The Boss and the Gloss preview the Texans and Bears

They're one of the more unique combinations on radio, David Gow & Carla Dawson, aka the "Boss & The Gloss." I had the opportunity to catch up with this duo fresh off their local radio show on ESPN 97.5 & 92.5 FM this past Monday Night from their show studios.

Craig: Do we place far too much emphasis on Week 1 Results in the NFL?

David: I think we probably do. I think it's largely because no one has really played in the preseason, so it's the first game and there's a microanalysis that happens.

Carla: I agree. We're so football starved, and the preseason is largely irrelevant, that it's going to take until week three or so to really get a good feel for what a team actually looks like.

Craig: Joe Mixon had 30 carries in the opening win for the Texans. Do you think that's the workload going forward, or with so many weapons on offense, each week, there might be a different focal point for the Texans offense?

Carla: The Texans have an embarrassment of riches at the moment. They can mix it up.

David: I'm one of the few that's holding out hope that Dameon Pierce can be a contributor this season and play a role in this offense as a change of pace back. You really don't want Mixon carrying the ball each week 30 times a game, especially in a 17-game season, and hopefully a deep playoff run, he just won't last.

Craig: Let's talk about the playoffs. You've been covering football for a long time in this city. Do you feel the Texans are ready for Prime Time and SNF this week on NBC?

David: There's a ton of poise on this team. It starts with C.J. Stroud. He always seems composed, and he's always looking downfield. It's one of his best qualities and he sets the tone for that offense. I think they're ready for the bigger stage and the bright lights.

Carla: This starts with DeMeco Ryans. It's a younger roster mixed with veteran players that he brought in to fit his vision. He's a no excuses guy. He's a grinder. He doesn't care how big the lights are. He'll have the Texans ready, and honestly the talk isn't "if" they're ready for Sunday Night Football, the talk around here is Super Bowl.

Craig: So, success of course has a hundred fathers. Carla, you mentioned DeMeco moments ago. Who deserves the lion's share of the credit between Coach, GM, QB?

David: The turning point for the franchise was they took Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. back-to-back. My perception has always been that Nick Caserio took Stroud, and Demeco desperately wanted Anderson so that's why they immediately traded back up to get him. I have to give more of the credit to Demeco because in previous years, Nick wasn't overly impressive with some of his coaching hires or draft day selections. Look at Kenyon Green with the 15th overall pick in 2022 that he selected. They had future pro bowlers available, Tyler Smith, Tyler Linderbaum, Jermaine Johnson all on the board and that was a reach to me.

Carla: You have to hire the right coach, who respects the GM, and in turn they respect each other. In combination when you're on the same page and you draft a high-quality guy like C.J. Stroud, then it all clicks.

Craig: Keys to starting the season 2-0 and defeating the Bears on Sunday Night?

David: I think the pass protection for C.J. needs to be better. This should be a win, especially against a rookie QB in what's sure to be a very loud stadium environment. Fans have been waiting for a Sunday Night game at NRG.

Carla: Looking at the tape from the Chicago game, they made a departure from what was successful for them down the stretch last season which was their running game. The Bears ran for more yards a year ago than even the 49ers who reached the Super Bowl. They had 534 attempts last season. It's what they do. They treated Caleb Williams like the shiny new toy and departed from their identity.

I think the Texans win, but it also depends on if the Bears run the ball the way they're capable of.