This week, the Texans are playing the defending AFC champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers in a matchup that will go a long way into saying whether the Texans will be playoff contenders this season. Here are my 2 players I think need to play well in order for the Texans to get the big win.
1) Matt Schaub
Matt Schaub showed us last week that he has the tools to be an elite quarterback, but showed us why he is nowhere near the ranks of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as he fell apart in the fourth quarter against the Saints. The Steelers are one of the best defenses in the league. If Schaub wants to prove his worth, he has to cut down on his turnovers as the Steelers won't give him any easy passes.
2) Mario Williams
I barely heard from Mario Williams last week. That is because he was being double-teamed on a few plays by the Saints linemen but still, he is the best playmaker on the Texans defense. The Texans need him to make plays for their defense to be good. They need him to be active and get to Ben Roethlisberger to force pressure. The Steelers have the most turnovers in the NFL to this point. The Texans need to capitalize on this as turnovers will go a long way into saying who will win in this matchup.
So, who wins? With my 1 prediction, I think that the Texans prove they are for real. The Steelers have looked shaky in their first three games and I believe that the Texans will rebound from last week's brutal loss to the Saints. I see Houston playing excellent defense and taking this one, 20-13.
For more information on the Houston Texans, check out John McClain's blog on the Houston Chronicle website
Houston Chronicle Sports
Also, find out more about the Houston Texans on ESPN.com
AFC South Blog
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Saints sink Texans in the 4th Quarter
Just when I thought we might be looking at a Texans team transformed into a Superbowl contender, the old Texans showed up. The 4th quarter was brutal as the New Orleans Saints piled up the points and won in dramatic fashion, 40-33. In truth, it was a game that many people saw the Texans losing, but the way it happened really stung. Here are my 3 impressions from the Saints game.
1) Texans defense is still not there yet.
The defense looked very good for the first three quarters as they kept New Orleans Drew Brees in check. He had two interceptions and only 1 touchdown as the Texans held the Saints to 17 points. However, Brees did whatever he wanted in the 4th quarter as he led the Saints down the field without much resistance 3 times to get touchdowns. In the first 3 games of the season, I have been very impressed by the new Wade Phillips defense, but it is obvious they still need some time before they become great.
2) Schaub looked very shaky in the 4th.
Through the first three quarters, I was very impressed with how Texans quarterback Matt Schaub was playing. He was looking like a quarterback who was ready to take his team to the playoffs and win the AFC South. After the third quarter, Schaub became very inconsistent and looked rattled. After the James Casey touchdown pass, he threw an interception and quite honestly should of thrown another one that luckily bounced to Kevin Walter for another touchdown. He made erroneous throws and at one point had 5 incompletions in a row. If the Texans are going to be successful this season, Schaub has to show a lot more consistency and put the team on his back in the 4th when they need him. Otherwise, it is going to be a long season for the Texans if they can't close the deal.
3) No panic.
I did feel a sense of doubt watching this game as I wondered if we were watching the same old Texans who blew a 17 point lead to the Colts in 2008 and 2009 and who have blown multiple fourth quarter leads in the last few years. It was an oddly familiar feeling, but my sense is that it isn't time to push the panic button. A few things we have to realize is that one, we were at the Superdome, one of the best home turfs in the NFL. Second, we were playing the Saints, a team that has a great quarterback in Drew Brees and who won the Superbowl just 2 seasons ago. Yes, our defense got torn up, but I believe the Texans are going to pick themselves up and they have a great chance to prove it as the 2011 Superbowl runner-up Pittsburgh Steelers come to town on Sunday.
On Friday, I will give my 2 players who need to play well in the Steelers game and make my 1 prediction on whether the Texans can improve to 3-1 or fall back to .500
1) Texans defense is still not there yet.
The defense looked very good for the first three quarters as they kept New Orleans Drew Brees in check. He had two interceptions and only 1 touchdown as the Texans held the Saints to 17 points. However, Brees did whatever he wanted in the 4th quarter as he led the Saints down the field without much resistance 3 times to get touchdowns. In the first 3 games of the season, I have been very impressed by the new Wade Phillips defense, but it is obvious they still need some time before they become great.
2) Schaub looked very shaky in the 4th.
Through the first three quarters, I was very impressed with how Texans quarterback Matt Schaub was playing. He was looking like a quarterback who was ready to take his team to the playoffs and win the AFC South. After the third quarter, Schaub became very inconsistent and looked rattled. After the James Casey touchdown pass, he threw an interception and quite honestly should of thrown another one that luckily bounced to Kevin Walter for another touchdown. He made erroneous throws and at one point had 5 incompletions in a row. If the Texans are going to be successful this season, Schaub has to show a lot more consistency and put the team on his back in the 4th when they need him. Otherwise, it is going to be a long season for the Texans if they can't close the deal.
