The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Rockets Lose Again... Texans vs Steelers MNF Wildcard Tonight!

Episode Date: January 12, 2026

Rockets Lose Again... Texans vs Steelers MNF Wildcard Tonight!

This is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. 10-0-1-N-H-down. Hello, and welcome in to a Monday edition of the Matt Thomas show with Ross without Matt Thomas on a Monday night football playoff edition of the show. From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It's the Houston Texans versus the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night football. The first one to 10 points wins.

Tonight. And the frozen tundra of Pittsburgh. And whatever bank is sponsoring the field now because it's not called Heinz Field anymore. I'll still call it Heinz Field. The turf is horrible. The winds are swirling. It's going to be a short passing game from Aaron Rogers.

Who can throw the most screens? Who can kick the most? field goals. It's the first to 13 points wins. It's Monday night football. Wild Card Edition. Welcome into the booth. Chris Gordy. John joined alongside Ross Viriel and Ross. We got a big win here tonight. It is the Texans versus the Steelers. Let's check in with Jonathan Allen, who's down on the field. Jonathan, how cold is it down there? Man, it's chilly. I need a cold. We don't come down here. I see a little bit of flakes, but I think we're going to do all right. Thanks for that, Jonathan. Windy, right?

Yes, it's colder than the bedroom and the Thomas household down here in Pittsburgh. I don't know. Why I did that? Hey, welcome into the Matt Thomas show with Ross without Matt Thomas. Jonathan liked that one. Well, he's out of town a lot. That's all. All right, Matt Thomas, his bed hit the pillow about 446. He took the time out to text both of us. Thankfully, I had my notifications off, Jonathan.

and I hope you weren't woken in the middle of the night by Matt Thomas texting us that he was home, telling us, wishing us a good show. We appreciate him, and we might hear from him later. I want to hear from him what's going on. Did you hear this rocket stuff? Okay, a lot of stuff to lay out in just a second here. They didn't have a hotel in Sacramento. Oh, wow.

And they had to stay in San Francisco. Is George Costanza, the assistant to the traveling secretary for the Houston Rockets? What happened there? As someone who was there in that area last summer, it's a good little truck. a trek from Yes. So for people who don't know, per the CBA,

the rockets in every NBA team has to stay in a certain level of hotel. I think it's like four diamond plus or whatever it is. So certain cities only have a certain amount. This has happened to them in like New Orleans.

There's only like one or two qualifying hotels. So if they're booked up, they've had to stay in Baton Rouge. So I've heard of this before. And a lot of people nationally don't understand that that's part of the CBA. They're like,

why don't they stay at the Radisson? Why don't they stay at the Hampton Inn is nice in Sacramento? They can't, even though there should be some kind of like caveat where the team can vote that it's okay if they want to stay in Sacramento. Anyways, per the CBA, apparently the Rockets who lost last night in Sacramento desperately need some home games. Didn't have a hotel there and they had to stay in San Francisco. But anyways, Texans and Steelers tonight on Monday night football. That will be the big focus here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Chris Gordy is hanging out. I appreciate him. We'll have Adam Clanton along the way as well. I'll be flying solo for a bit. We got Jonathan Allen. We've got the news at noon. We've got to tell the truth. We have a lot of stuff to get to. We also want you at 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-2-5-790 is the phone number if you'd like to get in. You can send tweets to at SportsRV and at Chris Gordy. You can also follow me on Instagram at SportsRV as well.

So a big wildcard weekend will conclude tonight with the Houston Texans taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers. If you are looking at the odds makers, which I love to do, give you an idea of how things can go. Opened up about Texans three and a half. That hook is gone, meaning some money floating in on the Pittsburgh Steelers. And the total continues to get lower, Gordy. This is sad. It went from 39 and a half to 39 to now 38 and a half. That means they're thinking the first team to 20 is going to win.

this game and that kind of feels about right. I'm not expecting a whole lot of explosive offensive fireworks in the game tonight. Yeah, it's, look, the Steelers run the football pretty decently, so you got to think that they are going to want to, you know, play ball control, keep the chains moving. Although, what, that last game they played, they kind of, you know, the offense had some firepower almost out of necessity that was against the Ravens. But they had some big, pass plays late in that game. So it kind of, I mean, it was a drag you in the muck. What was that game?

It was like 10 to 3 at halftime, Baltimore, and then 13, 10, going to the fourth quarter, and then there was a bunch of touchdowns in the fourth quarter. So, and Rogers kind of started air it out, but it's funny. I talked about this all last week. When you look at the Steelers and their offense, it's

very much Kenneth Gainwell and Jalen Warren in the backfield, and Warren was almost a thousand-yard rush for this year. He had a nice season. But look at the receptions for their receiving core. They're number one, the guy who leads family catches. Can I guess? Jalen Warren. No. Kenneth Gainwell. Kenneth Gainlow. Yes. 73 catches. The next with 59 is D.K. Metcalfe.

Okay. Who's third? Calvin Austin? No. After D.K. Metcalfe, there ain't a wide receiver for a while. It's Pat Firemoot with 41. Is it the other tight end? It's Jalen Warren with 40. It's Johnny Smith with 38 And Darnow Washington, who we know is hurt with 31 catches. Like they are a, I don't want to call them Dink and Dunk because I think that's overused. No, it's Dinkin' Dunk. It is a very safe, dump it off.

It's funny because we talk about Aaron Rogers and I had so many people, I did a radio show a few days ago and they were like, oh, I'm going with over under five and a half sacks to the Texas defense. I said, look, while the Texans defense does get sacks, go look at Aaron Rogers this year. he does not get sacked very much. Aaron Rogers, if Will Anderson, Jr. has a hand on him, he will throw the ball in the dirt and take the roughing or the intentional grounding call over giving you the benefit of the sack. Like he is that, he did it against Miles Garrett.

When Miles Garrett was chasing the record, he's like, you get in the sack. He's like, I'm not about to be on NFL film for the next 30 years, okay? I think Aaron Rogers was acutely aware of that, by the way. But if you're Dick O'Ryan's like, you don't care. You'll take that. just saying like if you think this is a night where Daniel Hunter or Will Anderson Jr.

are going to have multiple sacks. You may only sack him once or twice. Yeah. He's going to dump it. We are on the same page there and that's going to lead me to what we'll talk about like big keys to the game, what we're looking for, things to key on watching the Texans versus Steelers game tonight and that is going to be the short passing game and things that tie in with that. So I was reading

yesterday, Aaron Rogers has the second lowest average depth of target, meaning how far is he throwing down the field? His average depth of target is the second lowest in football. The only guy lower than him, Dylan Gabriel of the Cleveland Browns, the rookie who just played a couple of games, and obviously they want to work a short passing game. So as far as guys who have started all season long, Aaron Rogers has the lowest depth of target. As you mentioned, it's going to be a lot of checkdowns, it's going to be a lot of short passing game. They're going to not let this try their best not to let the pass rush get going and get humming.

If they're able to stay on schedule with run, it's going to be a war of attrition. You don't want to use the word dink and dunk, but that's what it is. That's what it is. They're not going to be looking for a bunch of chunk plays. The explosive plays have been an issue for the Houston Texans, but I just don't expect a whole lot of it. Outside of the stray play action shot here or there, they are going to try to eat up clock. they're going to try to just incrementally work their way down the field because that's the only way that they can do it against this Texans defense.

So I think the 38 and a half total is apt. I think it's going to go under that. I just don't think there's going to be a whole lot of scoring, but I also don't think at the end of the day, without explosive plays, the Steelers are going to be able to chip and walk their way down the field. Eventually on a third down, they're going to get stopped. have to kick, whether it be a punt or a field goal.

I just don't see many pathways to the Steelers scoring points against his Texans defense. I'm not worried about the, like, I think the Texans defense is going to do their job. Yeah. Whether the Texans win tonight, Ross comes down to simply C.J. Straught. I mean, does this, any offensive line. Like, but if you told me right now, this offense scores 24, you feel pretty good about a win? Absolutely. If this offense scores 20, do you feel good about a win?

I feel better. I'm not better, but I feel good, but not as good as 24. If this offense scores 17. I actually feel decent, but not great. If this offense scores 13. 13 were in a gray area. They could win 13 to 10, but I don't think that's going to happen. You kind of see the realm of what this offense needs to do.

And that's the funny thing about football, and that's why the league has so much parity, and that's why all these games come down to one score. What you just mentioned, 13 to 20, I'm feeling much more confident. That's one touchdown. That's one drive. finished in the red zone. A bunch of fair bear and field goals. A cup or two or two field goals. Two. I'm feeling so much. Give me the over. No, I'm saying, no, I'm saying two for going from basically 13 to 19 or whatever. My confidence level goes up from one score. So just give enough

Texans offense to let this defense cook, do its thing. And if you, if you can even get up early like they did against the chargers to where they're really off the schedule and you're really having them press and Arthur Smith have to call plays where they're looking for shots down the field against this defense and they can pin their ears back, then you're really in a good spot. So if you can get an early lead and then really let the defense cook, then I think they're going to steam roll. So don't turn the ball over. Always number one in an NFL game. Don't give them the short fields. Let the defense do its thing. Texans are going to win this football game. I called it last week. I'm going to stick with it. 24 to 13 Texans win tonight. What is your prediction? What are things you are keying in on tonight? Monday night football. Texans versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.

713-212-5-790. The phone number, if you want to get in, 7-13-212-5-7-90. You can also send tweets to at SportsRV. We're going to be with you. Until 2 o'clock, it is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Without Matt Thomas. We got to tell the truth coming up. We got the news at noon. And, of course, Big Texans preview.

We can talk a little bit about the Houston Rockets and how we're going to make time for you, Rockets. I know it's playoff Monday, but you've been disappointing and we got to air it out with the Rockets who have now lost four of their last five games. So a ton of stuff to get to with you for four hours here on Sports Talk 790. It's 713-212-5-790. 1021 of the a.m. here on Sports Talk 790. Welcome back to Matt Thomas show with Ross. Matt Thomas out as he was traveling late night with the Houston Rockets as it was not a happy. flight. They went on the road for two games

against Portland and a game against the Sacramento Kings. Two teams with losing records. The Kings were 8 and 30 and on a seven game losing streak. And the Rockets didn't score more than 105 points on the whole

trip. And in the last five games, they haven't scored more than 105 points. They've lost four out of five of those. What happened to the offense? It's like all KD. It's KD. Some of men. I mean, Alperin Shungun was just working his way back from an ankle injury. I mean, he had 19

points but on 20 shots. That's not good for anyone and that's certainly not good for a big man. So they need like, they need like a week off because they've been traveling so much. They've played 13 games at home and 23 games, I think it is on the road,

which is the biggest split or tied for the biggest split in NBA history. So I mean, that's a bit of an excuse, but I mean, Doka's not accepting that for an excuse. it's been some ugly, ugly basketball. We talk about the Texans and not a whole lot of points scored because the defense is good and the offense has been bad.

That's kind of what we've been seeing from the Houston Rockets. What sucks is you come home for a five-game homestan, but three of those five teams you play are all among the four best teams in the West. I think maybe that's good. Maybe on the road in the West Coast in the Pacific Time Zone against the Kings, they get all discombobulated. On the home floor against the Oklahoma City Thunder, maybe they can show up.

Because the Rockets always struggle. Like even in the James Hardin years, feels like they always would struggle on those extended West Coast road trips. Yeah. I think that's just part of it. I blame the time zones. We have Amy Adok on every week and he's talked about, especially the young players like learning about long road trips and taking care of yourself.

And I'm not saying they're going out every night and getting crazy or whatever. But something ain't something right. Because they just don't look good. they don't look like they have their legs. But the problem is they don't get two days off, I don't think, until February. So they're playing every other day for the next month, even though they're getting a bunch of home games. And they're playing some backs mixed in as well. I think they have one coming up this Thursday, Friday.

So where's the light at the end of the tunnel? We shall see, maybe we'll just say the All-Star break can't get here fast enough, especially since they're being carried by a 37-year-old who is among like the top four or five in minutes played per game, night in, night out in the entire NBA. All right, 713-212-5-790 is the phone number you want to get in. 7-13-212-5-7-90. We're asking for your prediction on the Houston Texans versus the Steelers game. I didn't ask you.

What did you got as far as the score tonight, Texan Steelers? Yeah, I think it's a low-scoring. I think it's something like a 20-17-type. 20-17. Yeah. I said 24 to 13. That's still an under. We both have 37 points.

I think this bad boy goes under, but I just, I'm not saying steamroll because the Texans don't have the offense to steamroll. But as long as you're not turning the ball over like crazy, having a million procedural penalties. Oh no, the Texans can do all these things. Why am I even doing this? That home crowd's going to bring it. As long as they don't shoot themselves in the foot, they're going to, I believe they win this game by double digits. Let's talk this out real quick. It's temps in Pittsburgh right now.

It is currently 30 degrees. Okay. It's going to warm up the 36. I'm getting hot. If I kickoff, it will be down to 34 and dropping. Wind around 8 to 9 miles per hour. So it won't be too bad. That's nothing. Zero percent precipitation.

So there'll be no snow. It's just going to be cold as hell. And you just need layers. Yeah, they'll be fine. It was 27 degrees when they won in Kansas City earlier this year. I'm not worried about it. Steelers fans that were all in my mentions were talking, they're not going to come up here.

Like, I'm not that worried. about it. Let me give you another X factor. Okay. Since early November, Jaime Fairbairn has only missed one field goal. Okay. Since then, he went three for three against Buffalo,

two for two against Indy, two for two against KC, four, five against Arizona. That was his one miss. Three for three against the Raiders, two for two against the Chargers, and a six for six. the win over the Colts.

Yeah. He's their Texans offensive MVP this year. He absolutely is. He's their player of the year, not on defense. Yeah. So, Kimee Fairburn is going to be kicking on. He is going to have a sore foot after this one, too. You also have two of the, this is why I think it's an easy under.

You have the two most conservative coaches in terms of win probability thrown out the window from kicking the ball when they should be going for it. So they're going to be kicking. They're going to play it close to the vest. It's a playoff game. They're both going to want to win with the run game, not make mistakes, not give the ball away. And this is going to be a low scoring game. It's not going to be a knockdown, dragout entertainment fest.

It's going to be the Texans winning probably, I mean, I've said 24 to 13, but I think at least late it's going to be a one score game. And the Texans are going to get the victory. Bonnie Joe says, Steelers 23, Texans 19. You can send your predictions in at Sports RV. I don't like that, Bonnie Joe. That would hurt. 713-21-2-5-7-99 for your phone calls you can also send to At SportsRV at Chris Gordy as well

Terry on the north side on the phone lines What's up Terry? Hey guys, I'm a 10 o'clocker So Oh shout out to you Terry Tell 10 of your closest friends Terry All right, I'll do that Hey

I'm on the Rockets You know they Just watching them this season it definitely appears that they are somehow worse off offensively with Durant on the team. And I love Durant, but even Eme himself said they're depending on him too much. I don't know how many minutes he's averaging the night, but one, it looked like he's playing too much. And two, even when Hakeem was in his prime, I remember a lot of the players on the team at that time standing around watching him toot the ball. it appears that this team has the same issue with Durant, you know,

and they're depending on him way too much, and that's not a knock against him at all. I mean, he's a great player, but I just never would have imagined I would be sitting here, you know, at this point in the season after they acquired Durant, saying this team doesn't look good offensively at all. Yeah, well, there's, no, it's been a bad. run, Terry. But for the season, they were the number one offense before this bad stretch. They were the number one offense in basketball. And then Alperin Shingoon went down. That's another thing you have to remember is when Ime Adoka said that, Alperin Shingoon wasn't playing.

