Make no mistake about the Houston Texans.  They are here to stay.  Just look at the licking that their QB Matt Schaub took in Denver.  On back to back plays he took shots from Von Miller and Joe Mays. Both were clear roughing the passer plays and the hit by Mays took a piece of Schaub’s ear.  Credit to Schaub he only missed a play and came right back.  He finished the game with 4 touchdown passes.  If Houston can manage to keep Schaub relatively healthy the rest of the year, these guys could be playing well into January.  They certainly could have played in the AFC Championship game last year, but probably not the Super Bowl without Schaub.  Look out for these guys.  They are and should be the talk of the ‘Lone Star’ state.  

I couldn’t imagine what Baltimore Ravens WR Torrey Smith was going through before Sunday night’s game against the New England Patriots.  Early that morning he lost his young brother in a motorcycle accident and it was questionable whether or not he would play that night.  Much like Brett Favre when he lost his father, Torrey Smith played some inspired football that night.  He caught 6 passes for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns.  He was a big reason why the Ravens won that game against the Patriots.  Yet, there were so many other things going through his mind I’m sure. It’s never easy losing someone so close.  Torrey Smith found his escape for a couple of hours and had the full support of the team and its fans.  Wishing him and his family the best through this tough time.  Prayers to you Torrey.

Everything has already been said about the debacle that is the replacement referees.  The anger that I’ve had through the first 3 weeks of the season has been focused on the league office because they are the ones who hired these unqualified buffoons. The only good thing to come from that horrible call on Monday night is that the regular officials are back.  The Green Bay Packers got screwed and the Seattle Seahawks better stay quiet.  Welcome back to the regular referees.  Just know that you will have it easy until you start blowing calls as well.  But at least you guys can manage a game to under 4 hours.  So I’ll go easy on you, for now.