3) No panic.
I did feel a sense of doubt watching this game as I wondered if we were watching the same old Texans who blew a 17 point lead to the Colts in 2008 and 2009 and who have blown multiple fourth quarter leads in the last few years. It was an oddly familiar feeling, but my sense is that it isn't time to push the panic button. A few things we have to realize is that one, we were at the Superdome, one of the best home turfs in the NFL. Second, we were playing the Saints, a team that has a great quarterback in Drew Brees and who won the Superbowl just 2 seasons ago. Yes, our defense got torn up, but I believe the Texans are going to pick themselves up and they have a great chance to prove it as the 2011 Superbowl runner-up Pittsburgh Steelers come to town on Sunday.
On Friday, I will give my 2 players who need to play well in the Steelers game and make my 1 prediction on whether the Texans can improve to 3-1 or fall back to .500
Thursday, September 22, 2011
2 players to look at for Texans-Saints game and my 1 prediction
Good afternoon guys. Today, in my post I will be looking at two players that are going to be crucial to the Saints game this Sunday and giving my prediction on how the Texans will fare this week in New Orleans. I am looking at two young players, both second year players who were rivals in college: running back Ben Tate and cornerback Kareem Jackson.
1- Ben Tate
When Foster went down with his hamstring injury in the preseason for the second time, it was expected that Derrick Ward, the former 1,000 yard rusher would take the load and have to carry the team while Foster was on the sideline. However, Ward severely sprained his ankle in the first game of the year against Indy, which meant that rookie Ben Tate was thrust into the number 1 tailback position. What did Tate do? He ran for over 100 yards in his first two career games. Only 11 running backs have done that all time. Can he keep up the consistency and go over the century mark again? With Foster still reeling from his latest injury snafu, Tate has to be ready and shine for the Texans as a pass-heavy offense is not going to get the job done against the Saints.
2- Kareem Jackson
Kareem Jackson held his own against the Dolphins and Colts wide receivers in the first two games this season but those were against much less respected quarterbacks in old veteran Kerry Collins and the inconsistent Chad Henne. This time around, 2010 Superbowl MVP Drew Brees is on the other side of the ball and even though number 1 wide receiver Marques Colston is out, he has a lot of talented wide receivers at his disposal. If Jackson is really over his rookie troubles, he needs to play well in this game or he will be bumped for veteran Jason Allen. The Texans need Jackson to play strong opposite all-pro corner Jonathan Joseph. It is not only crucial for this week's game, but it is crucial for the rest of the season.
My 1 prediction
The first two games were solid, well-executed wins for the Texans, but now this is the big time: a road game against the 2010 Superbowl Champions. I think the Texans have come a long way this past offseason in terms of rebuilding the defense and they will push the Saints, but at this point, this task might be too much to ask for the Texans. The defense has looked good the first two games, but I think Drew Brees is going to have his way with them. I see this being a shootout as Schaub and Tate keep the offense rolling, but in the end too much Brees and Saints in the dome, 30-20.
If you are interested in reading more about the Saints-Texans, go to John McClain's blog on the Houston Chronicle online
http://blog.chron.com/nfl/
1- Ben Tate
When Foster went down with his hamstring injury in the preseason for the second time, it was expected that Derrick Ward, the former 1,000 yard rusher would take the load and have to carry the team while Foster was on the sideline. However, Ward severely sprained his ankle in the first game of the year against Indy, which meant that rookie Ben Tate was thrust into the number 1 tailback position. What did Tate do? He ran for over 100 yards in his first two career games. Only 11 running backs have done that all time. Can he keep up the consistency and go over the century mark again? With Foster still reeling from his latest injury snafu, Tate has to be ready and shine for the Texans as a pass-heavy offense is not going to get the job done against the Saints.
2- Kareem Jackson
Kareem Jackson held his own against the Dolphins and Colts wide receivers in the first two games this season but those were against much less respected quarterbacks in old veteran Kerry Collins and the inconsistent Chad Henne. This time around, 2010 Superbowl MVP Drew Brees is on the other side of the ball and even though number 1 wide receiver Marques Colston is out, he has a lot of talented wide receivers at his disposal. If Jackson is really over his rookie troubles, he needs to play well in this game or he will be bumped for veteran Jason Allen. The Texans need Jackson to play strong opposite all-pro corner Jonathan Joseph. It is not only crucial for this week's game, but it is crucial for the rest of the season.
My 1 prediction
The first two games were solid, well-executed wins for the Texans, but now this is the big time: a road game against the 2010 Superbowl Champions. I think the Texans have come a long way this past offseason in terms of rebuilding the defense and they will push the Saints, but at this point, this task might be too much to ask for the Texans. The defense has looked good the first two games, but I think Drew Brees is going to have his way with them. I see this being a shootout as Schaub and Tate keep the offense rolling, but in the end too much Brees and Saints in the dome, 30-20.
