Football Watch

While the Cowboys finally had something to cheer about last week, Longhorns and Texans fans are either starting to lose interest altogether or are doubling-up on anti-depressants to keep suicidal thoughts at bay. Jason Garrett's first game as head coach of the Cowboys was an almost unimaginable success. Facing the first-place Giants, Jon Kitna threw for 327 yards, the defense got three turnovers, and Dallas finally played up to their potential, winning 33-20. My gut tells me Garrett won't be the Cowboys' head coach at the start of next season, but at least their fans had a Sunday to enjoy. The Cowboys look for their first home victory as they face the equally win-challenged Detroit Lions Sunday at noon (Fox).

Was it really just last season that UT was playing for the national title? The last time Texas lost four straight home games, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president and Elvis Presley had just charted for the first time with "Heartbreak Hotel." That was 1956, for those playing at home. Not that anybody expected UT to win against No. 10-ranked Oklahoma State, but after beating a good Nebraska team earlier this year, there was at least a glimmer of hope. Look for Texas to stop the bleeding this Saturday as they host Florida Atlantic at 2:30pm (Fox Sports Plus). Both teams need two wins to become bowl-eligible. On a side note, good luck to running back Tre' Newton, who retired from football this week due to one too many concussions.

The Houston Texans have been clamoring for national attention, and they got it. Not for being a playoff-caliber team, but for being one of only four NFL teams ever to lose a game on a pass of 50 yards or more with time expiring. Just when it looked like the game was headed to overtime, a chain of unfortunate events led the Jacksonville Jaguars to throw a hail mary with time expiring that was batted down by Texans' cornerback Glover Quin into the welcoming hands of receiver Mike Thomas. This gave the Jags the 31-24 win and left Houston on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. With the league's worst defense, don't count on Houston to make their first-ever playoff appearance this season. The Texans travel to New York to play the Jets this Sunday at noon on CBS.

Picks of the week: Last week I continued my winning ways, going 2-1. This week I'm going exclusively with the points. I'll take the Lions plus seven over the Cowboys, the Bills plus six over the Bengals, the Bucs plus three over the Niners, and the Broncos plus 10 over the Chargers.

Area Bars and the Football Teams/Fans They Cater To:

Aussie's catered to Browns fans last year but is focusing more on the Texans and Cowboys this season. 306 Barton Springs Rd., 480-0952.

Bagpipes Pub & Eatery supplies the setting for Alabama Crimson Tide football fans. 9070 Research Blvd., 467-8700.

B.D. Riley's Irish Pub is the place to go if you're a fan of Tom Brady's tresses or his football team, the New England Patriots. Fittingly, the pub is also home for Notre Dame games. 204 E. Sixth, 494-1335.

Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill (both locations) is a straight-up Steelers bar. 6901 N. I-35, 454-2247; 214 E. Sixth, 469-0001.

Billy's on Burnet is the "unofficial Packers bar of Austin." 2105 Hancock, 407-9305.

Black Sheep Lodge has a good contingent of Saints, Redskins, Vikings, Texans, and Titans fans. USC and Ohio State lovers cheer on their teams on Saturdays. 2108 S. Lamar, 707-2744.

Cedar Door hosts USC and TCU supporters. Second & Brazos, 473-3712.

Cool River Cafe is the place for Nebraska Cornhuskers fans. 4001 W. Parmer, 835-0010.

Hog Island Italian Deli hosts Philadelphia Eagles watch parties. 1612 Lavaca, 482-9090.

Joe's Bar and Grill Attention Colt McCoy lovers, Joe's hosts fans of the NFL's Cleveland Browns. 506 West Ave., 473-0885.

Mangia Pizza Mesa is the official home for Auburn football. 8012 Mesa, 349-2126.

Pluckers North Austin is the official home of the Arkansas Razorbacks. 9070 Research, 533-9464.

Pluckers South Lamar is the official place to be for Michigan Wolverines games. 3909 S. Lamar, 443-9464.

Shoal Creek Saloon is the home of the Saints. 909 N. Lamar, 474-0805.

The Tavern sees a lot of Steelers and Ravens fans show up for NFL Sundays. 922 W. 12th, 320-8377.

Third Base Round Rock caters to Giants, Chargers, and Steelers fans. Arkansas Razorbacks lovers meet there on Saturdays. 3107 S. I-35, Round Rock, 512/388-2273.

Third Base Southpark Meadows is the place to be for Saints, Vikings, and Steelers supporters. In the NCAA, it's Oregon State, Minnesota, and Texas Tech territory. 9600 S. I-35, 381-2273.

Third Base Downtown has a good following for the Texans, Saints, and Vikings and generally a "pretty mixed" crowd. As far as college goes, it's the official home for Illinois Fighting Illini and Florida Gators fans, as well as followers of Maryland, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Kansas. 1717 W. Sixth, 476-2273.

The Warehouse Saloon & Billiards sees a lot of Vikings fans, among others. I've also heard Dolphins and Bears fans have been known to congregate there. 509 E. Ben White, 443-8799.

Weirdos is a Chargers bar. 12408 MoPac N., 291-6703.

Hit me up at gameplans@austinchronicle with additional info.