2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Random note, my old power back Tank Watkins is retiring young at age 31. Hmmmm.

I caved on some cap demands, and re-signed both Chase Beck and Dan Connor. Connor is actually making more than Beck, but he's been great and hopefully (low bonus) I can move him for picks, since I am solid all around at LB.

Sadly, Kennison and Mathis did not show up again, so Kennison is gone. Mathis right now is making I believe the 4th most of a HB, so the Franchise tag (Likely route with only one good HB in the Draft and none in free agency) might actually get used.

And I won Coach of the Year again. Woo me. 5th time.

Colts are the exact same dangerous team. And now, dramatic writing.

Jordan Slocum and Tony Dungy are about to meet for the 12 time in their careers, and once again, the game promises to be a great one. Slocum leads the series 8 games to 3.

The most recent history is this season between the two division rivals. In week 4, the now emerging Texans traveled to Indy to face the Colts, and the Colts won a close one 24-21. Two weeks later, the Colts would travel to Houston, and the Texans would pull it off 28-7.

The history is deep between the two, going back to the 49ers days. Week 1 of 2009 would be the first meeting, and it was a classic, 20-14 overtime victory in Indy by the 49ers.

It wouldn't be until 2012 that the 2nd game would be played, and it was as big as it got with the Super Bowl. The 49ers had set records for best defense that year with a 16-0 record, and were facing Peyton Manning in his final NFL game. The 49ers would win 22-3, winning the Super Bowl.

Then, when Slocum shocked the world by moving to Miami, we knew that this little rivalry would grow. And it did. In his first year with the Dolphins, Slocum got them to 15-1, and hosted Dungy's Colts in the AFC Championship game. New starting QB Matt Ryan would go down in the game, and an unknown, Nelson Patton, would lead the Colts to a dramatic TD with seconds to spare, 20-17. The Colts would go to their 3rd straight Super Bowl, and this time, win.

In 2014, they would face in the regular season, and Miami would win 17-7. Neither team wanted to remember that year, the Dolphins missed the playoffs and the Colts had an early exist.

In 2015, the Colts would host the regular season battle and come away with another close victory, 24-22. But they would meet again in the divisional round, this time in Miami, and the Dolphins would win 17-6, en route to the 1st of 3 straight Super Bowls.

The next two seasons, they would face in the playoffs again. In 2016, it would be in the AFC Championship, Dolphins winning 31-17. In 2017, the Dolphins would go 16-0, the Colts 15-1. The Colts one loss to the Dolphins 38-31. They would meet once again in the AFC Championship, 38-14 Dolphins win, and another Super Bowl.

And here they meet again, Slocum with another new team. The Colts the underdog, heading into Houston where the Texans have not lost all season. One thing was for sure, the game was going to be another classic.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Wild Card Round vs the Colts

The Colts would start with the ball, and quickly surrender it after a 3 and out. Off of that, the Texans would drive as close as the IND 41, but be forced into punting. The Colts would punt again, end of 1st quarter.

Into the 2nd, the Texans would put together a drive into the red zone. On 3rd and 5, they tried a draw, and were stopped short, and had to settle for a field goal. Duncan made the 25 yarder, 3-0.

Off of that, the Colts took a drive 11 plays. But they would take a sack in the red zone, and end up forced to kick a 29 yard field goal. 3-3 with 5 minutes left.

Each team would then have a 3 and out, giving the Texans the ball back at their 39 with 1:42 and two timeouts. And the passing game shined. 5 plays, ending in an 18 yard touchdown from Withers to Holyfield, and it was 10-3. The Colts had 3 timeouts and 32 seconds, but would get sacked on first down and let the clock drain.

The Texans would end up with a 3 and out to start the 3rd, but the Colts would put it right back. Then, after 4 runs, the Texans had a 3rd and long, and the defense left a huge hole deep over the middle to Bryant Holyfield, and he would get a 45 yard touchdown, 17-3.

The Colts would continue to get nothing going. Traded punts into the 4th. Then, with 9 minutes left, the Texans killed off the clock. 11 runs, running it all the way down to 1 minute to go, and a 33 yard field goal put it out of reach, 20-3.

The Colts would throw an interception to Marcus Lopez to officially end it, 20-3 final score.

Withers was 8-12, 140 yards, 2 TD. The key once again, no turnovers. Mathis had 108 yards on 23 carries, Hawkins had 23 on 3, excellent game on the ground.

