(Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loco Photography, Copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved.)By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2011 TexSport Publications
HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 11, 2011) The Houston Texans came out of their week one matchup with a win over the Indianapolis Colts, but there are a few questions that have been answered, a few more that have yet to be answered, and a few that possibly should be asked.
In their convincing 34-7 win over the Colts, 71,444 fans were left wondering if this team is the wave of the future or is it simply a single swell that hits the shore and dies out soon after reaching land.
The Texans did put points on the board, including 17 in the first quarter and 34 in the first half.
They were driving on their first possession when Matt Schaub was picked off by Melvin Bullitt which quickly ended their first drive.
It is debatable if they would have scored on that drive, but with the way the offense was moving the ball, that possession could (and should) have led to their first score.
They also could have scored a touchdown again if they did not have to settle for the field goal at the 4:27 mark in the 1st quarter on a fourth and seven play.
Granted the Colts are a team on a downward swing. Without Payton Manning, their offense was mediocre at best.
However, the Texans’ defense was heads-above where they were last year.
Wade Phillips certainly has his defense loaded and ready to go.
The Colts’ turnovers were capitalized on and the Texans took advantage of the opportunities presented to them.
I was a bit concerned about the level of play in the fourth quarter.
It seemed to me the Texans were sluggish on both sides of the ball and really did not keep their heads in the game to the very end.
That is one aspect of the game they must improve if they hope to advance throughout the season and obtain their first-ever playoff berth.
In the case of the defense, the Texans did have 43 combined tackles and that may not seem like many when compared that to the Colts (65).
But when the Colts only had possession of the ball for a tad over 23 minutes, the Texans’ tackle total was more than acceptable.
The thing that everyone must remember that this season is a work-in-progress for the Texans.
In their convincing 34-7 win over the Colts, 71,444 fans were left wondering if this team is the wave of the future or is it simply a single swell that hits the shore and dies out soon after reaching land.
The Texans did put points on the board, including 17 in the first quarter and 34 in the first half.
They were driving on their first possession when Matt Schaub was picked off by Melvin Bullitt which quickly ended their first drive.
It is debatable if they would have scored on that drive, but with the way the offense was moving the ball, that possession could (and should) have led to their first score.
They also could have scored a touchdown again if they did not have to settle for the field goal at the 4:27 mark in the 1st quarter on a fourth and seven play.
Granted the Colts are a team on a downward swing. Without Payton Manning, their offense was mediocre at best.
However, the Texans’ defense was heads-above where they were last year.
Wade Phillips certainly has his defense loaded and ready to go.
The Colts’ turnovers were capitalized on and the Texans took advantage of the opportunities presented to them.
I was a bit concerned about the level of play in the fourth quarter.
It seemed to me the Texans were sluggish on both sides of the ball and really did not keep their heads in the game to the very end.
That is one aspect of the game they must improve if they hope to advance throughout the season and obtain their first-ever playoff berth.
In the case of the defense, the Texans did have 43 combined tackles and that may not seem like many when compared that to the Colts (65).
But when the Colts only had possession of the ball for a tad over 23 minutes, the Texans’ tackle total was more than acceptable.
The thing that everyone must remember that this season is a work-in-progress for the Texans.
Everything must come together week in and week out and when it does, hopefully everything will fall into place by the send of the season and the Texans will see themselves in the playoffs.
The next test for the Texans will be on the road Sunday, Sept. 18 against the Miami Dolphins.
Miami is scheduled to play the New England Patriots on Monday, Sept 12 for their week one game.
The next test for the Texans will be on the road Sunday, Sept. 18 against the Miami Dolphins.
Miami is scheduled to play the New England Patriots on Monday, Sept 12 for their week one game.
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