And he is, as you know, one of the better big man offense initiators in basketball. So he's back into the fold now. It's going to be a little bit more of both of those guys. And with some, I mean, Thompson sprinkled in. The offense is still good. Last year, they were 13th in offensive rating. Even with this bad swoon, this year, they're fourth. So, they're still much better than where they were last year. And it has been a bad stretch for four to five games with

Alperin Shungoon missing, but with everyone healthy, this offense is still much better. Yeah, I mean, I don't want to be right about it, and I believe you on the stats. It just Yeah, I'm not making them up, I promise. Yeah, it's just

such a bad look over the last, I don't know, it seems like a few weeks now that they've just looked really poor and you know when you when you have EMA himself saying they're depending on him too much you know once

once Alpe gets gets back into his rhythm it feels like they need to rest or rant more because I don't know I don't know how many minutes he's averaging but it's it looks like a lot it is it is a lot as of last week

we I mean I asked Coach Udoca about this directly last week, about Amen Thompson, I think was second in minutes. I don't know what the updated numbers are, but this was as of last Thursday when we had coach on. Amin Thompson was second in minutes per game in the NBA, and Kevin Durant was fourth. And they do want to arrest Kevin Durant, but they've been missing Dorian Finney Smith. Now Atari-Eason is back out with an ankle injury, and Dorian Finney Smith comes back.

He's been on a minute's restriction. They, in Coach Udoca, sometimes to a fault, he wants to win. You want a coach who wants to win, but he wants to win so badly that he will sacrifice the long term for the short term. And he knows it. He knows he shouldn't do it. And that's anybody in anything in life. He's so competitively driven that he keeps Grant in there for longer stretches because he wants to win the game in front of him. Ime Adoka is a winner.

And he wants to win. So that's the way that he's going to play it. And he knows it can be to the detriment. And yet, I'm in Thompson's second in minutes per person. game, Kevin Durant still fourth. He doesn't want it to go that way. But you're missing offensive initiators and when Alpern Shingoon goes out,

you're not going to run a bunch of offense through your baris-ma-jr. A men Thompson can score some. You can start some offense with him some, but he doesn't have enough of a jump shot to be an elite. I just keep using the term offensive initiator, Florgen, or what if you're like set starter, we're going to run through this guy.

You can run some through him in Thompson, but it's better to run through Kevin Durant, it's better to run throughout Brun Shungoon. He's been missing some time. You're not going to run stuff through, I don't know, Tari Isson or Aaron Holiday or Jarvisman Jr., as I said, or I don't know, Stephen Adams. You're just not going to do that with those guys. You've only got a handful, even in the NBA, of guys who you want to run offenses through,

and when you're missing one of them and Kevin Durant's the only one left, you're going to be at a deficit. It's going to be tough to be offensive, offensively effective. These last three losses, it's very simple to me. 22%, 23%, 23%. That's what you shot from three in your last three. And a lot of wide open looks. Even the win against Phoenix wasn't good.

And I believe the loss against the Mavericks, the fourth loss among them in these last five, they were under 25% from three. So it's been a historically bad stretch from three for five games. Rockets need to get better for sure. It is a make or miss league. And we're talking about literally, Last night was the worst as far as the point differential,

but literally any one of those games against the Sons, if they make one or two more threes, I'm sorry, it's not Sons. The Portland Trailblazers completely changes the complexion of those games. I predict. This is a bad rut the team is on, and in a month or two months, we're not talking about this.

We're going to be like, hey, remember that horrible stretch in December they went on? I mean, what the heck was that? And they're going to get out of this. But certainly, being in the third, thick of it doesn't make it any easier. It's not fun basketball to watch. It's not good basketball right now with all the misses from three. As you mentioned, Gordy. All right, Chris Gordy is here. My name is Ross Vioria. You're listening to that, Thomas Show, with Ross. We got rocket stuff to get to. We got Texan stuff to get to. We see those you on hold who want to talk about both of those things.

I think I've done a good job of not bringing up the Texas Longhorns portal so far in the show. But that will be addressed at some point as well. Hook them horns, baby. Oh, we got a home for Breggie. Spin, spin, baby, spin. We got a home for Breggie. I mean, we got a ton of stuff to get to here on a Monday and anything you guys want to get to. 713212-570. The phone number, 713-212-5-790. Hey, it's Matt for the hardworking team at Uptown Appliance Repair.

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Home with your Astros. All right, went way long. In the last segment, so we'll be quick here. A couple of you on hold. We'll get you coming up at 11 o'clock, Gordy. I want this from you. I will give mine. I'll give you a hint.

It ties into what we talked about in the first segment. The number one key to the Texans winning tonight. And that's outside the obvious. Don't turn the ball over. Yeah. No bleep, Sherlock. Got to protect the football. Got to convert first down.

Convert third downs. No dumb penalties. Yeah. No bleep. No holdings. Can we not get false starts? Can we got to get like false starts? Illegal formations are the ones that really chat me when it comes from the Texans.

Oh, you got to win the turnover. Read the rule book, Nick Cayley and the Houston Texans. Formate legally. No illegal formations. Anyways, but outside of the captain obvious stuff, although actually now that I think about it, you'll tell me if this is a captain obvious thing. But it ties into what we were talking about with the dink and dunk offense of the Pittsburgh Steelers. That's coming up at 11 o'clock.

We'll give our number one keys. We also want to hear from you. Score predictions and how do the Texans win tonight against the Steelers on the road as three-point favorites? 7-13-212-790. 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. Randy has been holding longest. We go in terms of longest waits. Go ahead, Randy.

Hey, good morning, guys. Are y'all still high on Straub? because I haven't heard. It seems like I've conceded that we have to win this game with field goals and running the ball. Yeah, well, this is a, yeah, it's a difficult situation for him with no run game and a porous offensive line. But also, he's not the first quarterback in history who've had to deal with that.

I'm not ready to say, you know, the Texans need to get rid of him or anything. But where we are from after his rookie year, what it was looking like he was a franchise quarterback who could over. overcome all of these things and be great. Certainly not as good, our feeling as strong about C.J. Stroud. Can C.J. Stroud go out there and win this game? Absolutely. But I'm just not planning on it, Randy.

Right. I like that. So I'm glad because I feel like every time I hear the show, y'all, we're very high on Stroud, and the guy just doesn't, he makes about two or three good throws a game. I mean, there are great throws. But that's the rest of the throws at the receiver's feet over their head behind them. I don't think he processes the defense fast enough. As soon as his first progression is done, he's done. like that's it he's either getting sacked

committing the intentional grounding or he's just guard I mean I don't I'm not how on the guy I think he's a very nice guy but I just don't think he's a good football player but anyway he's a good football player I just felt like this show so he is as good or a little better than Mills

but there's not a lot of daylight between him like we used to think I don't go with as good as I didn't think you were going to finish that sentence with Davis Mills Randy come on now his quarterback rating yeah he's great man he's almost as good as Davis Mills Randy come on now. His quarterback rating is 70. That's probably where he is.

He's a top 20 quarterback in the NFL, but I don't know. I'm going top 15. I'm going top 15. All right, come on. So NFL has him ranked 14. So I agree. He's a middle of the road guy. So I agree with that. But okay, cool. I mean, I'm happy. I just really worried that we're going to pay this guy and we're going to be stuck with him when he hasn't done enough for a contract in my

opinion. I got you, Randy. Look, right now. We've talked about this some. And look, the book is not written on C.J. Stroud. I know we want to do that and say that he's done. And that's we're a reactionary society. After the rookie year, and I was on the C.J. Stroud train. This guy's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Look at all these passes he's making and all that stuff.

And where's the regression been? Well, he had Joe Mixen as a dynamic running back. The offensive line wasn't great, but it was much better than what it has been the last couple of years. So the question is, can you win with C.J. Stroud? The answer is yes. You can win a Super Bowl with Jalen Hertz. What did Jalen Hertz look like when Lane Johnson was hurt all year? And Sequan Barkley looked way older and longer in the tooth. And the offensive weapons weren't there. Dallas Goddard was hurt here and there. A.J. Brown was hurt here and there. The Eagles don't look good. So, yeah, is he, I'll give you another example. The hallowed name of Patrick Mahomes.

Patrick Mahomes hasn't looked great the last two years. If I plopped you out of a spaceship and you've only watched Patrick Mahomes the last two years, you're thinking this guy is just okay. And of course, I'm not saying C.J. Stroud is Pat Mahomes. I'm saying situations matter and can help. If the situation is good, you can win with C.J. Strout. Unfortunately, he's just not looking good enough to overcome that. Lamar Jackson is another name we can point to.

Josh Allen hasn't gotten it done. now even though they had a good win over the Jaguars of the weekend. We have to look at the whole forest rather than what we're looking at CJ Stroud. The offense hasn't been good. But you're talking about a first-time play caller. You're talking about a bad offensive line. And you're talking about Woody Marks and Jaward Jordan and British Brooks and Nick Chubb as your running game.

It hasn't been ideal. Could C.J. Stroud be better? Absolutely. Does he have to be better? Absolutely. But the organization, the last couple years, the favors, they've done the, the favors have been few and far between. The two of his last three games, he is thrown for under 200 yards. And his completion percentage in the last three games is about 60%.

Yeah, everywhere you look, he's around like 15th to 20th as far as EPA, pro football grade, various rankings websites, which I check regularly, like, People have him around like 15 to 20. One touchdown pass against the Raiders, two touchdown passes against the Chargers, one touchdown pass against the- There's two deep balls. That's where the Texans' offense has been better with the, I mean, how much is that as far as being pulled up by just those two giant plays against the Los Angeles Chargers and then basically running on first down the rest of the game?

It's he can make plays. And as Randy said, there are two, three times a game where you say, oh my God, this kid is special. But then there's two, three times a game where he say, what the heck was he thinking? What the heck is he doing? How is he a third year? A third year, a guy who's not a veteran.

You're not calling him a veteran at this point, but in his third year who has been starting the entire time making a play like that. So yeah, that maybe tells me that we have a third year of a sample size and he is not going to be elite of elite. But as I said, Omar Jackson two-time MVP didn't look great with a pretty good team around him, but he was also banged up.

But so was C.J. Stroud. He had the concussion. And maybe to some, I sound like I'm making excuses. But I think he is good and you can win with him. And if that is true, generally the track record in the NFL is that you are not going to be let go. You are going to be paid and then they're going to figure it out. Because what's your alternative?

Trying to sign Mack Jones and see if he's something. I don't even know. Who else is going to be available? on the free agent market. Kirk Cousin just reworked his deal. I mean, you want a Sam Darnold type signing from the Minnesota Vikings. He's going to get signed.

Yeah, I mean, but it does make you kind of pump the brakes a little bit from a standpoint of breaking the bank. I'm not going to be, right, exactly. I'm not going to be dancing in the street when they pay C.J. Stroud. I'm going to be like, this is my, you know what? We can actually pre-record my reaction to the C.J. Stroud extension right now. Well, look, there's some question marks.

The situation could be better, but you can win with C.J. Stroud, so I understand why the Texans made the deal. Boom. That's what I'm going to say. All right, quick break here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Chris Gordy is hanging out thanks to him. It is a wild card Monday night here in Houston, but of course in Pittsburgh. 713, 212, 570, if you want to get in. Those are only you will hold. We will get to you. 713, 212.790 tweets to at Sports RV and Chris Gordy. We got to tell the Truth coming up at 11.30 and at 11 o'clock, my number one key, Chris Gordy's number one key for Texans victory tonight in Pittsburgh. It's all coming up here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross here on Sports Talk 790.

All right, y'all are getting in with the calls, which I appreciate. So we will get you on, I promise, here in the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Matt is out for the moment. He will be back tomorrow, traveling with the rockets. Chris Gordy hanging out. We'll have Adam Clinton hanging out as well. Number one key to victory. And I guess the more I think about it, the more it sounds like I am doing a Captain obvious take. So we'll see.

Coming up at 11 o'clock, you guys can crush me or not. We'll see. We're going to give that coming up at 11. We have to tell the truth at 1130 as well. And you guys on the phone, 713, 212-5-790. The phone number, 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. Keeping it going in terms of longest wait. Wesley in Lake Charles.

What's up, Wesley? Hey, good afternoon. How are you guys doing today? Doing great, Wes. What's up? Yeah, let's have a couple of questions. First, I called about the Rockets, but, you know, he got on a CJ straw topic, so I'll start there. It seems like ever since CJ got hit in Denver and got hurt, I mean, I guess, you know, I guess the Broncos and got hurt, he don't want to run anymore, and it's kind of a detriment to the offense. He just makes a lot of bad throws because he seems like, you know, he's just too scared to run the ball now. But anyhow, I think he's also slow.

though, Wesley. Like, he is, he is remarkably slower than you would, than like even his rookie year, it feels like. He doesn't move. Well, I understand that. No, I understand that. But just, you know, go forward to slide down four yards down the field. It's, you know, a second and sixth is better than a second and tenth.

You know, it's just been the big difference that I've seen in him this year. He just don't want to take off and run the run. You know, you don't have to be a blazer. No, yeah. I mean, he's done it a couple times. He's put the threat there. Yeah, but I've seen him even, like, running for the sideline. I'm like, I thought I hit the pause in, I thought I hit the slow motion button on my TV.

It's, yeah, so, yeah, I think he does want to, I think they tell him to be a pocket guy because he has gotten into some issues trying to get, so I think that's coached into him. And also, I think just as a practical matter, he's not very good on the run. Like, if you remember that play where he was, he can throw rolling very well, but running, I just, I'm, I'm not feeling like I need a bunch to C.J. Stroud. going down the field a bunch more. No, I'm not saying pull it, Josh Allen, but he put the threat there to like, you know, just go four yards and fall down. You know, the old, Aaron Foster, what he would do. He'd run and jump, you know, four, for three or four yards every time.

I hate him. Anyway, but get back on the, get back on the rockets, you know, you know, it seems like there's a dip issue, you know, two problems that I see. One, Stephen Adams, he, uh, how can you? How can you be in the league for, you know, 10 plus years? They can't make a five-foot jump shot. You know, they don't... Hey, he can make a five-foot jump shot.

Six foot is when it gets questionable. Questionable at six foot. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'll watch every game. Me too. If he's five feet more away from the basket, they don't even bother about guarding him.

Yeah, yeah, I said he can make five, but six gets a little dicey. Yeah. Yeah, but, you know, honestly, you know, the issue is depth. I would give anything to have Jalen Green and Dylan Brooks back. a healthy Gilling Green over Kevin Durant. These long stretches. Oh, hold on. You know, it's just proof to, well, yeah, well, hear me out.

All the Rockins have a better record than they did last year. They have a worse record than they did last year. I think at this point, I think it's worse, but a couple games ago it was the same. Okay. Oh, yeah, it's a depth issue. You know, Kevin Durant can't be paying all these minutes. You know, they have no depth, you know, you know, would you rather have, you know, a man, Thompson or Dillon Brooks, you know, at a guard spot?

You rather have Ben Thompson, you know, on a wing or something, right? You know, and Jalen Green is this explosive. And not to have it anymore to complement the other pieces that they have, you know, it's just frustrating to watch and play. You know, Jailene Green, he's what, 22 years old. And, you know, I'm not saying, you know, Jalen Green's a better ball player in Durant's not what I'm saying. I'm talking about the future and just youth, you know,

and have more energy in these tough road stretches. Because depth is curious at issue because when it once, when Alpi is out, it's out, it's plainly obvious you know Steve Adams is this he's just a body Clint Capella

I don't know how he's doing on a roster you know he's just because he's a big guy you know but I'd give anything

to have Jillian Brooks and a healthy Gilling Green going forward at this point and I always think it'd be better off situation

all right Wesley thanks a lot appreciate it look look the record is not as good but the point differential is better

the net rating is better the offense is going to be better I still think overall this is a better team than last year with those guys. So I understand it has not been pretty. They've lost four of the last five. They haven't been scoring for five games.

