Monday Night Football: Houston at New England
Welcome to Monday Night Football. A game for the ages tonight, as The Houston Texans (11-1) and New England Patriots (9-3) face off for AFC pride and positioning. How rare is it for teams to sport such gaudy records this late in the year on Monday Night?
Here is a list of the ten Monday Night Games with the highest combined winning percentage in December:
San Francisco dominates the list. This game would tie for the 2nd highest combined winning percentage of any December Monday Night Game in history, behind only the 49ers and Giants clash in 1990. It matches a 1987 meeting between the 49ers and the Bears, and the famous 1985 game where the Dolphins ended the Bears’ perfect season. So many fond memories of those games, as I convinced my dad to let me stay up and watch the Dolphins-Bears game, and also remember the 49ers’ offensive fireworks in the 1989 match against the Rams.
Home teams dominate the list, as 8 of the 10 home teams won. Several of these games led to playoff rematches among the conference games. The Giants avenged the loss to the 49ers in 1990, the Jets reversed the blowout by the Patriots in stunning New England in the divisional round, Denver routed Miami at home in the playoffs after losing on Monday night, and the 49ers beat the Rams again in the Championship Game.
Take heart, loser of this game, it does not determine your fate in the postseason.
Houston can all but clinch the #1 seed with a road win tonight (though still not clinching the division). They would then have a magic number of 1, needing a win, or a loss by Indianapolis and Denver. A New England win throws it wide open with three weeks to go, pulling both New England and Denver within a game, and giving the Patriots the edge (head to head wins over both Houston and Denver).
[photo via USA Today Sports Images]
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December 10th, 2012 at 8:38 PM
Top match ups in history?
I’ll let you know after the game.
December 10th, 2012 at 8:58 PM
Houston is the Atlanta of the AFC.
They scare nobody. Brian Cushing was a huge loss for them.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:06 PM
as someone else here said, this is perfect Baylessian “analysis.”
December 10th, 2012 at 9:06 PM
Is this gonna be another “high hopes lead to crushing disappointment” game?
Texans moving the ball early, but finish the deal, man.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:07 PM
Got texans plus 6 but put more on under 51
December 10th, 2012 at 9:10 PM
To an extent. Houston doesn’t have the chronic playoff disappointment pedigree that has rendered Atlanta a punchline
December 10th, 2012 at 9:11 PM
We are not ready for the big boys. We suck.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:12 PM
Ya, a bet for Houston is essentially a bet for under in this game. Early Pats lead spells disaster for the under
December 10th, 2012 at 9:12 PM
I realize I am in the minority but I think Houston takes the AFC and given certain matchups, the Super Bowl. Getting Schaub-to-Andre_Johnson back up and running gives them more ways to score. The AFC is a bit of mess so I don’t think they have to be some dynasty franchise to go the 47.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:14 PM
I got Denver in the AFC, maybe the Pats.
Houstons D has not been very good since Cushing has been out, and Gary Kubiak is their coach.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:15 PM
I think they are the third best team in the AFC. If they get the one seed, I can see them to SB, especially b/c it avoids Pats and Broncos in divisional rd. I lean towards Pats to SB for now though
December 10th, 2012 at 9:17 PM
This is getting boring fast.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:17 PM
So I see the Niners are on SNF the next 2 weeks.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:18 PM
Pats, again, look super bowl bound.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:21 PM
Pats are nice for sure. However, they have also been known to kick the shit of teams severely in the regular season and then bow out to them in the playoffs.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:22 PM
Schaub’s 9th year in the league, has yet to even appear in a playoff game.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:22 PM
Do you think the refs just laugh at Wade Phillips when he does his patented rip the head phones off and scream like an old man routine?
December 10th, 2012 at 9:22 PM
I think the hoodie just handed the refs a wad of benjamins
December 10th, 2012 at 9:22 PM
That asshole on the Cowboy wants to go to that memorial for the dude he killed. Allegedly going 100 mph and flipped the car over 5x. Somebody to root for..
December 10th, 2012 at 9:24 PM
Rememeber when Ryan Dunn did that and he was hailed as some sort of hero and people were sad and crying for him? Sickening, he killed someone too.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:25 PM
I was hoping fr a good game tonight, but 21-0 4 minutes int the 2nd? Houston isn’t bult to come from behind.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:26 PM
You just know Belichick has that “keep pushin’, boys” mindset. Twenty-one ain’t enough. Belichick coaches like a college guy when it comes to running up the score.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:27 PM
/fixed
December 10th, 2012 at 9:27 PM
Well, so much for that.
