Let’s get down to business.
It wasn’t just that the Texans beat the Colts yesterday, it’s HOW the Texans beat the Colts. A 34-24 final doesn’t scream domination, but the second half was certainly that, if not on the scoreboard, then certainly on the field in a very tangible way.
A team on a mission
Leading 13-10 at the half, there’s no way the Texans didn’t have at least a little bit of “we’ve been here before” rattling around in their heads. In the past, this has caused the team to pucker, panic, and fold. Yesterday, it was a whole different world. The team came out running in the second half, eating up eight minutes on the clock in a drive that featured ten straight running plays. Incredible.
Arian Foster and the O-Line were just not having it
The best thing about this game was that in the second half, the Colts knew the Texans were going to run. At some point – they knew the Texans were going to run on EVERY play. The result? Not only could the Colts not stop it, but the Texans were repeatedly ripping off five, seven, and twelve yard runs. There were times you could literally see the Colts quitting. You could see their collective will to win erode. This is NOT the same Texans team we have seen in the past. This was gritty, brutal, smashmouth football that we haven’t seen in Houston since before I knew what football was.
Mario Williams showed up in a big way
If the Texans drafted Mario to get in Peyton Manning’s face, Williams showed (again) that he is what the Texans hoped he would be. Mario was all over the place yesterday, constantly pressuring Manning, and continuing last year’s dominance against the run. The way he slings grown men around is scary. One sneaky thing about yesterday’s game that I loved – when the Texans gave up the late long touchdown catch to Austin Collie – Mario was FURIOUS. Of course, he should be, but I haven’t seen him that animated on the sideline in the past. I do think the whole “Mario needs to be more intense” thing is way overblown, but if Mario is starting to bring a little more leadership to the table, that’s nothing but a good thing.
Multiple half-sacks handed out to the D-Line is a great sign
Being a Texans fan, you know the drill. Nine times out of ten, if a Houston Texan registers a sack – it’s going to be Mario Williams. Against the Colts, the Texans were so disruptive on the defensive line, that Mario had to share. Antonio Smith got himself a half-sack, as did Jesse Nading, who at first glance looked decent in relief of Connor Barwin, who is tragically gone for the season with a nasty dislocated ankle.
Peyton Manning shredded the secondary, but that’s what he does
As expected, the Texans had some serious coverage issues yesterday – but you almost have to throw all the statistics out the window when you’re playing the Colts. There was a lot of concern about how the young secondary would respond to facing Manning, but in case you haven’t noticed in his 12+ years in this league – he does it to everyone. Young secondaries, experienced secondaries – whatever. Plus, the Colts were playing from behind most of the game and basically abandoned the running game.
Kareem Jackson took some lumps out there
Still, you can’t look past how rough rookie Kareem Jackson looked out there at times. He did make a nice play or two, but Pierre Garcon gave him everything he wanted and more. KJax would be catching a lot more flak if Garcon wouldn’t have dropped a couple of passes. Still, again – it’s Peyton Manning. He’s going to get his, and there are times when he’s going to do it at will. The Texans did everything they could to keep Manning off the field in the second half, and it worked. When he was on the field, the Texans did everything they could to get in his face, and that also worked.
Despite their struggles, the secondary combined for a huge play
In what might have been the play of the game, Manning completed a long pass to Austin Collie, but Bernard Pollard and Eugene Wilson combined to knock the ball loose. Glover Quin recovered the fumble, setting up the Texans for their second TD drive of the second half. It was that drive where the Colts simply looked defeated.
Fantastic game, but it was just one game
As fans, there’s nothing wrong with savoring the hell out of this victory. I never try to overreact to a big win or a big loss, but the Texans really showed me something yesterday. Something I haven’t even seen in small doses in the past. But we have to keep in mind that the Colts aren’t exactly stellar against the run. Couple that with the emotion and scope of the opening game of the season, and clearly we do not expect this (or really anything close to this) every week. With a young team like the Texans, it’s hard to tell how they will react next week in Washington against the Redskins. Will yesterday’s performance put them on a wave of confidence that keeps on rolling, or could the team become overconfident? Somewhere in between? We just won’t know until next week, which now seems like a month away.
Sep 13, 2010 at 15:56:50
If/when Manning decides to bend you over and stick it to you, all you can do is grin and hope it’s doesn’t last long. The Texans collectively said “Thank You, may I please have another?”. That’s moxie.
Sep 13, 2010 at 16:07:10
Glad to hear that I was not the only one seeing Kareem Jackson get abused like a 8 year old alter boy.
He was so far behind receivers so often and looking back at Peyton while his receiver widened the gap that it is no wonder Peyton had a career day. Everyone got abused to some extent, but he sure looked slow and small to me.
Sep 13, 2010 at 16:19:50
One more little note: I felt ALOT better with Rackers out there on the 49 yard field goal than the last original Texan. He also had a great game.
Sep 13, 2010 at 18:30:51
First of all, fantasy note: One of my GOOD teams scored less combined than Arian Foster. 48 Fantasy points by one player is absolutely ludicrous.
Now, I know this was one game, but, as Chris said, let’s savor the moment.
