WEEKLY TEXAN REPORT: PHILADELPHIA EAGLESWritten by: Sean GarzaDate posted: 12/7/2010In football, you're always taught to have a short memory. Short because you don’t want to keep a blown coverage, big play, etc. in your mind and let it effect the present play. The idea best applies to the Houston Texans. Last week, the Texans put together a total team effort. The offense scored early and often. The defense put together four quarters of shutout football and forced three turnovers. Finally, the Texans broke their 4-game losing streak by defeating the Tennessee Titans, 20-0. How does the short memory apply here? The Texans defense had a short memory on how to play good defense. They went back to their old ways of not covering, not tackling, and allowing big plays.In a quick turnaround from playing last Sunday against the Titans, the Texans turned right around and had only three days to get ready for the Philadelphia Eagles in Philly. I thought for sure that the short week would be good for the Texans. It wouldn’t give them time to sit around and let the fire fizzle. Alas, the Texans have proved yet again that they are unable to sustain momentum when things go their way. For once, it would be nice to see the Texans win and win often. It could be next year before that ever happens. 
The Texans' defense was going to be tested and it didn’t take long. After the Eagles first drive that looked more like a flag-football game, where the rush doesn’t start until the count of five, Philadelphia scored a touchdown on a rollout pass to the wide-open running back. As I watched the replay, I noticed that the WR off to the right came inside and “picked” or “rubbed” the cover guy. In this case, it was Bernard Pollard, which allowed the wide-open running back to score. Normally, I would be screaming at the TV, but I know every team runs that type of play or some variation of it, so it’s something that the Texans needed to expect and plan for.
The Texans responded with a field goal to bring them within four. Of course, the Texans couldn’t hold them down as the Eagles marched down the field for a second touchdown; 14-3 Eagles. I assume by that time a large number of Texan fans either cursed Gary Kubiak (I’m sure Lesbo did) , cursed the defensive coordinator (I know I did), and/or cursed the Texans as a team.
With the Eagles adding a field goal increasing their lead to 17-3, the offense finally did something in the first half, which they haven’t done in quiet a while. The missing guy on the back of the milk carton, Jacoby Jones, caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Matt Schaub to bring them to within seven points. Of course, Philadelphia answered with a field goal near the end of the first half to bring the halftime score to 20-10. The defense was back on pace to allowing a whole lot of points and the offense was on pace to play catch-up. Again!
Right on cue, the third quarter belonged to Arian Foster. After receiving a 13-yard pass from Schaub to cut the lead to 20-17, Foster added a 3-yard run to actually give the Texans the lead. Yes, the Texans were actually leading the Philadelphia Eagles early in the 4th quarter, 24-20.
Now, with a show of hands, who thought that the Texans defense could actually keep a 4-point lead through just one quarter against Michael Vick and the Eagles? For those of you who aren’t using your imagination, I’m not raising my hand.
Well, the Texans had the lead in the 4th quarter for about one minute and 50 seconds. Way to go D! Michael Vick snuck it in from about 2-yards out to give the Eagles a 27-24 lead. I wasn’t too worried about losing the lead because I felt that with the Texans offense that they still had the opportunity to score and keep it close. Then I heard one of the Family Feud big red X’s in my head as the Texans offense was held scoreless in the 4th quarter. Finally, with a little less then five minutes to go in the game, the Eagles put Houston away with what appeared to be the same play they scored their first touchdown on hitting the fullback for a 5-yard touchdown. Eagles win and the Texans are in the final stages of flushing the entire “playoffs or bust” season down the tubes.
I recently heard a comment from Antonio Smith saying that the defense just wasn’t in sync and then finally got into sync. The question I have is why the defense can’t just be in sync for a full four quarters. They have been playing long enough where you should know what your fellow defensive people are going to do. If not, then it is up to the coach to get them in sync. After 12 games, if the defense still is not in sync then the coach is not doing his job. Frank Bush may have the defense’s back, but he can’t excuse the defense for making constant mistakes. When receivers catch the ball against the Texans defense, I have a hard time finding a Texan defender near the play. It’s almost as if they're just playing zone on every play and players are just sitting in the zone catching an easy 7-yard pass.
The Texans now sit at 5-7 and yet still, if the planets align with the Pyramids, Stonehenge, and Reliant Stadium, have a chance to win the division and go to the Playoffs. HOWEVAH (Thanks Stephen A.), they must win out, Jacksonville will need to lose out, and the Colts/Titans must play below .500 ball.
Sounds like “Mission Impossible” to me and their first hurdle is a home Monday Night Football game against the defensive-minded and offensive machine known as the Baltimore Ravens. Oh boy! Anyone know if Tom Cruise is in town?SEAN GARZA
HMW
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