Game over 19 minutes in.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:28 PM
That explains why Pete Carroll had his team throwing deep and gong for it on 4th down with a 50 point lead yesterday.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:30 PM
I rarely agree when people accuse NFL teams of running up the score. Continuing to expand the lead later in a game and getting backups game reps are two examples of when people falsely play the running it up card IMO
December 10th, 2012 at 9:34 PM
@sc, the Cardinals got their asses kicked, and it’s there job to stop the Seahawks. However, I think going for it on 4th down, and throwing deep are two things that don’t need to go on when you have a 50 point lead.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:34 PM
They threw nine times in the last 25 or so minutes. Plus, as Carroll said afterwards, they wanted to give Flynn a few opportunities.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:39 PM
If you can’t stop someone, that’s your own fault.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:41 PM
If anybody should run up the score it’s pros. It’s professionals doing PAID ENTERTAINMENT.
Once, the Redskins were kicking the shit out of the Falcons. Jerry Glanville kept blitzing so Joe Gibbs kept the whole playbook going. Rypien threw for like 500+ yards and then Glanville was salty about it but tough shit there Jerry.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:42 PM
@sc, the Cardinals got their asses kicked, and it’s there job to stop the Seahawks. However, I think going for it on 4th down, and throwing deep are two things that don’t need to go on when you have a 50 point lead.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:42 PM
whoops
December 10th, 2012 at 9:48 PM
It was Rypien throwing for 442 and 6 TD in a 56-17 win. Ha. Deion was on that Falcons team IIRC.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:48 PM
My team leads by a bunch = “Whoo hoo! Keep the party goin’. Air it out.”
My team is down by a bunch = “What’s your deal? Isn’t 58 enough?”
Smallie, thought about you yesterday. Larry Fitzgerald can’t be too pleased, either.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:49 PM
This is pretty much how I feel. I get more bothered when it happens in college, but in the NFL you’re a paid professional, stop somebody.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:53 PM
Poor Larry Fitz. The Cards should look at trading him to a contender and getting some draft picks. They could help themselves in the future, and Fitz could get a chance to play for a ring.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:54 PM
Rememeber when Ryan Dunn did that and he was hailed as some sort of hero and people were sad and crying for him? Sickening, he killed someone too.
Yep. Those people are horrible.
If you can’t stop someone, that’s your own fault.
Yep. At the pro level or CFB league games, this applies.
Larry Fitzgerald can’t be too pleased, either.
What a wasted career so far. Sure, he got the one SB appearance, which most players will never see, but his talent deserved better QBs.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:55 PM
Aaron Rodgers, Chad Henne, Matt Stafford and now Tom Brady have all lit up this defense this season since Cushing went down.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:56 PM
And the Cards shoulda won! That pick six from Warner with seconds to go at the 3 yard line was huge!
December 10th, 2012 at 9:57 PM
Scoring has slowed i see with glee
December 10th, 2012 at 9:57 PM
I’m sure it bothers him more than it bothers me.
Honestly, I’m on board with this. That team needs more help than anyone realizes. I love Fitz, but they’re wasting his talent. I’d want 3-4 picks for him, with at least 2 firsts, and I don’t think they’ll get that.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:58 PM
I would love him on the Bears so much, but I noticed you said “contender” so nevermind.
December 10th, 2012 at 9:58 PM
Rondo that fucking play cost me a nice squares payout
December 10th, 2012 at 9:59 PM
That and Holmes only got one foot down.
/bitter Cardinals fan’d
December 10th, 2012 at 9:59 PM
I have no sympathy for Fitz. He’s made hundreds of millions. His cap # has been a monster. Had some time in the sun with Kurt Warner. He’s the Barry Sanders of modern WRs. Boldin escaped but he has to deal w/ Flacco. That’s how it goes.
/braces for the last Phil Dawson home game as a player for the Browns.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:00 PM
I havent been that pissed during a SB since I dont think. I wanted the Cards to win so bad.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:00 PM
The Chargers get him and Andy Reid, I’m dancing in the streets. Those moves would completely revitalize Rivers’ career.
While I’m wishing, I also want a pony.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:01 PM
You want to replace Norval with Andy Reid?
December 10th, 2012 at 10:02 PM
What are you going to do with a pony in your apartment?
December 10th, 2012 at 10:03 PM
That had better be in 4 fucking years. Pay the man.
And I cannot believe Pluto calling out Lombardi for the self-promotion shit. I’m all for Heckert. Makes 0 sense to get rid of him. Not. One. Bit.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:04 PM
I’d take you and me as co-coaches over Norval. Send me your resume.
I’d also get a boat. Then, “I’d ride my pony on my boat”…down at Pueblo Reservoir.
/Lyle Lovett’d
December 10th, 2012 at 10:08 PM
Well in that case…
December 10th, 2012 at 10:13 PM
Smallie, back atcha, bub.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:14 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNkc1UdHYFg
Whoops, forgot link.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:14 PM
I’m putting this one on Schaub. I wonder what it’s like to have an elite QB on your NFL team. Closest I ever came was Warren Moon in his Oiler days, and he never came through in the biggest moments.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:16 PM
From a few articles reviewing Lombardi’s time in player personnel with Belicheck in CLE in the first round:
Tommy Vardell (9), Steve Everitt (14), Derrick Alexander (29), Antonio Langham (9), Craig Powell (30)
The rest of his picks.
