The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Texans Take Down Raiders, Rockets Fall to the Kings.

Episode Date: December 22, 2025

Texans Take Down Raiders, Rockets Fall to the Kings... 

What's happening, everybody, welcome into the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Chris Gordy here with you, Ross. He will be in. He's finishing up something with a client right now. Matt Thomas is off today and probably for the better. deserves a punishment after what the rockets did last night, losing an overtime, or should I say choking in the fourth quarter and then going on to lose an overtime to the Sacramento Kings who stink. It just had that vibe as they were starting to close the gap

and Dennis Schrooter's hitting shots. I'm going, come on, man. We'll get into that. We'll get into the Texans ugly performance yesterday against the two-win Raiders. but a win is a win, survive in advance, you move on, you don't get any extra style points for convincing wins. You just have to win, and the Texans did that yesterday, but it was ugly. As to Ashton Genty said, you know what? All those fantasy owners right there,

I am going to help your ass today and run all over the Houston Texans. And C.J. Stroud, that one will not go to, that performance will not be sent to Canton as he was 23 of 35 for 187 yards run game very inconsistent with no wooden barks Jawar Jordan 15 rushes for 53 yards and Nick Chubb six carries for 33 and again Texans do

just enough defense played well overall Derek Barnett with a sack Williamson Jr. with a sack Daniel Hunter with a sack those guys continue to do their thing and the picks for Derek Stingley Jr. first of his career on Gino Smith. But, you know, the good thing is, I believe, and Ross is jumping in with this, I believe with a Colts lost tonight, the Texans would clinch a wild card spot.

But the problem is those danged old Jacksonville Jaguars just will not lose as you were 10 and 5, they are 11 and 4, you've won 7 in a row, they've won 6 in a row, And the AFC South may just very well be Trevor Lawrence's to grab. Now, again, this thing could still play out differently over the last couple weeks. Are the Jaguars really good? It feels like the Jaguars are really good. I think they're good. How? Why?

Duvonne. What's happening? Yeah, okay, besides all that. We all made fun of him and thought they were going to go over because the guy just looked like some kind of nerd who got a football job. I will tell you this. Liam Cohen several years ago got hired by Kentucky. as their offensive coordinator,

and they brought in the backup quarterback from Penn State by the name of Will Levis. And that season, I want to say, was that a 10-win season for Kentucky? It was really good, and the offense was like, whoa, look at this offense. Liam Cohen then jumped to the NFL, back to the NFL,

believe he went to the Rams for a year, and then came back to Kentucky, and a different quarterback, it wasn't the same. Then he was with Baker. Baker Mayfield's looking like he's regressing this year. by the way. And so, but regardless, Liam Cohen's a good offensive line,

and he is getting the most out of Trevor Lawrence this year. It hasn't been all pretty, but man, this stretch they've been on, these last six in a row, including yesterday, their most impressive win of the season, beating the Broncos in Denver?

Four touchdowns for Trevor Lawrence on the road against that Denver defense, which is really good. And that Broncos defense loves to hold people under 20 points. I mean, that's what they do. So that was very impressive. Yeah, I found, myself as the weeks have been going on

like, eh, Jaguars, whatever. I mean, it's Trevor Lawrence. It's not going to be that big of a deal, but I mean, especially with the big statement win yesterday, it's like, okay, maybe these Jaguars are for real, because it's not only that they beat the Broncos at mile high and, as I said, Trevor Lawrence scoring four

touchdowns against that defense, it's just, it's how easy they made it look. And they're going to win the AFC South now. And for anybody, you know, saying, why are they talking so much about the Jaguars. It's because it would be nuts so for this Texans team to win, say, 11 or 12 games and have to go on the road as a wildcar team. I just think that's crazy. You've won

seven games in a row and you're not ahead in your division. Of course, that helps that you started 0 and 3, but the Jaguars keep winning. Not worried about the Colts at all. I mean, you know, ever since Daniel Jones snapped his leg in half and all that, and they're trotting out Philly rivers and whatnot in company, but you win seven in a row and you still can't gain ground and then now you're down to just a couple games left with

it being the Colts and the Titans for the Jaguars. They are winning the AFC South. Yeah, so how it sits right now, at least in the standings, you've got in the division, you've got the Jaguars sitting ahead of and now my internet will not

load. Great push. It's okay. Jaguars are still in first. Jaguars at 11 and 4, Texans out of 10 and 5. The Colts have slipped back now. They have lost four in a row. They are 8 and 6 and they will play the Niners tonight, I believe, in Indy, right? I'd have to double check

on that. I mean, they could pull it up here. But again, they can be playing that on the moon. I'm going to go with the Niners. Yeah, Niners 5 and a half point favorites at the Indianapolis Colts. Lucas Oil. But in the playoff picture, the Broncos and Patriots, they have both crunched playoffs spots. They were both

at 12 and 3 at the 1 and 2 seed. the Jaguars right behind them at 11 and 4. The stupid-ass Pittsburgh Steelers find a way to win against the Lions yesterday. Speaking of Smoke and Mirrors, the Pittsburgh Steelers, how do they continue to pull games out of their ass? As a fantasy owner of a Monro St. Brown

who could not get in the damn end zone, who got in the end zone, and then they auto is holding brief back. But anyway, they would be the four-seat at 9 and 6, and then you got a couple of double-digit win teams. The Chargers at 11 and 4, The Bills at 11 and 4, and the Texans sitting at 10 and 5.

The Texans will play the Chargers this week. So this will decide a lot on where these two teams go. The Chargers, because of the, I believe, them playing the Broncos in the last week, the Chargers were in a spot where if they win these last two, if they went out, they could get the number one seat still. Really? Yeah, I was reading that today. If they went out, now I don't know if that's, I guess the Patriots are still a game of

ahead of them. So they would need some help there. But the Broncos being just one game ahead of them, if the charges win their last two, they win the tiebreaker with Denver. Yeah. So you want to basically be the five seed, or at least the six. You definitely don't want to be seven. At the moment, you're going on the road to New England. Then as the last seed, if you advance, it recedes. So then you'd be going on the road to Denver, even though Jacksonville just took care of business there. You don't want to go two games straight on the road to the two and one seats. Yeah. So it's not pretty, man. As excited as you want to get for the Texans and taking care of their business and, you know, win is a win.

They've won seven in a row. It still is going to be a daunting task of, man, you talk about this team having to go on the road. Now, we'll say, Ross, the chargers look pretty damn good. Justin Herbert looked awesome yesterday in Dallas. Amarian Hampton's back healthy. Yeah. But outside of them, like, if we're talking. in playoffs, like, Denver Broncos

with Bonix, do they scare you? No. Drake May and the Patriots, I mean, they were lucky to get out of Baltimore last night. I'm more scared of the Patriots, but I'll put it this way. I don't think the Texans, I will not be in my mind that Texans have no chance at any game, in any game, because of this defense and how good it is. Especially when they get Aziz, I'll share back. Trayvion Anderson got hurt last night for New England, so we'll see what happens with him. But like, and then the freaking Aaron Rogers Steelers, they're not scared anybody.

I mean, the bills are really, if Josh Allen and that group puts it all together, I'd put them probably as the favorite. Yeah, they're in theory. Just play off pedigree. Yeah, if we just go look at the Vegas odds, I'm going to guess it's probably Patriots and Bills and won two in whatever order as far as the favorites to win the AFC. Are you buying the Patriots, though?

I mean, like, regular season, awesome, but like postseason, Mike Vrable and Drake May? I mean, Vrable's made, didn't he make an AFC championship game with the Titans? Like a decade ago. Yeah, he did. still made it. I think it was like Blake, not Blake Bortle's. It was with some Tana Hill. Was it Ryan Tannihill, I think? But Derek Henry running for like 200 yards

a game in those days. So I think Rayble is a good coach. I do. The point being, this thing is wide open. I mean, again, you want the best path for the Texans. You'd rather have home field. You'd rather be going that path. But even if you've got to go on the road, I don't, I'm not afraid.

Now, granted, you got to get, you got to get what he marks back healthy and get this run game back on. But that's not a the AFC just appears to be wide open this year. Yeah, I agree, and I think the Texans are in that mix, and I think this defense can keep them in any game that they're going to

play. I mean, they've lost five games, all five are by one score. That's thanks to this incredible defense. So as long as the offense can hold up its end of the bargain, this team's a Super Bowl contender, but we've also been saying that for several weeks, and the offense looked bleat against the freaking

Las Vegas Raiders yesterday. So it certainly is a concern. turn, and you've got a couple of weeks to kind of shore things up, and it is a week-to-week game, and guys can come alive and guys can get hot at the right time. We've seen great playoff runs from teams who just get hot at the right time. The Texans have the tools to get hot at the right time. They have a dominant defense. They have CJ Stroud, who has shown flashes of being a franchise quarterback.

Nico Collins is great. Hopefully you get Woody Marks back, and you're okay there. But the potential is there to get hot at the right time and make a playoff run. It's almost though like, hey, wake me up when it happens. We said going into these two games, playing the crappy Cardinals and the crappy Raiders, you might have a letdown. They showed up in full force against the Cardinals. They had the let down yesterday.

Any concern there, or is it just, you know, it's the NFL. Sometimes you play a crappy team, you let your guard down. I would trend towards more of the latter, but what if they don't get that pick six? What if, I mean, Gino Smith throws that ball into the dirt instead into Derek Stingler's hand? It was an off-target throw. And you're losing that game. You only scored 16 points against the Las Vegas freaking Raiders. Who are walking, the defense is giving up like 40 points every single week, it seems like.

They lost the week before 31 to 0. Yeah. And they come into your town and if not for a pick six, you probably don't win that game. I was just more concerned about Ashen Gentie running like a man possessed. Like that was the craziest. Because honestly, if you stuff him, you win that game. going away. Yeah, Matt Thomas's favorite. Ashen Gentie with a big game against the Houston Texans. And, well, I guess at the end of the day, you won the game. You've won seven in a row.

They're not all going to be pretty. It's not all going to be easy. You took care of business. Now you've got a big one coming up against the Chargers on the road, which is, I mean, two teams that are fighting to be the class of the AFC. Yeah. And Herbert, as much as I've not been a fan of him, I think I've come around on him. He's really good. This has got that really hot girlfriend. What's her name? Madison Beer or whatever? You're taking the roll of Matt Thomas today. Well, I didn't do this.

This is what I would have done. Now I'm doing it. All right. Chargers only one and a half point favorites hosting the Texans on Saturday on NFL network. So there you go. Okay, how are you feeling about the Texans? You got the game against the Raiders. Didn't feel great, but they got the win.

how concerned are we? Are they still AFC contenders or do you want to see something this week against the Chargers? Low total on that one, by the way. 39 and a half. You got college football playoff action to get to as well. Houston Rockets lose in overtime to the Sacramento Kings.

713-212-5-790 is the phone number if you want to get in. 7-13-212-5-7-90. Those you want hold, I see you will get to you next. We've got a lot of stuff to get to. We have to tell the truth. We have news at noon. We have Texans. Reaction Monday. 713 212.5-790. 7-13-212-5-7-90.

10-21-21. In the a.m. here on Sports Talk 790. It is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Matt Thomas out today, traveling with the Houston Rockets. He will be back tomorrow. Highlights of the University of Miami versus Texas A&M football game over the weekend. No highlights. I haven't seen A&M score a touchdown yet

Gordy is there What? They didn't? They didn't? Well, they got a field goal. Oh, really? Well, okay, well, how many field goals? They're showing that clip of Mario Craver It was like a 60-yard pass. Like how they didn't score on that drive was crazy.

Dang, that's a darn shame. Well, I mean, the Aggies are having the greatest season ever and they were 11 and O and they extended their coach and everything's all great in Aggie Land. right? Yeah, I think the line I heard was they started 11 and 0 and forget the 12th man. They couldn't

find that 12th win. Yeah, I mean, well, at least they got the conference championship or That's this, I mean like That's super disappointing. Did they accomplish anything this year? I mean, 11 wins season is pretty good. Pretty good. Okay, I'm just wondering, I'm just asking for a friend.

But look, it's one thing to lose to Texas and mess out on the SEC championship. It is brutal to lose a home. playoff game like them in Oklahoma now Oklahoma you played Alabama I guess you know it is yeah but they're up 17 nothing in that game too sooners

so it was funny I mean I saw a lot of Longhorn fans kind of peacock and going oh sorry Aggies the Longhorns or Sooners and then they're going back What are the Longhorns doing this weekend Y'all weren't even playing Hey still alive baby

Still alive in the Cheezette bowl I'm sorry the Cheezits are not citrus Why is it the Cheese it's citrus fault. That's really disgusting. If you've ever drank orange juice with cheese, it's not a good pair. It's not advisable.

All right, 713, 212-570 is the phone number. Chris Gordy is graciously hanging out. We were talking some Texans there in the first segment. We also are going to talk some college football. Anything you guys want to get to, 713-212-5-7-90. Jonathan, Jonathan, haven't seen you a week plus. How's everything? How did it go last week with Matthew?

Did you keep him in line? For the most part. It's kind of difficult. I know it's a difficult job. I'll take some pointers. I know what to do. John's had talked a lot. Like every time I...

Nice. ...was leaning on Jonathan. You got to lean on your producer when you're hosted by yourself. That's why I'm thankful for Jonathan. Thank for you hanging out, Gordy. And thank for you guys on the phone. Soob's holding longest at 713-212-790. What's up, Subs?

Man, hey, hey, please, I haven't called in a while. If I can get like maybe 45 or 60 seconds on this, I'll hit the high ice real quick. First of all, I went to the Aggies game. I'm not an Aggie fan, but the atmosphere, crazy. My first, like, experience with that, that was insane. Like, but the team sucks, but moving on. Do they have, like, the biggest gap between quality of team and atmosphere? Because everyone's always like, oh, my God, this unreal atmosphere.

This is unbelievable at Kyle Field. And then I don't want to say they always lose because they didn't always. always lose this year, but I mean, they seem to lose a lot at Kyle Field for all this great atmosphere. Fans brought it, though. That's good. Hey, Ross, let me say it like this. I've been to Tuscaloosa in regular season. I've been to Washington, like where the

Huskies played. And in terms of like decibels, like that was probably the loudest for a zero point scoring team I've ever seen in my life if that's to be compensation. Moving on to the NFL if I can. So here's something crazy I was reading and found out, and don't laugh at me

about saying this. So hypothetically, if all seven teams finish 12 and 5, which is about 0.03% chance. The Texans would actually be the number one seed. How crazy is that, that in the AFC, the talent is so tight between the teams that any one of those teams could be anywhere between 1 to 7, well, minus the Broncos, they would be at worst four. And then regarding the Raiders game, right, one of the things I also looked up is the Raiders could easily be 8 and 7, if not for like three bone play calls by the coach

and two questionable officials. They lost games. That's only three months. more wins. I don't know about 8 and 7, but go ahead. No, no, no, no. Like, I went back and watched a couple of games, like even the two-score games, they were like right there at the end. Kind of like how the Texans could easily be 14 and 1 and whatnot. So my take from all this is with their parity in the AFC this year, and the way the Texans played at Kansas City, and typically on the road, I was there

at the Rams game. They remind me of that 2000s Giants defense where you have this insane defense. I think they call it like the NASCAR package that was straight-hand and all those guys. and then you have a game manager at quarterback, aka Eli, aka C.J. Like, are we okay if, like, the Texans win that way, having an Eli Manning type quarterback? Anyways, happy holiday to you guys. Hey, happy belated birthday wrong. Oh, thank you. If my Cougars beat the Tigers, I like to challenge you to a wing bet or a beer bet, just out of good nature.

