Texans and Titans on MNF

Well, my hometown Texans seem to have made a habit of losing like this. They always know how to make the most recent loss a little bit more painful than the last. Not only was this loss on the biggest regular season stage in Monday Night Football, the loss came due to a missed field goal by your generally solid kicker. Not only was this loss to your biggest rival at this point, the loss came at the hands of a hometown boy QB who has been much maligned by Houston media and fans alike.

No doubt about it, this loss stings. As much as it stings for the Houston fans, I can guarantee you that it stings twice as much for the players, coaches, and management. A lot of the media, particularly those on ESPN, have had a problem with Kubiak's decision to not try to move the ball with 8 seconds left. I, for one, don't have a huge problem with it. You run with Schaub to try to get Kris Brown in the middle of the field to make it easier on him. If Schaub drops back there and gets sacked or throws an interception, Kubiak is getting killed for not playing it safe. Kubiak gave the team a chance to win and normally, Kris Brown makes that field goal.

This loss certainly turns the heat up on Gary Kubiak's seat. His seat was piping hot to begin with and now it has just about reached the boiling point. It's painfully obvious that this team is talented enough to make the playoffs. This team just seemed allergic to winning games it shouldn't and closing out games when they are within reach. I think Steve Young said it best last night after the game. He said that this is a talented team, but they seem to lack leadership in some form or fashion. That, for better or worse, reflects on the coach. Either the head coach is not providing the leadership the team needs, or he is not putting his veterans in a position where they can lead on the field. This may be a situation where he needs to go up to his talented veterans and tell them in no uncertain terms that they are needed as leaders.

There is no one on this roster that reeks of a leader. Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub are very talented players but neither of them seems to be a take charge type of player that brings a team together. I had always thought that Dunta Robinson was that type of guy for the defense, but his recent off the field shenanigans have me wondering about that.

This team is by no means done. If they do happen to wake up a win a couple of games they shouldn't, they could still make some noise in the playoff race. They still have a couple of games against the likes of the Seahawks and Rams. The season is not over, it just feels that way one day after a crushing loss. This team can still get over .500. These guys can still make a playoff push and get in to the postseason. All I know is that Kubiak needs to make it happen. His job likely depends on it.