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
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