The Day After the Day After…when the raw, immediate emotions from the aftermath of a game diminish into the realm of clarity and the proverbial (or literal) hangover no longer haunts the mind. With that,
a review of Conference Championship Weekend:
A painful weekend for Texans’ fans: It is said that perhaps the four cruelest words ever said were “what might have been” After this weekend, more than few Texans’ fans might agree with that sentiment. For the AFC Championship game, the Patriots, fresh off their victory over Houston, continued their most improbable playoff run since their 1985 version, knocking off the Broncos 10-7 in a defensive slugfest/kicking optional game. It didn’t help the Broncos that they trotted out Jarrett Stidham, making his first career start. Still, Denver will rue this game, with the questionable play-calls and all the missed FGs. Thus, the Patriots claimed their 10th Lamar Hunt Trophy this decade.
However, for Houston, who has never won one, much less had the chance to win one, this result must have stung. What if Houston doesn’t turn the ball over 5 times at New England? New England wasn’t all that much more dominant than Houston, only that Houston shot themselves in the foot more than New England blasted them. As for Denver, yes, the Broncos won in Houston, but would that Broncos team on Sunday have really been enough to overcome Houston, especially if Houston could avoid the dumb mistakes? Fairbairn kicking FGs would have been more effective than either kicker this day, even with the conditions. Regardless, Houston, much like all the other felled AFC teams, must grit their teeth and watch New England try for yet another ring.
The Redemption of Sam Darnold and hope for the Texans: In the other game this past Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks set up a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX (yes, the jokes about running on the 1-yard line are flying fast and furious) by overcoming the LA Rams in a barnburner of a NFC championship game, 31-27. A key to Seattle’s win was the play of Sam Darnold, who went 25-of-36 for 346 yards and 3 TDs. The much-maligned QB managed to come through in this playoff run, albeit one helped by a ferocious defense, a strong running game, and the massive home-field advantage of Lumen Field. Mocked for failed clutch performances (see the last two games of the previous season) as well as his career long struggles, Darnold, at least to this point, showed why the Jets thought he might make a franchise QB. This isn’t to say he couldn’t turn into another Kerry Collins, but after this week, Darnold has earned the right to tell his critics what they do with themselves.
What does this have to do with the Texans? Well, consider the current situation for another top-3 drafted QB. CJ Stroud is persona non grata with many in the Texans’ fanbase, especially after this particular playoff run. Much like Darnold, Stroud has shown that pressure can get to him, and he is facing questions about his performance in clutch situations. Yet, unlike Darnold, Stroud has won in multiple playoff appearances. At least for the next season or so, he should have a strong defense to lean on, and the improvement in the running game is not impossible for Houston. If Stroud can recapture his better moments, a Darnold-esque run is not that far-fetched in the future. It would help if Houston could get actual homefield advantage for one or more rounds in the playoffs, but that is what the offseason is for, to try to set up for such a run.
The Coaching Cycle Keeps Rolling: While the last game in New England left a bitter taste in many a fan’s mouth, the bigger picture is that Houston finished 12-5 with a 3rd straight appearance in the NFL Divisional Playoff Round. Thus, teams with coaching vacancies are looking at members of the Houston coaching staff. Since the firing/hiring season for coaches started, several Houston coaches interviewed for various coaching openings, usually for the chance to move to higher profile/higher paying positions. Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke logged head coaching interviews with the Arizona Cardinals. Defensive Backs Coach Dino Vasso interviewed with the Tennessee Titans for their open Defensive Coordinator position. Earlier this week, reports surfaced that QB Coach Jerrod Johnson would interview for the Eagles Offensive Coordinator position.
To this point, the Texans have not fired any coaches. Questions about Nick Caley after a less-than-stellar debut season as offensive coordinator haunted the team after their run ended, but according to the Texans, Caley is slated to return to Houston. As for those coaches who have interviewed, the loss of Burke and or Vasso would likely sting the most for the franchise. For Vasso, the Texans’ secondary was one of the best in the league, with All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr, and Pro Bowl selectees Calen Bullock and Kamari Lassiter helping to log 19 INTs and surrendering the 7th fewest passing yards and only 20 TDs this season. Likely Houston is keeping lists of potential replacements for any of these coaches, should they leave for greener pastures.
FUN WITH NUMBERS:
0-4: Houston’s record against the NFL’s final four this season. Not exactly the greatest endorsement for Houston that they couldn’t beat any of the teams that got to the Conference Title Games. Perhaps that helps with the pain. Doesn’t help that only the Denver game was at Houston, the others on the road.
7.2: Margin of defeat in those 4 games. The New England game skews that number a little bit, but setting aside a 12-point loss that wasn’t as decisive as the score indicates, Houston only lost to the other three teams by a collective 17 points. They were close. Sure, that only counts in horseshoes and nukes, but you can understand if the Texans braintrust thinks that the team wasn’t that far off of a title run.
7: Total Pro Bowlers on the squad. Ok, the Pro Bowl isn’t what it used to be, but with Bullock and Lassiter named as alternates, that gives the squad 6 members on the squad, and unlike some others (Shedeur Sanders, cough, cough, Shedeur Sanders), these guys earned that consideration. That six are defenders…well, did you see that defense this season?
GAME BALLS:
All Emergency Responders and Technicians Working to Restore Power, Clear Roads and Helping People Get Through This Winter Storm. Been a rough week weather-wise for a lot of folks, Texans fans and others. It isn’t much, but we have to give them some type of credit.
DECLARATIONS OF IDIOCY:
No one has really earned that this week. Any candidates for that designation have already received their cyber beatdowns, especially in Denver and Los Angeles. Moving along…
Next up, if so inclined, the next NFL-ish event is the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge on Tuesday, February 3 at 5:30 CST on ESPN/Disney XD.