Patrick Rowe, Dan Footman, Gerald Dixon, Bill E. Johnson, Mike Caldwell, Romeo Bandison, Mike Frederick, Eric Zeier, Herman Arvie, Issac Booth, Mike Miller, Tau Pupua, George Williams, Rico Smith, Rich McKenzie, Robert Strait, Selwyn Jones, Travis Hill, Andre Hewitt, A.C. Tellison, Tim Hill, Marcus Lowe, Augustin Olobia, Tim Simpson, Keithen McCant…
December 10th, 2012 at 10:20 PM
It’s glorious
/rues the day Brady retires
//deludes himself into thinking Belichick can make something of Mallet
December 10th, 2012 at 10:24 PM
so the Pats have done fuck-all since that third touchdown. thankfully the Texans offense still looks out of it.
also, Gillette crowds are still awful.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:26 PM
Gotta love the 8 yard gain on 3rd and 9.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:28 PM
Man, there are a lot of bad NBA teams.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:31 PM
Not exactly a stadium conducive to noise
December 10th, 2012 at 10:32 PM
Donte Stallworth showing off that killer instinct.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:36 PM
Brady takes slight lead in MVP race
Been a while since his last taste of success. Hopefully he doesn’t get drunk off it
December 10th, 2012 at 10:37 PM
As usual. Which is good for gambling
December 10th, 2012 at 10:45 PM
went big on blazers tonight sctrojans
December 10th, 2012 at 10:45 PM
That 1997 49er-Bronco game was the game where Jerry Rice came back in week 15 after tearing up his knee. He scored a TD.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:46 PM
i did not see a post on cameron being fired, tho i suppose it was a topic in one of the posts
December 10th, 2012 at 10:46 PM
jerry who?
December 10th, 2012 at 10:48 PM
Didnt he also re-injure his knee as well?
December 10th, 2012 at 10:50 PM
Yeah Rice hurt his knee on that TD catch.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:50 PM
He broke the kneecap on the same knee.
December 10th, 2012 at 10:52 PM
I took Portland too. I seem to have had them a lot this year, with varying success
December 10th, 2012 at 11:01 PM
Hernandez is so nice when healthy
December 10th, 2012 at 11:02 PM
even when the Texans do something good it turns into something bad.
December 10th, 2012 at 11:04 PM
hold up now…can take 9 more pts or less for push or win
December 10th, 2012 at 11:08 PM
I’m shocked Houston has 7
December 10th, 2012 at 11:10 PM
Sure am glad the Texans showed up for this game.
/opposite day
December 10th, 2012 at 11:12 PM
Hernandez is so nice when healthy
he locked up a ff win for me tonight
December 10th, 2012 at 11:13 PM
Let’s not look too far into this as Texans fans (the three of us). But yeah….This is ugly.
December 10th, 2012 at 11:13 PM
Houston only has two losses, but man did they look bad in those losses.
December 10th, 2012 at 11:16 PM
also, the Patriots are in their annual “Look awesome in December” phase. next up: playing the foil for someone else’s great underdog story and losing a heartbreaker in the playoffs.
December 10th, 2012 at 11:17 PM
Word, knifeyspooney. Lisk can you see how teams like this do in the playoffs?
December 10th, 2012 at 11:19 PM
This long precedes December. Seven game win streak
December 10th, 2012 at 11:20 PM
i said a month ago pats were my sb pick, or at least afc champ
December 10th, 2012 at 11:24 PM
well, I guess I should say “late-season” – keeping in mind it may well have started with the back to back blowouts over the Colts and Jets.
December 10th, 2012 at 11:27 PM
I’d rather see a Lisk study on how teams with win streaks this long fare in the playoffs. There are several this year
December 10th, 2012 at 11:27 PM
And includes a 6 point win over the Bills which Ryan Fitzpatrick gift wrapped with a horrible decision on the last play of the game.
December 10th, 2012 at 11:28 PM
motherfucker
December 10th, 2012 at 11:30 PM
the fuck are they throwing for trying to run out the clock?
December 10th, 2012 at 11:31 PM
nice thing is texans won’t kick a fg
December 10th, 2012 at 11:31 PM
pathetic TO
December 10th, 2012 at 11:34 PM
oh well…if the blazers win by more than 3 i’ll be up for the night
December 10th, 2012 at 11:34 PM
yeesh, that’s almost as bad as needing a rally to beat Jacksonville at home in overtime.
December 11th, 2012 at 1:36 AM
Very disappointed in Houston’s performance tonight. Don’t call it your game of the year and then get absolutely embarrassed on the national stage.