A Crazy Turn & A Big If

Peyton Manning's Old Man Choke, Jacoby's bolt set Texans up to be home for AFCtitle game

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — When Jacoby Jones — that very vision of self-induced Houston Texans' nightmares — burst behind the Denver Broncos entire secondary and roared into the clear, a packed crowd watching it unfold on a giant screen in the atrium of the mammoth Providence Place Mall broke into excited gasps.

This was good for their beloved New England Patriots. Very good. When it finally ended in Denver, with one last choke from Old Man Peyton Manning, with Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens dancing off the Mile High turf with a 38-35 double overtime win, almost everyone in New England seemed to be buzzing about the fact that the Patriots can now host the AFC Championship Game.

If the Texans upset the Patriots (12-4), they will now get to host the AFC Championship Game at Reliant Stadium Jan. 20.

What they forget — just like Bill Cowher dismissively did on TV in front of a national audience — is that homefield has suddenly opened up for the Houston Texans too.

If the Texans (13-4) upset the Patriots (12-4) on the road late Sunday afternoon, they will now get to host the AFC Championship Game at Reliant Stadium Jan. 20 against Baltimore. OK, it's a big IF. The Texans still need to beat Tom Brady as a major underdog.

Still, it's amazing how things have opened up, and who opened them up, on a wild Saturday.

Manning committed the killer mistake, that inexplicable, inexcusable interception late in the first overtime. On a day when Trindon Holliday — the wonder speedster the Texans cut during this season — returned both a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns for him — Manning still couldn't win as the AFC's No. 1 seed.

When I wrote that Peyton looks like Michael Jordan during his Washington Wizards days, a faded star just trying to hang on, back on Sept. 18 and stuck with that view during that inflated Broncos winning streak, plenty of commenters gave me grief. But that's exactly what Manning played like on the big stage.

He has no magic left. Not much of an arm either.

Who would have ever suspected that Jacoby Jones would make the most clutch play of the game though? The Ex Texan banished to Baltimore deserves plenty of credit for shaking off more potential playoff disaster (how he handled his first kick return surely brought back memories to any Texans' fan) to make a play when Joe Flacco needed him most.

Jacoby could end giving Houston a huge assist after all.

Now, for all the rightful furor over blowing homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, the Texans could make it to the Super Bowl in New Orleans having played only one road playoff game. Of course, they still have to win that doozy of a game.

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pucker up

Growing pickleball franchise smashes into Houston with 2 locations

Two men play pickleball on a Picklr court.

Photo courtesy of The Picklr

A Picklr court campus similar to the ones soon to open in Houston.

Pickleball is one of the hottest sports sweeping the nation, and one of the biggest names in the game is setting up two new facilities in Houston. Picklr is scheduled to open indoor sports campuses in Cypress and The Woodlands in the coming months.

“Bringing a pickleball facility to Cypress will not only provide a fun and engaging recreational outlet for residents of all ages, but will also foster a sense of community and promote a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Steve Nguyen, owner of The Picklr Cypress.“This facility will serve as a vibrant hub for social interaction, skill development, and friendly/competitive competition, enhancing community bonds and offering a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.”

Although the game is approximately 60 years old, pickleball saw a massive spike in popularity following the pandemic when people were looking for fun group activities with easy points of entry. Though a racket sport like tennis, it is far easier and slower thanks to using perforated balls, smaller courts, and lighter paddles. This means the game is open to players of all ages, and was originally most popular with retirees. Now, there are roughly 5 million players across America, with players under 24 making up the majority. Houston even has its own professional team, the Hammers (not the Texas Hammer; that's this guy).

The court in Cypress will be located in the old ASI Gymnastics building at 8920 Barker Cypress. It's a relatively modest facility with only six courts including a practice court. By contrast, The Woodlands location will be much more opulent. At 66,517 square feet, it will have 20 courts, 4 private event spaces (one with an exclusive viewing area), as well as a shower, changing room, dry bar, and kitchenette. Picklr The Woodlands will be located at 16590 Interstate I-45 South.

These locations are the first for Picklr in Houston. They have twelve locations all throughout Texas, including in Round Rock and McKinney, and many more nationwide. Picklr locations operate on a membership model similar to a gym. Memberships run $159 a month for adults and $89 for minors, with unlimited access to open play, league play, and tournaments , as well as four free clinics a month. Additional coaching is available.

There is currently no set opening date for the two Houston-area Picklrs. Players interested in learning more may sign up for updates at ThePicklr.com.

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