The three-pointers haven't been gone down. But I think if we just take a deep breath and let them continue to play and now healthier with Alperin Shungum back, we're going to see them turn this thing around. I do truly believe that in my heart. But thank you, Wesley, in Lake Charles. Hope things are going great. out there. All right, real quick, before we hit the top of the hour, let's get Dave,

sneak in David here before we get to our Texans' predictions and talk coming up at 11 o'clock. Go ahead, David. David, how are you doing, Rossi? Doing great, David. What you got? Yes, sir, yes, sir. I want to talk about your audience, and I was hearing a little bit about C.J. Stroud

and Houston, Texans. They have some doubts with C.J. Stroud winning this game tonight. Before I do that, I want to talk a little. little Rockets, if I may. Go ahead. Yeah, the Rockets, I mean, their problem is that it's not really a depth, depth issue. It's a player issue. It's a player issue.

And except for K.D. And except for Shangun, the rest of the team is lackadaisical. They, they're not focused. And they, when they're not focused, they're off. They're, they're shocked off. They're not rebounding. They're not scoring. They're not assisting dropping dime.

The rest of the team is not doing their part. So basically, in my opinion, they need to trade for somebody. I know who they're going to trade for, where they're going to trade for. But the rockets, before the trading deadline, the rockets need to trade for someone. I don't care who it is. They need to make a trade. I got you, David. All right.

We've got to put you on hold. But thank you for making the call because we are hitting the top of the hour. I'm not going to call them lackadaisical, but I mean, EMA Doka kind of reflected what you were talking about, especially when Alper and Shingoon going down, like, hey, we can't rely on a 37-year-old, he goes down, and the whole

team goes to bleep. Everybody has to play better. Whether it is Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson, Dorian Finney Smith, hopefully he can come off the minutes restriction soon. Josh Akogi isn't looking as good as he was when he was starting and playing more. Reed Shepard is good, but

he's been somewhat up been down as of late. And Alpern Shingoon is a huge miss. We're talking about an all-star level player. You still should have beat the Sacramento Kings because he was back and the Kings aren't very good. But I understand why we're down on the rockets right now. But I still believe with the coaching and the players, they're going to be able to turn this ship around. It would be nice to get some days off, but they don't have any coming

in the next month. So we'll see how it plays out. They have played more road games then home over this short stretch of the season tied with any team in NBA history. And I understand it hasn't been a lot of good teams they've been losing to. But it matters. It matters. All right. Quick break here, top of the hour. Those of you on hold, we will get to you.

I promise. We will talk some Texans coming up at the top of the hour. We have to tell the truth coming up at 1130. Chris Gordy's hanging out, Jonathan Allen as well. This is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Number two of the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Without Matt Thomas. Chris Gordy is here hanging out. Ross v. Real with you, Jonathan Allen as well.

Those you on hold, I promise. We will get to you. 713-213-7-190 is the phone number 7-13-212-5-790. We've been talking some Rockets basketball. Unfortunately, shining a light on them because they've lost four of their last five games. And if not for that game winner against Kevin Durant on Monday, last Monday, a week ago, against the Phoenix Suns, goodness knows how that game could have turned around, or turned out, I should say. But they shot, yeah, 24% from three in the game they lost against the Mavericks.

They shot under 25% from three in the three games that they have now lost in a row. And even in that win against the Phoenix Suns last Monday, they shot 24% from three. So the numbers have regressed, and it's funny how it works, because all year long, I was like, hey, they're not going to shoot number one, they're not going to be number one in the NBA shooting from three all year long. But man, this regression has smack them hard for five games. Hopefully those numbers can come back up. Water can find its level because they are now settling back in home for a whopping five game homestand. The team that has played more road games than any other in the NBA getting some time at home,

starting tomorrow with a matchup against the Chicago Bulls, 7 o'clock tip here on a sports talk. 790. 713 212.570 is the phone number if you want to get in. 713. 212.5790. Let's go to a Victor in League City holding Longest. What's up, Victor? Hey, guys.

Tonight, the Texans win if D'emico lets him play inside the red zone. D'emico, every time the Texas gets in the red zone, he sticks out his hand and he goes let's get three, let's get three.

instead of going for that fourth and one or fourth inches. And I think if you let them lose, when the Texas came to the red zone, they will win. And as far as the score, just to throw one out there, I'll take the Texas 20 to 17. 20 to 17. All right, thanks, Victor. I have some bad news for Victor.

Domech Oryans is not going to be aggressive and let it loose tonight. I mean, maybe if it's like the Buffalo Bill, and you've got to score points against Josh Allen. But you're going up against, again, Aaron Rogers. We appreciate not striking fear. Maybe I'll have egg on my face and they're going to score 35 against the Texan's defense. Ain't happening. They're going to play close to the vest.

They're going to play. Unfortunately, Domingo Ryan's, it's kind of in his DNA that we've seen from him as three years as a head coach is he plays not to lose more than he plays to win. But also, I mean, they're on a nine-game winning streak. So it's tough to argue against. Yeah, I'll be curious to see how they play it too. If, I don't know, man, it wouldn't shock me, though, if they come out and they're doing like a bunch of trick plays. Third and longs?

Yeah. Well, I think defensively third and longs, you will see blitz. Like a petri or somebody's coming after at Rogers to make him have to make that quick to see. Yeah, he has certainly struggled under pressure all season long. or they have it changes the complexion of every quarterback but especially Aaron Rogers who's so lacking in mobility

and really weapons once though you get the pressure rate up on him it's been a struggle for the Pittsburgh Steelers and that leads me into my number one key to victory for the Houston Texans we talked about the low average depth of target we talked about the checkdowns we talked about how there's not going to be

necessarily a whole lot of time and pressure So what happens when you have you have screens, you have checkdowns, you have short slants, what do you have to do to mitigate those plays from becoming explosive? You have to be a sure tackling team. And we have seen a couple times this season where there has been some leaky tackling. And normally it's been when Aziz Al-Shayar has been missing some time. So maybe that's not necessarily something I should have to worry about. But I feel like a few times the Achilles heel with this Texan's defense, which is so good and so aggressive, There have been games where they're missing tackles all over the place.

It happened a couple times in that Bill's game where they were able to score, even though they ended up winning that game. That's what I'm worried about. Whether you get Kenneth Gainwell or Jalen Warren or, I mean, occasionally D.K. Metcalf is not going to be extremely good wiggling out in space or anything like that. But he's big and strong and tacklers can bounce off of him. So if they are throwing a seven-yard route to D.K. Metcalf, and he breaks the initial tackle, and he's able to turn the.

that into a gain of 15 or 20, that's where I think you could run into some trouble. So I want to see very sure tackling from the Houston, Texas tonight against the Steelers. Yeah, I mean, that's key. They haven't really been a team that's missed a bunch of tackles this year. There hasn't been a ton, but I feel like the defense has looked most vulnerable. I think that's when they've had issues. I would say in that Jaguar's game, they were missing a lot of tackles, in the Bill's game, in the couple of games where they have given up some points here and there.

I think they've had some issues with mistackles. Well, how about the Raiders game against Ashen Gentie? Oh, Ashen Gentie? They missed a couple of tackles and let him get loose. Yeah, that's a good one too. So, I mean, look, it happens, right? Nobody makes 100% of their tackles. But some of those games, think of the big games where they were most focused.

Bill's game, they hold the bills to 19 fundamentally sound. The game up in Indy. I didn't have Big James Cook run, they missed a couple of tackles? Yeah, but that was really the only big play. But the explosives have been a problem, somewhat of a problem for them the last several weeks, and I think the mistackles can contribute to that. The game up in Indy, you were super focused, held them to 13, or held them to 16. The game in Kansas City, you're super focused.

You held them to 10. Like, I just, I think you're going to get that focus. The Chargers game, too, a few weeks ago. They're super focused. They hold them to just 16. I think you're going to get that super focused defense. You know what I mean? Like, forget, forget the meaningless season finale against Indy.

forget the stupid game against the Raiders. Like the big games in recent weeks, when they've needed to be focused, you get that A-plus effort from the defense. I think you're going to get that tonight. Right, and we're nitpicking at this point. I mean, they get a great pressure rate. They're normally very good. They're good in coverage.

They're good at pass rushing. They're good. The linebackers are good, getting downhill, stopping the run. So at this point, we are just nitpicking. They've been about average with six yards after the catch allowed all season long. So for a defense, this elite, to be average at something, I guess that's where I find a nitpick. So that is something to, because as I said, if this defense is not turning over the ball, I didn't want to go, don't turn the ball over. That's captain obvious football stuff.

Obviously, if they're having short fields and giving up points that way, it's going to be at the detriment of the Texans. But I think in this short passing game where we know there's going to be a bunch of checkdowns and short routes, make the sure tackles. don't allow a five-yard catch to turn into a 15-yard catch and they're going to win this game. I do have to vent on something Texan social media. You already do that. Okay, let's do it next break. I want to hear this.

But real quick, Jonathan, your key to victory for the Houston Texans. I think everything you guys are saying is correct, but I would feel, and just after watching, especially the Chargers game and how confident the entire team, special teams was getting those explosive plays off the start of the first quarter and the second quarter, I feel like that explosive, espousiness needs to be happening if we want, if they want to just control the game.

Yeah. You're talking about Texans offensive plays or mitigate Steelers off explosive plays. Just because our defense got it. We know we have that anchor, right? We have that anchor. Getting that offense, that confidence early on and knowing they can get that play downfield, even if it's just a post down for 20 yards, getting in field goal range and getting back to Fairbair,

and that's what that needs to happen. Because you can't just sit there and let CJ further back in position in yardage and just sit there. He's not going to, as we say, we can't really rely on him right now. He hasn't showed us that he can do it. And maybe after this game, we will. But I think going out there,

first and 10, getting that 15 yards is the perfect thing to keep that offense going and get that defense where they need to be. And like, all right, we got this. We're in the game. Yeah. All right, there you go. Jonathan's key to victory is the explosive plays. Chris Gordy? Oh, man. I think this is key to Texans winning?

Yes. I think at least at least one turnover, if not two. I think like a derrcing the turnovers. Okay. Forcing the turnovers, that'd be nice. Derek Stenling picks are always fun. All right, forcing the turnovers. I'm going with sure tackling. What say you? Jonathan's going with the explosive plays. 713-212-5-790 is the phone number. We have to tell the truth coming up at 1130.

Copley on hold, I promise we'll get to you in the next segment as well. Here on Sports Talk 790 with you until 2 o'clock. It is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Y'all are getting in on the phone lines, want to talk some Texans football. That makes me happy. Big game tonight. A must-win game for the Houston Texans tonight.

right, a must-win game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night football. 713-212-5-7-90 is the phone number here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross with Matt out. Gordy hanging out until the top of this hour. Then we'll have Adam Clanton coming in

at 1 o'clock. I'll be flying solo at noon where Jonathan Allen will bring us the news at noon. You prepping that? Jonathan Allen will bring us the news at noon. I am, Jonathan knows this. My attention to detail. I mean, God bless Matt Thomas.

He does a good job running the show, finding segments, setting things up. My attention to detail is just not there. So when he goes out, it's like the substitute. Keep working on it. You'll get there. Yeah, I'm like 17 years in the business. One day.

Dude, is today my, I think my anniversary is coming up, actually. Oh, congratulations. I got hired on, I think, January 13-ish of 2009. Wow. Yeah, I know. I'm going to throw up, too. All right, anyways, hanging out. out here. Can I do my gripe?

Yes, that's right. Thank you. See, I forgot the tease. So normally I'm okay with these. I don't like to, I think most teams do a good job on social media, the young kids that get in. I will say this though, Ross, when we have had cases of an

of an Astros afternoon playoff game, what's the typical thing you do? Of social media, the easy go-to. I know what you're doing. You're going to say. It's the excuse. absence excuse. Please excuse, blah, blah, blah. So the Texan social media just posted a little while ago.

It is a screenshot of a letter. It says from the desk of Houston Texans admin. Dear Blank, please excuse blank from work today. We fully understand how important showing up being productive, blah, blah, blah. Ross, the kickoff is 715 tonight. I feel like this, the work excuse letter should only be reserved for daytime games. Well, so you brought this up and then I saw it, but I didn't want to read it because I wanted to have a natural reaction to what you said. So here's my natural reaction.

What the hell are they doing? They're asking, I thought when you said that they were going to do that, that they would be asking for like the day off tomorrow. Right. So that they can plan, they can party, they can get fully invested, stay up late and sleep in. I thought that you were going to be complaining and I'll be like, ah, that's not that big of a deal. They're asking for a half off day, day off today? It says we need all fans locked in for the entirety of the game. This is not a small ask.

This is a city priority. First off, it is not a home game. It is on the road in Pittsburgh. All right. You're not traveling to the game. You've left if you're doing that. I just hatched a theory. Believe me or not. Hannah called this down.

Because the Texans admin has been doing like all these young like anime references. This is, this is a boomer. This call came in. I'm sorry. This is a... Hey, we should do the half a day. This is me typing out. Social team, I think it would be really cool if we sent on a cute excuse letter for our game tonight.

Get right on this and CC me immediately. Yeah, this came from... This is boomer stuff right here. I'm sorry. Somebody called in this and... It's a 7.15 central kick. I just feel like even if you work till 5, some people in the city have to work to 5.30. You can get off at 5.30.

You can get off at 5.30 sitting in hours traffic, getting home and still be home with plenty of time to get ready for your Texans game. Yeah, there's got to be some boomer in the organization. And they said in the graphic, we got y'all. Handshake. We got you. Okay, you know what? Hannah wrote this. Hannah McNair wrote this.

There's no doubt in my mind. Or at least somebody who works for her. Yeah, look, comments. We need one for tomorrow. Hey, it's Hannah. Yeah, the game is at 7. She tries to be their friend, too. Because it's always a woman in these social media.

Quite frankly, they're much more creative and better at these social media things than us. It's every social team that I know of with a team, it's women. So anyway, hey girls, she's trying to be cool. Hey, girls, oh my God, I was clocking the tea that this needs to be, we need an excuse absence. That's what she did. It was Hannah McNair. I figured it out. I've seen a lot of people.

And a lot of people are fired up. I mean, people are like, I'm sitting at work. I can't even, I can't even focus. I'm so ready for tonight. Another guy said, thanks, admin, but I'm unemployed, won't need it. Another guy said real ones took the day off today like me. That's stupid. Take the day off tomorrow.

Hello? What are we talking about? The game will end at 1030, 1045. Yeah, then you've got a party until I miss me. At least two when they win. Yeah. Like, if you're one of those people that goes out to a sports bar, yeah, you're not getting home until 11.

Yeah, I'll plan for a safe right home, by the way. All right, 713, 2,1, 2, 570 is the phone number. Let's keep it rolling with Sammy. step on the phones. What's up, Sammy? Hey, guys. I was going. Love the show. Thank you. I haven't heard anybody bring this up, but

I heard it on the weekend football free game shows or halftime shows, but Pittsburgh Steelers have not lost a Monday night football game at home since 1991. And their current win streak

is at 23 games in a row. Yes, that has been I've heard it mentioned. Quite frankly, I don't want to go Clark Gable on you, but quite frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. Kevin O'Donnell is not playing. Ben Rothlisberger is not playing in this game. I don't even know. Charlie Batch, whoever we can go to,

they're not playing. And Heinz Ward is not in this game. I understand that, but the matchup is about tonight. This is the 2025, now 2026, Houston Texans. Their 53-man roster, you're going up against a team that you are better than. Those previous results don't matter to me for the matchup tonight. Good answer. Thank you.

All right. Thanks a lot, Sammy. Appreciate it. 713, 212-790. Go ahead. When you think of Monday night football, though, it's the pre-sked, the game's pre-schedged. The game's pre-scheduled before the season on a Monday night where it's the big game. I mean, this is a playoff game.

You can call it Monday night because it's technically being played on Monday night. but to me it's this is a playoff game. It doesn't have the old moniker of, oh, well, it's Monday night football. Yeah, I meant Neil O'Donnell, not Kevin O'Donnell. But anyways. Same thing. Yeah, it's, it doesn't bother me at all. Coral Stewart walking through that door. Yeah, he certainly is not.

All right, Terry Branch. Well, he was in 91. He wasn't there in 91. But touchdown Tommy Maddox is not walking through that door. Tommy Maddox. What are the crappy quarterbacks of that? They've had a lot of them. Oh, so many bad ones.

