I apologize for the delay in getting you my final report on the Houston Texans season. You see, during the 48 hours that included the end of the NFL regular season and the Fiesta Bowl, I lost everything in football I hold dear. There are three moments in my personal sports history when I have been reduced to tears.

1. “The Comeback” (Buffalo Bills rally from 35-3 to defeat the Houston Oilers)
2. The 2005 World Series (when the Astros were swept by the Chicago White Sox)
3. The 2010 Fiesta Bowl (TCU loses to Boise State 17-10)

Of course, as a Houston sports fan, I have been subject to lots of anger and frustration; that comes with the territory. Take Sunday’s delicious brew of hope and disappointment. A whole city turned to the armpit of the country quiet Midwestern city of Cincinatti, hoping their Bengals would do us the ultimate favor of getting the Texans into the playoffs by defeating the New York Jets . . .

But first, let’s get down to the brass tax of things. If the Texans wanted the playoffs so badly, they shouldn’t have laid an egg against the Jets to start the season. That said, our season was over right after it started. A win against the Indianapolis Colts or Jacksonville Jaguars, we went 0-4 against them, would have done the trick as well.

Back to the Cincinatti Bungles. While I still have problems with the way the Colts handled their game against the Jets, I have nothing but mockery for the Bengals, and I’m not even touching on their uniforms.
I didn’t realize until late into their game against the Jets the Bengals were essentially in the position to choose who their opponent would be in the first round of the playoffs. Now you’ll recall the Texans easily deal with the Bengals in Cincinatti. It was the victory that launched the Texans towards their best 8-game record in franchise history at 5-3. Frankly, I think they would be better served with the mascot of Cowardly Lion, but that’s just me.

Speaking of not being in Kansas anymore, the Texans found a way to have their first winning season! I was very impressed with how they were able to pull out that win against the Patriots. I’ll also be the first person to tip my hat to the Patriots. Like the Bengals, they didn’t have a lot to play for, and they came into Reliant Stadium looking for a win. They may have even jeopardized their season by losing their best wide receiver to injury. In a season that saw a team with a shot at a perfect season lay down like lambs, this impressed me. And if Sunday is any indication, they are quite capable of finding a way to win despite the injury. One sidenote, Pats coach Bill Belichick accused the Reliant Stadium field as the culprit for the injury. C’mon Bill, injuries happen.

As far as the playoffs are concerned, I’m picking a San Diego Chargers/Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl. Hold on, I just threw up in my mouth. Um . . . yeah, I think the Cowboys are going to the Super Bowl. Wow, and I thought the Fiesta Bowl was hard to swallow!
So what now for the Texans? Well, it would appear that Kubiak is going to be back for another season. I’m not as worried about this as I have been in the past. For one, place kicker Kris Brown has emerged as a bigger scapegoat this season. His terrible season cost us more than one game, and nearly cost us a winning season. While I have some nostalgic love for him being the last of the original Texans, he should have to compete for his job next season.

Kubiak? Well, why not? Even if he doesn’t work out, Bill Cowher will still be available should we need to look for a new coach in 2011. That has always been my biggest concern. I would hate to miss out on a chance on landing a two-time Super Bowl winning coach over a guy who proves he not THE guy. If Kubiak can get this team to Super Bowl, I’ll be happy to see him get there. However, if he can’t, I want to get the guy who will. I’m pretty sure Cowher could be that guy, if it came to that.

I gotta say it, I’m looking forward to next season, and I’m excited about the prospect of being s Super Bowl contender next season. Yeah, I said it. This team could have easily gone 12-4 or even 13-3. I’m willing to go out on that limb again, I’m a Houston sports fan, that’s what we do!

All this from a guy who broke up with the Texans earlier this season.

Oh Texans, I wish I could quit you!