WEEKLY TEXAN REPORT - SEAN GARZA - OCTOBER 20, 2010

WEEKLY TEXAN REPORT: KANSAS CITY

Written by: Sean Garza
Date posted: October 20, 2010


After licking their wounds and probably still hiding in the corner, the Texans prepared themselves for the 3-1 Kansas City Chiefs. The biggest surprise of the season so far, the Chiefs bring a stingy defense along with 3- headed monster at running back with veteran Thomas Jones, speedster Jamaal Charles and rookie Dexter McCluster. If the Texans can’t learn the fundamentals of defense during the days before the game, we were looking at another dismantling of the Texans.

I have to admit, I was pretty nervous on game day. The Chiefs had some experience at the coordinator’s positions with former New England Patriots' offensive and defensive coordinators, Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis, and things appeared to be lining up well. The biggest question going into the game was how would the Texans respond after getting embarrassed against the New York Giants the previous weekend.


The Chiefs started off quickly with an opening drive ending in a goal-line touchdown to former New England Patriot, Mike Vrabel. Now, when he was announced as a eligible receiver I’m willing to bet probably the majority of people watching the game thought “Vrabel is getting the ball”. Now, how the Texans didn’t know it is beyond me. Then again, we know how poor the defense has been playing, so I’m not shocked.

The game was 7-0 until the mid-way point of the 2nd quarter when Matt Schaub found TE Joel Dreessen in the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown. If the Texans could hold the Chiefs to 7 points in the first half I’d say major kudos to the defense.


Of course, The defense had two negatives toward the end of the 2nd quarter. First, the Chiefs scored their 2nd touchdown of the half with a 17-yard strike to WR Dwayne Bowe giving them a 14 – 7 lead at halftime. In addition, the defense that was already struggling as it was, took a major blow with LB and leader DeMeco Ryans going down. Word came down that it was an Achilles heel injury and it was verified at the end of the game by Gary Kubiak that Ryans would be lost for the season.

 

The Chiefs extended their lead to 21-7 with another touchdown by Bowe. It probably would have been a small gain if it wasn’t for some poor tackling. Scratch that, it wasn’t poor it was down right pitiful. Although sad, many “fans” decided to leave the game after that touchdown. Perhaps, the Texans offense got the message when Derrick Ward broke a long 38-yard touchdown. After a Chiefs field goal, the Texans entered the 4th quarter down 24-14.

The Texans pulled within 3 after a short touchdown run by Arian Foster with 12 minutes to go in the game. Of course, the defense gave it right back when Thomas Jones built the lead back up to 10 with an 11-yard touchdown run with 7 minutes to go. Surprisingly, the fans were really leaving after that. C’mon people, your killing the team with the leaving and coming back nonsense. You're either a fan or you're not.

After a nice drive late in the 4th quarter, the Texans pulled within three after Foster scored his second touchdown with about three minutes to go. The Texans were stuck in a position they hadn’t done all game. They needed a stop and believe it or not they actually got the Chiefs to punt. The Texans put on a last minute drive including a questionable pass interference call against Kansas City which could have very easily could have gone against WR Andre Johnson. Andre more then made up for that questionable call with a no doubt touchdown catch with 30 seconds to go to take the lead. It was an incredible finish and a great game at least for the people who stayed.

The Positives: Matt Schaub looked like the QB we expect. He was 25/33 for 305 yards and 2 touchdows. More importantly, no interceptions and no fumbles. Also, the running game appeared to be back to normal. Arian Foster ran for 71 yards on 18 carries. Derrick Ward added 58 yards on 3 carries. The offense runs much more smoothly with an effective running game.

The Negatives: The defense! Point blank and period! The positive for the secondary wasn’t the only issue on defense. The front 7 allowed 228 yards rushing and of course the secondary did their usual “everybody score” game.

The Texans are now sitting at 4-2 which is great going into their bye week. They can get some people healthy before their Monday Night Football game vs. the Colts in Indianapolis. Also, the Colts and now the Titans are 4-2. The Texans next game is very crucial for many reasons. First, 2-0 in the division. Second, 2-0 against the Colts and lastly possibly taking control in the AFC South.

The biggest hurdle right now is the defense. They need to get it corrected and quick. I’m pretty sure Peyton Manning hasn’t forgotten about the Week #1 loss to the Texans and now that it’s painfully obvious how bad our defense is, Peyton will be looking to throw on pretty much every play. Get ready secondary, you will be tested. Pop quiz hot shot, your defense is one of the worst in the NFL and one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL will be throwing on you all night. What do you do? What do you do?


GO TEXANS!




SEAN GARZA


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