We can go to Kenny Pickett and even the recent ones. It's been a bad run. Mitchell Trubisky. But yeah, it is a cool stat, but it has no impactor bearing on this game tonight. Biscuit is holding longest now on the phone lines. What's up, Biscuit? Hey, what's up, my brothers? Hey, first of all, that Monday night thing, to me, if you like me, law of average, say they do for a law.

Yeah, exactly. You can spin it whichever way you want, Biscuit. You know, I mean so is. I like situations like that, man. Let me say this, man. had a call, a few callers back talking about the Rockets, and him thinking they're better, they were better last year than this year. And to some extent, he may be right in regular season, but they're looking for the playoffs,

right? And so that's why Durant is here. He's here for the playoffs. He's not here for the regular season. And you already said it, man, I don't think fans quite realize it, but there's very few teams in NBA that are over 500 on the road, right? right. It's most of the teams in the NBA are under five. So it does make a difference if you've played more road games than home games. So when the schedule twists back their way, it's going

to even out. You know what I'm saying? So Rockers would be probably better off than they were last year, barring, you know, injuries or whatever. That's my take on it. It's, to me, it's not about the regular season. It's about the playoffs. And then my last week, I think the key to the game is hitting Aaron Rogers. I watched a lot of Pittsburgh games this year because my buddy is Steelers fan, whatever. And to me, the Steelers' offense is like boom or bust.

Some games, they're good and some games they're real, real bad. They don't have kind of no in between, but the key denominator is in the game when Aaron Rogers gets hit early and often, it just goes bad real quick. He's one of those types guys going to start pointing at people and

cursing people out and, you know, and it goes downhill. So, hit Rogers early and often. Texans 20 to 10. Yeah. Appreciate it, Biscuit. Yeah. So I mentioned there has been a significant drop-off when it comes to pressures,

but also in terms of time to throw, Steelers are third fastest in the NFL. Dolphins, by the way, first, because think of all the checkdowns and dinks and dunks they do. Same similar thing with the Steelers. So their third fastest, time to throw, and they allow the lowest pressure rate. That's because they're doing a bunch of short-airy passing game.

So they're going to try to do that even more, I'm sure, tonight to make sure as much as possible that Texans pass rush is not a factor. So they're going to have to stay on schedule. So the Texans are going to keep them off schedule, I should say. So second and longs, third in longs, where they have to throw. Because that's where they're going to run into trouble. And that's where this Texan defense is going to start some havoc. So, I mean, nothing D'Amico Ryan doesn't know. Stop the run, keep them off schedule, create tackles for loss.

pressures, sacks, all that type of stuff. Don't let them just eat up the clock and compress the game because they're not the better team. The Steelers aren't. The Texans are favored on the road for a reason. They are the better team. And the shorter the game is with the few is, fewer possessions, the better chance of Steelers are going to have. It feels weird.

These two teams met last year in like the preseason. It just feels like they've always play the Steelers. Like every year. They're playing the, they're playing the, They're playing the bills again next year. But I think, yeah, it depends on the play schedule, right? For example, remember when it was Peyton Manning and Tom Brady? They played every single year, it felt like.

It's because they play first place schedules. And they were always in first place together. So I guess it can kind of be weird runs of schedule. If you end up in the same place, then you play the AFC team every single year. Yeah. It's going to be a fun one. I just, you know, again, that fan, don't ever underestimate that the home field advantage. I didn't take stock.

How many road teams won this weekend in the playoffs? The bills won on the road. The Rams won on the road. There was a close one. Close, Jonathan, but you didn't know, no cigar, sir. I was fine with that. No cigar. I knew you were going to call victory on that.

Fares came back to win at home. Patriots held, sir. 49ers won on the road. Yeah. So three of the one, two, three, four, five, three of the five playoff game so far, the road team has won. About to be four. What's up?

So four of six? Yeah. All right. Quick break here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. When we come back, Chris, we will get to you. And then we will go to To Tell the Truth here on Sports Talk 790, the Matt Thomas Show with Ross. Well, I said no songs before 1976 with Matt Thomas out. But this is the theme of the segment.

Okay, let's do this quickly, folks. To tell the truth, guys, I am only going to. to believe one of these opinions. You only believe one of these opinions. I will go to four. You will tell me which one I believe. Let me go ahead and mark it on the document so you will be able to see Gordy. All right. Big weekend. We haven't really talked about it.

We can do a full segment on this in the news at noon. Big weekend for the Texas Longhorns in the portal. They landed Cam Coleman. They landed Hollywood Smothers. which is, that's one of the greatest names in college football. Hollywood's mothers. They're keeping relique. Brown.

I was going to say brown. I was, thank you. I turned to my SEC college football expert. They're going to have the number one portal class. They're all in on Archmanning's last year, which they should be. If the long horns do not, at least. And this hurts me because I'm going to have to go basically on what Matt Thomas was talking about. We got in a big argument about massive disappointment in the long,

horns if they do not make at least the semifinals with this team and where they are. Huge disappointment, massive disappointment. I'm not saying Sark should be fired or anything like that, but at least the semifinals for the longhorns. Otherwise, this 2006 season coming up is a massive disappointment. All right, moving along. The Rockets have been terrible. They have lost four of the last five games.

their aggression has come with the three-pointers, but it's going to turn. They're going to be home for five games. Now, three of them are against tough opponents. I understand. They also have matchups against the Chicago Bulls in there, and then I think there's one more that is close to a gimmy. I guess I should have pulled this up here.

New Orleans. They're at home for five games. They're going to settle in. I'm saying they're probably going to go four-in-one, but at the very least, at a minimum, they will not go worse than three and two on this homestand. They're coming home, baby. The three-pointers have to start falling eventually.

At the very least, the rockets are going three and two on this five-game home stand. Moving along to the NFL at large. The 49ers have been a great story. They won on a road against the Philadelphia Eagles, although that was a one-score game and could have gone either way. they lost George Kittle at halftime of this game. The attrition is too much.

No Fred Warner, no Nick Bosa, no George Kittle. It's too much. Brock Party is good, but going on the road against a rested Seahawks team, the 12th man environment, how good that defense has been. DVOA has the Seahawks as the number one defense in football, even though I would argue it's the Texans. They have them at number two. But you're going on the road with no George Kittle.

Kyle Hanahan is a magic man, but the attrition is too much. Niners are seven point dogs in this game. I think it's even more. I tack on a field goal to that. Niners lose by 10, maybe even more, to the Seahawks this weekend, who are arrested ready to go

against a road and travel-wary 49ers team. Opinion number four. All right, I've said this last week. This reinforced it. Even though the bills beat the Jaguars, Texans. beat the Steelers tonight. I'm sticking with by double digits.

The Patriots, I ain't scared. It's not the Chargers. They're going to beat them on the road. The Texans will host the Buffalo Bills who beat the Denver Broncos at the AFC championship game. The matchup is set in my mind. The Texans will host

the Buffalo Bills and the AFC championship game. And that's my fourth opinion. I only believe. leave one Jonathan and Gordy if the Longhorns don't at least make the semis massive disappointment of a season in 2026.

Rockets will go at minimum three and two on this homestand probably four and one. Attrition is too much. Niners lose by 10 to the Seahawks. And I believe the AFC championship game will be the Buffalo Bills visiting NRG Stadium

for the AFC championship game. You go first. Jonathan. You'll talk it out. Well, the first one, I don't believe at all, because Ross has already got on Matt saying Matt's a disappointment about

these coaches standards. I was before the number one portal class. What were they this year? They were like three, no? I'm not sure, honestly. No, I wouldn't that high. Honestly, the one I'm trusting gut is you do believe the Rockets are going to come back.

You have a lot of faith in the Rockets. Three and two, they could lose to okay C in Minnesota and still go three and two. So I'm leaning towards number two. I was leaning towards that as well. The Niners with no chance at the Seattle. Come on. It's divisional rivalry that they'll have

a chance. Texans hosting the NFC, you can say Texas beat the Steelers tonight by double digits. I'll buy that. But then just glossing over, they're going to beat New England and host the EFC championship game. That feels like a road too far. So I'm going to say no on that one. I mean, it is easy to just

say yes with all these big additions Sark if you don't make the semis but if they make at least a playoff game and win it's not a total disappointment so probably go with the Rockets even though it's it seems a little bit of a stretch to go they should go three to with three really good teams but it is at home

and yeah you struggle on the road I'll go with the Rockets all right you're right both of you on the Longhorns won massive disappointment is an overstatement as you said

Gordi. It could be a situation where they have a very tough schedule next year. They go to LSU. They host Ohio State. They could literally lose two games, win a playoff game, not make the semis. It would be a disappointment, but a massive disappointment is a little much because everybody else is getting in the arms race

in the portal as well, but I still have high hopes for the Longhorns this season. Yes, both didn't even give any credence to the Niners one. That's a shame. But I do think the Seahawks are going to win by about seven. That's where the line is. 10 is too much.

Kyle Shanahan is a magician. Who knows what's going to happen? Division rivalry, as you said, Mr. Gordy, I can't guarantee the rockets are going three and two minimum. I want them to go three and two minimum. I wanted to believe that. I was typing that out.

Sometimes I'm like, do I believe that? No, I don't. I want them to go three and two minimum. It's not crazy. Have you seen this basketball team in the last five games? What's on the road? Yeah, but they're not getting days off. If they had a day, literally one more day off anywhere.

If they had two days off anywhere on this homestand, I would feel better. But it's every other night with a back-to-back on Thursday, Friday. I think they will go three and two, but saying that I'm guaranteeing minimum three and two, no, I can't get with that. I have to stick with my guns. I think the Texans win tonight. And I think they win a close one against the New England Patriots. I think the bills beat the Broncos.

All three of those outcomes, I could whiff on all three of them. Well, I can't whiff on all three of them, actually. I could whiff on at least the first two starting tonight against the Steelers. I feel in my heart. Battle Red Ross! Feels it! The Texans are hosting the Buffalo Bills.

It just feels a step too far. I marked it. I marked it. It just feels a step too far. I know. It feels crazy. But I'm doubling down, baby. Come at me, Steelers, bros. I need to check how many bookmarks I have on that Steelers tweet.

It was up to like 60 last week. Somehow it ended up in the 4U tab. Texan's got to win tonight. And you know what? You guys are nasty. How many people with the personal attacks? Let me see. 991 likes.

Okay, no, some people must have unbookmarked it. It's only 54 bookmarks now. My declaration that the Houston Texans are making the AFC championship. Have the Steelers still never finished below 500 or Mike Tomlin? I think that's true. He's a miracle worker, honestly. Pretty bad strong. Look, I think there's something to be said for the leader of men coach.

because Mike Vable, Mike Tomlin, I mean, John Harbaugh, these are guys we don't think of as defensive or offensive wizards, but there's something to be said for guys who are well prepared, get their plays to play hard, and aren't afraid in the moment to make tough coaching decisions. We all want the defensive or offensive wizard when it comes to like the Kyle Shanahan's and the Andy Reads, but these leader of men type of guys,

we can see them be successful, especially with the right coordinators in place. All right, that is to tell the truth. Those of you on hold, I promise that, Chris, you are next. You guys want to get in. 713, 212-790 is the phone number. News at noon coming up as well. Adam Clinton coming up at 1 o'clock.

Right now, Chris Gordy continues to hang out. We are talking about the Steelers and the Texans, rockets and the bad run. They have been on all kinds of stuff. Anything you want to get to, 7-1-2-5-7-90. 7-13-212-5-7-90. 11-50 in the a.m here on Sports Talk 790. Rosvie, Rie out with you on the mat. show with Ross. We've got the news at noon coming up at noon. We've got a lot of stuff to get to.

We've been talking some Texans, big matchup with the Steelers tonight. We've been talking some Rockets lost four of the last five. College football, all that good stuff. 713-212-5-790 is the phone number 7-13-212-5-790. I guess we do have to use you as a college football resource since you are here, Gordy, Mr. Lockdowne SEC himself. Sam Levitt now, LSU Tagas? How are we feeling about them? LSU Tigers? Yeah, it's a big get. I mean, LSU had, as of two days ago, it had zero scholarship quarterbacks on their roster. Oh, you want to get up from that.

They picked up the kid from Elon, Landon Clark yesterday, and now they get the number one prospect in the portal. I still find it weird. I mean, look, I like Sam Levin. I think he's good, but they've held steadfast. He's the number one overall player in the transfer portal. I just, I think that's a little high. He's coming off a list Frank injury that apparently is going to hamper him through the spring.

so he's not going to be ready to take you know, reps and all that. I think that's, LSU just brought in nine new wide receivers. Nine. There's something to be said about. Do they know you can only start 11 players? A new quarterback with a new old line and all new receivers and you're not going to be able to practice all spring?

I think there's, there should be a little bit concerned there. I don't know. I threw the LSU softball, but go ahead. But yeah, I mean, that was the big news of the week, of the day. The big news of the weekend was Texas adding wide receiver Cam Coleman, who was hands down the number one wide receiver in the portal. They had Hollywood Smothers, the NC State runnerback who had already committed to Bama, but flipped, I guess, had not signed yet with Bama and flipped to Texas.

And Texas had already signed Relique Brown, one of the other top running backs in the portal. It was funny, I was looking at a pick of Sam Levitt. Yeah. Was handing the ball off to Relique Brown at Arizona State. That's the normal, baby. One is the Texas running back and one is the LSU quarterback. But no, big, big weekend for Sark. Texas was losing a lot of portal pieces.

Or like they were in on portal pieces, but they were missing a lot of them. So finally, somebody with money stepped up and said, pay whatever you want for Camp Call. Yeah, well, I think they were losing the portal pieces because they were kind of basically told, hey, we're going to be go-heading, we're going to be getting these guys, are going to be targeting these guys. I think one led to the other. Yeah, I also think the teams are being, look, just, Just because you have $20 million in revenue share, keep in mind, that is to spend on all sports.

Most of the SEC teams that have that $20 million revenue share that can pay players, they're allocating anywhere from $13 to $15 million for football. So if you're giving a kid a million of that, I mean, that's a huge percentage of your cap already. So that's where a lot of kids are coming through with the secondary NIL deals. you know, Texas calls such and such car dealership. It goes, hey, can you spot a million of this kid and we'll get you advertising and all that? Yeah. So there's ways around it right now.

And people are pushing back. I mean, this is going to be a very interesting thing to see how this is rained in in the coming year to two because Learfield and Playfly and a lot of these broadcast rights teams, they were trying to figure out ways to circumvent like, hey, why don't we sign the kid to an endorsement deal? and then when we go sell a sponsorship for Coca-Cola, we'll use that player, and so we'll pay him off that. And so they're basically, they came out with a thing yesterday saying, look, you can say you're going to try to pay the kid to that, but you can't guarantee $4 million. Yeah.

So Kauai Leonard and Steve Ballmer think that's a good idea. Yeah, it's, look, it's, you open Pandora's box. You got to think teams, people are going to try to find ways to work around the rules. I have something crazy to say Why can't they? Why can't they say we're going to tie it into those sponsorships? As long as the money gets paid and it's above board and Coca-Cola wants to give that money

and they want to pay that money to the kid, what's the problem? Well, Ross Delanger's got a whole piece on it but it basically is saying like Leerfield, it's kind of a conflict of interest too. They're like, we're your broadcast partner. We can't be the pitchman for helping you bring recruits in you know

that's crazy it's a very it's a very weird time it's crazy out there all right let's uh get chris chris has been holding very patiently appreciate you chris thanks for the the time the floor is yours hey what's up ross what's on gordon

yo hey man um ross i'm gonna have to I'm gonna have to go with you on your fourth your fourth uh your fourth option let's go baby I text my friends.

