Texans-Giants Game Photos

My friend John took this picture of the Texans logo this weekend at the Meadowlands during the Texans-Giants game. I thought it was interesting seeing the logo under a sign saying "Reliable." (If you are like me, and are missing the Texans while they are on the roadtrip from hades, check out John's game day pictures on his Flickr page).

The Texans need an injection of reliability. Each week they are understanding their offense and defense better, but they aren't quite consistent yet, especially away from home at Reliant Stadium. The biggest concern right now is the lack of consistent running game. If you are running a Denver-style offense, it would be nice to be able to run. That being said, part of this may have been game planning. The teeth of the Giants defense is up front, so Gary Kubiak spread the wide receivers out to give the offense more space to move.

A lot of analysts found this game to be surprising in how close it was. Not me. This is what the Texans can do if they minimize turnovers and mistakes. As I mentioned in the "Five Questions from an Enemy Blogger" discussion, the key for the Texans is ball control and keeping the defense off the field and fresh. In this game, the Texans had an 18 play scoring drive, the most consecutive plays in their history, eating 8:12 minutes off of the clock.

Houston Chronicle columnist, Richard Justice suggests in his blog that this is as good as the Texans can be this year. I disagree. The pass protection was good and Carr was able to get off the ball, but the playbook for the Texans can't be fully unleashed until they are successful at running the ball too. We saw this some in the 4th quarter of the Jacksonville game. When the Texans can run, the play action stuff in the playbook works better.

For a great recap of the game, check out Chronicle columnist, John McClain's blog. I love the quote that he pulls from Giants Offensive Linemen, Bob Whitfield about Mario Williams:

"The son of a gun is almost inhuman out there for how big and thick and solid he is. And I caught it firsthand because I said to myself, `Don't give the young kid a sack.' But I don't call it a sack when he actually dislocates your whole left side of your body when he hit me. It was almost like he needed to have a penalty for tearing up an old man. I actually told him, `Slow it down, young fellow.' He's strong. He's big. He's got it. He's going to be a force to be reckoned with."

Almost inhuman? Dislocates your whole left side of your body? Excellent. Mario Williams has 4.5 sacks in the last 5 games. Most reports about him suggest that from the Miami game on, Williams is understanding what he is supposed to be doing better. Between his play, and hopefully future Defensive Rookie of the Year, DeMeco Ryans', the Texans are getting more of the playmakers that they have needed on the defensive side of the ball.