Rapid Reaction: Texans 34, Colts 24
By Paul Kuharsky
HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans opened the season with a 34-24 victory against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Reliant Stadium. Here’s a quick overview.
What it means: The Texans are 1-0 and atop the AFC South. They’ve matched their win total in the AFC South from all of 2009. The Colts will be in the relatively rare position of playing chase early in the season.
Hero: As the center of a franchise record rushing day, Arian Foster was fantastic. He gave the Texans just the sort of run-game presence they needed to push around the fast but small Colts, who seemed to wear down. The offensive line and fullback Vonta Leach did their parts to make a record running day possible for him, and Steve Slaton proved the nice alternative they needed with no fumbling issues.
Goat: Justin Tryon twice had chances to down punts near the goal line and pin the Texans back, but twice botched the play on short punts by Pat McAfee. On the first he appeared to misjudge it, on the second he’d run out of bounds and then was the first player to touch the ball.
What I liked: The Texans were resilient and showed the sort of killer instinct they’ve lacked in the past. When the Colts cut it from 27-10 to 27-17 with 4:52 remaining, there wasn’t panic from a team that’s blown 17-point leads against this opponent in the past.
What’s next: The Colts host the Giants in Sunday night football, for another edition of The Manning Bowl. Houston travels to Washington for its first game in the season matchup with the NFC East.
By Paul Kuharsky
HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans opened the season with a 34-24 victory against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Reliant Stadium. Here’s a quick overview.
Hero: As the center of a franchise record rushing day, Arian Foster was fantastic. He gave the Texans just the sort of run-game presence they needed to push around the fast but small Colts, who seemed to wear down. The offensive line and fullback Vonta Leach did their parts to make a record running day possible for him, and Steve Slaton proved the nice alternative they needed with no fumbling issues.
Goat: Justin Tryon twice had chances to down punts near the goal line and pin the Texans back, but twice botched the play on short punts by Pat McAfee. On the first he appeared to misjudge it, on the second he’d run out of bounds and then was the first player to touch the ball.
What I liked: The Texans were resilient and showed the sort of killer instinct they’ve lacked in the past. When the Colts cut it from 27-10 to 27-17 with 4:52 remaining, there wasn’t panic from a team that’s blown 17-point leads against this opponent in the past.
What’s next: The Colts host the Giants in Sunday night football, for another edition of The Manning Bowl. Houston travels to Washington for its first game in the season matchup with the NFC East.
Did America take notice of the 2-0 Houston Texans on Sunday?
Andre Johnson, left, and the Texans scored a big win on Sunday.
CAPTION
One of the tags associated with four-time Houston Texans Pro Bowl WR Andre Johnson in recent years has been that he's the best player you've never heard of. But the Texans' 30-27 overtime win against the Redskins on Sunday -- the final minutes of which CBS broadcast nationally -- should finally garner the Texans and Johnson (who had 12 catches for 158 yards) some notice. That's especially true after Johnson's acrobatic TD catch with 2:03 left tied the game. Last week, it was Arian Foster's 231 rushing yards that helped the Texans beat the Colts for just the second time in their history. This week, it was QB Matt Schaub's 497 yards passing that led the Texans past the Redskins. Both wins -- especially with the latter broadcast across the country following the conclusion of the Patriots-Jets game -- should help garner attention for a team that may have the league's best offense. And this week provides another showcase opportunity. The Texans can seize a 3-0 record -- and more importantly crush the hopes of their in-state rivals -- when they host the Cowboys in the once-a-quadrennial Lone Star State Bowl.
Andre Johnson, left, and the Texans scored a big win on Sunday.CAPTION
By Rafael Suanes, US Presswire
One of the tags associated with four-time Houston Texans Pro Bowl WR Andre Johnson in recent years has been that he's the best player you've never heard of. But the Texans' 30-27 overtime win against the Redskins on Sunday -- the final minutes of which CBS broadcast nationally -- should finally garner the Texans and Johnson (who had 12 catches for 158 yards) some notice. That's especially true after Johnson's acrobatic TD catch with 2:03 left tied the game. Last week, it was Arian Foster's 231 rushing yards that helped the Texans beat the Colts for just the second time in their history. This week, it was QB Matt Schaub's 497 yards passing that led the Texans past the Redskins. Both wins -- especially with the latter broadcast across the country following the conclusion of the Patriots-Jets game -- should help garner attention for a team that may have the league's best offense. And this week provides another showcase opportunity. The Texans can seize a 3-0 record -- and more importantly crush the hopes of their in-state rivals -- when they host the Cowboys in the once-a-quadrennial Lone Star State Bowl.
