The stars certainly seem to be aligning nicely for the Houston Texans to finally break through and make their first playoff appearance in franchise history. Houston is 2-0 after taking care of business on the road in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins. The Texans defeated the Dolphins 23-13 thanks in large part to their ability to run the ball well late in the game and because they did not turn the ball over all afternoon.
Matt Schaub was solid, completing 21-of-29 passes for 230 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs. Schaub is pleased with the 2-0 start, but knows that the road will get tougher for Houston beginning this coming weekend when the New Orleans Saints come to town. Schaub talked about the successful start to the season, the nice job Ben Tate has done in place of Arian Foster, and the need for Houston to remain focused and continue improving each week during a Monday interview with KILT in Houston.
On the difference between this year’s 2-0 start and last year’s:
"Both games were total group efforts when you look at this year’s 2-0. The way both games were won by scoring points, getting yards, defense creating turnovers, getting off the field on third down, stopping them in the red zone, and just the overall confidence of what we’re doing across the board. Our special teams is making a bunch of big plays in both of the games. With Jacoby on the punt return and D-Man back there on the kick return our special teams are giving us great field position and the defense is playing lights out. Offensively we’re taking care of the football and scoring points. As long as we keep doing those things in all phases we will be in good shape."
What happened with Arian Foster in the second half against the Dolphins:
"Yeah I really don’t know what the situation was with Arian but obviously something was happening there. For the long term of the season we need to get him 100 percent. But it was good to have him out there early. He was running well, he found the creases, and made some big plays for us. Ben was in there and the thing about our backs, every single one of them can do all three things we ask our backs to do. Run the football, block, they catch the ball out of the backfield, and make plays. We had a second down and twenty and I threw the ball to Ben Tate and normally those plays go for four, five, or six yards, but he was able to get us 10 or 11 and put us in a reasonably manageable third down situation."
On New Orleans:
"They’re obviously a very solid football team across the board and it’s a very tough environment to go play in so everyone has to understand that in that dome it’s gonna be a hostile environment, a lot of noise, and they’re a very good football team. A great defense and we know what they can do on offense. We’re gonna have to really be on our game in all three phases. Convert on third down, execute in the red zone, take care of the football, and all those things and we’ll be in good shape."
(Read rest of Schuab transcription on Sports Radio Interviews)