFTIME: HOU 21 - ARZ 10

HALFTIME REACTIONS

vballretired

Ok, halftime obs from me. Simply put, this is C.J.’s team. The Cards still haven’t stopped him. They took the ball out of his hands on a fourth down and he made one mistake. That’s it. So, let’s keep the foot on the gas. The defense has made some plays and had some plays made against them. That’s the state of this team. This offense is the most explosive we’ve had since 2010-2011 and it might be better than that one. Ladies and gentlemen, these aren’t your older brother’s Texans.

Joe

What a fantastic first half. Just like last week, the Texans encountered turbulence at the beginning of the game, giving up a touchdown and having a turnover on downs. But, the defense put the clamps down quickly, and Devin Singletary and CJ Stroud went on a RAMPAGE. CJ Stroud has this indescribable connection with Tank Dell, and I can’t believe how good this offensive line is looking. Also, Derek Stingley is looking good!

CJ Stroud for MVP

vballretired

Can we just cancel the Pro Bowl? It had a good run but the risk of injury is too great.

THIRD QUARTER

vballretired

Alright get the first down and keep rolling

Or gain a [KITTEN] ton of yards on third down

Joe

i’ll take that!!!

DEVIN SINGLETARY

vballretired

Ouch

Joe

Uh oh

l4blitzer

Davis Mills time..

vballretired

Hopefully just one play

we got our one davis mills snap though

davis mills comeback szn?

l4blitzer

Hey, Mills didn’t throw the pick…a win

Joe

hahaha

vballretired

Tank!!!!!

Joe

OH MY GOODNESS

TAAAAANK

l4blitzer

Stroud taking a page from Aaron Rodgers…increase the drama

vballretired

Oh good [DURGA]

AMMENDOLA WITH THE MISS; ARZ POSSESSION

vballretired

Only Slowik and the special teams can stop Stroud.

Joe

NOOOOOOO

l4blitzer

Weird, ‘cause usually the Texans special teams do very well. No one is perfect I guess.

For those at the game, just let us know if fans are starting the “DARE” chants on any future kicking attempts

vballretired

These announcers won’t know the reference

l4blitzer

This Conner fellow…he runs well…let’s not let him get too comfortable, shall we?

Apparently, Houston is never allowed to hold on to a double-digit lead.

vballretired

Ugggg

l4blitzer

Wow..did Murray get hammered on the blitz

Joe

Christian harris coming up with the big murray block

these games always have to be close

ARZ TIMEOUT

vballretired

Texans games….make sure to pack your Luckys

[KITTEN] cheat code

Joe

NOOOOO

they had him!!!!

vballretired

Holding not called

Joe

yea that was holding

vballretired

No good

Joe

i dont think he got it

okay big cj stroud drive

vballretired

Ok, no turtling allowed

MURRAY WITH THE 1 YD TD RUSH (2 PT CONVERSION FAILED): HOU 21 - ARZ 16; 2:52, 3^rd

l4blitzer

Guess Houston is not good enough to get the home-field holding calls quite yet.

vballretired

This game will predictably come down to the last five minutes where the defense will have to make a key stop which they’ve done only once

l4blitzer

Nah, the script calls for the Houston defense to actually surrender a score with under 2 minutes left, therefore allowing CJ Stroud to once again swoop in and save the day.

Joe

that’s what i want

lets get everyone on the cj stored mvp hype train

vballretired

I want a laugher

Joe

lets just keep serving him up last second victories

l4blitzer

Nope. The Texans and laughers no longer compute

ARZ POSSESSION

Joe

me too but im a sucker for the drama

the spicy cj stroud trip play

l4blitzer

Houston no longer sucks enough to be a laugher for others, but they aren’t good enough to consistently bash other teams

vballretired

Not a good time for this series

Joe

except for the glitter kittens

darn

vballretired

Ok, defense we need one of them pick sixes or strip sacks

MOAR flags

Joe

yeah a turnover would be great

ARZ POSSESSION

vballretired

Go Steelers

Ok, that works

l4blitzer

That rush defense though…hmmm…

vballretired

Geeez

END OF 3RD QUARTER: HOU 21 - ARZ 16, BUT THE CARDS ARE DRIVING INTO HOU TERRITORY

Joe

i was hoping that the stroud party would carry us to 28 points by now, but some crucial mistakes have made it close. Im tired of kyler murray, too

vballretired

He’s a slippery one

l4blitzer

A missed FG, two blown Red Zone opportunities, and a missed holding call, but in the NFL, you can’t give other teams an opening. They can and will take it.