I was in a group chat yesterday, and I text them that right before all the game started, and I said, man, I just had this feeling that the Texans, I mean, the Texans got to be battle tested, so they got to go on the road, right? So they got to go on the road, and I think it's better for them to be battle tested, and I think the bills will beat the Broncos,

and the Texans will beat the Patriots next run. They're going to host AOC. That's just my friends. feeling. That's my good feeling. I was going to stick with that. But as far as key to winning tonight, in my opinion, in my opinion, and this is just what I feel, I think it's going to come down to Nick Cady. And the reason why I say that, the reason, obviously, you know, I think Nick Kelly is probably going to open up the playbook even more for a lot of trick plays and all that stuff. And the reason why I say that is because when I saw the Chargers game, they scored those two, those two

touchdowns real quick in the first quarter, and I'm like, I'll say to myself, like, dude, worse has been all year. Like, I haven't seen y'all play like that all year. Like, y'all just been mediocre. You know what I mean? Like, it's just, you know, everybody kept on saying, like, oh, the Texans offense, it is what it is.

That's just what, that's just their identity. But I think that Nick Cayley is probably saving the best for lives. And I think they're probably just going to throw off everybody in the playoffs. And maybe the other teams are probably like that. like, okay, how do we adjust to this? What are they going to do now? You know what I mean? Because, you know, that's just my opinion, and that's what I feel.

And, you know, I can be wrong. But as far as if they, if this, if they open that playbook open or for CJ Sean, that offensive line, I think they're going to join the, join in on the defense as this elite. I think they're going to come in, the explosive. That's just what I feel, my opinion. And if that's, and if it sticks like that to where I feel, I would say 27, 13. I might just bump it up to maybe a 30 to 17.

Someone's around there. But that's what I feel, and I'm just going to go with my gut feeling. And I think it's going to come down to Nick Cayley opening it up, and then everybody's going to be like, damn, what was this all year? You know what I mean? Okay. So that's just my opinion, and I hang up and I listen to all, I think all of all the opinions on that. All right.

Thanks a lot, Chris. I appreciate it. I think 30 points is going to be a little bit much unless they're really forcing some turnovers. And I think a lot of times Nick Cayley doesn't open it up because, I mean, that's just the philosophy of this football team led by Domingo Ryan's is not to be just airing the ball out 50 to 60 times. They want to one of a defense. They want to establish a run. They want to go with the short passing game. They don't want to turn the ball over.

And normally that doesn't happen late in games. Early a little bit, it was happening, of course, going down the field against the Chargers. but then every drive after that there was a short pass for four yards and then every drive after that was a run on first down. So they don't normally hide and run away. I think it'll be kind of a one-score-ish game. Texans score late and it'll be a 24 to 13 victory. That's kind of what I'm feeling.

24 to 13? Okay, so you don't think it's going to be close. What did we say earlier though? Total's 38 and a half. The row teams that won. Rams snuck by a field goal. Bill snuck it out by a field goal 49ers pulled it out by four

So if the Texans win by nine Ross That would be the biggest Margin of victory for a road team this weekend It could happen That's what I'm predicting My predictions are wrong every week So we'll see I think it comes down in the wire

If all those The three road teams that pulled it out came down to the final seconds I think it's close in the fourth quarter Texans get a touchdown and then maybe even like a turnover while Aaron Rogers at the end of this game, if he's having to press and throw the ball, he's getting sacked, he might be turning the ball over,

and then that's where the Texans kind of get that winning margin. That's just my gut feeling? Well, look, I'd love to be in bed at 10.30 with nothing, not sweating out anything. All right, thank Gordy for hanging out. First couple hours. Appreciate you. We got Adam Clinton coming up in the 1 o'clock hour.

Mack, I see you on hold. This is basically the solo hour, which means it's me and you guys. So you guys want to interact. You can co-host for a couple of minutes. 212-1-2-5-790 is the phone number. 7-13-212-5-7-90. Quick break here.

When we come back, the news at noon with Jonathan Allen. This is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Wow. I'm doing this for you and I have nothing left to prove. Nah. This for me, though. I'm just trying to stay. Tonight on ABC and ESPN, it's the Houston Texans visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers in wildcard action.

32 degrees tonight of the frozen tundras in Pittsburgh and whatever the hell they're calling Heinz Field these days. Will the old rickety bones of Aaron Rogers be able to bear this cold and the Texans' ferocious pass rush featuring Daniel Hunter and Will Anderson second and first team all pros respectively which coach will blink first

which one can punt and kick field goals to win more who will be more conservative the first to 16 points wins tonight at Pittsburgh it's the wild card on Monday night

welcome in to our number 3 of the Matt Thomas show with Ross here on the Sports Talk 790. A couple of stumbles. You know what? That's what you get for improvving Ross. Jonathan Allen is here. Chris Gordy, thanks to him for hanging out for the first couple of hours. Hour number three, Adam, excuse me,

four, I should say. Adam Clanton will be hanging out. Mac, I see you on hold. We'll get to you in just a minute. Phone lines are open at 713, 212, 5, 790. But now we got to get to the news at noon with the one

and only Jonathan Allen How was your weekend Jonathan? You know it was relaxing watching football man

Yeah you watch The Golden Globes No actually I didn't watch And nobody else did either So fine Not a big deal I can be watch on YouTube

Yeah maybe you'll catch it I think Timothy Salomey one big You know I have some discussion That we'll get that Oh I like that

Okay To tell the truth On Timothy Shalame Overrated are you saying No I'm not saying that I'm not saying that. I just watched the movie Saturday.

Maris Supreme? Yes. Oh, was it good? We'll get to that. I want to watch it. No, we'll get, I'll break it down for you. You know, I want to actually watch it either. I don't have time today.

I want to watch it this week because I think it's out of theaters this week. Yes, so yeah, you need to. Maybe I'll go Wednesday. Remind me in this next segment. All right. All right. Sorry, go ahead. What's on the news at noon?

Let's just get it out the way. Rockets have lost the last four or five. Fall into Sacramento Kings 1-11 to 9-1 to 9. And Taria Eason being out on his ankle day to day as well. It's not looking too hot, Ross. It's not. I'm curious because the last, the game against the Portland Trailblazers, Matt Thomas, it sounded like somebody shot his dog on the final call.

Oh, dude, I know. Let me hear the final call here. I got it. I got it. Then Thompson will walk it across the timeline eight seconds left. A man splits the rings to his left for Jabari Smith. It just pounds the basketball in utter. this appointment.

Model score tonight here from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. The Kings 111. Their Rockets 98. I don't want to get a habit of this, but yeah, here's the one from Portland on Friday, where they were up 13 going into the 4th and completely collapsed. 105.8

seconds left. And the rocket's turning over on the inbound. That's going to throw out, dribble things out. The Socor will grab it. Time will go off, and the Blazers beat the Rock. And I just found out my dog out run over. Not good.

I can't imagine that right now. That's not good. I mean, I want to say, I do agree with Emey, man. I felt like the young guys are now just kind of just riding a coat to the KD, and he's 37, man.

Hey, hey. Let's be real. They're missing wide open threes. They were the number one three point shooting team that wasn't going to hold all season long. They've played 23 on the road and 13 at the home. The biggest 36 game split tied

in NBA history. I understand. It's ugly. It's not fun. It's not thrilling. They're going to be okay. We'll have to say. But they're going to be fine.

Okay. But they're okay. It's going to be fine. It's going to be fun under this homestand. Yeah, why not? Am I trying to convince myself? Sounds like it. I don't know.

And we'll see. What else is going on? All right. Let's bring it to the Texans real quick. They're releasing pass-fisher, Darrell Taylor, because they wanted to activate rookie safety, safety, excuse me, Jalen Reed

today. Wonderful. He was healthy now, but they're headed to waivers and claimed to be he wants to be on a playoff team so they just released him today before the game. If you haven't caught what happened last weekend, real quick, Bill's beat the Jags, who would have thought?

Patriots beat the Chargers, okay? Bears take down Packers, 49's take down Eagles, and Rams beat the Panthers. Exciting the NFL game, I'm excited for tonight. I'm just ready to go. Yeah, full practices pretty much across the board for the Houston Texans. Jawar Jordan is going to be out for the game.

Jalen Reed, who is activated, as you said, is listed as questionable. But Ariante Arsery with a full practice. Same thing for Kamari Lasseter, De Nico Autry, Titus Howard. So it looks like it's going to be a mostly full strength Houston Texan squad tonight at Pittsburgh in the wild card matchup, which should be some fun stuff. All right. We do have a ton of other stuff to get to, Jonathan. But, you know, I give me one more, actually.

I was fine. There's so much transfer portal stuff, but I just wanted to bring up. Oh, come horns, baby. Spin, baby, spin. I'm ignoring Longhorns. I just wanted to just point out, Nebraska's QB went to Oregon after this. I can't say his last name, Daniel, Dylan Royola, the one that wants to be. Royola, yeah, the Patrick Mahomes reincarnated.

He went to Oregon as Sam Levin went to LSU this morning. So there's so much other stuff. Of course, we got the UT transcers, but, you know. Yeah. That's all I was got. Cam Coleman. They got Hollywood's Mothers. Running back was committed to Alabama.

Now coming to Texas, they got two great running backs. They need to still address the interior of the offensive line, but I'm feeling pretty darn good about the Longhorns. I mean, look, if your team gets his number one in the portal, you're not going to feel bad about it, so sorry. All right. Quick break here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross.

I'm flying solo, so you guys want to get in. My key to victory number one for the Houston, Texas. because low average depth of target for Aaron Rogers all season long, second worst in the NFL only to Dylan Gabriel. That means short passing. That means checkdowns. That means you must tackle when you meet them. Don't let that five-yard gain turn into a 15-yard game.

What is your number one key for the Texans against the Steelers? Besides the obvious, don't turn the ball over, score more points, stuff like that. So something a little bit more nuanced in the second layer. as it were, that you think is the key to a Texans victory tonight and a score prediction as well. I've got 24 to 13. What say you, 713, 212, 5790 is the phone number. 713-1-2-5-790. The Matt Thomas show with Ross, without Matt Thomas, continues after this short break.

Battle Red Ross is calling 24 to 13. What say you, 713, 212, 5-790, the phone number. 713-212-5-790 mentioned in the last segment. Full practices for, I mean, just every key piece right now that was on the injury report earlier in the week. For the Texans, Jawar Jordan is going to be missed. That is unfortunate. You're down to Woody Marks and Nick Chubb.

Run game hasn't been great all season. You would like to get something going there. Not really super confident that that is going to be. something they're going to be able to do. So I think maybe I am focusing a little bit too much on the defensive advantage. Steelers have a good defense and the Texans have a great defense. Texans have a average to worse offense. Steelers have probably about an average offense. So could it all equal out? Vegas odd makers say it's going to be close. Three point favorites are the Houston Texans. So we'll see how it plays out tonight on Monday.

football, of course, we'll get your first and best reaction. Here on Sports Talk, 790, we don't have to be biased. We don't have Texans overlords listening to our programming. We'll shoot you straight here on Sports Talk 790, the best Texans coverage in town. 713-212-5-790 is the phone number. As I mentioned, Mack in Pearland has been holding patiently.

So, Mack, go ahead. The floor is yours. Hey, I think that it's going to be another maddeningly close game. I think we'll win. I'm not much of a score. projector, so I'm not going to do that. But I'd like to see him run right at T.J. Watts, just to see if he really is recovered as well, as they say.

Oh, get him tired? Test that punctured lung? Yeah. I like that. Okay. As far as college football playoffs in Texas and what's an acceptable year for them, I think anybody who gets an automatic bid should be, should be, say, they've had a successful year. Once you're in, too many bizarre things can happen. Like, it turns out that the number 10 seed, Miami, there's really no shame in losing

them because they're a really good team, right? Yeah, I think the more you add in games from going from two to four to 12, that's the more variants you're going to get, especially in the college game where the players aren't necessarily a skilled. You're going to get more mistakes in terms of penalties, turnovers, stuff like that. It's just, you're going to end up with a lot of. lot of variance. And then, of course, we can go to the great example of the team, the field of the one and done field of 64 in basketball tells you anything can happen in any given matchup.

And it can happen in football. So the day and age of where the absolute best team wins every single year, I think, is gone. You will have some years where the best team does win. But in a 12 team playoff, that's going to be more and more difficult every year. It's going to be somewhat of a crapshoot. You have to limit your mistakes and you have to get hot at the right time. But it certainly is fun and entertaining, especially getting some different blood in there to where now you had a Miami, Ole Miss, Oregon, and Indiana in the semis. And now it's Miami in Indiana. Miami hasn't won a championship since 2001. And I'm going to guess out loud.

I guess I should know this. I don't think the Indiana Hoosiers have ever won a football championship. That is correct. Therefore, they're due. Yeah. They are a little overdue. Well, they are the better team, and we'll see what happens in that final matchup. So it's certainly fun.

I think Indiana would probably have a pretty good claim of being the best team in college football, so going against what I was saying. And they are eight and a half-point favorites in this game. But yeah, an all-time dominant performance so far this season from Indiana. We'll see what happens in the finals, Mac. So work excuses for people for the night's game. Yes. So the brisket smokers have already called in sick.

Oh, that's true. Most of the rest of the football watching population can enjoy a game unless they've got a fully stocked cooler of cheap beer and our cooking burgers, dogs, smoking ribs, etc., etc. So I would think anybody has to be off at 2 o'clock to really get it going, don't you? Yeah, I guess so, Mac. Thanks a lot. Thanks a lot.

Appreciate you making the call. as we're referencing the Texans asking for a half day for people to get ready for the Monday night football game tonight. You should be asking for the half day to come in late tomorrow because you're going to party hard after the Texans win. But I digress. All right, 713-212-5-790 is the phone number. Let's keep it going here on the phone lines in terms of longest wait.

Scott in River Oaks, you're next up. What's going on, Ross? So I was calling, I heard your take that you, your prediction as of right now is that not only are we going to win tonight, but that you think we're going to end up posting Buffalo and the AFC championship games? Yes. I agree with you. I agree with you. After watching Buffalo and Jacksonville yesterday,

Josh Allen looked absolutely phenomenal. And not that we have any sympathy for Jacksonville, but I think we got extremely lucky that those two teams had to play each other in the first round. I mean, Jacksonville looked great. That was just a really, really great football game overall. Jacksonville is really, really good. I wouldn't have wanted to have to go play in Jacksonville at any point either, and I'm glad that we have to – we get to put off Buffalo,

even for now just for one round and get to hopefully play them in the AFC championship game. I think, you know, when we talk about tonight's game, you know the NFL is really weak to week, so you can't put too much stock of. This team looked good against one week, or they look sloppy, so that means that's how the game is going to play out the following week. So I say that to say, to caveat that by saying, I do think how we look tonight matters.

Obviously, getting the win is the most important thing, and I don't really think there's a scenario in which our defense doesn't look good, because the only real way to beat our defense all season long has been if you have some type of mobile quarterback, which obviously the Steelers don't have. But on the offensive side of the ball, if we really really, you know, really, just keep the game close because we are unable to score any points at all. I think that is going to be a level

of concern moving forward even into a place like New England. Drake May probably will be able to get at least 20 points against our defense and on the road in that environment which will be coming into a short week would be tough. So I'm really our offense needs

to show even more than just media, more than just taking care of the ball if we're going to be serious about getting to a Super Bowl. They have to be able at some point to put the ball into the end zone score in a critical spot when the game counts. So that's what I'm looking forward to tonight, how our offense looks, because even if they don't look good and we still find a way to win, which I think we would be more than capable of beating New England and even if not New England

beating Buffalo at some point the chickens will come home to roost if our offense doesn't find a way to play at a higher level. that's what they're going to have to do. And that's why the Texans aren't an all-time dominant team. Literally, if they had a great offense, we would be talking about them marching towards the Super Bowl with ease. And that's just not, unfortunately, the way it is, and that's not normally how it is in the NFL.

