HOUSTON – You know what everyone is saying, don’t you Texans?
“They’re saying we got no shot,” running back Arian Foster answered. “Go ahead. Keep doubting us.”
No shot against Baltimore. Dead Texans walking. Might as well stay your asses home. Yes, that’s what they’re saying.
“That’s all we’re going to hear from national media is how we can’t win this game,” said Houston defensive lineman J.J. Watt.
Of all the remaining teams in the playoffs perhaps only Denver is given less respect than the Texans despite having one of the best runners and pass catchers in the sport and a defense that doesn’t suck. I’ve been just as guilty in the past.
When NBC broadcaster Tom Hammond spoke of injured Houston quarterback Matt Schaub, he pronounced the name “Shoop.” Twice. By now, everyone knows how to pronounce Shaub’s name but this is what it means to be a Texan.
They are indeed dramatic underdogs to the Ravens but there I go doing exactly what the Texans say the liberal, biased media is going to do: give them no chance. I’ve underestimated this team before and while this isn’t to say they’re going to beat the Ravens this game could be far more interesting than many believe.
Something strange has happened to this Houston team. A franchise that is down to its third string quarterback and lost Andre Johnson is starting to believe in itself.
Now, that belief might be short lived. It remains extremely questionable that a third string thrower can go into Baltimore and beat a vicious Ravens defense. Still there are few franchises that could overcome so many critical injuries and make the divisional round of the playoffs. It’s a great credit to the franchise.
But what’s left? Where do the Texans go from here?
Maybe, just maybe. They surprise us.