vballretired

Nice throw from Murray

Joe

turnover on this drive

please

vballretired

Nice play by Anderson

Joe

woooo will anderson!!!

he’s pretty good isn’t he

l4blitzer

Need MOAR TFLs on their running game…especially now

vballretired

[KITTEN]

Joe

oh my goodness gracious

vballretired

I think it might be incomplete

Joe

he was on the ground and still got the first down

oh it might be you might be right

lets gooo the challnege

l4blitzer

MOAR Drama…this team is not for those with weak cardiovascular systems

vballretired

Or anxiety issues

l4blitzer

A lot of missed kicks going on today in the NFL

Joe

hahaha

vballretired

Incomplete

Get off the field

l4blitzer

Well, well, well…a Texans coach that wins a challenge. These are very strange times

Joe

woooo!

l4blitzer

All the technology and all the brainpower and all the money…and we can’t determine what a 1st down line really is?????

vballretired

Ugggg

l4blitzer

Think they will go for it.

vballretired

Get off the field

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kenneth L.

The run game has disappeared

Joe

WOOOOOO

DEFENSE!!!!

ARZ TURNOVER ON DOWNS. HOU POSSESSION

l4blitzer

Yeah, saw the replay on the Cards receiver. He helped our D out on that one.

vballretired

No turtling

[KITTEN] guys

How can you not gain a [KITTEN]ing yard?

l4blitzer

Gonna need some special H2O for the Texans D.

Joe

oh my goodness

I think they can just punt

l4blitzer

Or some Oxygen, or something to help them out.

Joe

this is cursed territory

vballretired

Do not take it out of Stroud’s hand

They say Texans ball

l4blitzer

Or…there is that.

Joe

REALLY

LETS GOOOO

oh my goodness if that just really happened

vballretired

Nope. It’s coming back

l4blitzer

Frank Ross will not allow the Texans to lose. Busts out some more dark magic…maybe

Joe

aw man

well it was close to a miracle

vballretired

Sooner or later Slowik will learn that Stroud must have the ball in his hand in key moments

POSSESSION UNDER REVIEW…Please stand by….please stand by…please stand by

l4blitzer

Dallas also having problems holding a lead…at the moment

vballretired

It’s Cardinals ball because a 50/50 break can’t go our way

ARZ POSSESSION (For real…we think…but hopefully not for long)

vballretired

Holy Durga I’m wrong

OH [KITTEN] IT!!!!! HOU POSSESSION ON THE ARZ MUFFED PUNT RETURN

vballretired

Stop turtling

Joe

WHAT

l4blitzer

Frank Ross dark magic will not be denied

Joe

NO WAY!!!!

i can’t believe it

vballretired

Tank!!!!!!!!

Joe

okay golden opportunity

woooo!!!!

vballretired

Out of bounds

l4blitzer

Just missed on that one

Patrick

The first half Texans are more than welcome to come back to the game.

vballretired

We can’t have nice things

ARZ INT ON THE DEFLECTED PASS; ARZ POSSESSION

Joe

NOOOOOOOO

oh no!

l4blitzer

Could argue that Woods should be charged with that INT. Ball was in his hand. A little high, but still…the Texans can’t.play.without.all.the.drama

Kenneth L.

Ugh the offense is bad right now

vballretired

MOAR flags

No turtling

Joe

wow

thx refs

vballretired

Nevermind, get off the field

l4blitzer

Are we…are we trying to be the new Cardiac Kids????

vballretired

No turtling

HOU WITH ANOTHER 4TH DOWN STOP. HOU POSSESSION

Joe

LETS GOOOOO

Kenneth L.

That was a hospital pass

l4blitzer

At this point, they need a few first downs to end the game, but give the D some sort of breather

Kenneth L.

10 years ago that’s a trip to the locker room

vballretired

Yup

Joe

NICOOOO

Kenneth L.

[KITTEN]

ugh

Patrick

What the [KITTEN] Stroud?

vballretired

Stop doing stupid [KITTEN] and just run what works

Patrick

Would the Texans who were on the field in the first half please return for the second?

These backup dancers aren’t cutting it.

STROUD WITH ANOTHER RED ZONE INT. ARZ POSSESSION

Kenneth L.

Offense can’t get rolling

vballretired

Stupid stuff. That Razzle dazzle [KITTEN]. Just run the offense

Joe

i can’t believe this

this was not the mvp performance i was hoping for

l4blitzer

This might be the 1st 3 INT game in Stroud’s life.

vballretired

Roselyn Carter passed away

l4blitzer

Saw that. That sucks

Crowd induced penalty

vballretired

[KITTEN]

l4blitzer

Hmmm…another one score game going down to the 2 minute warning with the D having to hold on…or not

vballretired

Somebody please tackle

Patrick

May she rest in peace.

