HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) - Another Sunday, another loss for the Texans. They fell to the Rams, 38-22, to drop seven straight.
Let's jump right into it.
1. Scottie Phillips and Brevin Jordan both being active added a little intrigue to the viewing experience. Given the lack of production at running back and tight end, it’s surprising it took this long for both of them to be active, but at least it’s something new.
2. The scene at NRG was very sad. During a season where NFL ratings are increasing and you can feel the energy at stadiums through the TV, the atmosphere at NRG resembled that of an eighth-grade C team game in a small town.
3. We are blessed to have a football team in Houston and things could be worse, but Sunday was a low point for the Texans organization. Not only was the scene at NRG the worst game day atmosphere in Texans history, but it was the least buzz I’ve ever felt at a sporting event in my entire life.
4. I legitimately feel bad for all of the great, qualified people employed by the Texans who have had to endure the dismantling of this organization from early 2019 to now. There are some great people in that building and there have been some great people who have left that building in the last couple years. Those are the people I feel the worst for.
5. The effort and overall play of Kamu Grugier-Hill has been solid. He has been a solid offseason addition by general manager Nick Caserio.
6. Another solid early effort by Lovie Smith with his short-handed defensive unit. The Rams missed a lot of opportunities in the first half and Stafford had a couple of misfires, but the Texans had a turnover on downs and forced a field goal in the red zone. A Vernon Hargreaves hold took away what would’ve been another stop.
7. In the Rams final drive of the first half, Lonnie Johnson whiffed on a couple of tackles and was benched for Eric Murray after the two minute warning.
8. I know it was 24-0 at half, but I again found myself feeling like it could’ve been a lot worse.
9. Could I interest you in a stat? The Rams had 18 first downs at half, the Texans had five.
10. My mother suggested that when the big screen at NRG says “MAKE NOISE” that they should put “PLEASE” afterwards.
11. Toro, the Texans mascot, got a Hall of Fame style ceremony at halftime to honor him being mascot of the year. I’m not kidding. Our guy Cecil Shorts MC’d the event and even the mayor congratulated him. Between using him to push ticket sales and this it’s clear who the main attraction is round here.
12. I know it’s easy to blame the quarterback and I’m not a Davis Mills truther, but it’s hard to imagine many quarterbacks succeeding in his situation. I know head coach David Culley is hanging his hat on how Tyrod Taylor looked in the first six quarters of the season, but it’s hard to imagine things looking much different. The offensive line nearly got Mills killed Sunday.
13. Trade deadline watch is going to be very interesting the next couple of days. I believe Caserio should hold off on dealing Deshaun Watson, but anyone else should be available and with the current state of things I wonder how many players want to be dealt.
14. Rex Burkhead and David Johnson just don’t make sense at this point. If those guys are here because of culture then the culture needs to be pushed in a different, less-romanticized direction with more substance.
15. But, Burkhead had far and away his best game of the season and ended a Texans TD drive drought of nearly 40 without a score. It’s a given you’ll hear about Rex’s four-carry, 21-yard, TD performance when Texans OC Tim Kelly meets with the media Thursday.
16. I like Brandin Cooks a lot. I know his production in the game was late when the game was out of hand, but I want him to get his. Congrats to his fantasy owners as well.
17. In his first game, Brevin Jordan became the second Texans tight end to score a TD this season, joining Anthony Auclair.
18. Jordan looks like a guy who might need to be active. Big fan of this young TE.
19. The betting line was 14. What an amazing sweat the Texans gave the people who placed wagers at the end of the game, an emotional roller coaster on both ends.
20. The late game scoring will be a David Culley rally cry for not giving up and you can’t blame him. This team desperately needs something to hang its hat on and that was a nice way to finish the game.
21. On a day when many people were wearing costumes at NRG my vote for best costume goes to Lonnie Johnson, who dressed as a starting NFL safety.
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