We can poke holes into every team, especially in the AFC, who's left into the playoffs. So what would happen if the Texans get off schedule? Let's say, yeah, you give a field goal up to Pittsburgh on the first drive, and then the Texans first drive, they turned the ball over, short field for the Steelers, they get a touchdown, you're down to nothing. That's when I would be hitting the panic button because I am worried about this offense when they are down

and when they need to come back and when you have to win and you have to get points with them. Now it worked and it happened with Davis Mills in that Jacksonville game in early November and they just haven't scored a lot of points since then. I mean, they looked ugly in that Davis Mills game against Tennessee following that. They were able to beat the bills 23 to 19 in the game after that, but Davis only had 153 yards.

And then it's been, these have been their point totals, 20, 20, 40 against Arizona, which is good, then 23, 20, and then 38 in a weird game against Indiana. So generally around 20 to 23 points as of late has been their sweet spot. So you can't afford, you can ill afford to get off schedule. and that does give me some worry because if things don't go according to plan, which does happen in the NFL, can you win?

Can you come back from 10, 13, even 14 points down? Because you're going to have to at some point in the playoffs, in all likelihood, unless this defense is going to shut everyone down and you're never going to make any mistakes. That's a pathway to victory as well. But I would say planning on everything to always go your way

is a fool's plan. So we'll see. All right, quick break here, bottom of the air. Those you want to get in, you can. 713, 212-5-790 is the phone number. 7-1-3-2-1-2-5-7-90. Texans taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight. Monday night football.

It is a wild card Monday. We're talking about it here on Sports Talk 7-90. Y'all want to get in and talk some Texans football. I'm with it. Let's do it. The NFL playoffs, baby. Doesn't get much better than this. Well, okay.

get much better if a potential matchup doesn't have a vaguest total of 38 and a half, which is very low. But that's Texans football. We've been seeing it all year. Generally, for the most part, comes down to one drive, one play. I mean, just nervous is all get out. Can we rely on the offense? Can we rely on the defense?

Can the defense make one more stop? We've seen so many one-score games for the Texans. They've been able to win. it has been frustrating at times, you know, getting up 14-0-0 on the Chargers, then hanging on tight to win that game 20 to 16. The Raiders game was frustrating. Chief's game was close to the end. I mean, it's Texans football.

Bill's game. Remember how they almost blew that game at the end? Yeah, it's probably going to be more of the same tonight. My 24 to 13 score includes a late score for the Houston Texans in order to get to that double-digit spread. 713-212-5-790 is the phone number. Wow, you guys are getting in on the phone lines. Want to talk some Texas football?

I love it. Let's keep it rolling. Koso, you're next up. Hey, Ross. What's going on, Mr. America? I'm doing well. What do you got? All right.

So I was listening to a podcast. I was listening to the Bill Simmons podcast, and they were talking about this Monday night game, and the score of this game is going to sound like a pre-war-war-2 date. It's going to be like 19 to 13, 19 to 10, something, some crazy low number score. And I think that favors the Texans defense, obviously, but they also brought up the fact that the Texans are, I think, oh and two on Mondays, Monday games this year. And like 0 and 1 or or 02 on Monday playoff games, I want to feel and sound confident, but we've known

in this Texans team that we've grown to love and hate so much that they always end up shooting themselves in the foot somehow if it's mostly on the offense if we do get a low scoring game like a 19 to 13 what is going to be your key takeaways from a Texans win and I'll hang up and listen thanks that'd be it's almost expected at this point I mean you said they're talking about it in the bill Simmons podcast we mentioned the Vegas total is 38 and a half this weekend I mean it's the lowest on the board by far I don't have have the, I think everyone else is at least like 44 and a half, I think was like

the second lowest total this weekend. I'll give you the ones in the divisional round. 46 and a half. 45 and a half. 51 and a half Rams, bears, that's, you're, and Vegas, maybe I'm throwing too many numbers at you. Vegas totals don't mean

everything, but that's going to give you, that should give you an idea. Because generally, if 10 games are played on the Vegas spread, they're going to all, on average, be around there. You can get the outliers, you can win overs and unders, but I checked like week 14. It was something like 50.5% overs and unders and it was the same thing for spreads. They're pretty good in the total. They can get individual games wrong, but they don't normally miss a whole lot. So this is going to be

in all likelihood a very low scoring game. And if it's not, it's going to be because of turnovers and pick sixes and maybe a special teams touchdown or something like that. So that's what you have to limit. You always want to say football one-on-one, don't turn the ball over. Don't give away special teams touchdowns. But especially in a matchup where points are going to be at a premium, it's almost like talking about a pitcher's duel in baseball. Like, hey, man, you're going up against it's Terrick Scooboble versus Hunter Brown.

Runs are going to be at a premium. So you can get one guy on and, you know, hit one into the gap and get up one-nothing. It's going to be huge. And then the reverse is true. If you give up a pick six, if you give up. short fields. If you give up special teams touchdowns, it's going to be that much more detrimental because you do not have the weapons to get in an arms race with anybody. So I do expect a lower scoring game. My 24 to 13 is the under at 37.

And I kind of would be a little surprised if it goes over. But as I said, things can happen with special teams touchdowns, turnovers and all that. type of stuff. It's going to be a knock down, drag them out, slobber knocker. You also add into the factor of two conservative coaches, arguably two of the most conservative coaches in football who want to win with their defense, who don't want to take a whole lot of chances, and they want to trust their guys. Yeah, you want to trust, you know, High Smith and T.J. Watt and Cam Hayward. Yeah, you want to trust Daniel Hunter and Will Anderson, Jr., and Derek Stingley and Colassar and Petra, et cetera. Yeah, you're going to

you're going to want to win with those guys. They're dogs. Both have really good defenses. Texans are great and elite. Steelers defense is really good. Against an offense, that's not in the Houston, Texas. 713-212-5-7-90. The phone number, Manuel,

holding longest. What's up, Manuel? Hey, what's up, Matt? Hello, hello, again, Houston. My prediction is Texas is going to win it, 24-16. and Rogers and Brisbane, they're going to run the Chuck and Duck offense. Roger's going to chuck that ball into 2.5 seconds

and then Doug for his life. That's my comment. I appreciate y'all. Y'all have a great night and it's going to be a great game. Thank you. I'm trying to be funny because he called me Matt. I'm trying to, this is a little secret guys.

I'm trying to be funny. He called me Matt, and I have all these Matt drops. So I was going to try to play some Matt drops and have a funny back and forward with him. It would be hilarious, but our computer's freezing. 713-212-5-790. He complains about putting a little dabble sauce on somebody's meat. I did not.

What? See, this was going to be funny, but this- How old is he again? 29? 28. 28? Yeah, he's still in that range. He still can get it.

See? This was going to be funny with the caller who called me Matt, but our computer froze. Ah, well. What are you going to do? All right. He sucks. I mean, he doesn't like normal suck. He's super sucks.

All right. 713-212-5-790 is the phone number. I didn't even hear what manual. What was Manuel saying, Jonathan? I was trying to get these drops up and I thought it was going to be clever and funny and quick on the draw, but I wasn't because the computer froze. Yeah, guys. I was put a black card.

I was back here editing the podcast. Oh, you didn't hear you. That's okay. Manuel, I'm sure it was a fantastic call. You know what, man, that was the call today, Manuel. I really appreciate you. Good perspective on the Houston Texans. And thank you.

I will just stick with my guns. Think it's going to be a close er game till late. Texans score late 24 to 13. They get the victory. Aaron Rogers, I do. If I'm talking about a couple things that worry me, it could be the Steelers defense against a what has been at times hapless Texans offense. You know, I talked about the thing that they have to do.

Things that worry me would be this Texan's offense, of course. Another thing that worries me is that with his back against the wall and coming up in must-win situation, or drives at the end of games. Aaron Rogers, it feels like has been pretty good. I don't have numbers to back that out, but just like a gut feeling. There's been a number of times where it's late in the game. He needs to come up with a drive to win,

and he's been able to do that several times for this Pittsburgh Steelers team that did win their division and did win 10 games. So I'm not calling like a cakewalk. It's going to be 31 to 3 Texans or anything like that, but a little worried about the Rogers' mystique and how intelligent and clutch he has been in his career. and definitely worried about this Texans' offense sputtering. If I said, Eve, we come to you tomorrow and I open the show

and I kind of come with you hat in hand and say, I was wrong, Texans lost. This defense, the Steelers defense kept them from scoring any points. That wouldn't be crazy. That wouldn't be the wildest thing that ever happened. But I think they're going to do enough, and I think they're going to get the dub. Aaron Rogers making his 12th postseason appearance.

Tied for the third most, NFL history. I don't think that means 12th game. That means that's got to mean 12th season that he's made the postseason is what they're going to mean by that. Legendary career,

40 years old. Generally, you don't get the ride off into the sunset moment with the all-time greats, and I don't think it's going to happen tonight in Pittsburgh. But it feels like, you know, one of those moments you're like, I'm being way too confident about this.

something bad's going to happen. So I'm getting those creeping thoughts in my subconscious. But you know what? Shut up, subconscious. Texans are going to win. Let's go. 713-212-5-790 is the phone number. 7-13-212-5-7-90.

Jimmy in Tomball holding longest. What's up, James? Guys, enjoying the Sports RV show. And Ross, when Matt's gone, hey, guys, you've got to just talk sports-off v show, because Matt never calls it the sports or the math with Ross whenever you're gone. Wait, he doesn't say Ross at all?

Well, at the Thomas show with Ross. He never says the sports, you know, the Mac's the Thomas show with Ross. And half the time he doesn't even say with Ross when you're gone, though. Anyway, I got a would you rather scenario. Anyway. Okay. And one, picking one doesn't mean here happen. It cannot happen.

It just means you're only guaranteed one. Okay. From now, the other can't end of the Texans playoff run. You can either be guaranteed through the year of office. Oh, man. Our phones are messing up, Jimmy. I was trying to let it roll. It sounds like, okay, this is our phone system.

We have web-based phones, and sometimes the web isn't great. You sounded like you were using a helium balloon, but I tried to let it ride because it wasn't skipping that bad, but then it started skipping really badly. So hopefully we can get it working. Let's try Kyle. Kyle, what's up? How's going, Ross?

Thanks for taking my call. Thank you. I just wanted to call. I have a couple questions on how you think it'll go tonight. First one is Jalen Ramsey, who do you think they're going to put him up against on our receiving court? I'm assuming Nico Collins, but... They've been playing him more at safety. I think it might be Michael, I mean, Joey Porter Jr. has been...

I don't know if they've been shadowing this year, if you want me to answer honestly. But Joey Porter Jr. in the past is shadowed. And they have a couple of good corners. so I don't know exactly if they're going to be going into shadow coverage, and they've been trying to play Jalen Ramsey at safety at this point in his career. Gotcha. And then my second question was just, as far as their defense goes, do you think we'll try more of a run attack or pass attack primarily tonight?

Or where do you think they're most vulnerable at? Who is most more vulnerable? Sorry. The Texans or the Steelers? The Steelers defense. Do you think they're more vulnerable against the run or the pass? Yeah, I would try to go after that interior a little bit more, even though Cam Hayward is pretty good in there. They go with the 4-3 with the outside linebackers and Highsmith is good and we know what T.J. Watt can do.

But unfortunately, interior running is not necessarily the strength of the Houston Texans. But I would like to get a little bit of a short passing game, maybe the occasional and even early like you did in the Chargers game. Play action, that's where I think they've been good. They've been working that in. Nick Cayley has done a good job. second half of the season going with more motion, going with more play action, kind of maybe either taking the training wheels off himself

or the personnel in the offense. So they're just going to have to get creative in those ways because I don't think they're just going to be lining up and taking care of business against the Steelers. And in third and long situations, I'm going to be really fearful that C.J. Stroud is going to be able to be effective. So I would say probably interior running. There was a previous caller who mentioned it,

running at TJ Watt, trying to get him tired, testing that punctured lung that he had, stuff like that and maybe getting out on the edge and trying to find something there. I just don't know that I feel like, certainly not Nick Chubb, maybe to more of an extent, Woody Marks are those types of running backs. I just think it's going to be tough for the Texans to be effective. And so more of a short passing game with Nico Collins, maybe a couple of creative end-arounds, play action, stuff like that to try to get this offense a couple of explosive plays and get enough points on the board.

Yeah, I completely agree with you. I appreciate it. Go Texans. Yes, sir. Thanks, Kyle. Appreciate you. Go Texans. That's what I'm saying. Battle Red Ross is here for you. So, yeah, maybe in the run game, Patrick Queen isn't having a grade of a season as he was earlier in his career when he was with the Ravens. They do have a pretty good secondary.

James Pierre, that's the guy I couldn't think of. The other cornerback. And Joey Porter Jr. has been, I mean, over the past couple years, pretty good, and they'd like to use him in some shadow coverages. I don't know that they're going to do that. Like I said, honestly, I haven't been in tune enough with the Steelers' defense. I'm going to guess that they're not doing shadow coverage, and nobody's going to get shadowed.

If it were, you'd go with Nico Collins, you'd try to mitigate his effectiveness as much as possible. But I want them to try to run, maybe a couple of early play actions, get some dump-offs to Dalton Schultz, get the chains moving. Nico Collins is great in all three levels. He's good in the short area passing game.

He's good in the middle passing game. And you can toss it to him deep. That's why he's one of the best offensive threats at the wide receiver position in all of football. That's what I would love to see the Houston Texans do tonight. Not expecting a high-flying offense, not expecting 50 to 60 pass attempts. If CJ Stroud throws the ball probably more than 40 times, things have gone way off schedule for the Texans. So they're going to try to establish the run with Woody Marks. I think it's good, but I also don't think it is this huge dynamic threat

that it has opposing defensive coordinators quaking in their boots. That's just not how it is. All right, quit break here on the Matt Thomas Show with Ross. You know what? I was supposed to text Adam Clanton to remind him to come in and I forgot. Will Adam Clinton be here at the start of the next hour? Find out next to 713-212-5-7-9. is the phone number if you want to get in and talk about the Texans and their matchup.

We also been talking about the Rockets, college football, other stuff. But Texans is the big one taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. Football 713-212-5-790. This is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Of the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Without Matt Thomas. Supposed to be with Adam Clanton. Yeah, I forgot to send him in a reminder text.

you can blame me. That one's on me. Look, I got to look at the mirror. I got to do better. I don't know when Adam Clinton will be here. Oh, my goodness, gracious. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. He's walking in. Let him get ready. Hang out. I got an unpack. They got a crispy little, a Houston Texan bomber jacket on him? That is a nice jacket. Matt Thomas would make fun of you for that jacket, but I'm going to tell you that's a nice jacket. It's because you can't pull off. Ooh, let's get spicy on a Monday.

All right, welcome in our number four of the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Adam Clinton is in the building. Give him a minute to settle his affairs. 713-212-5-790 is the phone number if you would like to get in. 7-13-212-5-7-90. We have been talking a little bit about the Rockets losing four. Their last five games, including probably the most embarrassing of the lot. The eight-win-s Sacramento Kings, at the time, eight wins.

They were on a seven-game losing streak. You got Alperin-Shingoongue back. They were 14 and a half-point favorites in that game. And they lost. Now five straight games at least. I guess I can go back further into the archives. At least shooting under 30% from three point land. They have unfortunately regressed hard.

Now coming home for a five game homestand starting tomorrow with a matchup against the Chicago Bulls. Of course, a lot of our focus has been on highlighting the Houston Texans taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Monday night football game on Wild Card weekend. Low total 38.5, Texans holding as three-point favorites, at least that I see right now. We've been talking about a couple of topics on this, Adam Clinton, as far as, rather than the obvious, don't turn the ball over, stuff like that, something that you're going to be keying on for this game, and then a score prediction. I have gone with because of the low average depth of target with Aaron Rogers,

second lowest in football to only Dylan Gabriel. They like checkdowns. They like short passing game. That is a good idea also for them to try to mitigate this. Texans pass rush. So they are going to be doing that. So don't let the screens turn into big gains. Don't let the five-yard slant turn into a 15-20-yard gain.

So good tackling, I think, is very important for the Texans to not allow explosive plays tonight. And then I'm going with 24 to 13 late score gives Texans the 24 to 13 victory. You're fairly confident in the Texans. Yes, I am. I feel good about it. It's more I think the Steelers are frauds. I just do. Yeah.