Anyway, I love you guys. Happy holidays and go Cooke's. Yeah, Soobs, you've got to give me LSU plus seven. We've had more five more. We had five more opt-outs yesterday. You are getting the B team, perhaps even the C-team, LSU Tigers. So it's, I mean, look, I'm not, I'm not complaining. I'm just saying, let's be real about where we are.

It feels like you're making excuses. That's what it feels like. I mean, let's be real about where we are. What is the line? No, latest, it was like three. Oh, yeah, it's holding it three, man. Don't be asking for seven. Look at this guy.

Line's holding it three. You want four extra points? Come on. I get some confidence in your squad. All over the kooks straight up. Oh, come on, man. Yeah, straight up. This game means way more.

Oh, you know what they're talking about? Here we go. They're talking about Lane Kiffin. Like, everybody wants to get ready for Lane Kiffin. They don't even want Frank Wilson. In fact, their LSU fans rooting against Frank Wilson because he's about to go be the running backs coach at Ole Miss. Why are we letting him coach?

This is stupid. Our coaches are over at Old Miss. Somebody's got a coach. Running that offense playing the playoffs. I imagine he's getting some kind of paycheck. I don't know. When is that game? He's coaching the playoffs for the Old Miss.

When is that game? Saturday night. Saturday night. December 27th, 815 kickoff. Oh, look at this guy. Kinderstexas poll.com. Thank you for all your great seasonings and sauces.

Well, I'm sure, I mean, they'll have some maybe at the stadium, but it's really about the football. All right, really, so there you go. The LSU, the weakest LSU smack talk I think I've ever heard of my life. Give me seven points. Yesterday, it's three. Literally every starter is opting out of this game.

Not literally every starter. There's got to be one guy. There might be one. You know what? Maybe they need to start tying these NIL deals in a bowl games. There you go. There's a solution. Well, the reality is the ESPNs have made it.

It's a playoff or bust. Playoff or busts where you don't make the playoffer, I guess out of hell with it. Yeah, you definitely cheap. I mean, it was always going to happen, and I'm glad we do have the playoff, even though I'm not glad about great, great showings by Tulane and James Madison. We'll get to that as well. All right, Tom, we'll see you on hole. We'll get you in the next segment.

We do have to take quick break. You guys want to get in. there are phone lines open 713 212 5790 713 212 5790 you can also send tweets to at sports rv and you know what follow me on instagram at sports rv i would appreciate that as well it is the matt thomas show with ross with you until 2 o'clock here on sports talk 790 all right now you now you're out of control gordy i got a call you out. The actual Vegas line is three

for LSU versus Houston. LSU minus three? No, Houston minus three. Okay. So Subs comes back and he's tweeting Gordy asking for two and a half points. Now Subes, you ask for a half point. However, is this the art of the deal?

Are you negotiating? And now Gordy's asking for seven and a half, Jonathan. Oh, yeah. The actual Vegas line is three. You've got to get like three to one for that line. I'm just telling you, my vibe is Houston by seven. You not only ask for seven, then you ask for seven and the hook.

Seven to seven and a half is a big hook now. Come on. You're supposed to be wrapping your tigers. I might even take Houston by 10. Whoa. Okay, head on over to Lake Charles. Gordy, you can't go to the whole season, reping LSU and now just not. You can't do that.

You have to be a realist, though. Their offense has been absolutely putrid. And especially since Michael Van Buren's taken over. My God, this is what Van Buren's done since he's taken over. He took over midway through the Alabama game. They scored nine. Against Arkansas, they were lucky to get 23. Western Kentucky, they scored 13.

And Oklahoma, which has got a great defense, but 13. So you've scored 9, 23, 13, and 13. The Cougs are scoring at least 24, I'd say. All right. I like this. So 24-17 cooks Are LSU fans going to show up? What do you think the crowd's going to be like?

There will be, I mean, there's the diehards who will be there no matter what. But I think it's going to be probably 65-70% Kook fans. There's going to be a lot more red. Again, LSU fans are just ready for the Kiffin era. If they could just skip over this game, a lot of them would. Right. They don't want to watch the seasoning bowl. I get it.

All right, 7-13-212. I will say the Texas Bowl always does a good job. The presentation. Yes, true. 713, 212. You can put that one in a trophy case. 713-212-5-790. This is the phone number.

7-1-3-21-2-5-7-90. Tom has been holding patiently. What's up, Tom? Hey, how's it going? I was watching the Rockets game last night. Man, it's just tragic. Yes. One thing in column that I can see is that, you know,

all these back-to-back, of games, Adams isn't playing. And, you know, maybe Capela is not the backup we need for something else. Seems like his screams and his rebounding is just too missing. Yeah, it's not great when Adams has to miss the back-to-backs and the team hasn't been good on those. I mean, well, it's not like all season. They've only been having back-to-backs very recently within the last few weeks. But he'd like to have Adams back.

Honestly, I like Clint Capella. He wasn't good last night, but overall he's been pretty solid as a rebounder as kind of the second backup to the backup to the backup whenever Stephen Adams is out. But I don't think he's necessarily the problem with this team. I'm not pointing to Clint Capella. In theory, when you're fully healthy and in a playoff rotation, Clint Capella is not going to see the floor. That's true.

But maybe I was thinking, you know, maybe they need to do more to do some screening or get Shepard more shots or something. I don't know. All right. Thanks, Tom. Sorry, anything else? That's it, thanks. All right, thank you.

Appreciate it. Yeah, Reed Shippard continues to play well, and he's, I mean, I guess you're going to call it a breakout season because it's not like he's not scoring 25 a night, but he's certainly showing himself to be a capable backup slash bench score who can go for 30 points in a night. he's been getting a lot of opportunities and he's been taking advantage of those. I don't know

this is like we need to run through more Reed Shepard or anything like that, but for what he is right now, he played 34 minutes last night. He was able to score a couple of nights ago. He had, what, the 28 points. Yeah, he was amazing in that Denver game. So I really love what Reed Shepard

is doing and I think he's going at the right pace. I don't think it's time to like force feed more Rishepard or anything like that. He's been aggressive. He's been getting his shots up and he's been scoring well. And disappointing, especially when you pair it with the big win at the Denver Nuggets to lose like that against the Sacramento Kings with Russell Westbrook jumping around and acting like it's game seven of the NBA finals. And it's like, come on, man. That's Russell.

I'm not mad at Russ. That's kind of who he is. He's going to do that. I mean, he's one of the, I mean, you've said this for years like, oh, you take your son to the game. Say, hey, watch this guy. You want to play hard every minute you're on the floor. Watch this guy. And that would be Russell Westbrook.

He's been the prime example of that his entire career. So, I mean, but it just doesn't feel great. Yeah, I know. Oh, my, good God. Well, you know, we had, you made a doke on when he made a couple of threes early in the game. And it's like, how long do you just continue to let him do that? And he's like, yeah, we like when he continues to jack up threes. But unfortunately, burn them, went five for 12 from three point land last night.

And overall, a few weeks ago, he was shooting 37% from three. I don't know where he is now. Yeah, he's come down. He's down to 35%. So not likely that he's going to wake up and, be a great three-point shooter after being a horrible one for like 20 years, but... It was the haunting of former Rockets.

Dennis Schrooter. Dennis Schrooter with the game winner. Rockets legend Dennis Schrooter, unfortunately. Every big shot, it felt like down the stretch he hit. It just, yeah, it was, that's a crappy game to let's slip away. That's the problem with the Rockets. Somebody said,

I think, what, eight of their nine losses have all been in crunch time? Is that true? In close games? Close games, yeah. So it's... That sounds about right. I mean, it's good from a standpoint if you're not getting blown out. Yeah, nobody's blowing them out. But it's also, man, you've got to figure this out.

And that's the whole point of you traded Jalen Green for Kevin Durant was to have a finisher. Yeah, now you're down to sixth temporarily in the, I almost said American League, in the Western Conference. And now you get almost a must win against the Clippers tomorrow night. Oh, come on now. Don't go on the must win against Clippers. Because the Lakers. It's December. I mean, it's going to be Christmas.

night nationally televised audience a sold out staples center or whatever that, ODOTCO, whatever the hell it is. Crypto. Crypto, I don't know. It's staple center to me still. It'll always be staples to me, damn it. Like, they're going to want more than anything

to win that one. So it's like, gosh, if you slip up and lose tomorrow night and then you lose on Thursday, this thing really starts to get hairy. Well, I mean, it's a long season. They can have a December lull and then they can, they're going to close strong they're going to be good obviously the the glaring need of ball handling slash point

guard is going to continue to be there unless some sort of move gets made which i just don't think they have the wiggle room to do much of so we'll see how it goes guys on the floor are going to have to get better read shepherd has been getting better and overall as the season has gone along amen thompson has been getting better i mean he had eight assists just a couple of turnovers last night so the the ball handling can improve and the play can improve and you're just going to have to for internal growth rather than external growth if you are the Houston Rockets. Okay, let's go ahead and take another break here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Chris Gordy is hanging out.

Jonathan Allen is here. Phone lines are open for you at 713-212-5-790. 7-13-212-5-7-90. We have to tell the truth coming up at 11.30. I will be taking the reins on that. We also, of course, have the news at noon. here until 2 o'clock. You guys want to get in. You can. It is the Matt Thomas show with Ross without Matt Thomas at 713-212-5-790.

All right, Gordy continues to negotiate. You're calling LSU a sunbelt-level team at this point. There's, yeah, I mean, the guys who are going to be playing in this, sure. Look, this is a good thing for U of H. Like, I think this is going to be great for Willie Fritz to get a win over an SEC team and finish the easy strong. I'm just a strong. I'm telling you right now like expectations they're going for 10 wins right the cooks i forget what they finished uh i think they're nine and three right and they're going for 10 wins that'd be nice get a little 10 win season get a 1-0 going up yes these things and it's so easy to just hit the google

machine yes they're 9 and 3 oh see i was right yeah 10 win season it'd be huge i'm just being realistic i'm telling you right now lSU is i mean yesterday it was i got the LSU tag is covering the points. Harold Perkins out. Aaron Anderson out. Witt Weeks out. West Weeks out. I mean, Josh Coxon out. What's John Weeks doing? The list goes on and on and on. Okay. All right, Gordy. We'll let you soft play. Well, speaking of that, I think basically a lot of guys are transferring out of hitting the portal for the Texas Longhorns as well. DeAndre Moore, wide receiver to the portal. Yeah, he's got like 11 touchdowns, almost 1,000 yards in his career.

Why would you go, hey, Arch Manning got better as a year went along? Hey, I bet he's going to be awesome next year, and the Heisman favorite, I'm out. Straight cash, honey. Like, why would you not want to play with that? I was at, I was visiting our friends in Lake Charles to the east. And, you know, I was just said, I was at the draft kings sports book. And I forgot, I was going to look for the future Heisman odds. But I imagine Arch is the favorite and the odds aren't that great.

Yeah, I mean, you're not going to get good value there. Now, if you want to get value on Texas as a national champion, 2026, maybe. Schedule looks pretty tough, but you know, you might as well parlay both, right? One's going to likely lead to the other. Arch wins the Heisman and Texas wins the championship. You can probably get some good odds on. Oh, sick. Can you say that one more time?

No. Oh, come on, please. For my birthday. Hey, what did Mike Elko say? We're the flagship. We're the flagship. And then that got played at DKR. That was pretty funny.

That was a great moment. And then they fell flat on their face in the playoff. That's a shame. Couldn't happen to a nicer program, wishing them all the best. All right, 713-212-5-790 is the phone number if you want to get in. 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. James, Incline. What's up, James?

Yeah, the college playoffs were a joke, and everybody knew they were going to be a joke. Tulane didn't show up. James Madison didn't show up. They shouldn't have been in there. They should have had... A&M didn't show up. Well, yeah, I didn't show up But that was ridiculous

They said that his re-guy guy Was going to be a Heisman trophy candidate That guy was horrible I bet they're wishing they had Carter Wegman now I mean, he had a bad game But he was good all year He had two bad games

Had a bad game against Texas Okay He still finished the year He was like 20th in passing yards He still had a great year He had a great season Well, he was no Heisman trophy candidate That was a joke

He didn't show for either big game Yeah, well, I mean, how much, you know what, I'm interested to get your opinion, Gordy, how much of this is just a one-off? Normally, there's not going to be a two-lane and a James Madison in the playoffs. Well, all this is going to course correct, because they already changed the rules next year that Notre Dame, if they get the 10 wins, they're automatically in. They're changing it that the conference champ is in no matter what, which I think is a mistake because Duke would have been in this year, had that been enacted. but they want to, you know, it's a stupid equality thing. Stop with the equality bull crap and just take one through 12. But it's a stupid crap where the AAC goes, we're not signed of that if we don't have an automatic seat at the table.

Like, be good and you'll be in the top 12. Yes, that's very simple. But everybody's scared of their own damn shadow. Everybody's going, oh, no, group of five, we're not signing off on that list. We get an automatic seat. Why do they have a say, by the way? Exactly. What is the?

Well, that's the report last week was that the SEC and the Big Ten were literally this close to going, you know what, guys? Believe y'all, we don't need you. We're going to go do our own thing. And we went, wait, wait, wait, wait, no, we need the SEC, we need the Big Ten. How about we just give one seat for a group of five? Greg saying, he goes, if we go to 16, I'll allow it. Fine. So that was the agreement. So do you think eventually, so it's, what is it next year? It's still 12, right? They have not officially decided. It sounds like it is trending towards they will vote to go to 16 next. Okay, well, and then can we stop there? I thought we were going to stop at 12.

No, there was a push for 24. I knew we were going to, I knew we were not going to stop at two or four, but I didn't know it would be this fast to stop 12. I will tell you this. I like the first round buys. I'll tell you, just talking with some people who were in Norman on Friday. I was in college station on Saturday. The college campuses need to be, the first two rounds need to be on college campuses.

It's no offense to the Sugar Bowl. the Rose Bowl and the Orange Bowl but I'm sorry. It's college football. What makes college football fun? The pageantry of being on a college. On a campus where you can see more people. Look, take your

freaking corporate sponsors. You know what? Good Year? It's the Good Year Cotton Bowl at Kyle Field. Like you can put the naming rights on the game. The Good Year Cotton Field in Columbus, Ohio. But like play it on the college campus. Stop bringing these NFL stadiums. I don't know. I mean, these sponsors want their money.

at least the Big Bowl games are making some cash and the cities want these games as well I mean it's a whole it's a whole thing there's a whole lot of red tape behind all of this Oh look at Notre Dame They failed to read this is breaking news They failed to reach an agreement with USC to extend their historic series Oh wow

And they will not play They're not gonna play for the Gilded Chilei Why not? The Irish are finalizing a two-year series of BYU However Oh okay well I guess BYU is kind of good The two teams that were just on the outside looking at. They're not trying to stage the game now, right?

Like Vanderbilt? We want to do one quick showcase game. I like that. I like that idea. Clark Lee's like, hey, name the place. We'll play anywhere or anybody. Oh, man. Crazy.

Well, the four matchups all should be pretty good. But like, here's the other thing, too. Last year, you remember the last batch of rankings going into last year? Do you remember where Boise was ranked? Like sixth? They were 9th. Okay. So Boise would have been in.

