Texan Toughness
Remember when Matt Schaub was fragile? Remember when the Texans were a finesse team? Remember when the Texans were a soft team? At least they were branded with those labels by the national media. Yes Schaub missed games in three seasons. Conveniently the media forgets that Schaub played the whole seasons in 2009 & 2010. Last year's injury was one of those freak things. Fat Albert fell on Schaub's foot on a sneak and ended his season.
After last Sunday's game in Denver, Schaub earned the label of tough guy. For those of us who have been watching, we know better. Schaub takes beatings and gets back up. Remember the Jags road game in 2009? I think Schaub proved his toughness in that game. It took Schaub losing part of an ear on a nationally televised game to convince the rest of the world he's a tough man. So let's just move on from and never question Schaub's toughness.
Mental Toughness
The Texans put the finesse tag to rest last year with the rebirth of the defense from the disaster of 2010. Still, it was great to see the Texans overcome a terrible first play. The Broncos punted and put the ball on the two yard line. On the first Texans snap of the game, Elvis Dumervil sacked Schaub for a safety. First year starter at right tackle Derek Newton whiffed on his block. On the ensuing possession, the Broncos scored a field goal for a 5-0 lead.
In the past, the Texans might have cratered with such a negative start. There was something to the fact that they were rattled easily. Couple a bad first series with a road game, the Texans needed a strong response. On the second possession, the Texans delivered a punch that pretty much set the stage for the rest of the game. Schaub hit the baddest man in the NFL Andre Johnson for a 60 yard TD bomb. It was a beautiful play with Schaub hitting Angry Dre in stride.
The defense flustered Peyton Manning for most the first half. While Texans were scoring TDs, the Broncos possessions went punt, FG, punt, punt, FG, punt. Anytime you can keep Manning's offense out of the endzone, your day is going well.
The third drive by the Texans was their typical manly clock eating drive. It went 98 yards in 14 plays and 7:05 minutes time of possession.
The quick strike offense punched the Broncos defense again when Schaub hit Kevin Walter in stride for a 52 yard TD.
When the half ended, the Texans turned a 5-0 deficit into a commanding 21-11 lead.
Manning Never Out of It
The Texans managed to tack on 10 more points in the 3rd quarter which would prove necessary.
To start the 4th, it looked like the Texans were going to embark on one of their will imposing, epic touchdown drives. They were moving the ball and bleeding clock until Ben Tate fumbled on the 7th play of the drive.
Give Manning a fumble and he'll take a mile. That was the opening Manning needed. Two plays after the fumbled, Manning hit Brandon Stokely for a 38 yard TD and only used 31 seconds.
After a Texans three and out, Manning pulled the Broncos within 5 points. The only positive is they used over 8 minutes to do it.
The Texans finished off the job by chewing up most of the last three minutes of the game and leaving Manning just 20 seconds to pull off a miracle. But he couldn't.
Offensive Line Right Side Concerns
Last week RG Antoine Caldwell started losing snaps to rookie Brandon Jones. The rotation continued in Denver. Now RT Derek Newton lost snaps to Ryan Harris. I read somewhere, I can't find the source, that Harris played the last four series of the game.
In my opinion, Caldwell is on the verge of losing the starting job. I've never been impressed with his play. Caldwell is easily moved and he can't get down to the second level on run blocking. Caldwell will be riding pine by week 7.
With Newton, I still think he keeps the starting job. He had a rough game against the Broncos and the Texans needed to close out the game. Like a relief pitcher, Gary Kubiak pulled his starter and went to the bullpen. I think we'll see more of the same when Newton struggles but he won't get the hook if he plays well.
While on the topic of the offensive line, I have a few concerns. First is the number of false starts the whole line had. I don't have a break down but I remember at least five. Denver is loud place to play. I'm sure the team worked on silent counts and what not. The execution just needs to be better.
The other concern I have is the number of hits Schaub took. Even Kubiak commented on this issue. Schaub proved his toughness to NFL fans this week. However the line needs to keep him clean as much as possible. He doesn't need to prove how tough he is each week.
Bulls Paraded on Donkeys
Bulls on Parade trampled the Donkeys for 3 quarters. As tense as it became in the 4th quarter, that does not diminish what the defense accomplished. The goal is to win the game. By stuffing the Broncos for three quarters, they put the team in the position to win and withstand a furious comeback. There is just no way around the fact that Manning will throw everything at a team to win. He's that talented this late in his career and is a fierce competitor.
JJ Watt continues his bull rush through offensive lines to menace quarterbacks. Before the game, Watt stated he wanted to sack Manning. He did. Twice. He also added six tackles with four for losses. The lead bull is a beast.
The defensive backs batted balls away from receivers all game long. A few of those passes should have been intercepted. They came away with the win so I'm probably splitting hairs. However, a great defense needs to get those turnovers. While it didn't matter much this game it will matter and make a difference between a win or a loss. Bulls on Parade also forced Manning into a career high 26 incomplete passes.
Another positive is the run defense continues to remain solid. The Jagoffs tried early to run MJD and failed. The Donks tried the same theory early but the Texans stuffed the run to a tune of 2.8 yards a carry. I think some preseason questions about the run defense have been answered for now.
Man of the Match
Matt Schaub wins this weekly award as the best player on the field for the Texans game. Note I say game because I reserve the right to award the title to an opponent if they out play the Texans.
He wasn't his efficient self with the 60% plus completion rate. He completed 56.7% but made every throw count. You can't argue with a TD pass on 24% of his completions or a 9.7 yard per pass average. Schaub finished the game 17 of 30 passes with 4 TDs, 290 yards, 1 INT, 1 sack.
Final Thoughts
Another well played game for the Houston 11. The offense put up at least 30 points for 2 out of 3 games. Last year pre-Schaub injury they were averaging 27 points per game. Looks like they've picked up where Schaub left off last year. The average dropped 10 points once Yates took over for Schaub. I view this game as a national coming out party for Schaub. He showed the rest of the nation what we in Houston already knew.
While known for the two pronged rushing attack of Arian Foster and Ben Tate, the Texans showed they can beat a team through the air too. Don't forget that in 2010 Schaub posted the 7th highest yardage total in NFL history. Also it is good to see Keyshawn Martin, Garrett Graham and Lestar Jean contribute and make teams pay for rolling coverage to Johnson. Owen Daniels and Walter also remain a big part of the passing game.
This team is well rounded on defense and offense. Special team coverage and the right side of the offensive line still are a worry for fans. Trindon Holliday continues to be a nonfactor. DeVier Posey will most likely be active this week since Jean is out with injury. If he contributes or even shows flashes of potential, I see the Texans cutting Holliday and using Martin or Posey as return men.
Bring on the Titans!
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