Texans morning huddle: A look back, a look ahead
By Randy Gurzi
The morning huddle brings all the Houston Texans news links you need to one spot, today looks at the Texans final game as well as the upcoming playoff game
It’s Friday Texans fans! And if that isn’t enough of a reason to be excited, we are now one day away from watching the Houston Texans take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Here is what you need to know;
Best-laid plans: How Texans crafted plays for their season’s biggest game – by Greg A. Bedard, Sports Illustrated
"With 6:52 remaining in the second quarter in Houston on Sunday, the Texans start their huddle at the Jacksonville 33-yard line, facing third-and-one. They hold a 10–3 lead with an AFC South title and the third playoff berth in the franchise’s 14 years on the line. If they’re stopped, the 50-yard field goal attempt would be at the edge of kicker Nick Novak’s range. To the 71,054 fans at NRG Stadium, it’s clear that this will be one of those plays that decide their team’s season.More from Toro TimesHouston Texans: Can Sean Payton really be the next head coach?Houston Texans Draft: Michael Mayer should be a no doubter at pick 12Houston Texans already telling fans the Davis Mills era is overHouston Texans have hand forced, waste no time in firing Lovie SmithHouston Texans: Pros and Cons of keeping Head Coach Lovie Smith"
If the Texans defense were a Broadway play… – by Deepi Sidhu, HoustonTexans.com
"Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel is known for his creativity on defense.Maybe it’s because he views it like a Broadway performance.“Like I tell the guys all the time, if you’ve ever been to a Broadway play, on that stage, there’s generally one or two stars, but then you have a whole lot of other people that make that play successful and make it go,” Crennel said. “The thing that I try to impart on these guys is everybody has a role to play. Play your role to the best of your ability. Then maybe one day then you can be that star.”"
NFL Playoff Preview: Chiefs, Texans are mirror images in many ways – by Shalise Manza Young, Yahoo! Sports
"How they got here: Through one of the best regular-season turnarounds in recent memory. After a 16-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 18, the Chiefs were 1-5 and we were wondering if this might be Andy Reid’s last season in Kansas City. They haven’t lost since, reeling off 10 wins and finishing second in the AFC West at 11-5. Reid and his coaching staff kept the team together after the loss of stellar running back Jamaal Charles in Week 5, and discovered a young standout in Charcandrick West, who stepped in when Charles went down with a torn ACL."
Mercilus Named AFC Defensive Player of the Month – Houston Texans.com
"The NFL has named Houston Texans OLB Whitney Mercilus the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December. It is the first time in Mercilus’ career he has won the award and 13th time a Houston Texan has been named Player of the Month in franchise history. Mercilus compiled 17 tackles (10 solo), 5.5 sacks for 23.5 yards, seven quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and one pass defensed in five games. He posted at least one sack in three of the five games and a quarterback hit in four of the five."