D ended up with 7 sacks, Ryan was 13-21, 137, INT. Beck led the way with 3 sacks.

That game went about as well as a game can. The team will have to be at its' absolute peak, as my old squad, the Miami Dolphins, stand in the way next.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Other playoff games.

The Buccaneers would end up just beating the Cardinals 20-19. The Cardinals would miss an extra point in the 1st quarter, and it would come back to haunt them as the Buccaneers would take the one point lead in the 4th.

The Patriots would overcome the Ravens in an "upset" 27-24, forcing 3 INTs on QB Trent Stanton. It was tied 17-17 at the half, but the Patriots would gain a 10 point lead and hold it.

In the other game the Seahawks would win on the road 27-21 against the Cowboys, led by 3 touchdown passes. Seattle led 24-7 coming into the 4th after getting 17 in the 2nd with another TD in the 3rd.

With that, I face the Dolphins. The Patriots will face the Broncos (I bet the Patriots win just to kill me if I make it) In the NFC, the #1 Vikings will face the #5 Seahawks, the #3 Buccaneers will take on the #2 49ers.

In the coaching news: After taking the Rams to another stellar season at 1-15, Norv Turner has finally retired! Also, Andy Reid quit the Ravens (what a dunce) after choking with them in the playoffs again. Tony Sparano was fired after his ineptitude in Atlanta, and Ron Rivera is out in Washington after one year.

The Rams, of course, will remain incompetent, they scooped up Sparano and his 27% winning percentage. Reid bolted back for a now weak NFC East and went to the Redskins.

The other two changers ended with promotions from within. The Falcons hired a first timer in Hue Jackson. Meanwhile, the Ravens went re-tread, but a re-tread unseen in a while in Scott Linehan. At least that's more realistic of a re-tread unlike Sparano.

Looking around the league, some fun names retiring. Jared Allen (Still 97 OVR!) Eli Manning (ends his career in failure with the Bengals) Kerry Rhodes, Jason Witten, Karlos Dansby, Nick Hardwick, Kris Dielman, DeMarcus Ware, Asante Samuel, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Logan Mankins, Ronnie Brown, tackle machine Lance Briggs, and Ben Roethlisberger.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

The history between myself and Jon Gruden is a fun one. 3 times with the 49ers I faced his Buccaneers in the playoffs. In 2008, I was the #6 seed and pulled the mega upset over the 15-1 Bucs 31-14 en route to my first Super Bowl.

One year later, the Buccaneers would get their revenge in the NFC Conference Final 38-17, they would lose to the Broncos in the Super Bowl.

In the next season, another NFC Conference Final, this time me winning at home 17-13 to eventually win my 2nd Super Bowl.

Then, Gruden won the Super Bowl in 2011, and sat out a year, before returning by taking over the Falcons (the #1 draft pick that year) while I took over the Dolphins (#2). We faced week 1 of 2013, I won.

After two years with Atlanta, Gruden moved to Jacksonville, and made them a winner in one year. But I stopped them short in the AFC Championship, 17-13 (hmmm), on my way to my first of 3 in a row with the Dolphins. He spent one year with Washington before going to Miami.

I'm 8-2 in my career against Gruden, but never before has he had the keys to such a nice car.

The Dolphins look much the same from when I last faced them. The key, however, is they run the Cover-2, which I tend to do decently against.

I lost 31-14 in week 1, but that was a fresh young team, and that game was tied going into the 4th. Either way, it will be a hell of a challenge.

QB: John Scotland (88)
HB: Larry Brewington (87)
WR: Skyler Cofield (91) Andre Maxwell (86) Jamal Pace (90)
TE: Justin Grooms (76) Antonio Gates (89)
T: Jake Long (96) Ethan Catapano (90)
G: Franklin McLemore (89), Darcy Morgan-Giles (90)
C: Lance Friberg (95)

DE: Ethan Van Buren (80) Paul Connell (88)
DT: Charles Harrison (90) Michael Sumrall (87)
LB: Alonzo Darby (75) DeMeco Ryans (92) Jahmar Sweeley (91)
CB: Arnez Soriano (92) Antonio Cromartie (87)
S: Brodney Pool (80) Tyrus Barber (87)

For the first time in my career, the road to the Super Bowl goes through a beast I created.

[rdnk]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

This should be epic.