Yeah, exactly. So get Boise in. That's my point, too. And that's the thing. Like Tulane lost at UTSA this year. In any other year, that would have ousted them. Yeah. James Madison, I don't even know who they lost to, but like, they should not have been in.

It should be, if you're a group of five team, you could get in. And you just have to have. Just be top 12. 12 and 0 or 11 and one type season. That's all. That's, I'm 100% with you. I've been saying that for years. Just take the top 12, however they are, no conference automatics, no champions or anything.

See, but the power four is pushing for. Well, conference ship should be in no matter what. Well, that's ridiculous. What happens when Duke is 7 and 5 and they win the ACC? They shouldn't be in. Exactly. Duke's not good enough. Sorry. Now, they kick the...

Take your trophy and put it in your case. They shot themselves in the foot, though, with their stupid tiebreakers. Because Miami should have played for an ACC title. It was the whole, like, percentage and all that. So I think the ACC is going to try to fix that moving forward. All right. Well, I like all the matchups. Ohio State, Miami, Texas Tech, Oregon. Freudian slip.

Indiana, Alabama, and Georgia Ole Miss. So some good matchups left, and then also a good matchup here in Houston, Gorey. This is the Matt Thomas Show with Ross. 11 o'clock in the AM here on Sports Talk 790. beautiful Houston, Texas. Ross v. Real, Chris Gordy, with you. Jonathan Allen as well.

We have to tell the truth coming up at 1130. Phone lines open for you at 713-212-5-7-90. 7-13-21-2-5-7-90. We've been talking a lot of college football. Got the college football playoff continuing as there were some good games. Well, actually, no, there wasn't really... What was the best game over the weekend? I guess A&M in Miami was.

The 10-3 game? you. Well, what's funny is, I mean, Oklahoma, Alabama was entertaining, even though it ended up being a 10-point win for Alabama, but Oklahoma up 17-0. That's a shame. They have the blocked punt, then the pick six, right before halftime.

People thought the punter was point-shaving. He just dropped the ball. I heard Dori Noca say, he was at a, you know, he's at Oklahoma grad and he was at a watch party with some friends and he said at 17-17, his friend was like, all right, man, we're in this. He goes, no, we're not. We're losing. He goes, I know how this

points out. They're 0 and 5 in playoff games, correct, since the playoffs have started. Yeah. I mean, it was first it was all Lincoln Riley's fault, but I mean you know what Lincoln Riley never did? Lost a home playoff game. Like, you're

at home in Norman. Friday night sold out crowd. Unbelievable. Yeah. Well, congratulations to the A&M volleyball team. They won the National Championship. They did. So that's good. I tweeted out. They got an ad. One of our Aggie listeners. I said, just the Aggies.

They got Shelby. coppage on SEC Network right now. Yeah, with Peter Burns. Oh, wow. I said at least the Aggies won something of consequence this week. Yeah, that's good. National Championship. That counts, baby. That plays. Yeah, Shelby's become like the preeminent

voice in volleyball. Yeah, I know. She played for somebody. Texas A&M Corpus Christi or something. I can't crawl. Anyways. All right, back to football stuff. You also have the Texans. We were talking about that in the first hour. They defeat. I almost said lose because it just

feel it almost feels like a loss to the los vegas raiders they've won seven games in a row it wasn't pretty it wasn't good and a pick six ended up being the difference in the game offense not great ashen gentie had i guess you're going to call that he had his second hundred yard game of the year but as far as his total yards had to be his biggest game because he had that catch for 60 yards for a touchdown so he had a big breakout game against the texans unfortunately missing aziz al shahir and he broke a couple of big runs and And C.J. Stroud, it was like, unfortunately, a far too often C.J. Stroud performance. He didn't cost in the game. He wasn't terrible.

But there were too many throws where you're sitting there saying, C.J. Stroud should make this throw. And he didn't. Made the big one at the end, Nico Collins with the big catch getting the elbow down. He finished with four catches for 59 yards. But it just wasn't enough offense. And we keep saying, when is this offense going to get into gear? you've seen some flashes here and there some good games here and there they have won seven games in a row so it is hard to complain but it just

it doesn't are we just being spoiled to say this seven game win streak doesn't feel that great yeah I mean I was feeling pretty good before yesterday's game like I thought they were starting to play

better yeah you know look it had been a it had been a couple weeks since before since we third Nick Cayley under the bus. Like, they found a way up in Indy. They found a way out in Kansas City. Last week was just the beatdown of Arizona. Everything clicked. And then this is the first week, I thought, since really the Tennessee game that...

Right. That's the other game I would point to. The game gives makes you just cringe a little. Yeah. So it's been about a month since we criticized Nick Cayley, but I think he deserves a lot of criticism for that game plan yesterday. Like, put it this way. I didn't think, I didn't feel like CJ was to blame for the port like he didn't play great but I thought a lot of it was more on play calling and look not having Woody Marks

Jawar Jordan did his best but like that the run game was not great yesterday you average three yards of carry yeah it's something I can't put is now Joire Jordan it's not like he's got stick legs but something I can't put my it's like not fast yeah

it just doesn't feel right and I want to be nice to Jawar Jordan but it's almost like they let like a UFO running back in the NFL is what it kind of feel like he's not bad it just feels like he's at tryouts and it's like I don't know if this guy's it

that's all well the hope is what's the prognosis on Mark should be back soon? Hopefully I mean he was I think he got in a limited practice on Friday so hopefully he doesn't miss too much time and Nick Chubb was there but I mean

and he had that one big run but other than that he was just ineffective. I mean, if you're Nick Chubb, how are you feeling that you just got replaced by a dude off the practice squad? It was not even that good of a runner. He came in and he got 15 carries to your six.

I said it earlier in the year that he's, Nick Chub is washed. Yeah, he's washed and I know there were, remember preseason? There were people like, thousand yard season loading Nick Chubb. They got Nick Chubb. I'm like, guys, he's been on the streets.

And it was like July or something when they signed him. I just read the T-Let. leaves, folks. He's got no juice in the legs. And he's a good runner, hard runner, and smart, but just, that's not going to get it done in the NFL these days. All right, 713,

212-579 is the phone number. KJ in Cyprus on the phone lines here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. What's up, KJ? Morning, tell us, as you are always listening in the background. A couple of quick takes. As you guys

clearly stated, excuse me, this doesn't seem like a victory Monday in regards to the Texas and I say that for a few reasons. The bar so far as CJ has been what he did this rookie season when prior to the concussion he was lead to league in yards passing for game

he had three or four interceptions at that time I mean he was a rock star not just in Houston but in the NFL in general and you just haven't seen that again I'm not saying seeing it a time or two. You just see J had a swagger

of confidence about him that you just don't see anymore. And you couple that with the errands those who we've been seeing consistently. I look at some of the younger quarterbacks in the league right now. The Trevor Lawrence, who by the way has done it a couple of times this year,

the Bo Nixons, the Jordan loves. I'll even put Caleb Williams in that category. You've seen these guys at different points during this season consistently carries their teams to victory. Whereas we're here in Houston, we're just basically hoping that the

offense in general, CJ in particular, just doesn't mess it up. And we can't have that line of thinking going into the odd season. No, we're going to have to pay this man. I was hoping the last five games of the season, we will literally take the top office, just open the office up and see what we have under

the hood, but they haven't done that. So now we're going into this opera season with more question marks about the the quarterback position, not in regards to getting rid of him, but exactly what we have. And I want to ask you guys a couple of questions. Who do you think is at fault for that? Is that DJ? Is that the play calling?

I know that the easy answer is a combination of both, but I didn't really want to get you guys' perspective on that. And I also want to know what is Joe Mixon's contract status with the Texans moving forward after this season? Because he's hurt now. He had injury issues in Cincinnati. And as much as I love Joe, your best ability is availability. You can't help us from the high tub.

And I'm not just a fan of the collection of the running back we have right now going into the next season. So what's the contract status with Joe Mixing? And what do you think the thing is, if you had to point to something with T.J. Sprague. Sit back and listen, fellas, let it show. I think Joe, I mean, Joe's got a year left, right? Yeah, they have an out. But I don't know how much it would cost him to cut him.

I don't think very much. His base is $8 million next year. It looks like $2 million in day. cap money so. Okay. So he's gone. It does say 10.5 million cap hit next year, so really? Even if he's cut?

It would probably just, I don't know. That's an Erin Wilson question. All right, we'll get Aaron Wilson on that, but I just doesn't feel like he's going to be back. And I like Woody Marks. I feel like Woody Marks is like a change of pace third down back. I don't feel like he's a bell cow. I think he's better than that.

You think so? Well, put it this way. There are no bell cow backs anymore outside of what. Barrick Henry Jonathan Taylor Christian McCaffer I guess when he's healthy But like I mean there's about five Everybody else is splitting duty You know I mean like even James

Devon A Chan is probably the number one James Cook James Cook in Buffalo Though they play Ray Davis a lot Like it's a fair amount But nobody does 90% of the snaps What I would say is much Well I just say the lead back The like the lead dog role

That's not somebody who's splitting Like a James Cook Yeah but I feel like you could get a good compliment with him. You draft another young guy. Or Sequin Barclay. I'm just looking up and down. But I'm just saying like

more now than ever, teams are very much are closer to like 60-40. Bejohn Robinson. I like him be some Tyler Aller plays a lot there, but Bejohn's kind of like the lead dog. I don't feel like Woody Marks is a lead dog. I think he's a 50-50 guy

max. Yeah, I just but I don't think he's this like third down, change of pace back. I think he could be a 50-50 with another guy. Okay, I'd say 50-50 max. What I'm saying is I think you need running back help. You need somebody. And Woody Marks is going to need somebody to help carry the load if you're going to keep him.

I mean, he's a fourth round rookie. He's cheap. That's fine. Joe Mixing, whatever. Maybe even draft another guy in the third or fourth round. You can get guys in the third or fourth round, who is especially at running back. You get guys off the scrap heap. I don't understand why they don't...

Jawar Jordan's not that bad. They don't take a chance on these undrafted route. Like, that's what's crazy with Nick Casario is why they haven't taken a chance more. I feel like every off-season, you should sign at least one or two undrafted running backs and just see what's there. Yeah. They don't do that for some reason. I guess we can look around for, like, names who are popping elsewhere that maybe Nick Casario should.

have been interested in, but, you know, I mean, look, and there's no guarantee even if you draft the guy. Ashton Genty was supposed to be this generational running back prospect, and he's at a, now, yesterday not, yesterday notwithstanding, that's a crappy old line. He's had a horrible year by any standard. I mean, he's only averaging three and a half yards of carry. He's got like 700, or I think he's got 828 yards on the season. I need him to be, by the way, can we get Ashton Genty like 160 something yards in the next two weeks so we can get to a thousand? That's what I need. How about this, guys who are basically kind of becoming the number two on their teams? Jacori Kroski Merritt in Washington.

Well, Chris Rodriguez is hurt. He was picked number 245 this year, seventh rounder. Okay. He's good, but he's not a game changer, though. What's the guy in Chicago? Kyle Monong. Guy's really good. He was a seventh round pick.

Okay, Kyle Monong guy's been good, but also he's been splitting time with DeAndre Swift. Ali Gordon, sixth round pick for the Dolphins. How much is he? He's not playing much. He was. Woody Marks, of course, is a fourth-round pick. I'm just saying like... Yeah, you're looking at guys from last year.

Yeah, you can find some people. That's thing. Get another Woody Marks. Get somebody with, I mean, who can run with a little bit more power. I like Woody Marks. I just don't love Woody Marks. That's all. I think you do need to address the running back, the running back room in this offseason, in some way, shape, or form.

We don't even know what this injury from Joe Mixon, we can't judge. Like, how much, if it was like an Achilles or something like that, I don't want him back at all. but if it was just oh he broke his foot and he's going to be fine next year i would be more open to something like that depending on if they were going to restructure a contract or something like that but being so in the dark it's really tough to have an opinion on whether or not i want joe mix him back how about this three guys that were undrafted in the twenty twenty three draft that have all played roles this year demarcato with ari demarcato is backup emmanuel wilson emmanuel wilson has been good when uh jones has been hurt

And Sean Tucker in Tampa. I'm going to say again, Sean Tucker. He's like a goal lineback. But he had that big week a couple of each year, like 200 yards or something. So, I mean, you can find guys. And yeah, for sure. I mean, Dario Gungbo-Wale has been a good third-down contributor and stuff like that. You can find guys.

But I think especially the way, I think C.J. Shroud needs as much help as he can get. And a dynamic running game would be awesome. And things were a lot better for him in his rookie season when? Joe Mixin was one of the best running backs in football. That helps out. So absolutely. Jaylon Warren was undrafted. He needs some good running backs.

I like Jaylon Warren. But he's been spending time with Kenneth Gamewell too. So yeah, I'm talking about 50-50 backs. Yeah, get a couple good 50-50 backs. Get a good running game. Get some lightning and some thunder, whatever. You don't necessarily need David Montgomery, Jemir Gibbs, but something where you can have a good, credible running game week after week.

All right. Time for a quick break here. on the Matt Thomas show with Ross, without Matt Thomas. We got to tell the truth coming up at 1130. I've written three opinions. I've got to write one more. 713-212-5-790 is the phone number if you want to get in. 7-1. Maybe I'll put a running back thing in there.

7-13-212-5-790 is the phone number. We'll keep it going here with you until 2 o'clock. We also got the news at noon coming up. And at 11.30 to tell the truth here on Sports Talk 790. 11.20 in the a.m. Here on Sports Talk 790, the Matt Thomas show with Ross. I'm Matt Thomas on a holiday week. The Rockets back on Christmas Day.

I missed it, but I kind of don't because I will be working pre- and post-game show, but that comes with the territory when I don't want to go full air on Andrews on you. I'm missing all these holidays is the worst. No, it's a night game. I know. You get all the Christmas Eve and most of Christmas Day. I know. I have a couple eggnogs and start the post-game show.

Can't wait, baby. When's the action happened on Christmas Day? In the morning, right? No, no. I don't know what kind of family you got. You don't wake up and go open your gifts the morning and do under the tree stuff? No. Y'all do Christmas Eve, right.

I'm just kidding. No. I think you normally just Christmas, but you do one morning Christmas somewhere and one afternoon Christmas the other. Come on, divorce A family. Let's go. Got to be partying all day. See, we used to always growing up. We always did Christmas.

Eve night. We did everything. You did everything Christmas Eve night? Yeah. So Christmas Day was largely nothing. Some people do one present Christmas Eve. Yeah, we would do the opposite. Maybe save one more gift on Christmas Day. Oh, you do, so open all the presents Christmas Eve and then have one Christmas present. That's interesting. Yeah. I haven't heard that one. Or we do the, some of years we do Midnight Mass. Oh, I've been to midnight mass in my day. A lot of bloodshot eyes. Yeah, you get a little sacrament wine.