First of all, you guys are overblowing Garcon’s stats. I didn;t watch the game, but I was following play-by-play, and, in a nutshell, Peyton Manning was SHUT DOWN early. It only showed 13-0, but that was three series of the Colts making a couple of plays but being forced to punt (because Vinateri can’t kick a 50+ FG apparently) into our end zone, and on three separate occasions, we marched down the field.
It can not be stated enough that this game was far more dominant than a ten point win. The Home Team never trailed, and they scored six times on a team that is supposed to be THE best in the league (#1 ranked by the four letter network).
Keep in mind that every two yards against the Indy run defense is 1 yard against most other teams, so slightly temper your idolization of Arian Foster. However, what were the commonly-spoken-about reasons why the Texans couldn’t beat the Colts? Eating up clock, and punching it in in the red zone.
It can not be understated how impressive the Texans were at stepping up to correct these problems. Neil Rackers only kicked one red zone field goal (I predicted the Texans dominating like they did, but only winning 22-17 off of five short field goals), and Foster scored three touchdowns.
Basically, the Colts dared us to win on the ground, and we did exactly that. However, another thing is that Matt Schaub played a lot better than his miserable stat sheet. He maintained the pass threat that allowed Foster to run against an honest defense. Schaub’s one touchdown came on a drive where in three plays, he threw THREE STRAIGHT 20+-yard passes to JJ, AJ, and K-Dubz for the square. Schaub did what he had to do to keep the Colts from stacking the deck against Foster, and Foster did what he had to do to be every bit as explosive as the rest of the offense.
The biggest loser in this contest was Ben Tate. Before his injury, he was struggling to keep up with Foster for the top spot because of a perceived lack of effort. In the Texans house, a talented lack-of-effort will NEVER beat out someone who is busting their butt to make it. If Arian Foster continues to play anywhere like this the rest of the season, then Tate may spend his rookie contract years as a Tashard Choice-like garbage-time option.
NOW ONTO WEEK 2!
The Redskins didn’t look all that great in their win against Dallas, but they DID win against Dallas. Both teams are riding an emotional victory and could come out flat next week.
Repeat: THE TEXANS COULD COME OUT FLAT NEXT WEEK.
The Texans are talented enough to beat the Redskins. Hundred Mil Haynesworth is not nearly as effective as a nose tackle, and Eric Winston will handle Brian Orakpo a LOT better than Alex “Holding on the Offense” Barron. The only way that they lose to the Redskins is if they come out flat after a huge win over the Colts and a “this time it’s for real” huge rivalry game against the Cowboys (who ALSO looked horrible last week).
If Kubiak can keep the Moo Cows’ heads in the game, 3-0 is very possible, which would be huge. The Texans are notoriously slow starters, so for us to do the exact opposite of last year vs. NYJ is a good sign. HOWEVER, keep in mind that the Texans play the underdog role a lot better than a favorite, and THEY WILL BE FAVORED @ WASHINGTON!
Good luck to them, though. Injuries are already piling up, so let’s hope that those don’t continue as the season wears on.
P.S. Stop the player solidarity, NFLPA. I assure that I speak for both the fans and the owners when I say no one gives a crap. Play the season, then sign the deal just in the nick of time to save the season, just like you know you are going to do.
Sep 13, 2010 at 19:49:25
What about Okoye? I thought he had a pretty good game considering these are the games he usually doesn’t do anything. Something like 5 tkls. and decent pressure on the qb.
Sep 14, 2010 at 00:23:58
Rough luck on kolb chris
Sep 14, 2010 at 04:50:29
this final score of the game was not indicative of the dominant performance. 9 times out of 10 shaub completes that pass to andre johnson and andre would have scored a touchdown if schaub steps into his throw. So there is one touchdown added in my book. I thought that was an interception by quin. Indianapolis later scored on that drive.
Nonetheless this was a huuge victory and hopefully it gives us some swagger. Prior to this victory I would say the biggest victories in franchise history were the cowboys in the first game, @ green bay because we had problems winning tough road games and we got over that hurdle, and The titans because they were the top dog in our division and we punched them in the mouth. specifically after the tennessee loss we play a really bad oakland team and get punched in the mouth. There is a thin line between having confidence/swagger and cockiness. Our team has matured a lot and I think we will do fine against the red skins and not have a repeat of the oakland raiders after the 13-12 victory over the titans.
Sep 14, 2010 at 11:39:12
No mention of Pollard cursing Reggie Wayne out? TSK TSK
Sep 14, 2010 at 11:47:42
@Jordann
I made reference to it in the Christmas Story entry… and on Twitter a thousand times LOL
Sep 14, 2010 at 11:50:28
@Marc – Okoye looked really good, especially in the first half. If he can stay consistent, he will be a HUGE contributor.
Sep 16, 2010 at 01:19:43
I’d call the Pollard/Wilson FF & Quin’s recovery of the fumble a perfect example of a defense that “flies to the football”: Three D-backs relatively close to where the ball was caught and all head straight for the WR, 2 hit the WR and force the fumble while the 3rd picks it up.
Sep 16, 2010 at 01:20:43
Other than that play though, the “flies to the football” expression is often a really vague, meaningless description that’s supposed to convey a defenses opportunistic/intensive nature.