Well, I'll tell you what. not to not to gimmick infringe on you uh oh i feel like it was um i don't want to call it fraud weekend but i will call it um validation of me calling people in the NFL fraud weekend

see it rolls off the tongue that's a little wordy we can workshop that we can workshop that i love that uh that that Trevor Lawrence is is home and i love it's because he threw an interception to seal his fate

um I love that in the pantheon of AFC powerhouses this year, last night's game ruined what would have been a perfect wild card weekend as far as Saturday and Sunday. Oh, you wanted the Patriots to lose? Well, it wasn't so much fraudsters. Well, I don't, the thing is, I don't look at them like I look at Jacksonville. I look at Drake May. I don't want to call him a rookie quarterback because he's not, but it is his first foray into the postseason. and I mean look look at what happened to the Colts this year

all season long we were like all right maybe they're good are they really this good Daniel Jones is beating up on a bunch of sisters of the poor and then they started playing real teams with real defenses well any fracture is tibia or way towards Achilles I think he did both yeah both I don't know it's hard to keep track little tibial fracture and Achilles never hurt anybody

well actually it did hurt Daniel it hurt him I just feel like you know as this season has progressed in this weird, weird year where there's no Ravens in the postseason and they fired John Harbaugh. Nobody saw that coming at the beginning of the year. And in a year where, by the way,

did you miss the Chiefs all weekend long? I didn't think about them once. And that's the NFL's like, that's their secret sauce, if you will. You can just, the machine just keeps on churning. You know, even Patrick Mahomes and his Kermit the Frog Press conferences and Travis Kelsey's stupid touchdown dances.

Everybody's just moving right along without them. but I There's so much hate in your heart This is within three minutes of this show I love it Honestly if we talk about the Rockets is hour I might lose my game We've covered like three things that you hate already in like three minutes By the way good good tweet from

Rocket Stro 21 uh oh Is Clinton wearing a Texans letterman jacket Those don't work out for the Texans So it's close It's not really a Texan's letterman jacket I mean it's got the concept But okay so yeah but the Chargers Their offensive line they just had no shot

I think I saw it was like 30 of 31 dropbacks Go read my last tweet. Herbert was pressured on. What's your name? It's sports MT, no. I think it's the last thing I tweeted last night. It's about the charge of him.

His line was terrible. C.J. Stroud regressed. One of them is still looking for his playoff win, but has constantly put it near the top of the Cube list by National Blowhards. Continue to make excuses for him. The other one will play in Pittsburgh tomorrow. I mean, I'm watching that game last night and sure, deep down, you're kind of

of rooting for the Chargers because it means the Texans are going to host a game next weekend if they win against the Steelers tonight. Because that would have been the scenario. They would have hosted the bills at NRG Stadium. But that's, you know, the Chargers line was bad. But like at what point is it going to be some sort of, this is a little bit on Justin Herbert? Some self-culpability. I mean, look, that's true. Because if he's going to be, like, I'm not saying that C.J. Stroud is like a top five quarterbacks.

back. No, me either. Nor should you. He's constantly below Justin Herbert on these lists. And Justin Herbert is Tracy McGrady. He's not even James Hardin. Hold on. He can't even get out of the first round. A bunch of regular season stats and then

he just absolutely turtles in the postseason. I think definitely we lose side of the fact that it's a team game in the NFL more than any other. I mean, which is funny to me because it has more start. 22 starters is more than any other major American in sport, yet we still put it all

on one guy. That's why I bring up CJ. CJ regressed. By the way, nobody's going to do the same thing to oh gosh, I'm drawing a blank on the commies quarterback that had the amazing. Jayden Daniels? Nobody's going to do that to Jayden Daniels this offseason. You know why? Because he

lucked out and got hurt his second year. CJ got hurt his second year too, but it wasn't that extended. He wasn't constantly in and out of the lineup. That's going to save his bacon as far as the narrative goes too. C.J. so good as rookie year that in a way it's almost like he got penalized for his own lofty self-standard. Yeah, that's for sure.

And I will also say this. I mean, we brought these names earlier when Chris Gordy was on as far as how good as Pam Holmes looked for last two years? How good of any of the chiefs look? You mentioned Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh getting fired and who saw that coming. Now, Lamar Jackson was banged up a lot of the season, but he played 13 games for them. I think he was six and seven. He was bad when he was out there. They had a losing record with him starting.

I don't know how many. I would have to pull up how many games he finished. But the bottom line is, Lamar Jackson is a two-time MVP. Do you think... He's a dynamic all-time fun and will be, I think, by the end of his career, an all-time great quarterback. Yeah.

Hall of Fame. Do you think... Two MVP's is on the track of a Hall of Famer. Yeah. And I'm not saying... I'm not saying to choose sides here. I'm not even saying I agree with or disagree with this, but, like, there's some people that would have you believe that

the Ravens got rid of the wrong guy. But then I don't know how you get rid of, yeah, but I don't know how you get rid of, you know, Lamar Jackson. You don't. John Harbaugh's playoff record before him. Yes. With Joe Flacco, the majority of that time.

Yes. He had a winning playoff record. Right. But again, we're going with the quarterback win stat. I mean, the contextualizing some of that. How much he did play poorly in some of those games, did Lamar Jackson, but quarterbacks have played poorly. I'm Peyton Manning with terrible.

for the 2015 Broncos and they won the Super Bowl. So it all gets contextualized. But I will say both things can be true. C.J. Stroud can play better and he doesn't have a whole lot to work around him. Yeah. The interior of the, I mean, Ed Ingram has been good, but the rest of the offensive line has been hurt and or spotty. You've had your... And we're to talk preseason.

If I'd have said their last season of the last game of the year, their leading Russia was British Brooks. Now, of course, that was because of injury replacements. but Jawar Jordan, who's now hurt and not even going to be in this game, coming out of nowhere, Nick Chubb and Woody Marks, who's been just a guy, you've had no run game. What did he have his first season when he was so successful? Joe Mixon was one of the probably five best running backs in the AFC. By the way, we've still not gotten a clear story on what happened with Joe Mixin. And there's lots of interesting stuff floating around out there.

It's got to be something bad. He flipped the jet ski or that rumor that Matt brought up about him shooting himself in the foot. I don't think that's true. That's the one I've heard a lot. Okay, well, even if that, it's got to be, it's something off the bingo board. It's, it's, when, if your injury, if your injury ideas are, uh, got hurt in the training room, drop the weight on his foot, go off the being, I'm going with the field. Most teams in the NFL don't handle an injury situation like this the way the Houston Astros would.

Right. Like, we know nothing. Something would have come out if it was a regular, oh, you know what? He was running on the beach and he tore his ACL. By the way, if he did shoot himself in the foot, and I'm not saying he did. There's no way. But if that is indeed what happened or it's something nefarious like that, good on the Texans for not letting that out. It's not nefarious.

What is he's cleaning his gun and made a mistake? Cleaning his gun is what they say, it went, never mind. I'm not even going to go there. Okay. That is something that. Were you going Kurt Cobainish? No, that's just something that a lot of cops will say about other cops who end it. Well, he was cleaning his gun to kind of clean up the, the, the,

narrative after the fact. All right. Got real dark there, didn't it? It doesn't be either. Whether he shot himself in the foot or he flipped the jet ski, whatever he did. He's off this team. You've had a bad offensive line. I mean, Jaden Higgins is coming along and playing a little bit better.

Dalton Schultz has been looking good, but who's been getting in the ball? It's been C.J. Stroud. Nico Collins is a dynamic threat for sure. But the offensive line has not been good, and the running game is non-existent. So I will say both can be true. The situation needs to be better for him, and he needs. needs to play better. Yeah, listen, there's no doubt about it.

He's the only one that can, I guess, you know, get the criticism off his back and there's no better time or bigger stage to do it than under the lights in Pittsburgh against A-Rod. I get this feeling, like when I watch, say, for example, the Texas Longhorns, they had, for a couple years,

a championship caliber-winning defense, but they didn't, the offense wasn't there. And these things change. And it's really similar these days, in the NFL with the salary cap. You can't keep Will Anderson and DeNeal Hunter and Derek Stingley and Kamari Lasseter and Jalen Petrie on this defense forever. So like these, instead of graduation, it's free agents. By the way, Longhorn's offense got really better over the weekend.

Yes, they did. But you don't, what I'm saying is you don't want to waste an all-time Texans defense that can't, this is a Super Bowl caliber winning defense. Right now. Right now. And by the way, Ian Rappenport's doing his best to talk about how that's going to happen because of money. You don't want to hold the, yes.

This defense, the Beatles are going to break up. Champagne, whatever he called it. They're all going to split off and do their own thing. Okay? I don't think CJ's going to take less on his first big deal like Tom Brady did year after year after year either just to keep these guys together. Yeah, this defense is going to break up and I don't know who Ringo Star is. But anyways, it can't stay together forever.

And so remember the quote from J.J. Watt, we talking to Deshaun Watson, we wasted your great year, man, because the defense was terrible. Deshawn Watson was having all-time season. This is Legion of Boom in Seattle. It was a very short window. Very short. Everywhere is a show. How's the window in Kansas City looking right now?

And the way they're doing it? How's the window in Baltimore looking right now? Yeah. You got to seize the moment. The way Kansas City somehow kind of bucked the trend is kind of kicking a can down the road by restructuring and restructuring and restructuring. Mahomes is $500 million contract. And eventually the chickens come home to roost. So it would be nice if somehow a switch could flip.

and this offense could be not all-time elite, but good enough to at least get them to a Super Bowl. The Texans are going to have to win like the 2000 Ravens, basically. Not that bad. Why? Well, they had, first of all, they had a better run game with Jamal Lewis. That's true. I forgot about him.

He was on that team, right? I pretty sure. I think so. You're going way back. You're going... All right, we'll do a deep dive on the Texas... Code 26 years back. On the 20...

I'm sorry, the 2000 Ravens full offense, breakdown coming up next. Adam Calanttid is hanging out. I appreciate him. Ross Villarreal with you. Phone lines open. You want to get in. Your one key that's not captain obvious to victory for the Houston Texans and a score prediction. 713-212-790.

7-1-3-212-5-790. 121. 121. Sports Talk 790. Final hour of the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Matt Thomas will be back tomorrow. He's resting. Or maybe he's up now. Who knows? I do want the dirt from him. What's the deal about this report about them not having a hotel room?

You're a rocket's insider as well, Mr. Clanton. About the Rockets not having a hotel in Sacramento, having to stay in San Francisco, and that also hurting their travel. Wait, so they played two games in Portland, had to go to San Francisco, which was way further down the West Coast, then fly back up to Sacramento? I guess so. Huh. That's what Mark Spears was saying, I believe. So is that why they blew a 13-point lead into, I guess it wasn't 13 last night? 13 it was on Friday.

Going to the fourth quarter down 13, and you go one for 17 from three. E-May, there's somebody that we both know that likes to text me during Rockets games about what he wants E-May to do to these guys. He might have body-slam Jabari-Smith Jr. after the game. He wants to do way, he wants E-M-A to do way worse things. It's like very volatile. But like I get it. And there's only, it's kind of like, I don't think EMA is in any danger of quote,

losing luck or rumor or that kind of stuff. But like there's only so much he and in this case, I mean, we've all seen the video now of Kevin Durant throwing his water bottle down. Yeah, come on, man. Come on, Kevin. I love, you know what I love about that? You got to clean that up. You know what I love is Sun's fans chiming into that.

See, I told you he's not a leader. Like, calm down. You guys are 0 and 3. against him this year. You can probably just sit this conversation out. They're ahead of the Rockets and the standings right now. As of like last night now? Yeah, it's not. So it took you until mid-January to do it?

Yeah, but that's the bottom line is there. Hey, but congrats on Jalen Green playing his third game this year. Oh, did he? How do you? No, he's about to. Oh, okay. Yeah, like... Because Suns fans came after he had his first big night. Suns fans are the last people that need to be talking. I didn't know that they even existed and they were all

very angry with me because Jalen Green made all those threes and I made a meme. I don't know if you call it's first game with the sons yes i would you it was basically i put suns fans are here and it was the cycle of jayling green makes his threes jayling green's the best misses his threes get jayling green on this team that's the funniest part of that uh and i'm not like i'm not anti jayling well actually yeah i am i'm anti jailing green i just didn't they weren't going to do anything with them um they don't even he he's played so few minutes not games minutes that they haven't even begun to experience the jaylin green experience the jaylin green experience

where he does that and then he goes like a week scoring two, five, seven points. And then you're like, whoa, what's this guy's problem? Where was the guy from the other night who scored 37? If he finds a consistent three point shot, that's going to be fine, but otherwise I just don't know. I mean, extremely athletic.

His, Jalen Green, I've said this when he was here. Jalen Green's highlight reel as good as anybody's in the NBA. The problem is when he disappears. Right, when he's engaged. Right. Or whatever you call it. All right. We've been talking, oh, I was going to break down It was Jamal Lewis on the Ravens. They also had old man Priest Holmes.

Oh, yeah. That's where running backs go to die. He was only 27 then, but I think his star faded fast in the NFL. Running backs with a little tread on the tires, they go to Baltimore. Wait, no, it was young, Priest Holmes. I'm an idiot. After Kansas City, though, right? It was before Kansas City.

Oh, they drafted him? I forgot about that. And then Priest Holmes really came into his own and had his big years with the Kansas City Chief. So they didn't want to pay him? I guess not. Well, they had Jamal Lewis at the time. I think they were paying him. But anyways, yeah, they had, I mean, Shannon Sharp, Gajah Ismail.

Oh, man. I forgot about these guys. Brandon Stokely was on that team. Anyways, this offense, yeah, I'm not going to call it. First of all, their defense isn't 2,000 Ravens good, but it's the next tier of that. And their offense needs to be good, and they can make the Super Bowl. It's that simple.

I'm curious as to whether or not Jalen Noll gets out there on the offense tonight and does because my thing is, we all know what Nico Collins can do. I've listened to you a little bit on the way in. Like he's all world everything. He's, you know, you want him out there as many plays as possible and all that kind of stuff. And yeah, CJ needs to get rid of the ball tonight because this just in, the Steelers also have formidable pass rushers. But wouldn't you just put a guy like that wherever and just say, go?

Let's just take advantage of your speed. Let's just see what we can do to bust whatever coverage they're trying. And just, I mean, put another wrinkle in that. I know that sounds like overly simplistic and like what they should have been doing all season long with the guy they drafted. It's easy to say, hey, go get Nico Collins 10 to 12 targets every single game. or 15 or whatever it is. But the other flip side is that is the Steelers know that. Well, I'm talking about Noel.

Oh, okay, Jalen, Noel, get him a couple. I'm sorry. Because he's the burner. Like, the kid is so fast. Give him a couple into rounds, something like that. Get him on the field. Get him in space. Give him the targets you've been attempting to give to Christian Kirk,

which has been a disaster. We obviously know from his, how proficient he has as a return, man, that he's good in space. Yeah, I would like a few looks for Jalen. All that makes sense. Who's to say, That's not the determining factor in a game like this, where everybody's talking about it being a baseball score.

Right, well, exactly. When you have the total of 38 and a half, points are at a premium, that's giving them up and that's also scoring them. So if you are able to get a touchdown, as you mentioned, or even a chunk play, even 30, 35, 40 yards off of one play to get you from midfield into a goal-to-goal situation. That's huge. You know what I do wonder about tonight is that a lot of times this season,

and I'm not saying that they are trying to do this, but it has worked. How many times have we seen, like say the Texans, like the Steelers, win the toss tonight and they defer. So the Texans get the ball first. And instead of going three and out or whatever, they do one of their patented,

we just chewed up 12 of the 15 minutes of the quarter drives, where they inevitably, of course, kick a field goal because, you know, we can't have nice things here. But like, if they're doing that, well, that's 15 minutes closer to advancing. And if you can just eke out enough, but I would like them to like, you know,

instead of getting those threes, why don't you mess around and get sevens, instead tonight or sixes in that case. Like, why not make it easy on yourself for a change? Yeah, I think that that's part of the game plan. I think if we recorded either of Mike Tomlin and Domingo Ryan's like pregame speech to their like in the meeting rooms with their coaches and players, we could play it for the other team too.