Reid on the Redskins.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Divisional Round of the Playoffs: At Miami

It is a rainy day (surprise) in Miami, and the Dolphins elected to kick, forcing the Texans to start with the ball, an uncommon situation. The Texans put together a balanced and powerful drive, 5 runs, 4 passes, and work themselves 80 yards for an opening drive touchdown, ending on a 19 yard pass from Withers to Bryant Holyfield, 7-0.

The Dolphins would suffer two losses, making it 3rd and 20 at their own 10. But Skyler Cofield would get a big play to get the first down, and from there would not have problems moving past midfield. Then, on an odd play, Jamal Pace would make the catch and slip at the 40, but somehow end up untouched, he would get back up and score a 42 yard touchdown. 7 play, 80 yard drive, 7-7.

Into the 2nd quarter, Tanard Mathis would go down with an injury (lacerated hand) and would miss the remainder of the game, putting more pressure on Withers and the other backs. However, the Texans would charge down the field, another 80 yard drive, 5 runs, 3 passes, and Mookie Hawkins would have a huge opening up the middle for a 12 yard touchdown run, 14-7.

The Dolphins would move down to the HOU 43, but the first defensive stop of the game would come, forcing a punt. The Texans would get just past midfield, but be stopped just short, close enough that Jordan Slocum challenged the spot. No luck, they punted.

The Dolphins would have a 3 and out, and Houston would get the ball at their own 30 with 1 timeout and 1:49. They would move through the air all the way down to the MIA 25. On 2nd down, Holyfield would be open at the endzone, but would drop the ball.

But on 3rd down, Withers would throw a risky pass into double coverage for Kendrell Kennison, who would somehow snag it for a 25 yard touchdown, with :33 on the clock. 21-7 going into halftime.

Miami would start with it on the 3rd, but after two sacks, would have to punt. And then, it became time for running the ball. 9 plays later, 8 runs between Carmelo Goldwire and Mookie Hawkins, the Texans traveled 80 yards, with Carmelo Goldwire punching in the 7 yard touchdown.

With that, after 3 quarters, the Texans led 28-7.

On the next drive, Miami would go nowhere, having a 4th and long in their own territory as the Texans continued to hammer John Scotland, and they would have to punt. They would get it back on a 3 and out, and start at the Houston 43.

But once again, Scotland would get smacked around, and it would be 4th and long. They had to go for it, and he found Jamal Pace who JUST didn't get his feet in.

Or did he? After a challenge, it was overturned, first down Dolphins. But quickly again, it was 4th and long. Once again, Scotland look for Pace, and Pace couldn't hold onto the ball, the ball fell to the turf, turnover on downs, 4 minutes to go.

And the Texans would run out those 4 minutes, the Dolphins not calling timeouts, and the run game moving about 70 yards. With that, the Miami Dolphins would not 4-peat, and Jon Gruden would once again be bested by Jordan Slocum. Texans win, 28-7.

Withers was masterful with almost all of his passes in the 1st half. 13-17, 230, 2 TD. Hawkins had 95 yards on 15 carries, Goldwire had 69 on 11 carries, each with a touchdown, both over 6 a run.

The defense got 8 sacks. EIGHT. Connor had 3, Beck with 2. Scotland was getting destroyed, my old line looked lost. Scotland was 9-17, 209, 1 TD. Brewington had 25 yards on 12 carries.

Usually, not getting a takeaway ends badly. But the D was masterful, and no turnovers by the offense. That game was about as perfect as a game can go.

But as much as that game felt like a Championship, someone awaits in the AFC Championship game (and hopefully, the Super Bowl.)

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

The AFC Championship is set. It will be Texans at Broncos. Frankly, I'd rather see them than the Patriots. Denver won 30-27, after leading 14-13 at the half, they would add two field goals in the 3rd to make it 20-13. The Patriots would tie it in the 4th, but the Broncos would add a field goal and a 36 yard touchdown run to put it out of reach.

In the NFC, The Vikings would defeat the Seahawks 35-25. Seattle would jump to an early 10-0 lead, but the Vikings would score two touchdowns with Mendenhall to make it 21-16 at the half. Tavaris Jackson would throw 2 more TDs to end it.

And in the other game (More detailed recap in the 49ers thread) my old 49ers would stumble in the playoffs again, with the Buccaneers winning 17-13.

Also, interesting developments with the Dolphins, more details in the Dolphin thread, it's worth checking out.

