"While Texans fans across Houston crammed into bars and huddled around TV screens to catch the end of a historic season Sunday, others were perfectly happy avoiding the action altogether.

They filled store parking lots and flowed out of malls with shopping bags, even as the matchup between the Ravens and Texans came down to the final play.

In a city that seemingly gushed playoff pride for two weeks, there was a distinct split Sunday between jersey-clad fans on the edge of their seats and those with other priorities.

For John Bach and his family, weekend plans were determined in advance: Sunday was to be blocked out for football watching at a sports bar. His family of four showed up at Buffalo Wild Wings on Weslayan just after 10 a.m., two hours before kickoff.

"This is the only thing that matters today," said Bach, whose wife, Cathie Bach, added that their Bellaire home was set up for an open house during the game."