If you are interested in reading more about the Saints-Texans, go to John McClain's blog on the Houston Chronicle online
http://blog.chron.com/nfl/
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Texans beat down the Dolphins
For the second year in a row, the Texans are 2-0 to start the season. The big question is will the Texans be able to keep up the momentum this year and qualify for the playoffs for the first time in their 10 year history. Every year seems to bring up that question. Last year, after starting a promising 2-0, they finished the year 6-10. Hopefully, this year will be different for the Texans. Here are my 3 impressions from Sunday's game at Miami.
1) This is a different defense this year, no question about it.
In the two games Wade Phillips has been the defensive coordinator, I have seen a plethora of passion, hustle and execution by the Texans on defense, much more than I saw last season. They got to Miami Dolphins QB Chad Henne and pressured him a lot, which led to one sack and one interception. The Texans also recovered a fumble, which is the second game in a row they have recorded multiple turnovers. Overall, the defense was great and if they can keep up the intensity, the Texans will not lose many games this year, especially not many games where they allow only 13 points.
2) Clutch in the 4th quarter, finished the job
When the Texans looked like they were going to lay an egg and give the Dolphins the victory, Schaub and company rallied the troops and led the Texans down on a quick and dominating 5 play, 63 yard drive to take the lead back up to 10. Schaub found his favorite target, Andre Johnson, as no one came close to stopping them. It is that lack of determination and finishing that has plagued the Texans in the past. That's another reason why I am optimistic as the Texans have been known for choking the game in the past, but they easily put this one to bed.
3) Special teams played fantastic, helped keep the Dolphins at bay.
For the second week in a row, the Texans special teams played an important role as both Jacoby Jones and Danieal Manning returned kicks for at least 40 yards and also first-round pick J.J. Watt helped block a kick that would of been a easy three points for the Dolphins and would of made it a one possession game. Special teams can not be overlooked as every yard is important. It was these lack of returns and dynamic plays on special teams that hurt the Texans last year as well. Again like I have been saying in this post, this year looks different.
In my next post, which should come out on Wednesday, I will look at two players this week that will be crucial to the Texans next matchup at the Saints.
1) This is a different defense this year, no question about it.
In the two games Wade Phillips has been the defensive coordinator, I have seen a plethora of passion, hustle and execution by the Texans on defense, much more than I saw last season. They got to Miami Dolphins QB Chad Henne and pressured him a lot, which led to one sack and one interception. The Texans also recovered a fumble, which is the second game in a row they have recorded multiple turnovers. Overall, the defense was great and if they can keep up the intensity, the Texans will not lose many games this year, especially not many games where they allow only 13 points.
2) Clutch in the 4th quarter, finished the job
When the Texans looked like they were going to lay an egg and give the Dolphins the victory, Schaub and company rallied the troops and led the Texans down on a quick and dominating 5 play, 63 yard drive to take the lead back up to 10. Schaub found his favorite target, Andre Johnson, as no one came close to stopping them. It is that lack of determination and finishing that has plagued the Texans in the past. That's another reason why I am optimistic as the Texans have been known for choking the game in the past, but they easily put this one to bed.
3) Special teams played fantastic, helped keep the Dolphins at bay.
For the second week in a row, the Texans special teams played an important role as both Jacoby Jones and Danieal Manning returned kicks for at least 40 yards and also first-round pick J.J. Watt helped block a kick that would of been a easy three points for the Dolphins and would of made it a one possession game. Special teams can not be overlooked as every yard is important. It was these lack of returns and dynamic plays on special teams that hurt the Texans last year as well. Again like I have been saying in this post, this year looks different.
In my next post, which should come out on Wednesday, I will look at two players this week that will be crucial to the Texans next matchup at the Saints.
Friday, September 16, 2011
First Post
Hey readers. My name is Daniel Elledge and I am a sophomore at Rice University, who is a diehard fan of the Houston Texans. The reason I am writing this blog is because I want to put my opinions out there for all Texan fans and NFL fans everywhere to see. My blog is called 3-2-1 Dan on the Edge because my blog is going to follow a certain format every week. I am going to start by giving my 3 impressions about the game and talking about what the Texans either did good or talk about what they did wrong. The next part of my blog is going to talk about 2 players, 1 who I think is doing a great job and playing with passion and 1 other player who is in my doghouse and I think needs to step up his play if the Texans are going to be successful in the future. And the last part of the blog will have my 1 prediction about the Texans game next week and reasons behind why I think they will win or lose. Thanks for tuning into my first post. I will make my first real 3-2-1 Dan on the Edge Houston Texans post on Monday after the Miami game. Stay tuned and thanks for reading.
~Dan on the Edge
~Dan on the Edge
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