The Texans are -3 and small road favorites for the Thursday morning road game in Detroit.



First offensive play of the game they should run this same quick screen pass to Andre Johnson. Just to see if the Lions defense can stop it. We're probably going to see a heavy dose of Arian Foster against the Lions (20 to 30 touches). I still have no idea when Ben Tate is going to return.

LOL, that block or non block by Ben Jones down field. Not even sure he made contact but it was good enough.

From John McClain

"The Texans did not hold a practice on Monday, but Ben Tate (hamstring) would not have practiced if they did. It's not a good sign for Tate's chances of facing the Lions on Thanksgiving morning. Top Texans CB Johnathan Joseph (hamstring) was also listed Monday as a would-be non-participant. Both players are in danger of missing the Thursday game versus the Lions."

So Kareem Jackson on Calvin Johnson for most of the game if Joseph can't go? Hmm, not sure how I feel about that matchup. We need Tate and Joseph to get back to good health. Now both players have hamstring issues. Tate has already missed 4 games. Very short week to prepare for this game so it makes sense not to play either of them if they're hurting.

This game may turn into a high-scoring shootout. Similar to the Jaguars game.

Much better news on the injury front today. The importance of this game (playoff implications) and the fact they'll have ten days off before their next game probably indicates more urgency for certain guys to be on that field. Johnathan Joseph will be a game-time decision on Thursday morning. It seems like Kubiak is leaving it up to him if he wants to play or not. Also there is a chance Ben Tate may finally make his return. The Texans can clinch a playoff spot with a win against the Lions but the number one seed in the AFC playoffs is what they're aiming for.

Houston Chronicle - Associated Press

Joseph’s health “is a concern,” defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said, especially considering the Lions have the most explosive quarterback-receiver combination in the NFL in Mathew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.

But the coaches aren’t writing off Joseph yet.

“We trust Jay-Jo,” Kubiak said. “If he says he can go, we’ll let him go. I sent him in about halfway through practice today to get some extra treatment.”

Despite the short week, Kubiak is approaching the Lions game with an all-hands-on-deck mentality.

“I don’t want to wait (on any of the injured players),” he said. “If a guy’s ready to go, let’s play. Every game’s important. I want them all ready to play.”

Including backup running back Ben Tate, who has missed the last three games since suffering the pulled hamstring on his final carry against Baltimore. Kubiak said Tate “worked harder than the whole team today. He ran his tail off with the trainers. If he walks in here (Wednesday) and says he feels good, there’s a much greater chance we’ll play him.”

Glad Tate is ready to be back. Looks like they'll both play on Thursday, but I wouldn't mind if we had to keep them on the bench.

I'm ready for some Texan action...

Good to hear Tate is back

McClain: A gobbler of rushing yards, Foster may feast on Turkey Day

For a Happy Thanksgiving, feed Foster. Then feed him some more. Let the beast eat!

In his third season as a starter, Foster has become the NFL’s most prolific workhorse. He has a league-high 249 carries. He’s on a pace for 398 carries, 1,518 yards and 19 touchdowns. Foster loves playing for Gary Kubiak because his coach is all about ball control and time of possession. That means the featured back is going to do the heavy-duty work.

Since Kubiak became their coach in 2006, the Texans are 41-5, including 8-0 this season, when they run at least 30 times. They’re 45-15, including 8-0 this season, when they outrush opponents. That kind of strategy is a running back’s dream.

“The lights go on for him all the time,” Kubiak said. “He loves to play. He’s a worker, and that’s when he’s at his best.”

In the last two games – victories over Chicago and Jacksonville – Foster has touched the ball 65 times, including 57 carries. He’s produced 209 yards from scrimmage. Foster averages only 3.8 yards per carry, the lowest of the league’s top 14 rushers. There’s two reasons for his low average per carry. One, Foster hasn’t broken many long runs. Two, he gets a lot of 1 and 2-yard carries against eight and nine-man fronts when Kubiak is calling plays to protect leads.

I think Foster's yard per carry is about to rise. He'll break off some big runs down the stretch and in the playoffs. He's no longer Vegan and he's eating meat again. That's huge for a running back and I felt that hurt him throughout this season even though the TD totals were always great. And with Ben Tate back that will lessen his work load. We need Arian Foster fresh for the playoffs. Hopefully he can rest the final two or three games this season -- limited carries, when the Texans clinch the 1st seed in the AFC. Which they can do with wins over the Lions, Titans and Patriots in their next three games, coupled with a Ravens loss. The final three games (two against Colts and one with the Vikings) may not matter so much for the Texans if they go all out to win these next three.

Was not aware he went back to the juicy side. Explains why he's been running better lol
With Foster getting better, Tate returning, and our many good hands we can throw to I have no doubt we'll come out on top.

He started eating meat again not long after the Packers loss when he had the worst game in his career. 17 rushes for only 29 yards despite 2 TDs (1.7 per carry). LOL

Since then he's been looking a lot better - 98, 111, 102 and 77 rushing yards in his last four games. I expect monster numbers in his next three games against the Lions, Titans and Patriots. The next three games are easily the most important of the season because Houston wants the 1st seed in the AFC playoffs. They don't want to play the Colts twice late in the year with everything still up in the air.

It wouldn't shock me if Arian Foster has a 150-yard performance, with 2 or 3 TDs tomorrow but the Lions defense isn't as bad as people say. Or so I think. People were starting to say Andre Johnson was having a down year and all of a sudden he explodes for a career high, 14 catches for 273 receiving yards in the last game.

If the Texans are going to make a Super Bowl run, they'll need the best of Andre Johnson and Arian Foster. Superstar production.

Texans playing Lions for a spot in the playoffs

DETROIT (AP) — The Houston Texans have put themselves in a position to be the NFL's first team to seal a spot in the playoffs and to move a step closer toward earning home-field advantage in the AFC. Houston (9-1) has won four straight and is 4-0 on the road this season, giving the Texans a great shot to be in consecutive postseasons for the first time.

"It shows the progress we've made," said tight end Owen Daniels, who has been with the franchise for seven of its 11 years of existence. "A few years ago, it took us until the end of the season to get that ninth win. We're at that ninth win already. "We're trying to stack 'em up, but it's good that those are possibilities this early in the season."

Another great win over the Lions !!