So the NFC Final is Buccaneers/Vikings, and the AFC Final is me and the Broncos.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

I really don't have much of a history against Shanahan and the Broncos. In 3 games, I have won 3 times, all in the regular season. Oddly enough, all 3 wins were IN Denver, so I suppose that's good luck, 1 with the 49ers, 2 with the Dolphins.

Shanahan remains the coach, and the games' funky sim stats make Brandon Marshall the greatest WR in the history of ever.

QB: Jay Cutler (93)
HB: Sugar Snider (85)
FB: Cornelius London (77)
WR: Brandon Marshall (94) Tramayne Rodgers (89)
TE: Daymeion Portis (83)
T: Ryan Clady (97) Trumaine Stallings (93)
G: Scotty Waters (93) Gilbert Peters (86)
C: Aundre Buckley (91)

DE: Troy McGinnis (81) Ryan McBean (82)
DT: Kerry Dunn (87) Destin Hutton (85)
LB: Michael Boley (90) Kirk Morrison (88) Karlos Dansby (89)
CB: Jon Caulley (88) Brent Coen (88)
S: Reggie Nelson (87) Nick Rain (89)

The worst news, Tanard Mathis will miss the game due to injury. The Broncos aren't an easy to run on cover 2 (At least I don't think they are) and they have great linebackers. Offensively, this will be a tough task, plus the fun of covering Marshall.

A win and I go to the Super Bowl.

[cloudedskate]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

The best runs against Cover-2 teams are draws. Oh and what are Brandon Marshall's career stats?

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

The best runs against Cover-2 teams are draws. Oh and what are Brandon Marshall's career stats?

That, and anything up the middle. I love facing the cover-2 teams just because they are the only ones I can almost always run consistently on.

Marshall has 1,323 catches, 23,224 yards, and 234 (!) TDs. He's 1st all time in TDs, even over the 47 year old Marvin Harrison.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

AFC Conference Championship at Denver

The Broncos would start with the ball, and have no issues driving down the field on a 10 play, 80 yard drive, led by 7 passes from Jay Cutler, the score coming on a 15 yard pass to TE David McCooley. 7-0.

On the first play for the Texans, disaster would strike. Mookie Hawkins would fumble the ball, forced by Kirk Morrison and recovered by Ryan McBean, giving the Broncos the ball in the red zone to start the drive.

On the Broncos first play of this next drive, Cutler would make an error, a wild throw would be intercepted by Marcus Lopez, saving the Texans from the offensive error.

The Texans would move down to midfield, and then on a throw, the defender looked poised to jump it for an interception, but he simply missed, allowing Kendrell Kennison to make the catch and take off for a 50 yard touchdown. 7-7.

On the last drive on the 1st, Denver would get all the way to the Houston 37 but end up stopped, and would not elect to try the 54 yard field goal. To the 2nd quarter, the Texans would put together a big 80 yard drive, 6 runs, 5 passes. Kennison would get a pass to the goal line, which would be challenged. The Texans lost the challenge, putting the ball at the inch line, but a QB sneak by Withers made the score 14-7.

Denver would then have a 3 and out, the Texans would drive to midfield with about two minutes left, but would get sacked on a 3rd and long. Denver would not call timeout, letting the clock run to 1 minute left. Randall's punt would die at the 2. But Denver moved it forward to avoid a safety and take it to the half.

Houston would start the 3rd with the ball, and on the 2nd play of the drive, Cody Withers would throw a bad pass intercepted by SS Nick Rain starting the Broncos at the HOU 38. They would get one first down, but get stopped by the defense, forcing a 42 yard field goal for Gerald Pounds. From the left hash, he kicked it...

"CLUNK"

It hit off the right upright, no good. Another break off a mistake. Houston would quickly punt, and the Broncos would drive to the HOU 40, but be stopped again, forcing a punt.

Houston would punt in the 4th with 10 minutes to go. On Denver's next drive, they would try a run on 3rd and 3, and the run was stuffed like it had been all game. 3 and out, they punt with 8:10 left.

The Texans start one of the classic "kill the clock drives" and start moving, with the occasional pass. Then, at midfield, it becomes 3rd and 12 with 4 minutes to go. The Texans fire a pass, and Bryant Holyfield makes the catch over the middle, first down to the 27.

More time runs down, they have a 3rd and 5 inside the red zone at the two minute warning, and look to give it to Ahmard Hall just to center it for a field goal. But Hall would take it 7 yards, and get a first down.

