The Houston Texans were finally supposed to make the playoffs this year, for the first time in their history. They finished last season winning their last 4, including one against a good Patriots team, and everyone and their dog noticed how much better this team’s record could have been if they had a kicker who didn’t choke in the clutch and a true goal line back. They started 2-0 this season, with a win over the hated Indianapolis Colts, for just the 2^nd time in 17 games, and an improbable comeback win over the Washington Redskins that made you say “they just couldn’t have won that type of game last year.” Everyone had them as their “sleeper.”

So how did they finish 6-10, despite a breakout year by former undrafted running back and J.A. Adande look alike Arian Foster (327/1616/16, 66/604/2)? Well, a pass defense that gave up the most points in the league didn’t help. However, 4 losses in which they trailed by 14, game back to take the lead, and still lost were the killer. Combine this with at least 4 losses last season that they could have easily won and a history of blowing big leads against the Colts (up 17, 4 minutes to go, in the Sage Chokensfels game in 2008), they just lost confidence. They didn’t feel like winners.

After they got their testacles ripped out by the Ravens on home on MNF week 14, this team just gave up. In that game, they trailed by 21 on two separate occasions (28-7, 21-0) including with about 22 minutes left in the game. Two field goals, a 99 yard touchdown drive, a 95 touchdown drive capped with seconds remaining by a 2 point conversion sent it to overtime. The Ravens got the ball first, but the Texans stopped them, only to see Matt Schaub throw a game losing pick six on his 60^th throw of the night. It would have been the most entertaining game of the season for me if I didn’t pick Houston +3 (couldn’t they have just missed the 2 pointer).

In the next 3 weeks, they looked like they were half asleep when they played and it looked like this team would finally not win enough games late to save Gary Kubiak’s job. Kubiak had to be blamed for this talented team never making the playoffs and all of their heartbreaking losses. Fans even organized a mass rally to go Kubiak fired. Any time that many fans protest the coach, you have to fire him as the owner. There are potential season ticket and even single game ticket purchasers on there. Except Kubiak kept his job. He’ll be back next year.