A little sacrament wine at 1245. It's good for the soul. It's good for the soul. All right, 713212-570 is the phone number if you want to get in. Rockets, that line is already posted, by the way. Rockets are two and a half point favorites at the Los Angeles Lakers. Oh, gosh. How are we feeling about the state of the rocket?

right now, by the way, 17 and 9. Because when I left before vacation last week, I talked about how there was just cloud over me. I was trying to get rid of it, but it was the Oklahoma City Thunder cloud. Like the Rockets kept on winning and winning and winning, but it's like,

I can't even be excited about it because the Oklahoma City Thunder are a death star. Now, since then, you've had the Thunder lose a couple of more games, so I'm feeling a little bit better about that. But also, the Rockets have been losing to teams like the Pelicans

and the Sacramento King, so there's a cloud over me there. Yeah, I mean, I know the numbers say that they're still top five as a defensive team. What's the, I think they're still, the point differential might still be like number two in basketball. Yeah, they're number three in

scoring, they're number four in points allowed. Okay. So they're top five in both, but, and there's still number one in rebounding. Number two in point differential. I feel like when they don't have Stephen Adams, they are not the defense is not as stout yes i i uh i agree with that and i mean that's just how it's going to be clinkapel's going to have to step up into these back-to-backs and he's not what he

once was which is crazy to say and just makes me feel old because i remember him being like a young rookie and developing and growing and becoming like a really good lob threat slash switchable five on those Rockets teams with James Harding and Chris Paul and being actually a very good key piece of those as far as a role player, not like he was dropping 20 a night or anything like that. And now he's not what he once was, but it's just,

I need to see some more Rockets wins very soon. The Nuggets one was nice for sure. But I mean, it was just, it was sandwiched in between a loss of the Pelicans and the Kings. It was all on the road. It's a very long road trip. Second half of a back to back. You're on this mammoth sixth game trip and all that stuff.

But it's just difficult, man. It's difficult. Yeah, you should have won. The loss in Denver fine. The blowout loss to Dallas fine. But the New Orleans game and the Sacramento game, you should have finished. This is why you have a Kevin Durant to be able to finish. And he could not finish.

And also, Alpy, oh my God. Like, as good as he is, he has stretches where, I mean, just absolutely clueless with the basketball. And then turning to the refs and bitching. And, like, dude, get your head out of your ass and in the game. And yeah, you turn the ball over, but get back. How many times this team will turn a ball over and there's no help defensively? He does do a little bit of, I mean, extra as far as complaining to the referees and throwing his hands up when I'm, and yeah, there are, it feels like a couple times every game. You're like, hey, just get back on defense.

You didn't get to call. We got to move along. Let's go. And he also, I think he is the king of calling for. challenges of things where there's no chance they're going to win a challenge. I mean, I admire your confidence Alpern Shingoon, but he's always

wearing his wrist in a circle trying to get them to try to challenge something that's not a challenge. How about yesterday? Was it, Sacramento, it used their challenges and then Russell Westberg at the final minute, calling for a challenge. Like, they don't have any more, bro. You used them.

Yeah. I'm just, it's, I don't want to save it Maybe I'll say I mean I don't want to say it I'm going to save it for the next segment But Okay how about this

There are people who've said This team still needs a true point card Yes Or do they need to go bigger game hunting What's the latest I was out of town for a week What's the latest on Yannis Synthacompo I'm possibly getting moved

Quiet, I haven't heard of it All quiet on the Yonis front I haven't heard anything Okay well let's get Larry in Spring real quick ahead of to tell the truth coming up in the next segment. What's up, Larry? Hey, how are you all doing, Rob? I'm doing great, Larry.

Good, good, good, man. Say, man, okay, you watch the game yesterday, right? Yes. Okay, the head referee number one, right? You know, the one that announces all the calls, you know. Yeah, the crew chief. Yeah, he was number one. and he was the one

to speak over the mic whatever the call was right and I was looking at him you remember Charlie Perillo Yes I do remember Charlie Polillo You think it looked like Charlie You had to look at it man

I thought he I don't remember who the referee was honestly But just look We played the game And I was wondering if he got a referee job. I didn't know. You thought Charlie Palillo was an NBA referee?

No, NFL for the... Oh, NFL, you're doing for the Texans. Yeah, man. Check it out, Rose. Check it out, man. Hey, you know, I don't know why. Check it out, man. Huh.

I watched that game, too, and I don't remember thinking a guy looks like I'm trying to find their numbers. All right, Larry, we'll do some investigating on that. I appreciate you. where's the referees listed by jersey numbers Scott Novak is that who he's trying to say I guess so let me look

I you know not really you sure he doesn't really look like Charlie Polillo I guess it looks like they could be cousins that's freaking hilarious all right on that note we're going to take a break Ray we see you on hold we do have

to get to tell the truth. We'll get to you, though. You guys want to get in. You can 7-13-212-5-790. Coming up next, I will have four opinions, but I will only believe one. That's coming up on to tell the truth. Next on Sports Talk 7-90, the Matt Thomas Show with Ross. You don't know how to tell the truth. Yeah. 1134 here on Sports Talk 790. The Matt Thomas Show with Ross, a Monday staple segment. I will give you guys four opinions. I only believe one of them, Chris Gordy. and you have to decide which one I believe.

Jonathan, how many do I believe? Oh, no. All right, I get confused too, so I'm not going to get mad at y'all when y'all get confused. It makes sense when you remember it's called to tell the truth. Yes, there's only one truth.

Well, that's what you get confused. Every time I do it, because I understand why he does it. It's hard to come up with, like, fake ones that are believable. But I digress. Okay, folks, opinion to number one. This weekend,

has convinced me you felt like it was coming I'm talking about the Texas A&M Aggies Mike Alco has been a coach for as long as he has he wasn't that good at Duke

fell apart his first season at A&M fell apart his second season at A&M the Texas A&M fighting Aggies will not win a national championship with Mike Elko as their head coach.

They could do it with someone else, but it is not going to happen with Mike Elko. Doesn't have the track record, doesn't do well enough in close games. This year was a function of the schedule. I think it's going to be more like closer to what last year was going forward for Mike Elko, and he will be fired disgracefully

and probably get a big payout. Opinion number two. All right. I know it looked bad for the huge. Houston, Texans. But I think you can get enough out of C.J. Stroud. They have beaten the bills on this win streak they have been on. They beat the Chiefs before Pat Mahomes snapped his whole body in half.

They have some really good wins on this seven-game winning streak. I don't think they're going to be Super Bowl good, but I think for the first time, in Texans history, they're going to make an AFC championship game. The defense is good enough. Woody Marks is going to come back. they're going to be fine offensively not good but they're going to basically win a bunch of 21 to 19 games and make their first a fc championship game but i don't think they go any further than that first a fc championship game for the houston texans number three this is going to be something that hurts my heart to say out loud but i believe it will muschamp defensive coordinator for the Texas longhorns

it's not going to work out I don't know why this move was made I like Pete Quatowski I think the defense has been very good the last two years yes there was some slippage this year but that's because they were on the field so much with this bad offense

the day and age for Will Must champ as a type of coach that's gone you can't have these fiery guys who are screaming in everyone and throwing chairs at 8 in the morning and punching the whiteboard and yelling, these dudes are pulling up to the meeting rooms in Lamborghinis.

Okay, Will Must Champ, ain't nobody got time to be hearing you screaming bloody murder at everyone and treating people like children anymore. Will Must Champ is going to get tuned out by these players who are making hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's not going to work out with him as a defensive coordinator at the University of Texas. That is opinion number three. Opinion number four. We're going deep into the art. archives, folks. We're bringing up baseball, which we haven't talked about all

so long. However, there was a trade made when I was out. Mike Burroughs was traded for the Houston Astros. And so I got to thinking and I was pulling up their rotation. And I'm like, this is according to Fangrass roster resource. Hunter Brown. Nice. Christian Javier. Lance McCullors Jr. Mike Burroughs will see. And Ryan Weiss, who came from the Korean League, and is 29 years old. Then we're talking about Jose Altuva declining. Can Jeremy Pena replicate a breakout year? Carl's Correa's a year older.

How's Issaq Parade his leg? Christian Walker's older. It hurts me to say. The Astros are not winning the American League West. Maybe they can make the playoffs. I'm not going to take that off the table just yet. You got bullpen question marks as well. the Houston Astros will not win the American League West in 2026.

That is my opinion number four. So to recap, Aggies cannot win a national championship under Mike Elko. He doesn't have the track record. Raiders notwithstanding, the Texas will make their first AFC championship game. Will Must champ bad hire for the Texas Longhorns. That is not going to work out. and the Houston Astros will not win the American League West. Fellas discuss.

All right, Gordy, help me out here with number three. Is Will Muss Champ that bad? No, I'll tell you plain simple. So only one of these is true. For the first time, Texans will make the NFC championship. I believe Ross doesn't believe that. Right. Will Muss Champ will not work out.

I think he does not believe that. I think he believes Well, Most Champ will be a very good D.C. Astros will not win the A.L. West. I think that's a fair. That's fair. Yeah, that's very fair. Assessment.

But A&M will not win a championship with Mike Elko. Ross's Aggie hate and self. That's got to be the true one. That's got to be the true one. I'm going to go with A. That Astros very, I'm going to, I think Ross believes they're not going to win the L. Dale West is very good, but And Marinus kept everybody

too? Yeah, I'm going to stay with the Astros. Well, I am somewhat wary of the Willemus champ higher. I do think there are concerns with me of him getting tuned out by the players, but they're still pretty young and probably receptive to coaching.

So I'm not saying it's not going to work out, but I was puzzled by the hire. So you guys were right to dismiss that one. Next one, yeah, I felt like it was the weakest one of the bunch. I mean, the Texans can make the AFC championship game, but to declare they're making

the championship game I think is a little bit much. And then last but not least, Mike Outgo's a good enough coach, so as long as you continue to get him players, you could probably win a national championship. They got close enough this year. You get him a couple more players.

You really believe that. Yeah, I think you could. As much as anybody as much as Sark or as much as Lane Kiffin or as much as Kaelin-de-Bohr. You can't. I'm not saying that it's going to happen. I'm not saying he's national championship caliber. Is Joey McGuire the greatest coach on the planet? No. You get Texas Tech a bunch of players

and then he's going to be fine. So, I mean, Ryan Day was on his way out at Ohio State because he couldn't beat Michigan. And then he wins a national championship. I think he's to the level of where the players are good enough and you have good enough assistance. You'll be fine. So it hurts me to say I don't think the Astros

are winning the American League West. I don't think it's likely that Mike O'Kalco wins a championship, but I don't think my phrase was they cannot win a national championship with Mike Kalko, which I don't believe. Good job, Jonathan. So what? I mean, that won, Jonathan?

It's probably the longest draw. It's been like five weeks. Oh, really? I don't think this one counts, though. It's like a substitute. I'm counting it. I'm going for the spring game. Oh, I like that.

I like that. I still don't believe that. Ross believes the Aggies can compete for a championship. I think they can't. I mean, look, they were in the playoff this year. It could happen. You just got to get them a bunch of players. You got to get anybody a bunch of players. Yeah, exactly. But I mean, I just think it's so wide open for anyone.

For me to completely dismiss him to say they cannot win with him, I think is wrong. 13 years in the SEC, they still haven't even played for a conference championship. That's a shame. Couldn't happen to a nicer program. All right, we're going to have a nicer fan base, too. It's not like they gloat and preen all the time. not even winning and just keep adding championships to our stadium. Anyways, we're going to take a quick break here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross.

Gordy continues to hang out. We've got the news at noon with Jonathan Allen. Wink, wink, listen, listen. News at noon with Jonathan Allen coming up next here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Ray, we'll get to you as well. Anybody else want to get in, react to anything I had to say, or you have to say for what happened over the weekend in sports, 713-212-5-790 7-13-212-5-7-90

All right, go San Francisco 49ers Houston, Texas, is that correct, and clinch a playoff spot? I believe that's what I read, yeah. Okay, but they'll still be fighting for seating as they have a couple more games left. I mean, it's not going to work out for them.

With the AFC South, Jaguars are a game up, plus they're playing the Colts and then the Titans. I mean, that's probably going to end up being a couple of gimmies. But we'll see. Chargers on the road, Texans, one and a half point dogs in that game, and then the Colts to end the season. The time is still TBD on that, but I don't think it's going to end up being any sort of Sunday Night Football thing or anything like that. So I've got to go ahead and guess 12 noon for Texans Colts for the last week of the season, but that he has yet to be announced. They beat the Raiders yesterday, 23 to 21.

Wasn't pretty. Ashen Genti had a big game. He had the 50-yard run. He had the 60-yard catch touchdowns on both of those. Juno Smith did throw the pick six, and it was enough for the Texans to get the 23-211 victory. You guys want to get in? You can talk about anything you'd like. 7-13-212-5-7-9.

713-212-5-790. We have the news at noon with Jonathan Allen coming up at 12. But right now, Ray in Miami, has been holding patiently Ray. The floor is yours. Hi, how you doing? Welcome back, Ross. Thank you. It's good to be back. You remember I was attacked back to Eric from spring. He attacked me again this morning.

Oh, what happened? Gary doesn't like me saying anything negative about the Texans. And I said, before I even got on the call, Ross, I was behind him, and he was, Dan was trying to stay on the phone, and he hung up the phone. He doesn't want to hear my take, but Gary, let me tell you something. If you can't score until the fourth quarter legitimately against the Raiders, we're not going to win, Gary. And once again, like I said, to Colin him, they were getting booed, Gary. They were getting booed, not the defense, but the offense. I don't know what's up with

isn't Brad from Spring what's up with these weirdos in Spring, Texas you have to be able to be a good fan Gary not a cry baby I know the McNaird love people like you because you're going to sell 65,000 out because you're just going to go

but you have to call out what's wrong CJ I don't know what's going on but the throws are bad the Woody had like 12 yards in it it was horrible I don't like the offense gameplay that's all i'm trying to explain to myself that's that to gary i mean that's it is nothing and let me tell you something brother if dan open those two phone lines like he said he would do

i'll eat you up in a debate about the text man jerry and it's going to only be about the offence you better hope and pray that dan and cole don't open both phone lines and let us get on i'll eat you a lot bro because you just call me names and i drop fast Maybe we can get this scheduled, Ray. You got a Twitter? Yeah, I'll send it to you right now. Well, Gary probably didn't have a Twitter. I don't know if he has a computer.

Gary's sitting in a cage complaining about people who's complaining. Gary, we're complaining because we're upset about it. We want a Super Bowl, Gary. I don't want them to go to New England and get embarrassed. But CJ cannot keep up with running. up and down the field, touchdown for touchdown, wouldn't probably both Nick. Look at Trevor Lawrence, beat the Broncos.

We should have beat the Broncos. You know, it seems it's the small thing. And CJ, you keep saying, I just got to do this. I just got, when are you going to do it? I just got to do this. I just have to do that. Those are excuses. You getting ready to get paid a lot of money.

I need production. I'm out. Yeah, thanks a lot, Ray. It's, yeah, if you look yesterday, They won the turnover battle 1 to 0 and that 1 turned into 7 points and you won the game by 2.