Two plays later, Carmelo Goldwire would run to the 3 for a first down, and Denver would run out of time. Three kneels. Then, the "Defining Moment" popped up, and made me kick an unneeded field goal as time expired. So the final score, 17-7.

Withers had 11-17, 212, 1 TD, 1 INT. 3 of those incompletions were dropped by Vernon Davis, surprisingly awful, he was benched during the game.

Run game not that good. Goldwire had 38 on 12, Hawkins 24 on 13. But it was just enough. Holyfield was a stud, 7 catches, 125 yards, Kennison had 3 for 84 yards.

Defensively, I held them to -5 rushing yards. Cutler was 14-21, 177, 1 TD, 1 INT. Only sacked once.

Not a dominant game by any stretch, but good enough to pull it off. For the 7th time in my 11 year career, (with my 3rd team) I am going to the Super Bowl.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Two injuries were sustained in the game. LG Rob Freelander suffered a broken wrist, putting him out for the Super Bowl and on IR. DE Bennie Quinn is out for a week, but will be back in time, as will Tanard Mathis.

With the open roster spot, I decided to take a random flier out on a guy I drafted, DT Frank Okam. Okam has loads of talent, but is injury prone as hell. Since my #3 DT sucks anyway, why not dress Okam for a game?

As for the NFC Championship, it would be the Buccaneers, who have been to 5 Super Bowls in past decade, against yearly playoff choke Minnesota. The Bucs would take the lead in the first on a Felix Jones run, but the Vikings would respond, Tavaris Jackson would hit Neysmith for a 13 yarder to tie it up.

In the 2nd, Trent Edwards would hit Roy Williams on a 4 yard touchdown, 14-7 Tampa at the half. In the 3rd, Vonnie Mendenhall would tie it up for the Vikings, 14-14 into the 4th quarter. Then, late in the 4th (I wish it would give times for suspenseful purposes) Jackson would hit Neysmith again for a touchdown, and the Vikings surprisingly would hold on to win 21-14.

Mendenhall's 90 yard effort plus an injury to Darren McFadden helped get the Vikings and Brad Childress to the Super Bowl, the first time Childress has ever had playoff success, and the first Super Bowl try for the Vikings since the 70's.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

The Vikings remained coached by Brad Childress, who runs a cover-2 (Yay!) defense with a decently run heavy scheme.

QB: Tarvaris Jackson (83)
HB: Vonnie Mendenhall (90)
FB: Tommie Danielson (66)
WR: Devin Hester (86) Lavelle Hawkins (76) Ivan Neysmith (76)
TE: Todd Heap (86)
T: Mark Kersetter (91) Jason Crockett (88)
G: Justin Blalock (87) Dan Buenning (83)
C: John Mathers (85)

DE: Mark Whittington (85) Jared Allen (96)
DT: Demarco Tribble (90) Eric Brandt (76)
LB: Trey McNamara (84) Scott Edwards (82) David Vobora (83)
CB: Nate Clements (82) Randall Gay (78)
S: Tyshawn Dudley (82) Toney Taylor (81)

Offensively, I'm not terribly worried. If I can stop the run (which is usually a yes) I should shut them down. Defensively, they have a solid front 7, Jared Allen is the big concern. Both Clements and Gay are very slow CBs but the cover-2 saves them there.

I have faced the Vikings 5 times in my career. The first of which was in the 2008 Wild Card Round, I beat them 36-14 with the 49ers. I beat them fairly convincingly the next 3 regular season meetings with the 49ers. I did lose my last time against them, 27-14 while with the Dolphins in my crappy 2014 season.

I'm feeling confident that a 7th Super Bowl trophy will soon be mine. Only injury for the game is Freelander, Shane Olivea will start at LG.

The Super Bowl host site is Tampa Bay.

[cutter73]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Really enjoy these thread. I really like the way you keep track of the coaching matchups and rivalries over the course of the career. It brings a a lot of drama to the table. Also I like the way you keep tabs on the teams you've left.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Really enjoy these thread. I really like the way you keep track of the coaching matchups and rivalries over the course of the career. It brings a a lot of drama to the table. Also I like the way you keep tabs on the teams you've left.

Glad you enjoy it.

Without further ado.

Super Bowl LIII, Texans vs Vikings.

The Vikings would start with the ball, and with the passing game, move into field goal range fairly quickly. However, on a throw over the middle, the ball would hit Chase Beck in the helmet, and Beck would catch it off of the deflection for a Texan interception.