Battle of Texas actually matters this time
By Michael Silver, Yahoo! Sports 5 hours, 5 minutes ago
Topics in this article:
Eight years ago, after conducting some interviews on a warm August afternoon at Raiders training camp in Napa, Calif., I got a call from my new boss at Sports Illustrated.
David Carr celebrates the Texans' victory over the Cowboys in in 2002.
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
”I’m thinking about putting the Houston Texans on the cover this week,” managing editor Terry McDonell said excitedly. ”Everyone’s talking about their opening game against the Cowboys.”
A look of semi-disgust flashed across my face. I tried to make sure it didn’t show up in my voice, but I proceeded to tell McDonell I thought he should reconsider, that an expansion team hosting its first game against a struggling in-state rival wasn’t all that big a deal in NFL circles. Though McDonell, who still runs the magazine and its website, would enjoy a highly successful tenure, at the time I was worried that he had set himself up for ridicule only months after coming aboard.
”Don’t do this,” I pleaded.
He did it, fashioning a cover that screamed ”War For Texas” and featured a somewhat sensationalized quote from Cowboys safety Darren Woodson: ”We’ve got to win that game.” Grant Wahl’s well-written story talked up a rivalry that seemed a bit contrived, and included a quote from a Texans fan: ”You know, we could lose every other game this season. But if we just beat Dallas, I’ll be the happiest man on the face of the earth.”
Sure enough, the Texans came away with a 19-10 victory, creating a sense of excitement that lasted all the way until the following Sunday, when they began a five-game losing streak en route to a 4-12 season. And really, if you think about it, that ostentatious but ultimately hollow opening-day triumph was so Texans. No NFL franchise has gotten its fans so hyped up for alleged landmark moments yet failed to provide a satisfying follow-through.
In short, the Texans are pro football’s biggest tease. Still without a postseason appearance in eight seasons, Houston didn’t win more than two consecutive games until 2008. Though the Texans managed their first winning season (9-7) in ’09, they rallied only after a stretch of four consecutive defeats in November and early December had essentially killed their postseason hopes.
The reason I bring this up (besides wanting to give my ex-boss a laugh on an early autumn Friday) is that on Sunday, for the first time since quarterback David Carr(notes) led the home team to victory in the War For You Know What, the Texans will host the Cowboys in a regular season game.
And this time, it really is meaningful, or at least it has the potential to be.
You know the setup: Houston (2-0), riding a breakout performance from halfback Arian Foster(notes), opened the season by beating the defending AFC champion Colts for the second time in 17 tries. Last Sunday the Texans clawed back from a 17-point second-half road deficit to the Redskins and pulled out a 30-27 overtime victory, with quarterback Matt Schaub(notes) throwing for 497 yards.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys (0-2), last year’s NFC East champions and this year’s Super Bowl hosts, lost to the Redskins and Bears and seem dangerously close to an Ari Gold-style meltdown.
But don’t take it from me; heed the words of safety Gerald Sensabaugh, who told reporters Monday, ”We look like a circus, like a bunch of clowns out there.”
Something tells me that, given the obvious stakes, the Cowboys will come out more like evil clowns on Sunday and do everything they can to disturb the mood at Reliant Stadium. I believe this because, with apologies to Woodson, they’ve got to win this game.
For the previous eight seasons, that opponent’s desperation would have been enough – the Texans, with a chance to step up to the big top, would have folded like a … wait for it … circus tent.
I’m not convinced the Texans will do that now. I think they’ll bring their “A” game, too, and treat their fans to an entertaining showdown between in-state rivals rife with significance.
It’ll be, you know, a War For Texas – and perhaps for something greater.
Topics in this article:
Eight years ago, after conducting some interviews on a warm August afternoon at Raiders training camp in Napa, Calif., I got a call from my new boss at Sports Illustrated.
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
”I’m thinking about putting the Houston Texans on the cover this week,” managing editor Terry McDonell said excitedly. ”Everyone’s talking about their opening game against the Cowboys.”
A look of semi-disgust flashed across my face. I tried to make sure it didn’t show up in my voice, but I proceeded to tell McDonell I thought he should reconsider, that an expansion team hosting its first game against a struggling in-state rival wasn’t all that big a deal in NFL circles. Though McDonell, who still runs the magazine and its website, would enjoy a highly successful tenure, at the time I was worried that he had set himself up for ridicule only months after coming aboard.