Kenneth L.

I’m nervous

vballretired

Me too

Kenneth L.

PASS rush is nonexistent.

TWO MINUTE WARNING

l4blitzer

D must be gassed at this point. Since that missed FG to open the second half, the Cards have possessed the ball for more than 13 minutes to our 6

l4blitzer

Can probably cool the Stroud MVP talk…at least until the next drive

vballretired

Nice play by Harris

Ok, key third and fourth down

Harris!!!!!!!!!

Joe

harris!!!!

my heart!

ARZ TIMEOUT

l4blitzer

Seems like the crowd is really impacting the Cards…this is great to hear

HOU WITH YET ANOTHER 4TH DOWN STAND; HOU POSSESSION

Joe

LETS GOOOOOOO

WE’RE GONNA WIN THIS GAME!!!!!

this crowd is crazy!!!

FINAL HOUSTON 21 - ARIZONA 16: HOUSTON WITH ITS FIRST 3 GAME WINNING STREAK SINCE 2018. HOUSTON PLAYED ITS 6TH STRAIGHT GAME THAT CAME DOWN TO THE FINAL TWO MINUTES; MOVING TO 6-4.

Joe

All of the last three wins has been weird and improbable, but this one might just be the strangest. Fantastic finish by the defense on maybe Stroud’s worst game (even though he was an mvp in the first half). 6-4!

GAME BALLS:

• HOUSTON TEXANS LBs CHRISTIAN HARRIS AND BRAIN CASHMAN: Jack Lambert and Jack Ham they may not be. However, in this game, especially when LB depth for the Texans was at a premium as Henry To’oTo’o (injury) and Denzel Perryman (Bull[KITTEN] suspension) were out for the game. A dual-threat QB like Kyler Murray will test any defense, especially the LBs, and James Conner can be an effective running back. However, in a game that saw the Texans lean heavily on the defense, especially in the second half, these two came up YYYYYUUUUUGGGGGEEEE! Cashman led with 19 tackles (13 solo), to include a sack, a TFL and a pass defended. Harris contributed with five tackles (all solo), one TFL and two massive passes defended. Harris on the final drive was a monster, with a critical TFL and an emphatic pass defended on the final series of downs. Without these two, the Texans do not win. With them, the Most Interesting Defense in the World held on to win this game.
• WR TANK DELL: Even with this game, CJ Stroud figures to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, Tank Dell is proving to be quite the rookie in his own right. eight receptions, 149 yards and a TD. He and Stroud have quite the connection, one that could bear a lot of fruit in the years ahead.

SHOULD BE FORCED TO PLAY BOTH THE LATEST CALL OF DUTY AND MADDEN GAMES, WITH NO HOPE OF EVER PLAYING THE HIGHER QUALITY ORIGINALS EVER AGAIN:

• TEXANS RED-ZONE OFFENSE: Bobby Slowik has earned a lot of accolades for his work this season. It is likely that teams looking for a new head coach will give him a call or two. However, in his eventual interviews for head coaching positions, he is going to have to explain just what happened in this game in the red-zone. For the game, Houston went 1/4 on Red Zone scoring chances. A questionable fourth down outside running play against a speedy defense, a “heat check” INT, another INT that was probably more chargeable to WR Robert Woods vs. CJ Stroud, and yet ANOTHER INT that was, well, one that a defense that makes adjustments will catch. Additionally, after the first drive in the second half, when the Texans missed a 48 yard FG, the Texans, who had 378 yards of offense up to that point, only mustered 41 yards of offense the rest of the game. If not for the Most Interesting Defense in the World (see above), Slowik, Stroud and the offense might find themselves facing a very uncomfortable week. They may yet, but better a win with plenty of things to work on vs. the alternative of a loss.

Perhaps this game should have been a 35-10 blowout, but in the end, it is a W, which the Texans have six of this season. To put it another way, the team has almost matched the win total of the last two years combined. Next week, they remain at home, welcoming the 7-3 Jacksonville Jaguars, in a game where the winner will lead the AFC South. Let that sink in.
Currently, the game is slated for a noon central kickoff, but if the NFL had any sense of drama, this game should be a prime-time duel. Maybe a little late for the shift, but whatever. You get the Jets and Dolphins for Black Friday, the Chargers next Sunday Night, and the Bears on Monday Night. You know what, guess who gets to join in for the video game punishment...the NFL schedule makers for not flexing. Yeah, there you go.

Anyway, see you next week.