The Texans would quickly have a 3rd and long, and on a pass try, Cody Withers would throw an interception to Flowers, putting the Vikings right back at the edge of field goal range.

Two plays later, the Vikings were at the 4. On 1st down, they would dump to Vonnie Mendenhall for a loss of 2. 2nd down, a pass to Todd Heap, getting them to the 2. On 3rd down they would try a run but the Texans defense would make a stop. They will make a field goal, 3-0.

Off of that, Greg Jennings would shake up the entire game. Fielding it at the goal line, he would break one tackle in the middle and bust it outside and take the kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, giving the Texans a 7-3 lead.

Into the 2nd quarter, the Vikings would convert two 3rd and longs to end up just back in field goal range. But Mario Williams would get a huge 3rd down sack to force them out of range and they would punt, the ball would be punted out of bounds at the 11.

Then, in only their 2nd drive of the game, the Texans run game became unstoppable. When something works, why go away from it? Between Mathis, Hawkins, and Goldwire, the Texans drove 89 yards on 10 runs for a touchdown on a 12 yard Carmelo Goldwire run. 14-3.

But the Vikings would respond. Two long passes would get them half of the 80 yards. Then, a 10 yard, and a 29 yard scramble by Tarvaris Jackson would give the Vikings a touchdown, 14-10 with 2:30 left.

This time Kennison would return the kick, and special teams continued it's success, as they would start around midfield. They would have one awful pass, and then go to runs, getting stopped on a 4th and inches at the 34. With 1:31, the Texans tried the 51 yard field goal centered, and Duncan put it through without problem, 17-10.

The Vikings would get it back, and be confused on if they should try to go for it or run. They burned a timeout, and let time run, but either way had a 3 and out, and after a solid punt return, the Texans had two timeouts and :28 from their own 47.

The first play would be a long pass to Bryant Holyfield down to the 32. Timeout. After that, a run to Mathis got it to the 24, where the Texans were content to try a field goal at the end of the half. Unfortunately, the ball was shanked right from the right hash by Duncan. 17-10 at the half.

The Texans would start with the ball and quickly punt with a 3 and out. But the Vikings would do nothing in response but punt. On the Texans next drive, they would run the QB sneak on 3rd and inches, and Cody Withers fumbled the ball, recovered by Nate Clements at the HOU 33.

But the defense would step up. After getting a first down, Mario Williams would get another sack, as would Chase Beck, forcing a 46 yard field goal try for Dequan Carter. From the left hash, he kicked it dead straight.

"THUD*

Missed field goal off the goal post. Off of this, we go to the 4th quarter, where the Texans would attempt to kill clock. They would run it 8 times with one 15 yard pass to get into field goal range, and Duncan would add a 33 yarder to make it 20-10 with 7:46 left.

The Vikings would throw and make it just outside of field range.

And then Daniel Lawrence happened.

Lawrence would jump a pass and he would take off, 68 yards, for an interception touchdown, 27-10. With that, it certainly appeared that the Texans had the game won.

The Texans would get it back, and on 1st down, Mario Williams would get his 5th sack of the game (He only had 5 all season). 4th and long deep, despite having only 4 minutes left, the Vikings would punt it away.

The Texans would run it six times, running the clock down to 1:09, including a 23 yard run on 3rd and long by Tanard Mathis. Duncan would add a 23 yard field goal to make it 30-10. With a minute left, the Vikings would go 80 yards on 9 plays, scoring on an 8 yard path to Ivan Neysmith with 2 seconds left. But it would be too late. Texans win, 30-17.

The Texans would only throw 5 passes in the victory, Withers going 3-5, 43 yards, with an INT and a fumble. The run game would be dominant, Tanard Mathis getting 139 yards on 27 carries, with Goldwire adding 43 yards on 5 carries and Hawkins with 14 on 3, all in all, over 200 yards rushing.

The Vikings had more total yards, but would allow 7 sacks, 5 to Mario Williams who chose a good time to show up. Jackson was 20-34, 298, 1 TD, 2 INT. Mendenhall had 38 yards on 11 carries, Hester had 149 yards on 7 catches.

With that, there could be no doubt who the greatest head coach of all time now. With his 3rd team, Jordan Slocum was a Super Bowl champion, and had won his 4th in a row as a coach, and 7th overall, tying Paul Brown in most overall championships.