”Don’t do this,” I pleaded.
He did it, fashioning a cover that screamed ”War For Texas” and featured a somewhat sensationalized quote from Cowboys safety Darren Woodson: ”We’ve got to win that game.” Grant Wahl’s well-written story talked up a rivalry that seemed a bit contrived, and included a quote from a Texans fan: ”You know, we could lose every other game this season. But if we just beat Dallas, I’ll be the happiest man on the face of the earth.”
Sure enough, the Texans came away with a 19-10 victory, creating a sense of excitement that lasted all the way until the following Sunday, when they began a five-game losing streak en route to a 4-12 season. And really, if you think about it, that ostentatious but ultimately hollow opening-day triumph was so Texans. No NFL franchise has gotten its fans so hyped up for alleged landmark moments yet failed to provide a satisfying follow-through.
In short, the Texans are pro football’s biggest tease. Still without a postseason appearance in eight seasons, Houston didn’t win more than two consecutive games until 2008. Though the Texans managed their first winning season (9-7) in ’09, they rallied only after a stretch of four consecutive defeats in November and early December had essentially killed their postseason hopes.
The reason I bring this up (besides wanting to give my ex-boss a laugh on an early autumn Friday) is that on Sunday, for the first time since quarterback David Carr(notes) led the home team to victory in the War For You Know What, the Texans will host the Cowboys in a regular season game.
And this time, it really is meaningful, or at least it has the potential to be.
You know the setup: Houston (2-0), riding a breakout performance from halfback Arian Foster(notes), opened the season by beating the defending AFC champion Colts for the second time in 17 tries. Last Sunday the Texans clawed back from a 17-point second-half road deficit to the Redskins and pulled out a 30-27 overtime victory, with quarterback Matt Schaub(notes) throwing for 497 yards.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys (0-2), last year’s NFC East champions and this year’s Super Bowl hosts, lost to the Redskins and Bears and seem dangerously close to an Ari Gold-style meltdown.
But don’t take it from me; heed the words of safety Gerald Sensabaugh, who told reporters Monday, ”We look like a circus, like a bunch of clowns out there.”
Something tells me that, given the obvious stakes, the Cowboys will come out more like evil clowns on Sunday and do everything they can to disturb the mood at Reliant Stadium. I believe this because, with apologies to Woodson, they’ve got to win this game.
For the previous eight seasons, that opponent’s desperation would have been enough – the Texans, with a chance to step up to the big top, would have folded like a … wait for it … circus tent.
I’m not convinced the Texans will do that now. I think they’ll bring their “A” game, too, and treat their fans to an entertaining showdown between in-state rivals rife with significance.
It’ll be, you know, a War For Texas – and perhaps for something greater.
Texans open 3-1 without top players
By CHRIS DUNCAN (AP) – 21 hours ago
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans are off to the best start in franchise history, and they've done it without some of their top players.
Now, they're getting back linebacker Brian Cushing, who rejoined the team Monday after serving a four-game drug suspension. Coach Gary Kubiak says last year's Defensive Rookie of the Year will play for Houston (3-1) in Sunday's game against New York (2-2).
"He's a leader by his play, he's a very fiery guy," Kubiak said Monday. "Brian helps us rush the passer, when we're in nickel, he gives us flexibility moving around. Obviously, he's a big, big part of our team and getting him back is important to a lot of players."
Kubiak was worried about how his team would fare in its first four games without Cushing, who started every game at outside linebacker in 2009 and made 133 tackles.
Now, most of the concerns are on the offensive side, though Houston overcame those issues and showed off its depth in Sunday's 31-24 win at Oakland.
All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson sat out with a sprained right ankle that's nagged him for two weeks. Kubiak said Johnson's status is "day to day" this week. Third-leading receiver and top punt returner Jacoby Jones strained a calf against the Raiders and Kubiak says he'll update his status Wednesday.
With Johnson sidelined, Matt Schaub turned to reserve tight end Joel Dreessen, who caught five passes for 73 yards and a touchdown. Kevin Walter added four catches for 35 yards.
Houston was already playing without left tackle Duane Brown, who still has two games left on his suspension for violating the league's banned substance policy. Schaub avoided a sack for the first time this season after another solid effort by Rashad Butler, Brown's backup.
