The game against the Titans had the ingredients for another Texans gaffe and embarrassment. Third string rookie quarterback Rusty Smith started with Chris Johnson in the backfield.
The Titans are a team in disarray. Vince Young and Jeff Fisher are feuding. The question remains as to who will be back with the team next year. The relationship is beyond repair in my opinion. Either Young or Fisher will exit and my money is on Fisher leaving.
I was hoping for the best but expecting the worst. It's been that kind of season.
I should have taken the first play from scrimmage, Mario Williams sacking Smith, as a good sign.
The defense played well enough for the shut out in a 20-0 game.
During the game, I thought Amobi Okoye played well. He seemed to be in on multiple plays clogging the middle, exploding plays with penetration or taking up blockers. Yes I can actually see that on some plays live. I try to watch the defenses very close. More times than not though I end up following the ball or the action.
Lance Zierlein, a Houston radio host and Houston Chronicle blogger, did an outstanding break down of film on Okoye's day.
The most important thing of the day for the Texans was holding Chris Johnson in check. Johnson has run wild on the Texans before and I figured he would have a decent day despite the rookie quarterback. Wrong. He had five yards on seven carries along with two receptions for two yards. A very off day for a top, if not the top, running back in the NFL.
Factoring the rookie QB, the Texans defense still shined. Brian Cushing played very aggressive and his best game of the year. Grover Quin atoned for being the victim of the last two losses at the last second. Quin had a hat trick of interceptions including two in the Titans red zone.
One the offensive side of the ball, Arian Foster continued his assault on the ground. He ran for 143 yards on 30 carries and added 75 yards on 9 catches. He totaled 218 yards of total offense.
Of course the highlight of the game was the Andre Johnson vs. Cortland Finnegan Brawl. I think I'll save that commentary for my somewhat weekly NFL column.
Man of the Match
For once, the Man of the Match goes to a former goat. Grover Quin rebounded from twice being on the wrong end of game winning touchdowns. He snared three interceptions from Rusty Smith. Two game when the Titans were driving to score. Both interceptions preserved the shut out.
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