Yeah. Establish the run, short passing game, don't turn the ball over, don't make mistakes. We're going to play it close to the vest. we're going to try to compress and shorten the game and win with our defense. Does Aaron Rogers' brain scare you at all in this game? Meaning how open-minded he is after the ayahuasca trip? No, not that. Okay.

A different part of his brain. Sorry. This is the frontal, what do you call it? The frontal, yeah. Okay. Just the part where he is the crafty veteran, he's 41, he's never been able to, like, run around. Yes, I would say the- But against the defense, like the Texans.

He's never shied away from the big moment. There are multiple times this year where they needed a big drive from him and he's come through. And he's not afraid to launch it. He's very smart. He is very intelligent. He bets on himself. That means he's willing to make throws in the tight windows. He's an all-time grade.

He's a Hall of Famer. So, yes, it's a Hall of Famer who's 42 years old and this could be his last gasp. And you want to extinguish any semblance of a walking off into the sunset moment. But I am part of me in the back of my head a little scared of that. It's got a very Joe Montana Chiefs situation. Don't say that in Houston. Of course, that was here. That was here in the dome,

which they still haven't figured out a way to use it yet. And I believe Marcus Allen is their second string running back tonight, the Steelers. Why'd you bring up a person tied to the O.J. Simpson situation. Why did you have to do that? Because he was on that Chief's team. I wasn't thinking about OJ 24-7 like you, Adam. He was on the Coles team too for a bit. Oh, right.

And that may or may not have gotten or killed, along with Ron. I can do it. It took 30 minutes. I was just easing you in. Honestly, that's some kind of record at this point. You may or may not have been there that night. All right, sobs, we see you on hole. We'll get to you.

We've got to take a bottom of the hour of rink. I mean, she wrote about it in the diary. Well, the Chiefs wrote Marcus Allen Hard in that game, and well, we don't have to mention what else happened. All right, quick break here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. You made me. You know what? You always incite me. I was just minding my business over here and you brought up OJ.

Since the first time I got written up at this station, but I digress. That wasn't my fault. Yes, he was. I would make the joke. Quick break here. Yeah, you set it on a platter for me, though. This is your fault. All right, quick break here on the Mad Thomas Show with Ross.

Adam Clanton is here against my better judgment with you until 2 o'clock here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Our all eyes on CJ Shroud tonight in Houston. as they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is really just pandering to you, Adam Planton. Tell me this. When you watched the Diddy documentary, I did not. Are you serious right now? Why?

You of all people. Really? Why? Give me five good reasons. A big part of it is basically he had Tupac killed. I thought it was the gangster he got in a fist fight with in the Vegas hotel. Orlando Anderson's uncle was Kee-Fee D who was in a roundabout way, promised a bunch of money that he and no one else close to the situation ever saw by Puff Daddy. He Diddy.

Sean Combs. Interesting. The predator. The baby oil king. Should I keep going? That's enough for me. I just thought that aspect of how much you like, Tupac, you would. How did you not see that?

this yet. It's about 90s rap. I haven't made the time. Oh my gosh. Very busy. It's like I don't even know you anymore. What do you got going on in your world right now that's keeping you so busy? Just life. Yeah? Just breaking down tape.

Getting ready for the playoffs. Stuff like that. All right. Two reasons to play that. Number one, Adam Clanton loves Tupac, and I am pandering, thanking him for sitting in here for this hour of the show. I do appreciate him. Number two, the Orioles giving away a Topac Bobblehead at their game on May

8th versus the athletics. Will you be there Adam? No, I try to avoid Baltimore and cities like it. Although I had been to Camden Yards before. It's beautiful. So you're saying I can't picture you rolling into Camden Yards on May 8th to pick up a Tupac Bobblehead. I'll give you a billion dollars if you can guess

the last time I was in Baltimore. What year it was? Uh, 2008. you're only off by 10 years 1998 yeah okay like cal ripkin was in the lineup that day oh okay but um that was for the the nationals of science fair right no it's a long story why i was up there but you know it's only like what 45 minutes away from no no no no i was in high school at the time was my i was traveling

with my parents for an event okay so my science fair guess wasn't that off no but you know it's funny 1998 was when all the monica loewinsky stuff was happening and we you know DC's only like 45 minutes away from Baltimore. Okay. So we tried to get to the Oval Office. Well, that's back, you know, pre-9-11 where you could actually take a tour of the White House. You wanted to tour the cigar shop? Well, so we're going through the White House on the tour.

It's me, my family, you know, my mom and dad and my sister, who's four years younger than me at the time. And I'm a junior in high school. And somewhere in the background, you heard, oh. Well, no, I go, I said to my dad with my mom completely in your shop, I was like, that's totally where it happened, you know, and I was being a little bit more colorful. And I started doing Bill Clinton impressions, and my mom was just mortified. I did not have sexual relations with that. Supposedly the room where the cigar thing happened?

All right. Let's move on. That's the merch shop now when people come to the Oval Office. All right, Texans taking on the Pittsburgh. And I tell them that's where the cigar was. Texans taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight, Monday night football. Are all eyes going to be on the C.J. Stroud, probably Aaron Rogers. But this is a big, I don't want to call it legacies on the line and stuff like that. You can really help a lot of the all-season narratives of poor offense, bad running game,

Nick Cayley play calling, C.J. Stroud, not billed for the moment, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. For better or worse, playoff success has more gravity than anything else. So it's a big game tonight for C.J. Stroud. Let me ask you this. Is there a chance? Like, going into the weekend, you looked at that first game, right? Rams, Panthers. Uh-huh. And it looked awful on paper.

Looked lopsided. True. looked um i don't know jonathan predicted the panthers upset he was close yeah but but and that's the thing to get to that close upset um you you had a a shootout basically by by the letter of the law you know the final scoreboard or whatever nobody thought i don't think anybody thought that many points was going to be put up what's the opposite of a shootout a holstering well that's what's what's that's the night in pitts is there a way that this game ends up bucking that trend everybody thinks it's going to be low scoring. Everybody thinks it's going to be

grinded out. Really, though? I mean, even the weather, all of this stuff comes into play. And like, tonight, it's going to be what? Like, mid-30s, it's going to feel like high-20s, clear. I think if that happens, it's via special team scores. What about defensive scores?

Defensive scores. I don't think both teams are putting up 500 yards. Like, I don't think there's a lot of volatility in the total yards in this game. There can be volatility in this. the score fluctuating up and down, but I just don't see it. Serious question.

If Aaron Rogers threw a pick six, would you pass out? I would. I wouldn't pass out. I just, like, in a fit of joy. Oh, and like it just faint? It would just be like, oh, he really is on the way out. This is it.

This is his last game, that kind of thing. But, and the Texas defense is, they, I'll tell you what, if I were Aaron Rogers and I was 41 years old and I was trying to, like, keep my career on life support, I wouldn't want to I wouldn't want to look up and see Will Anderson Jr. and Daniel Hunter.

Yeah, he turned 42. He's 42. I just don't want, like last year against the Chiefs in this kind of environment, you, like you were able to, you being Patrick Mahomes, was able to offset what they do, get obviously penalties called in your favor.

Like, I don't want it to be another situation where it's third and long and Will Anderson gets to him and uh no he hit him in the face mask with a pinky so that's first down yeah i get off the those are the things that are going to happen they're going to be in the steelers favor but i don't know i just feel like if if game conditions are very very normal if they play 10 games i do just to feel like the texans win seven of them this could be one of the three for the steelers tonight we'll see but i i i'm maybe i'm too supremely confident but i just the combination of this texans

defense and feeling like the steelers have kind of been i don't want to say sleepwalking but But skating through the season, I think the Texans are the better team and should win. Subs, real quick, before we get to a break, what's up? Oh, man, can you get me after the break? Because, man, two of you are my favorite, y'all know that. Yes, you have great taste. Go ahead and take your time, soups. I mean, we'll give you some time.

Go ahead. All right, I'll go through a fast. So first of all, man, wouldn't it be serendipitous in one season to beat KC at KC, Baltimore at Baltimore Exercise the ghost of Houston Sports Pass, Pittsburgh And then go to New England And give them double rods

Oh, like the war pass And then maybe Buffalo Like the Texans are settling all family business Like Michael Corleone For them and the Titans Yeah Hey listen like JJ say Wrench due and you know what

We're the landlord with a 12-gauge shotgun And we're already go out there And bust some steel ahead If you know what I'm saying On the field on the field Anyways So I will say this, man. Two things. One, on the game itself, if you look at the last six weeks for both,

it favors the Texans in terms of offense and defense last week, Pittsburgh giving up 30 yards or above receptions to flowers on a Jackson's cramble. I can see a bootleg to Higgins or Noel or Miko to open up and then another one later. I see that happening. But the most important thing, man, I'm sure y'all are seeing this. In the city, I don't know if y'all can feel the vibe and electric, but man, like, it hasn't helped us all. If they, if the Texans find a way to finish this, and I love, we love the Astros. But just for this game alone, man, I've never seen, like, so much energy for this squad. It's like, it's like, everybody's waiting for it.

And it's like, come on, man, finish. So I'll finish my call with this. In the movie, to Rock, Sean Connery said to Nicholas Cage, your best, winners always whine about their best. You know, winners go, whiners, whiners, whineers, whineers, whine about their best. winners go home and do the Prong Queen. And so, you know what? This Super Bowl is our Prong Queen,

and Houston's ready to come home and do the business. All right, I love you guys. And in the words of Mada from the past, rock me, I'm out. That's like an old-school Jim Rome call. All right. Thank you, Supes. We'll hit the Adam Clinton bingo card,

if you bust that one out, too. What else are we? We've got an OJ reference. We've talked about Tupac. There's one more segment. You know what we got to do. Jeffrey Dahmer? No.

I do Can we bump back with it? Are you serious? Come on, man You are such a child I want to hear the bass line Cut into the vocals I think the baseline's cutting into the vocals

You're so unbelievable Can we please play you got the touch It's my greatest hit Yeah, was boy ready Nick, let's go Can't wait I can't wait to see John C. Riley running in place in a track suit Oh man, all right

Quick break here on that note Rollo game is really foxy Oh, yeah. Burr-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-E. Yeah, she had her own insecurities. She had alcoholism. You know, that movie was all about. That movie was all about family.

I thought it was about pornography in the 70s. No, it's about family. I'm pretty sure it was about pornography. Because eventually he found his own family, because his mother didn't love him. His father was distant. And he found his family finally with Jack and Amber. You know what my favorite line.

edible thing with Amber. I'm a big bright shining star? No. No, no, no. That's way too mainstream. One of my favorites is, yeah, I was born, ready, Nicholas, go. That's good too. But I liked when the girl OD'd and the doctor or the colonel came in and he goes, she's dead.

He goes, oh, do you think so, doctor? That's my favorite line. Okay. I thought, uh, we might want to think about getting some better bleep, wouldn't you? That's another, yeah. Will you be my mom? All right. Say you're my mom.

I don't want to leave this room. This is your fault. We're taking a break. All right. Damn you, Adam Clanton. Thank you. You've gotten me on track, and it's, you know what? You shouldn't feel proud because it's not, it's not difficult to get me off track.

All right, quick break here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross final segment coming up. Okay, Derek, you ready? Yeah, I was born ready, Nick. Let's go, man. Dirk Diggler demo. You got the touch. Take seven. Excuse me, Reed. These tracks suit and the scene. Like a burgundy?

White. It's white. Didn't Bert Reynolds win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in this movie? He was nominated. I don't think he won. Oh, that's a shame. What do you think of Roller Girl? She's really foxy. Oh, Nick the producer is wearing white.

That's why that was in my head. He's wearing red, isn't it? Or is it blue? I'm pulling red. It's like gray and red with a headband. Oh, sorry? Not really. Maybe. It sounds balanced to me.

It's definitely taken away from my vocal. Just to take the bass down and bring up the vocal. Okay, let's do it, Nick. You heard him. Oh, man, it's been way too long since I've seen that movie. I actually watched it a few months ago. Somebody I knew hadn't seen it before, and you made sure that that was a part of their education.

Vernacular. Heather Graham and her prime. A couple of admissions, but you know. Wow. It was a long time. Who was the actual real life, you know, the one that we kept running around on William H. Macy? Oh, who played his wife.

Nina Hartley. Yes. The first scene. In the middle of the cul-de-sac at the end of the driveway. It's a great film. Why are we talking about boogie nights, Adam Planton? Well, because we have to. 1997, Paul Thomas Anderson, Paul, a powerhouse film.

His second film, I mean, it won a bunch of awards. It was a great, I mean, it was well. It's a meme Paul Thomas Anderson's ode to Martin Scorsese. A lot of the fast zoom. Tracking cameras. A lot of the long tracking shots. It's basically, you would call it a rip-off or an ode. It's very, very Scorsese-esque, but funny.

Great acting, great cast. Philip Seymour Hoffman. I mean, Julianne Moore. Soundtrack has Banger after banger. No pun intended. That's the first song of the film, which I played that. Actually, you know what?

I should show it to you. There was a very good comparison thing I saw. I was on YouTube or somewhere. It was like Paul Thomas Anderson's Scorsese influences and how the similar shots from like Goodfell's Raging Bull, in other words. Next time I fill in, we'll have to play the Amber Waves scene with Rolla Girl where she asked her to be her mom.

We're not doing that. Why? What is your problem? I could just say you're my mom and you beat my mom. came out 29 years ago at this point and you're still bringing it up on air. It's awesome.

It came out on September 11th. 1997. Too soon. 97. Well, short years later, the world was changed. Wasn't there a... Wasn't Jay Z's album?

The hit of the album that was supposed to come out like September 11th, 2001 or around there? Yeah. Anyways. Clanton, you've done it again. Texans. Steelers. Score prediction.

I have to save that for my show. Nobody's listening. It's fine. We're talking about it. Just whisper it. 555, 4 hours from now. You're doing it 555? Well, we always wait until the last segment.

Oh, my God. It's a different audience in four hours. Just give it the score. I don't know. I got to think about it. I got to marinate for four more hours. All right. How much different it is from my 24 to 13?

I think it's, so that's 11 point spread? I think it's a little bit going to be tighter than that. Fraudsters. Steelers are fraudsters. No, they are. I'll tell you this. Hey, look, the last team I put on fraud alert was last year of the Lakers. I was correct.

I put the Eagles on fraud alert. How did that go this weekend? It's been all fraud weekend. I'm just saying. All the frauds have been exposed. But also, at the end of the day, you can call every, I can call all 32 teams a fraud and I'm going to be right about every single team, but one.

But I'll tell you this, it would be poetic if they've got to walk it off with a kick in those swirling winds and Kaimi gets it done. Oh, I'll say, and they miss, like the Ravens did. What are you trying to do here? They shouldn't even be in the playoffs. Yeah, that's true. So John Harbaugh would be employed right now. All right.

We're going to take a, well, no, we're not going to take a break. We're going to end the show. You are. Bye. Thanks for hanging out, Clem. I really appreciate it. Thanks for having me. I know we're short-handed up here.

And by the way, thanks for that text message at 101. Yeah, I remind you you to come up here. For a one o'clock start. Yeah, you're welcome. It's a good thing I happen to be in the elevator. You're welcome. All right. That's going to do it for the show.

Thanks to Chris Gordy for hanging out. Thanks to Jonathan Allen for producing the whole time. You guys were all stars on the phone. I appreciate it, especially when Matt's out. Appreciate you all. So thanks to you called, listen, tweeted, all that good stuff. I'll talk to you tomorrow at 10 a.m. Texans 24 to 13.

Tell your friends, tell your neighbors. Hear more about it coming up with Adam Wetzar and Adam Clanton. They're the 18th. Aaron Sports Talks.