They got out gained by the Raiders in total yards 3.15 to 270. They did have more first downs but it just felt like a very even game against a team that's had two wins all season. They have no reason to really play for anything and they just lost

31 to 0 the previous week. Maybe you could argue if that's what had to fight for is to not get embarrassed that bad and come out and show some pride and do that on the road. But it just didn't look good out there for the Texans. But as you said earlier, Gordy, I mean, they looked a lot

better against the Cardinals the week before. Before that, you beat the Chiefs, Colts, and Bills. I mean, that was a run of games where we're saying, hopefully they can go two and one, even one and two is okay. And they went three and oh in those games. Like, yeah, they've all been close, but this is still a really good Texan's team, but it just

yesterday didn't inspire a whole lot of confidence. And I'll tell you right now, I mean, going to Outtale A to play the Chargers, you've got to bring your A game with the offense. It's going to have, look, you hope the defense can hold their own. I'm just telling you right now,

Chargers, Justin Herbert's been awesome this year. And that run game's been very good. They just got Omari and Hampton back. Yeah, he was running very well. He was running very well. yesterday. I mean, Keenan Allen still is like the fountain of youth. He just keeps catching balls. Yeah, Quentin Johnson's

good. They got Ladd McConkey who's given the Texans issues before. So, yeah, it's and you're going on the road to play them, even though, I mean, it is Los Angeles Chargers, so it's not like it's the most rabid home environment that you're going to face or anything like that, but you're one and a half point dogs. It'll be a good test. I'm looking forward to this one this week. So if you're totally, your defense could hold them a 24. Do you think the Texans' offense

can score more than that? Well, Vegas will tell you no because the total is 39 and a half. So that would be squeezed. That means the implied totals are around like 21 or 22 for the Chargers.

I will say, if you can hold them 24 might not be enough. I'm just being honest. I mean, they scored 40 against the Cardinals. But before that, they've had 23 this week, 20, 20, 23, 16, and then 36 with Davis Mills

against Jagger. So, I mean, history tells me five of the last six weeks, they have not been able to score more than 24 points. So, yeah, it's a concern. If you say 24, I'm going to say the Texans lose. I wish I didn't say that out loud. If you say 20, I'm saying we've got a shot. Yeah, that's just, that's a tough ass that you're going to hold, you're going to hold that offense to 20. Look at what they've done.

Well, I guess, Jaguars did beat them 35 to 6. but they scored 31 against the Raiders. Jaguars are scary. I'm starting to get scared of the Jaguars. And I didn't think I was going to say that this year. But... Yeah, maybe I'm just living in having watched that whole Cowboys Chargers game yesterday. Because the Chiefs did hold him to 16.

Eagles held them to 22. Cowboys have the worst defense on the planet. So maybe that makes me feel a little better. All right, Renfro in Mo City ahead of the top of the hour. What's up, Renfro? All right, look up, guys. Hey, Garda, hey, man, Gardy, you know football, so, Gardy, you know, and you just don't want to see it, but you know our offensive team and offensive play calling is horrible.

I mean, come on, Gordon. C.J. missing throws, and everything, especially when you're missing told, but there's no pressure, you know. So I just don't, I group the other call-up, the play calling is horrible, and until we, get that sewed up. The defense is definitely going to do just what we did yesterday. They're going to be in their break because if you're on the field

as long as they've been on the field with these drives, we got problems. So I'm in good with what the last call to say. Our problem is our defense is going to get broken down if we can't at least on our offensive scheme, sustain drives. All right, Gordon.

Take it out. Thank you, Gordon. You want to react to that, Gordy? Well, yeah, the play calling has certainly been an issue. You know, I still, Nick Cayley has not bought any buy-in for me this year. But, again, it's a combination of everything. You got a crap run game, and you can't be one-dimensional. You've got to be able to try to be balanced. You're also trotting out Jawar Jordan and Nick Chubb.

Right. And, oh, by the way, both of your tackles got hurt yesterday. I know what the latest on everybody is there. As far as Ursary and Trent Brown going down. So that's something certainly to monitor. Another reason why I wouldn't call for them to go to the AFC championship game. I need what's going on with this tackle play. You start to get a little bit more continuity on the offensive line

and then both your guys go down yesterday. So that it has definitely something to monitor for the Texans as they hit the road to take on the Los Angeles charges. All right, quick top of the hour break here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Chris Gordy has been hanging out. I'd appreciate him. Jonathan Allen here as well. He's going to bring you the news at noon coming up next here on Sports Talk 7.9. This is the Matt Thomas show with Ross.

Our number three of the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Without Matt Thomas, he is out traveling with the Houston Rockets. He will be back tomorrow in Los Angeles, I believe. Rockets in Sacramento last night today. Traveling to Los Angeles, they will have the Clippers on Tuesday. Some are calling it a must-win game against the Clippers. And then on Thursday night, on ABC slash ESPN, it's the Rockets and the Lakers, NBA action on Christmas Day. It's good to be back on Christmas to have a big Rockets game.

We'll have it, of course, for you here on Sports Talk 790. And yours truly will be on the pre-and-post game coverage there. But right now, we have to get to all the top sports news items of the day. It is a segment we simply call The News at noon with Jonathan Allen. Hey, Jonathan. How are you? What's going on, Ross? I haven't talked to you much.

Are you still glowing from your victory on to tell the truth over Chris Gordon? My voice feels good. You know, I feel like a new man. You know what I mean? You do. That's good. I'll tell you, it's been a long drought. It was like six weeks.

Hey, by the way, can I make a request? Christmas music the rest of the way I meant to tell you before Because Matt's up Man hates Christmas music I was gonna do it I don't know what You know what actually I'm making all the picks

I'm picking my favorites Okay I love Christmas music I was driving to Dallas Because I went to last week Last week I was all over the place I went to Lake Charles To the Golden Nugget for a little bit

Shout out to Jared Cart Taking care of us over there And things went quite well for me I'm just gonna put it that way Oh you saw that movie too I went to the 70 millimeter IMAX I've seen one battle after another and sinners So are you do you know what 70 millimeter IMAX is

Yes, yeah Okay so those are like the big The big big IMAX is it's like five stories high Yeah and they have to get like the projection It's actually on film it's not digital Yeah so and they had the The five minute prolog of the Odyssey Which was awesome that's coming out next year

The Christopher Nolan film Dude it was odd like in the Music? Dude, that's what I like, first of all, I like film. I'm a film enthusiast. Second of all, you can't beat going to the movies and you get the five-story high, 70-millimeter IMAX, which there's only two, I think, in Texas. There's one in San Antonio. There's one in Dallas. And Dallas was the only one that had the really release of one battle after another and sinners. So I watched both in one day. And it's like, it's like bone rattling music. It's five-story. high. It's just awesome, man. I just love it.

It's a great experience. They did, well, mine was kind of broken. It was declined too far. Like, I was on the feet of the people behind me. I felt bad. I'm not going to start off of that. I got my, I got have my recline chair. Yeah, no, they're like older, it's an older theater. That's why normally it's an older theater. They have

these giant IMAX, so they don't build them anymore in the new theaters because they're just too big and it doesn't make any sense to them. So it is rare to find a theater that's actually showing these things. So that's why there's only two of them in all of Texas, but Christopher Nolan makes the big IMAX. Paul Thomas Anderson

made the big IMAX and then the centers was also it wasn't all IMAX but the one battle after another was 100% in like the full screen IMAX which is awesome. It was great experience. It sounds like a great experience. I'm not going to lie. All right. What's so yeah, good to be back. Vacation was nice.

You know, I normally say really good to be back and I'm happy to be back and I missed work but I don't know maybe I'm in holiday mode already. It's okay though. I'm a lot to talk about. Appreciate Chris Gordy hanging out. Anyways, you know what? What should we be talking about?

Jonathan, what's on the news? A noon. Let's recap. Texans take down the Raiders and a very ugly win, 23 to 21, making them 10 and 5 for the season. C.J. Stroud going for 23, 35, for 187 yards and a TD.

Jawor Jordan, first start, right, I believe. Just got signed. Yeah, first start, yes. Jawar Jordan. He was on. A rough game, 15 carries and, you know, 53 yards. They're not terrible. How do you feel about that? How do you feel about the game in general?

We haven't got to like... I know we hear Ray. It just wasn't pretty. And it feels like we keep... In the NFL, I said this earlier with Chris Gord. In the NFL, you can catch lightning in a bottle at any point. And the Texans do have that capability. Like, they have the tools.

They have an all-time dominant defense, at least all-time for their organization. I mean, it's the best defense that they've ever had. Then you have CJ Stroud, Nico Collins. get Woody Marks back, you have some semblance of a run game. We'll see what happens with these offensive line injuries. Like, they can make a run. They can make a run to the Super Bowl. It is possible.

Is it probable? Not exactly right now, but you've got a big game coming up against the Chargers. And you can kind of wash this one, this taste out of your mouth. Because that's what they were able to do with the last time where we felt this bad about the team, was they went on the road and they looked horrible against the Titans. Then they beat the bills, beat the Colts with Daniel Jones. Jones still healthy in that game and then also beat the Chiefs before

Pat Mahomes went down for good. Pat Mahomes was the only chief to throw a pass in that game. It was before Gardner Minchew started playing. And he had his worst game of his entire career. So this defense, when fully healthy, had Josh Allen look like a rookie and had Pat Mahomes with the worst game of his career.

That tells me they can beat anybody. But also, let's say a ball bounced their way in a way last week where they got the pick six against Derek Singley. What if a ball doesn't pass your way and C.J. Stroud gives up a pick six or they get a couple short fields and you've got to hold them and they're getting field goals and touchdowns off of that.

That's the only thing that happens. If everything stays equal, the Texans can beat anyone, but what about winning when things don't go your way? What about winning when you lose the turnover battle and you have a couple of bad penalties and still coming through? The Texans can win on script? Can they win off script? Do they have the offense to do that?

Or either A, the defense is having an off day Or B, they're giving up some turnovers And gifting points the other way Or, you know, a big return Where the special teams Is giving up a touchdown or something like that? That's the question. Can you be

Win through those battles When it's not your day? And I don't feel super confident about that About the Texans right now. CJ Schroves got to do a little better than 1A7s. But on to the next topic, Another kind of ugly Rockets fail to capitalize over the Sacramento Kings leading 73% of the game and falling in OT to 125 and 124.

Yeah. This is not, if you ask my personal opinion about these rockets, we need a ball hand, my man. We need someone coming down the court to help this out because this is, well, I think I just saw it's the fourth overtime in five games, something like that. We can't close out games anymore. Yeah, not great. I actually wanted to hear, see what, uh, listen to this, how, uh, how this sounded. We're not. Computer not working.

That's fine. Shruder to his right for DeRosen. Top of the key. Right elbow. Layup coming up. No. Shruder left side three. It is up.

It's good with 2.2 seconds left. DeRose gave up the two for the long three. And it's a king lead of one. 125 124 Wow you know what I gotta give Matt his props there You called the game straight

He wasn't like He made the call This sucks This is the worst He was in his own Okay Yeah Yeah very nice

Very good professional call From Matthew Thomas Who just texted actually He wants to join the show at 1230 You know what Okay We can go ahead and do that 1230 you'll hear from

Matt Thomas in Los Angeles As the Rockets take on The Clippers All right what else is on the news at noon Mr. Allen. Justin, I know Gordi brought this up earlier. Notre Dame ends

their long time annual series with USC for BYU. Their precious rivalry ends and it's been going on since 1926. I did not know that. I don't know how historic it was. They played every single year since then? I believe so, yes. It's been every single year

since 1926. Wow. I keep calling it the gilded shulele. I guess it's the jeweled shulele. It's the jeweled Chilele. They play for USC and Notre Dame. Do you think this comes from not making the playoffs? I don't.

Well, they need to keep USC because USC was one of their top 25 wins. Damn, Notre Dame's been beating them down. Notre Dame is won seven of the last eight games. Wow. Let's see. Let me try to find the overall

overall Notre Dame leads 51 at 37 and 5. That's a beat down. I like how the way, I pulled it up on the Wikipedia page. There's two footnotes in this. There's footnotes about vacated wins by USC and then footnotes about vacated wins from Notre Dame.

So both schools, look, if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying in the college football. That's just how it goes. Vacated win from USC in 2005. Two vacated wins from Notre Dame in 2012 and 2013. It's the vacated

shellalee. Wow. So, I mean, it's a story drive. It's two once great programs that I think are both hampered by kind of the same thing. Notre Dame, I mean, USC is a great location in L.A., well, not a great in town, actually. It's a rough part of town. I think it was, who was the interview I saw recently where they said they would take some people around USC and they would take them to everywhere in L.A., but actually USC, like take them to Bella, take them to Beverly Hills, take them to the Hollywood Hills, and then not take them on

campus when they would take them on visits to USC but it's not a nice but it's a private school with very difficult entrance requirements same thing for Notre Dame and I mean I don't think it's an accident USC hasn't factored into it to the national championship in a long time

even though Lincoln Riley is a good coach and they've been getting some good players and had some good quarterbacks and of course we know the struggles that Notre Dame has had all right anything else on the news last thing at noon picks for Steelers wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, I don't know if you guys saw was an altercation with a fan

at the field during the second quarter of the Steelers versus the Lions game last night. Basically, almost kind of pimpsopped them. I'm not going to lie. And the NFL is reviewing the incident for potential discipline, but I mean, what do you find? Probably going to be a one game suspension. My opinion is

the dude was leaned over the thing. Like, he was leaned over talking to DK. And he probably wasn't asking him about his Christmas plans. So, I mean, If you're a Lions fan, honestly, my opinion, and we'll talk about this more in the next segment, the fans are doing too much. You're over there leaning and yelling. This show isn't about you.

You're here to watch the game and cheer on your team. And if you want to scream and heckle, I think, A, that's a little bit too much. And if you want to try to single out a guy and you want all this attention, and guess what? You're going to get the attention. You're going to get a punch in your face. I want to know the details because you need to know both sides of the story. What happened to the D.K. Metcalf just loses. mind or was this guy saying

something. If this guy was saying something he shouldn't have said, I'm on team D.K. McCaff. He's leaned over the railing while D.K. Matt said it. I mean, he's trying to get in his face. If you want to start saying this stuff to somebody, you want to try to get in their face, I mean, Jonathan, I don't know about how you grew up.

That's how you get punched. I've told you before, I'm a conversational person. You seem like that to me. I'm a calm dude. No, you can't do that to me. You know what I? Exactly. So, I don't know. We need more details on it before I have a full opinion, but my initial reaction is you're leaned over into the

playing space, you're liable to get hit, especially if you're talking trash. All right, quick break here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Those of you on hold, we will get to you. Anybody want to get in? 713-212-5-790 is the phone number. 7-13-212-5-7-90. You can also send tweets to AdSports RV.

Looks like Matt Thomas wants to join the show coming up at 1230. It is the Matt Thomas show without Matt Thomas, but some Matt Thomas. You know, I'm going to with some Matt Thomas coming up at 12.30 here on Sports Talk 7.90. Coming up in a few minutes here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. We'll be joined by Matt Thomas. I guess he is all set up and ready to go in Beverly Hills, I think, Los Angeles,

in a very nice part of town, and where they have $40. pancakes. Jonathan, what's the most of you ever paid for pancakes? Oh. Not $40. First, first, uh, worst watch was the breakfast place. I guess, they got kind of expensive pancakes. Oh, okay. All right. $20, maybe. All right. So we'll catch up on the pancake prices and how that's going with Matt Thomas coming

up in the next segment. Chris Gordy hung out for the first couple hours. Appreciate him. You guys can get in if you like. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-21-5-7-90. So Texans get the win. albeit in ugly fashion, how much do you say, hey, you know what, it's week to week in the NFL, they're not all going to be pretty, we can point to any number of ugly wins for any other top contending teams, at least you're able to get the victory, and win you're seventh in a row. I mean, they're 10 and 5, they've won seven in a row. So when you look at the entire forest, it's been pretty good.

