The only way to answer the question is to play the season out. 16 games to will eventually show who the real Texans are. For week one, they took the glove and slapped the Colts across the face and the proceeded to stomp the defense into submission.
Repeating recent history, the Texans jumped to an early lead. Again repeating history, the Texans started to squander the 13-0 lead with a Matt Schaub interception that lead to an eventual Colts touchdown.
Right before halftime I sent a text to my fellow fans,"Getting that sinking feeling yet?"
The Manliest Drive in Texans History?
How the Texans responded was manly in every sense of the word. They came out to start the second half and ran the ball down the Colts throats. They held the ball for 7:57, kept Payton Manning on the bench and scored a touchdown not a field goal.
Then they came out and did it again. And again. Two more run dominated drives of 91 and 41 yards. They milked the clock, telegraphed exactly what they were going to do and did it. The only reason the time of possession wasn't higher is cause the Colts couldn't stop the Texans at all. Running big chunks of real estate off at one time allows for quicker scoring and less time off the clock. As long as they scored TDs and not FGs, the strategy is fine.
The drive alleviated that sinking feeling that ended the first half.
Scripted Plays Out the Window
The fans around me during the game theorized that the Texans coaches tore up the second half game plan and decided run. During his radio show yesterday, coach Gary Kubiak admitted as much. He said they normally script 8 or 9 plays to start the second half. After a couple of plays he and offensive coordinator Rick Dennison decided to just run.
Manning Being Manning
Manning threw for an obscene amount of yards. He set new personal records of pass attempts and completions. Those stats happen when a team is playing from behind the whole game. The ground game for the Colts was ineffective since start. As the game progressed, passing remained the only option.
Manning did pay for his yards with constant hits, hurries, pressure and two sacks from the Texans front seven. At one point he stayed on the turf as if he didn't want to get up. Looking back on that play, I think he was trying to buy his team an extra few seconds. Either way, it wasn't a good day to be Payton Manning.
John McClain's Report Card
Normally McClain nails his post game report card accurately. This week I think he was a bit of his rocker. He graded Matt Schaub a C and the receiving corp a C+. Sure they didn't put up big numbers but that alone shouldn't give them average grades. I guess handing off the ball without fumbling snaps or dropped exchanges is just average. One TD pass also made the stat sheet. Granted Schaub threw one interception against a low number of pass attempts. I'll give him a C+ rather than a C. He was a game manager for once and did what he the coaches asked him to do.
I'll quibble a little more about the C+ on the WRs and TEs. Again, they didn't put up numbers due to the nature of the game plan. They still blocked down field to help Foster post his numbers. Kevin Walters split the defense on the lone touchdown pass of the game. Owen Daniels, not know for his blocking, bounced back from last years season ending injury and helped open holes for Foster. Daniels had a key seal block when the Texans allowed the Texans to convert a 4th and 1. Daniels doesn't make the block, the Colts get the ball. Right tackle Eric Winston commented on Walters down field blocking. The win was a team effort and the receivers did their part. Stats be damned...I give them at least a B-.
Man of the Match
I like the other football term for player of the game. This week's Man of the Match is obviously running back Arian Foster. Foster ran for 231 yards on 33 carries for a gut kicking average of 7 yards per rush. Sick. He added three touchdowns including a one yard plunge that chased away last year's one yard nightmares away.
Overall the line did a beautiful job of paving the way for Foster's franchise record setting day. Full back Vonta Leach was a one man wrecking crew. Leach was a blocking machine looking for someone to knock out of Foster's way. During the game, the man next to said in awe,"Leach is having a magnificent game." I had started to notice it too. Everyone noticed. Again, stats be damned. Leach had a career day like Foster and the rest of the offensive line.
Key Stat
Going into the 4th quarter, the Colts had eight possessions. The results of those eight possessions? Punt, punt, punt, punt, TD, FG, punt, fumble. The defense gave up some big chunks of green with a majority coming with Colts in chasing mode.
In the end, this was the result players, coaches and fans wanted. The bullies of the division vanquished for once. The kings of the hill knocked down for once. Hope and optimism of the offseason rewarded for once.
The Texans took the right step in what I see as key to a playoff run. A good start and a improvement to the divisional record are the key. A big first hurdle has been crossed.
Nice game but there are fifteen more on the schedule. Next week they absolutely must take advantage of the momentum and snag a road win. Don't read the press clippings Texans...you can still go 1-15.
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