If only one half of football could win games, the Texans would have left Reliant Stadium with a victory yesterday. The Texans started the game on a 17-0 run, and appeared to have a winning game plan for the unbeaten Colts. The game had what could be described as the closest feel to a playoff game as the players and fans had felt before at Reliant Stadium. After scoring two touchdowns (they almost had a third that was lost to a Andre Johnson drop in the end zone) and two field goals, Reliant Stadium was buzzing with the fans enthusiasm and excitement. After two quarters of play, the Texans were up by thirteen, had picked off Peyton Manning twice (Brian Cushing and Brice McCain had the interceptions), and appeared to have control of the game.
Unfortunately for the Texans, Peyton Manning and the Colts defense would not allow the Colts to come out and continue their sub-par play in the second half.
After trailing 20-7 at halftime, Manning and the Colts came out of the tunnel from halftime with a new game plan that the Texans would not find a way to stop. The Colts only scored once in the third quarter (Manning to Reggie Wayne for a 4 yard TD), but began to put the Texans away for good in the final quarter of the game. In the fourth quarter, Manning would connect with Dallas Clark for a 6 yard touchdown, followed by a Clint Session interception return for a touchdown, and a 23-yard rushing touchdown for Chad Simpson on the Colts following offensive drive which put the Colts up for good.
Matt Schaub appeared to be a completely different quarterback in the second half. He would throw two interceptions before a 10-yard pass to Jacoby Jones with 18 seconds left in the fourth quarter for his only touchdown toss of the second half. The first interception Schaub threw in the third quarter appeared to be a spot pass that either: (1) did not reach its correct spot or, (2) was a result of miscommunication between Schaub and Andre Johnson. However, the second (and more costly) interception Schaub threw appeared to be an ill-advised pass on the quarterback’s part. After the Schaub-to-Jones touchdown, the Texans were only left with 18 seconds on the game clock and could not recover the ensuing onside kick for a last chance effort to tie the game.
The Texans fall to 5-6 on the year after three heartbreaking losses that have left the team, and city, questioning their once strong playoff hopes. In post game interviews, coach Kubiak repeatedly shouldered the blame for this loss against the Colts, citing game management and prior preparation. After hearing the same reasons from Kubiak following each of the Texans recent losses, many Texans fans have begun calling for Kubiak’s firing. Reports have surfaced that Bill Cowher may have interest in coaching the Texans, and after yesterday’s loss, Texans owner Bob McNair may find chatting with the former Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach appealing. Many fans called in to Houston’s Sports Radio 610 AM to express their displeasure for both Kubiak and Schaub, but the answer to ‘What is the Texans’ problem?’ may be a combination of both. While Schaub did throw two interceptions to compound his dismal second half performance, the Texans once again showed signs of conservative play calling and lack of a killer instinct after they acquired their 17 point lead.
What’s my take?
The Texans should patiently wait until the end of the season to determine whether Kubiak or Schaub (or both) should be replaced with upgraded personnel at their positions. Should the Texans manage to put together a four or five game win streak to close out their 2009-2010 season, they might still have a shot at reaching the playoffs. Although wins against teams like New England (January 3, 2010 /// 7-3 record), the Jaguars (December 6th /// 6-5 record and Texans lost 21-24 in the previous meeting on September 27), and the Dolphins (December 27 /// 5-6 record) appear to be a daunting task for this Texans squad, they do not appear to be completely out of reach if the Texans can manage to put together some complete games over the next month. Although many fans have begun calling for immediate resolutions to the Texans’ issues, they may need to wait for the season to end to clearly see the problems at hand. Talk of personnel changes at this point in the season will only compound whatever problems the Texans are currently trying to solve in order to salvage the season which began with the highest expectations since the franchise began. After the next five games if fans repeatedly hear the same “it’s on me” answers from Coach Kubiak, then the calls for Bill Cowher to replace him as coach may be the correct answer. However, if Matt Schaub cannot elevate his game of play to that of the premiere franchise quarterbacks in the NFL for the last five games, the Texans and owner Bob McNair will have to decide whether or not changing coaches is the only thing left to push the Texans into true playoff contention.
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