A couple of the trees aren't so pretty. Last week's tree, or I should say yesterday's, two-point victory, where if you don't get that pick six from Derek Stingley, if Gino Smith throws it not even on target into the dirt or whatever, who knows if you're able to win that game? You got outgained by the Las Vegas Raiders and, of course, two big plays from Ashen Gentie, superstar running back, and it could have been a completely different game. It felt almost like at some point they might collapse at the end of that game. It was just trending in that direction. Credit to them, they held on, they got it done, but it was an ugly win. Here's what C.J. Stroud had to say about that. Yeah, you know, it was ugly, but, you know, the way you want to win in December is winning.

You know, whatever it looks like, however it looks. So, you know, I'm proud of guys to finish the strong. You know, we started off, you know, kind of bad in the first quarter, and then from there kind of roll. But, you know, it starts for me. You know, I'm just missing some throws here and there. but I think, you know, all these things can be fixed, you know, and just got to just keep rolling and, you know, continue to get better. All right, hold on.

Was this from last week or was this like the last seven weeks in a row? All these things can be fixed. I got to be better. And that's maybe the thing where it's kind of wearing thin on people who are Houston, Texans fans, is we keep hearing the same thing, week after week after week after week. But as it goes with sports teams and in general, I mean, you're always going to find something to complain about. That just is how it is.

So the team's not perfect, but they're 10 and 5. They're not going to win the AFC South because of Jaguars. I mean, I'm more scared of the Jaguars than I have been all season long. I mean, that was a statement game. They had a big win against Jets a couple of weeks ago. Daniel Jones wasn't there when they beat the Colts before that. Then they beat the Titans and the Cardinals. Like, yeah, big win against the Chargers six, five, six weeks ago.

And then yesterday against the Denver Broncos in their, house dominating them I mean Trevor Lawrence was running all over them rushing for a touchdown throwing for three more I think in a game where it just it felt like they controlled that game

so I'm definitely worried about the Jaguars we'll see what when it comes to the Broncos and the Patriots and how the playoffs are going to line up because the Texans are going to be in the playoffs but it's a good team can they be great? Can they make

their first AFC championship ever? Yes, they can. But the offense has to play better. They have to clean some things up. C.J. Stroud said it. He's been saying for weeks, they have to be better. And then we also have to figure out what's going on with that offensive line. All right, 713, 212.125.790 is the phone number if you want to get in 713-1-2-5-790. It is the Matt Thomas Show with Ross with you until 2 o'clock. And we will be joined by the one and only Matt Thomas. Coming up next year on Sports Talk 790, so don't go anywhere. 1233 p.m. here on Sports Talk 790, the Matt Thomas show with Ross. I think Matt, is Matt ready? We have Matthew.

Good morning. Hey, Matt. You're all right. You sound a little sleepy. A little bit. You okay? A little bit. Long time, no talk. I want to come on the show. I had not heard a Wolf Feral commercial in a while, so I want to here. Oh, okay. That's good. Yeah, you know you can pay your own way. Apparently. I don't know if you knew that. And pay. And pay

and pay. All right. A vacation was great. A vacation was great. Went to Lake Charles. Things were very successful. Love that. I heard you were dry snitching on me about how things are going in Lake Charles. A little bit. From a listener? Yeah, dry snitching would be the term I would use. Yeah. Okay. Well, that's the last time I ever seen, if you're throwing hundies around

or, yeah, that's the last time I ever sent you a picture from a trip, but that's okay. No, no. No, no, that's it. You're off. You're off the list. Am I really off the list? Yeah, you can't be talking on air about all that stuff. That's nobody's business. It's exciting. No, you're trying to get me followed home. Oh, right. People in Louisiana don't have vehicles. So what are you worried about? Yeah, they do. They don't have shoes. They have vehicles. All right. I was just calling to see how much you talked about A&M's national championship they won yesterday.

Well, I believe, no, but at least they won a conference championship, right? Oh, you're talking about the volleyball. volleyball team. They went on some kind of miracle Cinderella run, right? I actually did bring it up. Yeah, not only did they win a national championship, they were beating, I mean, one powerhouse landmark team after the other in straight sets. I mean, they were just

beating them to a pulp. Yeah, a dominant bracket performance. As everyone says, Texas A&M is certainly a volleyball school. Yeah, who knocked Texas out? Wisconsin. I don't know. Wisconsin beat them in the semi. that's a shame yeah but oh well it was a five setter over

Nebraska was like the death star weren't they they didn't lost all year yeah Nebraska had on their home floor too that was even the biggest part of it all oh wow did you watch the match of course oh really yeah oh good for you I watch on the plane I've watched

I watched a lot of football yesterday and I was listening to you in the iHeart radio app which everybody should do when they travel and we'll talk more about this tomorrow when I'm with you for the full four the Chargers are really good the Jaguars and I feel like I need to vomit the Jaguars are really good

you went to Denver and beat them and it wasn't even really that close yeah I'm a little bit worried I'm more worried about the Jaguars and the Chargers than I was even a few weeks ago now the only thing the saving grace you have is that neither one of those teams has any prolonged to playoff success

Denver was won and out and Jacksonville just doesn't ever go to the playoffs but Trevor Lawrence, I was watching at least on the Red Zone app, and I mean throwing darts pay. And his, I mean, that was a team that the Texans only scored 15 points out at home. Jacksonville went to Denver, 80,000 crazy people. And I mean, they were just moving the ball around like they were the

Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Led Niners' offense. Yeah, it's concerning. It's as concerned as I've been by the Jaguar. As we kind of thought the last couple of weeks, maybe you were going to be able to come up and win the AFC South, but now it's, they have what is it, the Colts and then the Titans the last two games, it's done. Yeah. So, yeah.

I mean, the seventh seed, the problem is going to be which, who's going to be in that number two spot? I mean, it could be Jacksonville. It could be New England. Do you watch the Sunday night game last night? I mean, my God. Drake May was throwing BBs all over the place. Drake May, I think it was his first 300-yard passing game of his career. And he had 380. And it could not have come in it.

Any better time, says the Houston Toros? Oh, really? Yeah. Okay. Yeah, the Toros are going to win the championship. I don't know. The four seat upset the one seat in our... No, you got the best roster.

You're going to win the championship. You know what? Congratulations. I'm already giving you the crown. The Houston Toros are 2025. I heart Houston League champions. I'll take the belt when I earn it. No, you've already a champ, and you know what?

This is a great result for a great team and a great commissioner in this league. Well, former commissioner, I should say. Yeah, I was going to say, I'm the GM. Yeah. Well, thankfully, we've been on the air, what, five minutes with you, and you've not brought up a game in Sacramento last night. For that, I thank you. You know what I did?

Were you listening when I was giving you your proper respects? No, I didn't. What you said? Oh, we played the game-winning shot from Dennis Schrooter, and you didn't call it, like someone shot your dog, which I know you probably wanted to. Oh, God, yes. You did it?

Well, I thought the Rosen was going to go for the layup, and then he throws us. uh he goes to the lane i thought okay because throzen's the king of the midrange i mean he he doesn't like shooting threes he penetrates the lane he he had about five or six top of the key jumpers last i mean he likes everything about 18 feet in and i thought oh he's going for the lab whatever and then he kicks out the dennis shrewder who i do not like rocket's legend dennis shrewder it's the denis shrewder revenge game i'm going to ask you this question because you and i organically have not even talked about this and we'll spend

more time about this tomorrow what happened i don't even know what happened. I mean, it wasn't like there was a large amount of missed shots. It was, I thought, it felt like to me Sacramento just didn't miss in the line. Because they were up, rockets were 186, like, 10 minutes left to go. I don't think the

Kings missed a shot in the last quarter. Oh, yeah, I think it was just King's shot making is the way that I would go with. And not like it was just a bunch bad defense. I mean, we've kind of talked about this, Matt, like, even the bad teams in the NBA have good players.

Like, the Kings are terrible, but I mean, Russell Westbrook couldn't miss from three. Not couldn't miss, but he made five threes. Kigin Murray's a good young player. DeMarrozen, we know what he is. Dennis Schrooter is an NBA vet. Even the horrible teams in the NBA have like four or five dangerous players. I know I'll get pushback from some, but this is like the most talented the NBA has been ever,

where even the bad teams have really good players. Well, I mean, case in point, the Rockets have lost to a five-win team and a six-wing team in one week. Right. Yeah, a sandwich in between that's a nice one against the Nuggets, but losing to the Pelicans and losing to the Kings, it hurts. Yeah, so, yeah, I was very, look, the New Orleans game was really hurtful, but I felt like maybe that was a one-off. The Kings only scored 93 points the night before.

We got to Sacramento as they were finishing up their game with Portland. I was like, wait a minute, 98-93? What was this a 1999 game being played or something like that? And now you're sixth in the West. Yeah, okay, that's fine. You beat Denver. In Denver, that was nice. Yeah, but you're six in the West.

The Spurs have won six in a row. Denver's really good. We'll see with the Lakers. You're, I think, two and a half-point favorites in that game coming up on Christmas. Schmish Morty was calling it a must-win game, almost a must-win game against the Clippers. I don't know how you feel about that. Evita Zubats is going to be out.

Oh, you know what? Hey, finally, Alperin. Look, I love Alperin-Shingon, but when he goes up against guys who are in his weight class, like the thin, wiry guys, like Wimby and Gobert and whoever, like Evan Mobley, he can move those guys, but when

someone's in his weight class, he struggles. And Evita Zubats is in his weight class. Well, it won't be an issue, and it sounds like Lukut had a thigh contusions. I don't know about Thursday's game, so... Okay. And here's the thing, it's that, you know, I don't know, again, not that EMA and I break bread after games, so we just get on the plane

and try to get him. You know, he's probably breaking something after that game. I don't know if it was bread. I've never been around a coach in my entire life with all the college and pro basketball that I've called that be lines for the middle of the court to call out players after timeouts. I mean, it's like usually coaches a lot of luck together. It's usually like, yeah, some college coach screaming after people.

And it's not falling on deaf ears. It's not like the guys are like, stop calling us out. I mean, they, you know, if he Maddoch's coaching him, he'll come after you if he needs to. But it just was against what the Kings just couldn't miss in the fourth quarter. And then Jabari gets fouled on the three-point shot. I think first one goes in good. Second one goes in good.

And I'm like, please, please, me. Don't give me drama. And then he misses the third one. Yeah. Well, at least he hadn't thrown a chair or choked anyone out. Are you a little sick or anything, Matt? Or are you just tired? You got a little quiet storm.

Here, Jonathan, play this song, Jonathan. Here, can you give us a little quiet storm now, Matt? Hey, do you like this new microphone amazing, by the way? Yeah, is that what it is? Yeah. It sounds like it. It's like studio quality. We tried it last week while you were gone.

And I'm like, you know what? Because I usually wear a headset. And I don't, I've been listening to some of our podcasts. I don't love some of the pops I hear about it. But this one is on the quiet storm. Speaking to that, H-town, there's rain coming to California. Oh, yeah. And Ross, I'm not lying about this.

They're expecting 70. the ring between now and Friday. They're expecting seven inches in L.A. Of rain. Wow. People are flipping the F out here in Southern California.

Wow. Now, granted, I didn't go to bed at 4 o'clock or 3.30 Pacific time, which is 5.30 Houston time. So I'm going to take a nap here short. Okay. I get some sleep.

this out yeah this new microphone music i'm very happy with i've listened to show and even a friend of the show and ramon roblis since oh really studio and i'm like ramon you ever had a good microphone when you're on the road because you know michael travels quite a bit too and he's trying to fight better yeah so do you prefer the sure sim 7 i you know what i've got a sure sm is 158 oh wow yeah oh wow do you write that off or what no this is a gift from david over one of our engineers oh Oh, okay. Oh, the SM 58? Yeah.

Yeah, those are fine. You don't think you should get a better one? No, it sounds good. Okay. All right, so tomorrow, you and I will work four hours, and then we'll do four more hours on Wednesday, and we're going to play Christmas music on the 24th. Oh, we're supposed to be playing Christmas music today.

Somebody's been dropping the ball in that. I don't want to name any names, but... You said you were going to get your pigs. Oh, you're right. It was me. See, it was me dropping the ball. And I listened to tell the truth. Yeah?

Yeah, that was an easy one. this was it gorty got wrong it's hard to come up before isn't it yeah you say that now it's easy to say that from your couch i listened don't worry i listened okay so um well good time tomorrow we've got a lot of catching up to do but i just want to say good morning hope you had a nice trip how was the big movie theater thing in dallas oh it was great 70 millimeter iMacs matt doesn't get any better how much was it to get in for them to walk would you see 25. Okay. Yeah, normal. IMAX here at the

Meegal Minima, Marmee, is like $30. So it was only 25 up there. So what movie did you see? I saw one battle after another, the Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio vehicle, and then sinners. They were both re-releasing in 70 millimeters, a limited one-week release.

And it also had the Christopher Nolan Odyssey Prologue. All right, I'm going to leave you this as a talking point for the part of your show. This is a little segment. You know, NBC and Peacock are always trying to do different things to add their game presentation. They announced for a game in mid-January,

there's going to be a special guest analyst for the second half of the Clippers Warriors game. Michael Jordan. Snoop Dog. Oh, that was quite the drop off. From Michael Jordan to Snoop, probably so. So, Jordan did, Snoop did a really good job. He watched, it was it hockey or something like that?

Yeah. And they started fighting, and he was like, get it, cuss. It was entertaining. So he's going to apparently go to shoot around, watch film. Oh, really? Oh, yeah. They're going to milk this for all its worth. Is there a call that Snoop Dog won't take?

He's on everything. It's like Kevin Hart saying no to a movie. Exactly. Or Nick Cage. Yeah, it's true. All right, boys, have a great rest of your show. I'll be listening on the I Heart Radio app because that's what we do. We're going to miss our Houston Sports.

Looking forward to putting you to sleep, Matt, on the I-Heart Radio app. That's the next show, not this. Okay, thanks. Talk to your boys. All right, bye. There you go. Matt Thomas. On the Mad Thomas show with Ross with that nice new microphone.

Sounds good. All right, we're going to take a quick break. We've got a lot of stuff to get too still. We've been talking about the Houston Texans. How are you feeling about them after yesterday's win? I mean, it's seven straight wins. They're 10 and 5. When you look at the forest, it's pretty damn good.

But what about that tree yesterday? 713-212-5-7-9. The phone number, if you want to get in, 713-212-5-7-90. How are we feeling about the Rockets now 17-9, down to the sixth spot in the Western Conference? Something we have to talk about. Is it a little too early to talk about possibly wanting a move for Janice of Tentacompo? Or is that a panic move?

We can talk about that. Anything you guys want to get to college football, playoff action over the weekend. 713-212-5-790 is your phone number. 7-13-212-5-790. All right, so the, he said he said has already begun and the D.K. Metcalf dust up. If you have not seen it, you saw it, correct, Mr. Allen? Yeah, I saw it was He was all over the place And my first reaction was

What did the fans say? My first reaction was And was Oh, D.K. Metcalfe, you must conduct yourself In a much better manner Why would you do this? You're supposed to be a professional.

My first reaction was What did that dude say To get him so angry? Because, I mean, D.K. Metcalf As far as I know, hasn't had any run-ins With any fans

Or gone in the stands Or caused a bunch of trouble Or anything like that But people were, it was funny, people were saying, oh, he's taking up the George Pickens role. Like, if George Pickens did it, it would make a lot more sense. But I was like, what happened to D.K. Metcalf in this scenario to get him angry? And while now, apparently, the Detroit Free Press interviewed the man who said all that he did was call D.K. Metcalfe by his full name. And if you're not familiar, D.K. Metcalfe's full name is DeKalin Zacharius Metcalf, also known as D.K. Metcalf.

