MNF - Costly Win for Texans

Note: No column last week due to overload at work. But a few brief words on the game.  Titans are a shell of a team.  Texans dispatched them with easy although allowing Chris Johnson to run amok but causing no damage.  Defense returned two INTs for TD.  Much maligned CB Kareem Jackson earns Man of the Match for his outstanding play that included a TD. 

T-E-X-A-N-S BEAT J-E-T-S

The Texans to the national stage versus the NY J-E-T-S on Monday Night Football and came away from the teams first ever win over the Jets.  The game produced some nerves moments as the pesky NY team refused to go away.  Just when it appeared the Texans would deliver a knock out blow, the Jets glanced it away and delivered a counter.  In the end, JJ Watt again altered a game enough for the Texans to squeeze out the W.

The Texans opened the game with a precise workman like drive to take a 7-0 lead.  It looked like the Texans would slice and dice the Gang Green defense with ease, put an early lead and call it a night.  The Jets had other ideas.

After going 85 yards on opening drive, the Texans mustered -3 yards on next two drives that ended with a punt and an interception.  On the flip side, the defense was able to hold the Jets to 4 punts on 5 possessions.  Unfortunately that one possession ended in a touchdown and at the end of one quarter, the game was tied at 7.

J.J. The Magnificent

The Texans were nursing a 14-7 lead toward the end of the half but the Jets were driving for a score.  Watt altered the game in his usual way.  Mark Sanchez dropped back to pass and saw two wide open Jet WRs in the endzone.  Sanchez slings the pass but it never makes it past the outstretched paws of Watt.  Watt saved a TD and a Texans lead.  The drive ended on another tipped ball, this time I think it was Connor Barwin, that lead to a Brice McCain interception.  McCain nearly returned it for a TD but was caught from behind.  The Texans settled for a 17-7 halftime lead.

Special Teams Woes

The Texans extended the lead 20-7 and appeared to be cruising.  On the kick off following the FG, the special teams allowed the Jets to return it for a TD.  I said it before and I'll say it again, special team touchdowns are free points.  No effort by the other team except out running the coverage and no time off the clock.  The game was now a bar room brawl.

Besides the touchdown return, Trindon Holliday's decision making continued to be an issue.  He fielded a few punts he should have let go but his most egregious error came at the end of the game.  After the Jets 4th quarter field goal, Holliday took the kick off out of the endzone.  Instead of the 20, the Texans had to start at the 11 with the game on the line.  9 yard may not seam like a lot but in a game this close, inches matter.

Holliday was subsequently release this week.

Special teams were not all bad.  Punting continues to be a strength in turning the field.  And that was needed considering Holliday's poor judgement.  The kick off return team also recovered a surprise onside kick by the Jets.  Shayne Graham was perfect from on his field goal attempts.

Final Thoughts

The game wasn't without cost.  Linebacker Brian Cushing was lost for the season with a torn ACL. He'll undergo surgery in a few weeks after swelling goes down.  While it is a costly injury, those clowns saying season is doomed need to calm the hell down.

 

The meat of the schedule is coming up with the Packers, Ravens, Bills and Bears coming up next.  Fortunately, the first three on that list come at home.  While it won't be easy, if the Texans can get at least 3 out of 4, they will move to 8-1 and nothing short of disaster will keep them out of playoffs.  The next 4 out of 5 are home games.  That means the last they finish with 4 of 6 to close out the season on the road.

While the final 6 sound nasty, I have supreme confidence in this team.  This isn't the team of old.  This year they not only have the physical talent but the mental toughness too.  A safety and a bad start in Denver might have caused an old Texans team to fold up like a cheap tent.  A momentum swing on the road like a kick off returned for a TD might have cratered a previous version of the Texans.  Not this year.  It's a team that knows how to overcome adversity and finish off an opponent.

Co-Man of the Match

This is the first time I recall naming to players to Man of the Match but it is deserving.

JJ Watt.  Need I say more?  A TD saving swat at near the end of the half and a late sack that knocked the Jets out of field goal range.  The man continues to change the course of games.

Arian Foster - 152 yards rushing on 29 carries and a touchdown.  Much has been written concerning the ton of carries Foster is getting.  I think with Ben Tate returning the Texans will start to give Foster more rest and save him for later in the season.