The Texans even survived for a while Sunday without leading rusher Arian Foster, who was benched for the first quarter and a half for breaking team rules.
Foster broke a 74-yard run early in the third quarter and finished with 131 yards on 16 carries. Before that, newly acquired Derrick Ward got most of the carries and had a 33-yard touchdown run.
Ward finished with 80 yards rushing, and Kubiak said the former seventh-round draft pick will get more opportunities now. The Texans signed the 5-foot-11, 228-pound Ward as a free agent on Sept. 4.
"He's been showing some good things in practice, but you never know until you transfer them to the game," Kubiak said. "He's a big load. He's a big guy. He's always falling forward. I think he fits what we do. He's been very into what we do. I think he's caught up mentally and I think you guys will see even more of him."
A new star may have emerged on defense, too.
Safety Eugene Wilson missed the Oakland game with a hamstring injury, and reserve Troy Nolan picked off two passes, Houston's first interceptions of the season. Kubiak said Nolan, a seventh-round draft pick in 2009, earned more playing time with his performance.
Kubiak said contributions from reserve players have bolstered the confidence through the entire locker room.
"What happens eventually is that guys don't panic when you have issues," Kubiak said. "That's what was impressive about (Sunday). Not only did we have issues going into the game, we had some during the course of the game, and we just kept playing and new guys just kept stepping up."
Cushing's return might offer the biggest boost of all. He was one of the emotional leaders of the defense last season, helped the pass rush (four sacks) and ably dropped into coverage (four interceptions).
"Guys look to him to make plays on the field," Kubiak said. "He was big in the turnover area last year as a team. We had been poor up until (Sunday) in getting turnovers. There's not anybody on this team or in this organization not excited to have him come back."
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
By CHRIS DUNCAN (AP) – 21 hours ago
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans are off to the best start in franchise history, and they've done it without some of their top players.
Now, they're getting back linebacker Brian Cushing, who rejoined the team Monday after serving a four-game drug suspension. Coach Gary Kubiak says last year's Defensive Rookie of the Year will play for Houston (3-1) in Sunday's game against New York (2-2).
"He's a leader by his play, he's a very fiery guy," Kubiak said Monday. "Brian helps us rush the passer, when we're in nickel, he gives us flexibility moving around. Obviously, he's a big, big part of our team and getting him back is important to a lot of players."
Kubiak was worried about how his team would fare in its first four games without Cushing, who started every game at outside linebacker in 2009 and made 133 tackles.
Now, most of the concerns are on the offensive side, though Houston overcame those issues and showed off its depth in Sunday's 31-24 win at Oakland.
All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson sat out with a sprained right ankle that's nagged him for two weeks. Kubiak said Johnson's status is "day to day" this week. Third-leading receiver and top punt returner Jacoby Jones strained a calf against the Raiders and Kubiak says he'll update his status Wednesday.
With Johnson sidelined, Matt Schaub turned to reserve tight end Joel Dreessen, who caught five passes for 73 yards and a touchdown. Kevin Walter added four catches for 35 yards.
Houston was already playing without left tackle Duane Brown, who still has two games left on his suspension for violating the league's banned substance policy. Schaub avoided a sack for the first time this season after another solid effort by Rashad Butler, Brown's backup.
The Texans even survived for a while Sunday without leading rusher Arian Foster, who was benched for the first quarter and a half for breaking team rules.
Foster broke a 74-yard run early in the third quarter and finished with 131 yards on 16 carries. Before that, newly acquired Derrick Ward got most of the carries and had a 33-yard touchdown run.
Ward finished with 80 yards rushing, and Kubiak said the former seventh-round draft pick will get more opportunities now. The Texans signed the 5-foot-11, 228-pound Ward as a free agent on Sept. 4.
"He's been showing some good things in practice, but you never know until you transfer them to the game," Kubiak said. "He's a big load. He's a big guy. He's always falling forward. I think he fits what we do. He's been very into what we do. I think he's caught up mentally and I think you guys will see even more of him."
A new star may have emerged on defense, too.
Safety Eugene Wilson missed the Oakland game with a hamstring injury, and reserve Troy Nolan picked off two passes, Houston's first interceptions of the season. Kubiak said Nolan, a seventh-round draft pick in 2009, earned more playing time with his performance.
Kubiak said contributions from reserve players have bolstered the confidence through the entire locker room.