So the fan says that all he did was call him DeKle. He'd buy his full name. I'm not going to say it because I'm going to mess it up. And then that Metcalf pulled him by his shirt and then punched him. I'm calling BS on that. I don't, I don't, I just feel like, no, I just don't feel like that's going to, I mean, we'll hear D.K. McCaff story of Mike Tomlin saying after the game, he heard about it, but he didn't see it. And the fan just says, I called him by his full name, and then he pulled me by my shirt, apparently ripped his shirt, and then he punched him. Because if he pulled him by his shirt, because the video I saw, he, he had his fist up, but he wasn't,

holding the guy's shirt, right? Yeah, but then he punches, he punches upward. The dude is leaning over the railing. Yeah, the whole time he's leaning over, yeah. Like, that's like, I don't, like, if you don't lean over the railing of like a boxing match or if you don't want to get hurt. So, I don't know.

This doesn't seem like it's enough. I mean, he did grab him by the shirt. I'm looking at right here. Okay, so he did grab him by the shirt. Yeah. But the guy doesn't pull back. He doesn't run away or anything. It looks like he's, it looks like he's talking.

It looks like he's talking. wanting him and then when he gets punched he puts his two fists up in the air in celebration like that's what he was going for that's what he wanted to do he doesn't sound horrified he doesn't sound like oh this is i just called him by his name and i was just trying to say hello to him and i wanted him to sign my shirt and then he punched me i don't know about that oh before i forget by the way um we had a caller from new zealand that wanted to really know um about your opinion about Will Mustchamp of the hiring at Texas? Oh, Will Mustchamp? It was surprising. I thought

Pete Quatowski was a good defensive coordinator. I thought they'd done a good job. I mean, Will Mustchamp has, I mean, a longstanding pedigree. We mentioned this on to tell the truth. I am concerned about players tuning out Will Mustchamp because his style is to at least younger in his career, which is crazy that he's only 54 years old. It feels like he's been around forever. early in his career when he was at

Texas and then they made him the coach in waiting under Mac Brown and then he stopped waiting because Florida came along and that's fine. I mean, Florida's an excellent job. Then he washed out there, washed out of South Carolina since then he's been back at Georgia and he was co-defensive coordinator

and then got downgraded to defensive analysts. So I am a little worried about it long term. I mean he knows defense. He can coach defense but I found it a curious move. I'll just put it that way. Can it work out? Yes.

If you get Will Must champ, a bunch of good players all over the field, then he's going to be fine. And I think, and I kind of keep talking about this with college coaches, if they're to some level of effectiveness, get them good players and they're going to be good. Jimmy's and Joe's over X's and O's at the end of the day. If you put me a defensive coordinator, we're going to have some issues. I'm not a defensive coach.

I haven't been around football for 40 years. But if you put Will Mustamp in there, who as I said has been helpful or been a defensive analyst at Georgia and was Co-D-C and of course has been a defensive coordinator under Nick Sabin and LSU of course under Mac Brown and Texas

should be fine. Should be being the key word. But we'll see. Curious hire. I'm not over the moon about it. I remember being super stoked. Actually, funny enough, when he was first hired in 2007 or eight or whenever it was, when he first came to be the Texas defensive coordinator, I was over the moon.

Super excited to have him. It was like a major coup. And then they were good in 2008, but then lost Texas Tech and then didn't make the national championship game. And then lost the championship game the next year against Alabama because Cole McCoy got his arm ripped off by Marcel Darius. so we'll see is basically my attitude somebody who knows a little bit more than me can tell me if this is something to be super excited about i'm more curious than anything especially because i thought piquotowski was a good defensive coordinator for the texas longhorns the last couple years they had really good defenses they did they did gas out late in games but that's because

the offense was going three and out every time i mean i didn't feel like that was a uh a defensive issue or defensive coaching issue, I should say. All right, 713-212-5-790 is the phone number you want to get in. 7-13-212-5-7-90. You can get in from New Zealand or wherever you want to call. We've got Beverly on hold. We'll get to her. Anything you guys want to get to. We've been talking about the Texans. We've been talking some rockets. We've been talking some college football. It is a big sports Monday here on

the Matt Thomas show with Ross. With you until 2 o'clock. Hour number four starts next. This is the Matt Thomas Show. with ross what a jam what a jam what this came out imagine

yeah yes going to the club you're wearing your sequined shirt or your silk shirt you got the tight bell bottoms on got the long hair or you only got to do about two buttons

You know it saves time when you only got to do like two buttons of your shirt Keep the chest hanging out Looking good Making moves It was a different time My friend

It was a different time All right The Texans survive against The Oakland Oh excuse me Oh Buzz me The Los Vegas

I was calling them Oakland Raiders Yesterday too My goodness I can't get this out of my head The Las Vegas Raiders, 23 to 21. You got the late big first down from Nico Collins. C.J. Stroud was okay. 35 attempts for 187 yards.

Not ideal, but one touchdown, no picks. A couple of misthroves, but didn't turn the ball over, didn't cost them the game. That's what you should do with this defense, even though they got outgained in this game, especially with Ashen Gentie with his two big plays. He had the 51-yard run for a touchdown. you heard there. The 60-yard catch for a touchdown, you heard as well. And the Texans hold on, and they survive, and they win their seventh straight.

I mean, you add the balance of it. You're 10 and 5. All five of your losses were by one score. Any win counts in the NFL, even if the Las Vegas Raiders aren't a very good team, and they got beat 31 to 0 against the Eagles the week before, you're feeling good. And now you've got a real big one coming up Saturday. 3.30 on NFL network against the Los Angeles Chargers as the Texans will be taking them on in L.A. as one and a half point dogs. Ross v. Ray out with you here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross.

Phone lines open at 713-212-5-790. 7-13-212-5-790 if you would like to get in. So what do you think? Ugly win, they all count? Or are we still worried about this offense? You got 40 points a week ago against the Cardinals, but before that, 20, 20, 23, 16 against a bad Titans team. And then before that, there was the 36 point explosion, but there was a pick six at the end of that game, I believe, or a fumble six maybe it was.

So I don't know. Feels like the AFC is wide open. There's a lot of parody. Patriots don't scare me a ton. Broncos don't scare me a ton. Jaguars are starting to. scare me a little bit oddly enough. They've won six in a row and they looked really good beating

down the Broncos in their house this past weekend. But the Texans are right there in that mix. You want to say you're scared of the bills? They beat the bills. And while the cults, of course, are going to be a non-factor. Same thing for the chiefs now who are six and nine have lost four in a row. You know what, by the way, quick kudos to, Jonathan, you called this weeks ago. I know Pat Mahomes went down and tore his ACL. But, I mean, even

when, even if he didn't tear his ACL, they were not going to make the playoffs because they were losing that game when he did tear it against the, what was it, what was it? The E? Or the Chargers a couple of weeks ago, whenever it was. So, yeah. Pat Mahomes, not good enough. Chiefs not good enough. They're going to completely miss the playoffs. It's hard, man.

Andy Reed and Pat Mahomes and Travis Kelsey's farewell tour. You're not even going to make the playoffs. You've got to come down sometimes. Yeah, you're right. You were right. You were correct. I love that you were vindictive about it to tell the truth. opinion because that's a you know what you're learning for me that's actually probably not a good thing jonathan but you're holding a grudge from to tell the truth opinions and you're keeping it going

i appreciate that that's the only one that's admirable okay good well it's every week for me but but i digress all right seven one three two one two five seven ninety is the phone number you want to get in couple of y'all and holt so let's go ahead and get after dave on the north side holding longest what's up dave uh ross ross ross ross ross ross dave dave i love you back Yes, sir, yes, sir. Gloria Gaynor, I will survive. Perfect, perfect intro for the Texans here. The Texans, there's nothing wrong with the Texans, except people are getting, like, too antsy or just too squeamings, or they're just scared that the Texans, you know, are going to losing the playoffs.

I mean, all the Texan fans, just relax, just relax and just enjoy the ride. And the scary, the only scariest thing about the youth in Texans is that if they turn over the football on offense, if they don't turn over the football offense, they're okay. The only scariest team that I'm afraid of is Jacksonville. But here's my bold prediction. My bold prediction is Jacksonville and Houston and the AFC championship game. That's my bold prediction. I'm not going to pick a winner,

but if Jacksonville gets the AFC championship game, it will be Houston and Jacksonville to play for the Super Bowl. Wow. All right, Dave. Thanks a lot. Appreciate you getting in. It feels that I have to temper this. because it feels like every time I sit here and I talk about a Houston team or really any sports team

and I say you know I could see them making a deep run or I could see them out in the first round you know what that generally means that generally means you have a team that is not dominant and that means you have a team that will probably falter and stumble at some point I mean that's just how it goes and maybe we could argue that it's a little bit different because it's the NFL, and it's week to week, no matter what? But don't you feel like normally when you're like, I could see them going far, I could see them losing early. Like, yeah, they'll lose early.

Or they'll lose in the middle. They won't make a deep run. Generally on teams, we just say that that we feel that way. And we wait for the switch to flip at some point, which we've been waiting. And we played the audio earlier today of C.J. Stroud. Yeah, we've got to clean some things up. I got to make some better throws. I could have played that from the last several weeks.

Preseason even. You play from back to preseason. You got to clean some things up and I got to make some better throws. Yeah? Well, when's it going to happen? When are we going to get the more consistent play that we've been asking for?

I mean, the San Francisco 49ers game was really good. I'm trying to think of like the really good, clean, great wow game from CJ Stroud. I had a good game, maybe it was a couple of weeks ago. I'm pulling up his game logs right now. Yeah, the Arizona game a week ago was good. Nine yards of temp, three touchdowns, no picks. But I don't know.

It just doesn't feel like it's been consistent enough. Before that, one touchdown, no touchdowns. Of course, the Denver game, he got hurt. We won't count that. Yeah, the Baltimore game was great. The San Francisco game was good. He had 300 yards, a couple of touchdowns. He did throw one pick in that game.

So we're looking at the Baltimore game. The Niners game will give him because he went over 300 yards. By the way, the only time he's gone over 300 yards all season long was in that game. And in the Arizona game, which is a blowout. You're talking about three solid performances. No wow games. No, oh my God, this is a franchise guy game. Remember, like, the Buccaneers game is rookie season, something like that.

No crazy out of control. This guy is no doubt about it, the franchise quarterback games. of course it's been hampered The running game's been bad all year long It was either Nick Chob Or Woody Marks and now it's been Jawar Jordan You just have not had a good consistent run game

You have not had a good consistent Offensive line And Arionte Ursari got hurt And Trent Brown got hurt Hursary apparently has a broken hand A broken bone in his hand is the report Which offensive linemen do normally play Through

So we'll see what happens there but it is the offense and not consistently putting it together that makes me almost I want to scold myself because I don't sound like I'm talking about a team that's won seven straight games they've been good

they've been great they've outperformed all expectations from the O and three start and they're 10 and two since then and even still all their five losses are by one score and the losses are to the Rams Super Bowl contender.

Buccaneers were looking good, but Baker Mayfield's been playing hurt. They haven't been good since. Jaguars got 11 wins. Seahawks are also Super Bowl contenders. You lost to them on the road, and he lost to the Broncos at home when Davis Mills had to play half the game.

All by one score. So, yeah, add it all up. This is a really good football team. This is an AFC contender. Just wish the Jaguars would fall through a little bit. You can get that home game in the first round and then kind of go from there to where you're able to,

avoid with the reseeding, you're able to to avoid going on the road in a tough environment, especially if you end up as the 7th seed, which I believe they are right now. Where it would be at New England, at this moment. You're at New England? I think they're probably the toast of the AFC if you ask me at the moment.

And then you would be the 7th seed if you win that game at Denver. That's tough. A tough road to make. And then you'd be on the road for whatever, other playoff game you went to because you'd be the seven seat. So you'd have to go win three road games to make a Super Bowl. That'd be tough. All right, quick break here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross.

We're talking some Houston Texans football. They survive yesterday against the Las Vegas Raiders. How you feel it? 713-212-5-790. 7-13-212-5-7-90. We'll take that break. We'll hear from Domingo Ryan's and C.J. Stroud and more. And your phone calls. Anything you guys want to get to

at 713-2-1-2-5-7-9. The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin What's up, y'all? Welcome back. Matt Thomas show with Ross Without Matt Thomas with you until 2 o'clock.

When Matt is away, the Christmas music will play. Traditionally on this show, which now I've been with him. I'm going to throw up. Since 2010, we're going into our 16th year. Or is this the 16th year next to this?

next year we'll be our 17th whatever we're going into wow i think i can't remember matt knows the exact day they started maybe it was like january 4th or something like that or somewhere like that the first day of the we should have an anniversary partner this is probably something i should know but i don't but anyways he does he only likes to have christmas music on christmas eve i would like to play it like basically all december i've been listening to it for the last couple of weeks aretha franklin winter wonderland one of my faves I digress. Phone lines open if you want to get in.

713-212-5-790 is the phone number. 7-1-3-21-5-7-90. So we were talking about the Texans in the last segment. And, I mean, really, when you get to the, like I said, you look at the big picture. The big picture is they have won 10 games. They have won seven of them in a row. They were 3 and 5 or, yeah, 2 and 4.

Is that right? Yeah, after the Seahawks loss. The Seahawks game, some said, was a must-win game, and if they lose this one, they're out of the playoffs. Well, they lost it. Jaguar. I remember the Jaguars game, people saying that was a must-win game. It's a must-win game against the Jaguars in week three.

Well, they lost, and now they're 10 and 5. This is, again, a reason why I just don't subscribe to the must-win. Every game is a must-win game type of theory. You can lose some games. You'll be all right. There's no must-win games left for the Texas. in all likelihood they're going to be they're going to get a playoff seed starting tonight with the Colts in all likelihood losing to the San Francisco 49ers. But you want to win against the Chargers, you want to win against Colts, you want to improve your seating, you don't want to be the seven seed that would guarantee you would have to go on the road for three straight games to make it to a Super Bowl, which the Texans can and could do.

I know the six-seed New York Giants the second time they beat I think it was the second time they beat the Patriots in like 2012 or whenever it was pretty sure they were a six-seed and went on the road the whole way

but it's rare and it's difficult and it's not like the Texans are going to be able to get a home game anyways maybe if they get nestled up into a five-seat and some things break their way, who knows. But you also would have the less difficult path in theory, depending on the way things shake out.

I mean, no guarantee the Patriots are going to be the two-seed. No guarantee the Broncos are going to be the one seed. All this could get flip-flopped around. And our caller-subs, I didn't confirm this, but our caller-subs earlier said the Texans could still be the one seed, but you would need to win out with the Broncos and Patriots losing out. That's not going to happen.

