JJ Watt Wills Texans To Victory

The Sultan of  JJ Swatt

No one is going to argue against the following statement:  JJ Watt (or JJ Swatt as Wade Phillips refers to him) single handedly lead the Texans to victory.  Two crucial pass deflections late in the second half lead to interceptions by Kareem Jackson and Brian Cushing.  Those interceptions turned into 14 points.  For the game, Watt tallied 1.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections and 2 tackles.

With the game tied 3-3, Watt turned the tide in a bigger fashion that his TD grab versus Cincy in the playoffs.  When the clock read zero to end the half, the Texans held a 24-3 advantage.

If there is one analysis I can take away from the game it is this:  JJ Watt has done something, twice, that Mario Williams never did.  Watt turned the tide of the game when things were uneasy and in doubt.  In the playoffs, with the Texans and Bengals knotted up at 10, Watt snagged an Andy Dalton pass out of midair to give the Texans a 17-10 half time lead.  The TD not only ignited an uneasy home crowd but swung the momentum undoubtedly toward the Texans.  Sunday, we again witnessed the awesomeness that is JJ Watt.

While I was a big Mario Williams fan, I'll be the first to admit he never lived up to the top draft pick billing.  The Texans did the right thing in letting him walk in free agency.  Watt's performance only makes that move look the more brilliant.  For the record, Williams debut stat line in Buffalo was one tackle.

Offensive Woes?

I'm not as down on the offense as most fans are.  Matt Schaub was an efficient 20 of 31 (64.5%) for 266 yards and one TD.  Just as important, Schaub committed no turnovers.

Arian Foster and Ben Tate combined for 85 yards.  Foster churned out TD runs of 2 and 14 yards.  The offensive line failed to open up big holes for Foster.  The Texans resorted to several toss plays trying to loosen up the Dolphins defense.  Another factor was the rebuilt right side of the line.  One game is to small a sample size to see how new full time starters RT Derek Newton and RG Antoine Caldwell hold up.

With the run game stalled, the Texans passing game carried the load.  Andre Johnson makes it look easy grabbing 119 yards on 8 receptions and a TD.  His touchdown was a beautiful fade pass to close out the 21 point half ending flurry.  I haven't seen the replay yet but from my seats his footwork to stay in bounds was a work of beauty.

TE Owen Daniels made the Dolphins pay for doubling up on Johnson.  Twice Schaub found Daniels completely uncovered to in the middle of the field for big gains.  Daniels ended the game with 87 yards and 4 catches.

Far From Perfection

Despite the victory, plenty of issues need work.

Trindon Holliday, watch your back.  Gary Kubiak hates using a roster spot on a return specialist.  Holliday pretty much forced the Texans to keep him on the roster after his preseason performance.  His pro performance leaves a lot to be desired.  If nothing else, take a knee and get the Texans to the 20.  None of his returns went that far and his bobble on one kick off left the Texans inside the 5.  Face it, Kubiak will trot anyone out there with orders to take a knee and cut Holliday if this keeps up.

Coverage teams need to tighten up too.  Giving up a touchdown on punt return is unacceptable.  It's free points with no time consumed.  You want to keep the foot on the Dolphins throat.  Giving them a quick TD is a way that could spark the other team.  

If the Texans are going to make teams pay for doubling Johnson, other receivers besides Daniels will have to step up.  Keyshawn Martin had an opportunity to early but dropped an easy pass.  As far as I could tell he rode the bench the rest of the game.  Lestar Jean also had a chance to make a play.  He ended up not able to hold onto the ball in what may have been a touchdown.  I say may because even if he controlled it may have been out of bounds.  Regardless, others need to step up when called upon.

Final Thoughts

In the end, the Texans won a game they had no business losing.  Things were tight for a half.  Then a good defense does what it is supposed to.  They kept the 'phins out of the endzone and gave the offense chances to score.  In turn the offense maximized those opportunities.  Some gripe about the offense not going the length of the field to score.  I say so what?  They sliced the Dolphins throat open when the defense gave them the knife.  THAT is what good teams do.

Instead of player of the game or game MVP, I like using the soccer term Man of the Match.  How can it be anyone else than JJ Watt. 3 pass deflections leading to two interceptions which in turn lead to two TDs.  

Bring on the Jags!