Matt Schaub Is Not a Choker and Other AFC South Must-Reads

A few months ago, I told you Matt Schaub is not clutch.

Guess what?

He's not a choker, either.

Today's article of the day comes from Chase Stuart of Football Perspective, who says Schaub is not Choker McChoker.

Stuart rightly argues Schaub's odd day/night splits are just noise and not indicative of anything. The stat splits are as meaningful as Reggie Wayne's dominance over teams with blue uniforms.

We love to cobble meaning out of random numbers and ascribe enduring personality traits to players based on a few games or plays.

As Tom Brady has learned, a "clutch" label can erode just like it can be built.

There are clutch circumstances and clutch plays. There simply are not clutch players. These are after-the-fact narratives constructed by lazy announcers, sloppy writers and drunken fans.

Take Andrew Luck, for instance. The Colts are now 8-1 in one-score games this year. That doesn't mean Luck possesses some special skill for winning tight games. It simply means that what he does well (run a hurry-up offense that scores in the final minutes of halves) is a skill that translates well into winning close games.

He's not "digging deeper," "finding more" or "rising to the moment."

He just runs a mean hurry-up offense, and running a mean hurry-up offense is a great way to squeeze extra wins out of your schedule.

Over a long enough period of time, good players play well in all circumstances and bad players play poorly in all circumstances.

Take heart, Texans fans. Your quarterback is not a choker.

Of course, he's not clutch, either.

General Interest

Bleacher Report lead writers share their Week 15 picks.

Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders posts the newest DVOA rankings.

Houston Texans

Bill Barnwell of Grantland offers comfort to Texans fans.

Matt Bowen of the National Football Post breaks down Matt Schaub's interception.

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle says the Texans have a lot to fix.

Indianapolis Colts

Phil B. Wilson of the Indianapolis Star asks if Luck is slowing down.

Wilson lists clinching scenarios for the Colts.

Kyle Rodriguez of Colts Authority focuses on players playing well.

Tennessee Titans

Jimmy Morris of Music City Miracles breaks down Jake Locker's pick six.

David Boclair of the City Paper says Taylor Thompson has had a special teams impact.

Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean calls this one of the five worst Titans seasons.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union says Russell Allen has moved up the depth chart. 

Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union reports Mike Mularkey is back at work.