That's not going to happen. And the same thing for the Jaguars only winning one of their last two games, which they're going to probably sweep. So I'm going to say that is not likely But get up there Try to win your last two games Pray Somehow some way

The Jaguars could drop a game on the road against a Colt Or at home against the Titans And then go from there Just win the games in front of you And see how the chips fall in the AFC Because right now the AFC is very difficult There's a lot of good teams There are a lot of Levinton win teams

And you're in the mix though And you can beat any one of them your thought of is on par with everyone because I mean you're on the road taking on the Chargers the 11 win Chargers team and you're only one and a half games back but you look at the team

still concerns about the offensive line especially with the injuries that have cropped up over the weekend still concerns about the running game still concerns about CJ Stroud kind of where we've been for the last several weeks which is why I understand some people being a little bit lukewarm on a team that has 10 wins and they're 10 and 5

To me, I see both arguments. Hey, they're 10 and 5. They won 7 in a row. Quit your whining. It's hard to win in the NFL no matter what week it is. Yeah, but have you seen the offense? They don't move the ball a whole lot. CJ Stroud misses throws.

They got a practice squad guy leading the running back room. And you've got some offensive line injuries. It's problematic. See how it shakes out in the next couple of weeks. We'll keep waiting, waiting, waiting for that switch to flip. Generally, that means, in my experience, it's never going to happen. But you don't even need it to happen to that extent

of where you're talking about a dominant offense if you're this Texans team, to where they can lose, or I'm sorry, they can win with the defense and just enough offense. All we're asking for is just enough. CJ's Trout slash run game slash offensive line.

Don't blow the game. Don't turn the ball over. Let the defense do its work. I think that's the Amico Ryan's formula for success. That's the Houston Texans formula. for success. Beverly, in Friend Ones, has been holding patiently. What's up, Beverly? I have a question for you. Okay, great. I know you have to use the bumper music, but why does it continue on and on and on, or either the noise level is so high.

Like last night, I was listening to the game, after the Rockets game, I was listening to you with the talk show, and the noise was so loud, I could hardly hear you. Why? And who controls that? that normally would be the producer maybe not fading it off in time or something like that it didn't fade off at all it did happen last night this is the post game show the Rockets show yes

Rockets Rockets? I don't think there was a postgame Rockets Rap call-in show because it was a late start Well Maybe it was the pregame Maybe it was the pregame No it was after the game When they were talking about

The game There was a call-in show I don't think we had a No one called it. Maybe it was recorded, but all I know is that the noise level, and I don't even call it music, it's clicking and noising, it's, so the producer controls that. Yeah, normally, unless it was pre-recorded, which I'm going to guess it might have been with Chris Gordy doing the pregame. Normally, if it's a late-night game, I'm not calling him out. I do it, too. When it's a pre-game, when it's very late night, you just record the pre-game, and then you roll it at like usually 8 o'clock. Was it around, what time was it around 8 o'clock or was it around past midnight? No, this was late because the game last night was, was, didn't start till late. Unless I'm mistaken, Beverly, we did not have a post game call-in show.

It might have been, was it the, was it the post game where they were, they were just running through the highlights and stuff? But it went on for an hour after the game. Because I listened to the game because we lost by one point. Yeah. Well, I appreciate. you, Beverly. I'm not sure we're kind of going in circles here. I just don't know because, like I said, we don't

normally games. We have a cutoff here, behind the curtain, as some would say. We have a cut off here that if the game is after 9 o'clock, we don't do a post-game show because generally that means the game's not ending until 1130 and then the post-game

show is probably not even with the highlights with Adam. Clanton is probably midnight. If it's Adam Wexler, it might not end until 1230 or 1. and then the call-in show would start super late. So I'm not sure. I don't think we had a post-game call-in show, but thank you. If it was a pre-game, maybe it was pre-recorded and the bed didn't get faded off.

That's all I can tell you, Beverly. Honestly, I was not a fault of mine. I don't tune into the station a whole lot when I'm not working. I try to keep a fresh mind. That's the excuse that I use. All right, quick break here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Those you on hold, we will get to you next. We've been talking some Texans.

You want to get in on that. 713-212-5-790 is the phone number. 7-13-212-5-7-90 tweets at Sports RV. You can also hit me on Instagram at Sports RV as well. Back in a minute on the Matt Thomas Show with Ross. This report is sponsored by Macy's Backstage. Nacy's Backstage is a whole department inside your Macy's store where you can find last-minute gifts for everyone on your list.

all for under $20. With new arrivals every day, you never know what amazing deals you'll find. Don't wait. Find a location at Macy's Backstage.com. City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style. In the air, there's a feeling of Christmas. Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile. And on every street call

As I go along in these years of mine, Jonathan I have to ask myself Stevie Wonder the goat I mean that's Influence Innovation Longevity Singing voice

Songwriting Instrumentation No he wasn't the first to do it Ray Charles too Ray Charles is honestly on the short list Checking all the boxes Incredible singing voice incredible influence

I'm just saying he's on the short list put him on the short list Stevie Wonder one of the all-time great with some silver bells here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross 713 212 570 is the phone number if you want to get in

713212 5790 former Texans legend Denzel Perryman suspended for two games after a Dirty hit, he was flagged for yesterday in the Cowboys game. I was trying to find the exact language.

I just had the tweet, but I lost it. Yes, according to the NFL, it is, quote, repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of the players, including during Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. So, I mean, that's big news for the Texans coming up this weekend. Texans legend Denzel Perriman who was kind of what Aziz Alshayir is

that enforcer sideline to sideline middle linebacker for the Chargers and not going to play suspended for two games yeah second quarter

he was penalized for unnecessary roughness for giving a blow to the head of receiver Ryan Flournoy I mean it's kind of all these plays in like slow motion

they look dirtier than they are It's very difficult to have these guys slow down and stuff like that, but it was a dirty hit by Denzel Perryman. Now he's been suspended for two games. Who knows what's going to happen as far as an appeal or if that's going to go down to one game or what, but something to keep an eye on. I'm going to guess he's not going to be available this Saturday against the Houston Texans.

713-212-790 is the phone number you want to get in. 7-13-212-5-7-90. Morgan, on the sunny side. Next up. What's up, Morgan? Hey Ross Hey man I didn't know you guys

You ain't back been together that long man That's a long time Yeah well I was I started off as the producer And then I've been full time in the booth As a co-host since 2000 March of 2019 So we're coming up on it'll be seven years of that Oh god

Oh still man That's awesome Yeah And then the other thing is When you're out there's the sealable bells That reminded me, man, of a Shirley Q Lick. What happened to Shirley Q Lickleckle, man? I do not know.

That was a person that did bits on the Michael Barry show, right? Oh, my bad. Yeah, we didn't. Shirley Koolickr wasn't us. So I'm not, I'm not sure about that. That's not a question I can answer. No, no, okay, no. That's my bad.

Okay, but anyway, talk about all. Compare these Texans to the Texans of the QBAC. shop area and foster era and I hang up and listen oh wow okay I'll go straight into it then those teams had dominant defenses and better I would say this just off the top of my head I can pull up like the rankings and stuff like that I would say those offenses were better and those defenses were good but this defense is more elite like I'm just going to get like this this defense is number one number one one, right?

I'm going to guess those were about top 10 to top five-ish defenses with maybe a top 10 offense. This is a top one defense. They're still number one in yards, still number one in points, which no football team in the history of professional football in Houston has ever done both in a single season. And this offense is just like fair to Midland, 15 to 20-ish. Oh, yeah, they're getting 19th in points, 19th in yards. So not 15th to 20th, just more 20-ish.

Yeah, I'm just looking at these Kubiak. The 2012, yeah, they were top 10 in both in 2012. That was their best season ever. The only 12-win season in the history of the franchise. They were 12 and 4. Their offense was 8th and 7th in points in yards, and their defense was 9th and 7th in points in yards. So two top ten, a top ten offense and a top ten defense, but this is a top one defense and then not.

So a more balanced team back then, and this is more carried by the defense, all-time elite. As far as finishing number one in anything in Texan's history as I have it pulled up, they finished first in yards in 2016, and that's the only time they finish first in anything. Also, third in yards and 15, second in yards and 11. Never finished first in points. And a couple of weeks to go still. But we'll see against the charges. They could give up some points. Probably whoever's quarterbacking the Colts at the time they play them.

Probably not going to be too much of a problem holding them down points-wise. Can you score some points? That'd be nice. If this team could get into like the top 15, 10 to 15-ish, and points in yards. Now there's only two weeks left so it's probably not going to happen. Yeah, you could argue

for the best Texans team of all time. Right now, I guess I would still stick with that 12 and 4 team even though they faltered down the stretch. They lost like three of their last games and then they lost the division round. I think they got crushed. Didn't they get crushed by the Patriots or something like that?

Or was that? Yeah, I'm pulling this up. Yeah, they beat the Bengals in the wild card round and then they lost to the Patriots 41 to 28. I don't think it was even that close. I think it was like a straight up boat racing.

And they got down 38 to 20 in that game and then scored a couple of late touchdowns to make it 41 to 28 look better than it was. That's the best team in Texans history. And this one's vying for that. and if they get something going on offense, they would be the best team in Texan's history. But so far not to be.

All right, 713-212-5-790 is the phone number if you want to get in. 7-1-3-21-2-5-7-90. Final segment of The Man Thomas Show with Ross is coming up next with what I call the definitive number one, all-time Christmas song that is next. Here on Sports Talk 7.90. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

Yuletide carols being sung by choir and folks dressed up like Eskimos. Shouldn't she lets this whole thing play? I don't think the audience of mine. That's sunny my mind. Dana Tyson is going to come beat the door down. Hey, you're still in our bed. All right, sorry.

Oh, to me, the number one quintessential. I'm not saying it's my favorite Christmas song. It might be actually. But like the Christmas song of all Christmas songs. Gotta be the Christmas song by Nat King Col. Welcome back to the final segment of the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Ross, Ross Villarreal, with you for just a couple of more minutes before handing it off to Adam Clanton and Adam Wexler. I believe they're both in.

I'm just going to assume, or I think one of them in now, it's that time of year. Matt's out today. I will be out for, I was out all last week. And I'm going to be out for two days next week. That would be nice. It's going to be real nice. And then I'm going to be a, I think I'm going to back, you know, with the ground running January. I'm not going to have any time off at least maybe until February and March.

We'll see. I got to dose my time off a little bit better next year. This year I didn't take a vacation until like the middle of August. Yeah, it was like, yeah. So Jonathan is like, Ross never works here. I never see you. So I'll try to do, you know, I should do like one week a quarter. That's what I'm going to do.

And the goal is to hit at least two new national parks next year. That's what I'm going to try to do as well. Great Basin and probably Yosemite, I think, is what I'm going to go for. Anywho, so you have Matt out today. He will be back tomorrow in Los Angeles. Rockets are playing the Clippers tomorrow on Tuesday, and then Thursday it is a tilt with the Los Angeles Lakers on ABC slash ESPN National, nationally televised game against the Lakers,

so that should be a good one. And, yeah, Matt will be back tomorrow. Rockets, unfortunately, disappointing right now. not What's going to happen If they Say they keep losing like this And it's

They're 17 Say they don't win from now They're 17 And You say to lose their next two games Like they lose like four in a row Say that 17 and 13 Didn't you get feeling

They were going to go undefeated On this road trip No no no no No that was mad I think it was mad Okay good How were the gut feelings Last week

Were you able to get into that document I was I was I was I was okay good uh all right anyways uh you know what

now i guess now i'm curious we can check him tomorrow on this show he said uh yeah we can go real quick uh an m beats miami this is matt wrong Oregon over james madison of course uh alabama over uh and omis over too lane

correct uh 15 plus pelicans over pelicans they lost they lost that yeah i just put buffalo down I don't know what he put for Buffalo. I think he said Buffalo beats around. I don't know. Probably Buffalo would win or something.

He's a Buffalo lover. He's a Buffalo Bills lover. And of course, Agie Matt. All right. So you got the game tomorrow. By the way, a game is on NBC slash Peacock for the Rockets tomorrow against the Clippers. And then ESPN, man. A lot of national exposure game, so it's good to have them back.

But they have lost three of their last four. Look, okay, one against Denver and overtime. That happens. but then two overtime games against New Orleans Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings and I was talking about this earlier with Matthew Thomas himself like even the bad teams have talented players like the Pelicans have Herb Jones is good

he was like did he win rookie of the year he was a rookie of the year candidate like Sidique Bay can drop 30 Zion Williamson is a good player Jose Alvarado is a good role player Jordan Poole dropped 15 and he can do that on any given time they have good players but it still doesn't make the hurt any lessened. And again, like with the Kings,

like Keegan Murray is a good young player who's dropping 20 plus points at this point. Russell Westbrook, we know what he can do and he was knocking down threes. Demard de Rosen is an all-time bucket getter. Dennis Schrooter, Rockets Legend, another Rockets legend. Oh, it was a revenge game for Westbrook and Dennis Schrooter. Oh, they could really lose, yeah, they can really lose these next four.

Oh, okay, what? Come on, man. They're not losing to the clippers. Because they can go L.A., Lakers, then Cleveland, and then they got to win against the Pacers. The Pacers are non-existent. They just blew up the whole team. Well, yeah, their Achilles blew up, too. Yeah, I think they're going to be fine.

I still think they're going to... I have stood strong on this. I'm going to continue to stand strong on this. The Rockets, you heard it here first, you're heard of hear less. They're finishing top three in the West. Now, the Spurs are making a charge. I thought it was going to be Thunder, and then probably Rockets, Nuggets, and whatever order.

Now the Spurs are in that mix for top four. Lakers are in that mix for top four. I still think the Rockets are going to finish top three. But, yeah, my confidence is a little bit shaken, and I was worried a lot about the Oklahoma City Thunder. Turned out I need to be worried about the Houston Rockets because they've lost three of the last four, and it's been disappointing.

They're going to write the ship, but you see the warts. Defensively for a couple of games, not consistent. Ball handling and turnovers have been an issue all. season long and it's difficult to see the light at the end of that tunnel so they just don't have a whole lot of elite ball handlers so yeah 14 turnovers last night which isn't crazy but it's not ideal they were uh what did they even average i had to go look that up what they even average in turnovers last year i know it's around 16 this year before i've been on vacation you always got

you always got to refresh the numbers when you go on vacation and come back i know it was around 16 turnovers a game before I went on vacation. I'm not exactly sure what it is now, but it's not acceptable. It's not a good number. It's one of the worst. Yeah, here we go. 16.3, that's 29th in basketball.

That ain't going to cut it. This is not going to be good enough. Last year, it was 11 a game. I'm sorry, 13.9 a game, which was 11th in basketball. So three fewer turnovers a game. That doesn't sound a whole lot of light, but when you lose a game by one point, I think three turnovers matter?

You're losing games by even four, five. six points. Every game in the NBA for the most part, not every game, but you know, a lot of these close games the Rockets have had lost by one point. They lost by five to the Pelicans. They lost by three to the Nuggets. You're in these

close games night in, night out. Two, three turnovers matter. Because a lot of times those convert to buckets on the other end for the other team. So certainly something to keep an eye. I'm not a huge worry, but something to monitor for your Houston

Rockets. All right, that's going to do it for the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Without Matt Thomas, except for one segment. He did drop by, so thanks to Matt Thomas. Thanks to Chris Gordy for hanging out for the first couple hours, this program. Thanks to Jonathan Allen for producing all four hours. Thanks to you for listening.

Beverly's going to get mad, dude. Music's too loud. I'm just kidding. Thanks to all of you for listening, calling, tweeting, getting involved in the show. I'll talk to you tomorrow at 10 a.m. It's part of the Matt Tom's show with Ross. Until then, stick around. to Adam. They call themselves the A team, and they are up next.