"What happens eventually is that guys don't panic when you have issues," Kubiak said. "That's what was impressive about (Sunday). Not only did we have issues going into the game, we had some during the course of the game, and we just kept playing and new guys just kept stepping up."
Cushing's return might offer the biggest boost of all. He was one of the emotional leaders of the defense last season, helped the pass rush (four sacks) and ably dropped into coverage (four interceptions).
"Guys look to him to make plays on the field," Kubiak said. "He was big in the turnover area last year as a team. We had been poor up until (Sunday) in getting turnovers. There's not anybody on this team or in this organization not excited to have him come back."
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Let’s take a look at some interesting (or not) numbers through the first four games:
688 team rushing yards
In 2009 through four games, the Texans had 332 yards rushing (only 101 through the first two games). For 2010, Arian Foster (537 of those yards) has made all the difference in the world, and of course the offensive line has been absolutely dominant in two of the first four games. Steve Slaton’s phenomenal rookie performance in 2008 is sadly a distant memory now, and after Derrick Ward somehow plodded his way to 80 yards against Oakland, Gary Kubiak has already said we will be seeing a lot more of Ward.
415.5 offensive yards per game
This number is good for 2nd in the league behind only the San Diego Chargers who are averaging 450.8 (wow). The Texans have shown their offensive prowess on the ground (Indianapolis and Oakland) and in the air (Washington). In truth, the Texans were running the ball pretty well against the Redskins as well, but were playing from behind almost from the start. The Dallas game never happened. Don’t look it up – it just never happened.
9 sacks
The Texans’ nine sacks have them in the top ten in the league (9th place), despite the loss of Connor Barwin who most thought would cruise to being number two in sacks on the team behind Mario Williams. Still, the pass rush needs to be more consistent. Through four games, it’s been consistently disruptive twice (Indianapolis and Oakland), inconsistent once (Washington), and completely non-existent once (Dallas – if that game had actually happened. Which it didn’t!). Going forward, I can think of two big bright spots for the Texans’ pass rush. 1) Brian Cushing is back, and that will absolutely be a boost. 2) It’s not just the Mario Williams (5 sacks) show so far. Antonio Smith has been better than expected in the pass-rushing department (2.5 sacks) to this point. When the pass rush has clicked, he’s been getting consistent pressure. Having 7.5 sacks between your starting defensive ends through four games – I’ll take it.
41 4th quarter points
The Texans are finishing strong in 2010. They’ve scored 41 of their 108 points in the 4th quarter, and 71 of their 108 points in the second half plus overtime combined. This is due to many reasons, some of them I’m sure are random and of no significance – but it could also be because the Texans are wearing teams down with the run game in the second half. Gary Kubiak gave strength and conditioning coach Cedric Smith a game ball after the overtime win over Washington. Maybe it’s because the Texans are making great 2nd half adjustments, something you couldn’t often say about them in the past.
4 turnovers on defense
Ugh. Every year, Gary Kubiak beats the living hell out of the same drum. Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. Protecting against them on offense, and getting after them on defense. While the pass rush seems to be on the rise, the defense is doing next to nothing in the way of turnovers. The Texans have two fumble recoveries and two interceptions – both of which were hauled in by Troy Nolan against the Raiders. The Texans also got their second fumble recovery of the year against Oakland, meaning three of their four turnovers in 2010 have come in one game. Thinking about the season so far, I can’t think of a case where the Texans have even come CLOSE to making interceptions other than the two that Eugene Wilson blew in consecutive weeks against Washington and Dallas.
36 catches, 410 yards, 3 touchdowns given up to the TE position
I don’t think any of us are surprised that the Texans are having a hard time covering tight ends – it’s been a weakness on this team for a while, but those numbers are beyond ridiculous. Lots of talk on the radio this week about how the return of Brian Cushing will help turn this trend around… did I miss that Cushing is good at covering tight ends? Was it only Dallas Clark who turned him inside-out last year? Sure, his pass-rushing can help the problem, but his coverage skills? Not sure about that one. One thing’s for sure – they can’t get any worse in that regard.
7-3 record in their last 10 road games
After turning a 2-6 road record in 2008 into a 5-3 road record in 2009, it’s extremely encouraging to see that the team has thus far been able to continue their winning ways on the road. Two major things that true playoff contenders need to do well if they’re going to do some real damage in the playoffs are winning division games, and winning on the road. So far, the Texans are perfect in both areas. Their next test in both departments will come in a huge rematch against the Colts on Monday night, November 1.
56
Perhaps my favorite number of all, right now. Brian Cushing is back, and there’s going to be hell to pay for some poor sap on the Giants roster – and probably for poor Chris Ogbonnaya, an innocent RB on the Texans’ practice squad. Lace’em up tight this week, Oggy.
688 team rushing yards
In 2009 through four games, the Texans had 332 yards rushing (only 101 through the first two games). For 2010, Arian Foster (537 of those yards) has made all the difference in the world, and of course the offensive line has been absolutely dominant in two of the first four games. Steve Slaton’s phenomenal rookie performance in 2008 is sadly a distant memory now, and after Derrick Ward somehow plodded his way to 80 yards against Oakland, Gary Kubiak has already said we will be seeing a lot more of Ward.
415.5 offensive yards per game
This number is good for 2nd in the league behind only the San Diego Chargers who are averaging 450.8 (wow). The Texans have shown their offensive prowess on the ground (Indianapolis and Oakland) and in the air (Washington). In truth, the Texans were running the ball pretty well against the Redskins as well, but were playing from behind almost from the start. The Dallas game never happened. Don’t look it up – it just never happened.
9 sacks
The Texans’ nine sacks have them in the top ten in the league (9th place), despite the loss of Connor Barwin who most thought would cruise to being number two in sacks on the team behind Mario Williams. Still, the pass rush needs to be more consistent. Through four games, it’s been consistently disruptive twice (Indianapolis and Oakland), inconsistent once (Washington), and completely non-existent once (Dallas – if that game had actually happened. Which it didn’t!). Going forward, I can think of two big bright spots for the Texans’ pass rush. 1) Brian Cushing is back, and that will absolutely be a boost. 2) It’s not just the Mario Williams (5 sacks) show so far. Antonio Smith has been better than expected in the pass-rushing department (2.5 sacks) to this point. When the pass rush has clicked, he’s been getting consistent pressure. Having 7.5 sacks between your starting defensive ends through four games – I’ll take it.
41 4th quarter points
The Texans are finishing strong in 2010. They’ve scored 41 of their 108 points in the 4th quarter, and 71 of their 108 points in the second half plus overtime combined. This is due to many reasons, some of them I’m sure are random and of no significance – but it could also be because the Texans are wearing teams down with the run game in the second half. Gary Kubiak gave strength and conditioning coach Cedric Smith a game ball after the overtime win over Washington. Maybe it’s because the Texans are making great 2nd half adjustments, something you couldn’t often say about them in the past.
4 turnovers on defense
Ugh. Every year, Gary Kubiak beats the living hell out of the same drum. Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. Protecting against them on offense, and getting after them on defense. While the pass rush seems to be on the rise, the defense is doing next to nothing in the way of turnovers. The Texans have two fumble recoveries and two interceptions – both of which were hauled in by Troy Nolan against the Raiders. The Texans also got their second fumble recovery of the year against Oakland, meaning three of their four turnovers in 2010 have come in one game. Thinking about the season so far, I can’t think of a case where the Texans have even come CLOSE to making interceptions other than the two that Eugene Wilson blew in consecutive weeks against Washington and Dallas.
36 catches, 410 yards, 3 touchdowns given up to the TE position
I don’t think any of us are surprised that the Texans are having a hard time covering tight ends – it’s been a weakness on this team for a while, but those numbers are beyond ridiculous. Lots of talk on the radio this week about how the return of Brian Cushing will help turn this trend around… did I miss that Cushing is good at covering tight ends? Was it only Dallas Clark who turned him inside-out last year? Sure, his pass-rushing can help the problem, but his coverage skills? Not sure about that one. One thing’s for sure – they can’t get any worse in that regard.
7-3 record in their last 10 road games
After turning a 2-6 road record in 2008 into a 5-3 road record in 2009, it’s extremely encouraging to see that the team has thus far been able to continue their winning ways on the road. Two major things that true playoff contenders need to do well if they’re going to do some real damage in the playoffs are winning division games, and winning on the road. So far, the Texans are perfect in both areas. Their next test in both departments will come in a huge rematch against the Colts on Monday night, November 1.
56
Perhaps my favorite number of all, right now. Brian Cushing is back, and there’s going to be hell to pay for some poor sap on the Giants roster – and probably for poor Chris Ogbonnaya, an innocent RB on the Texans’ practice squad. Lace’em up tight this week, Oggy.
