SB Nation Houston - Texans vs. Titans: Houston rolls to 4-0 with 38-14 winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2012-10-01T11:02:03-05:00http://houston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/31750012012-10-01T11:02:03-05:002012-10-01T11:02:03-05:00Dominant
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6AgtWzV5ERfSQBzA-U1BSiXT1Oc=/0x60:4000x2727/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/391163/153115927.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob Levey - Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Texans defense dominates again</p> <p>Alright folks, I'm ready to call it; the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> are your 2012 AFC South champions. The Texans again win in dominate fashion with a 24 point victory and it really wasn't even that close; especially in the second half. I don't think they were flat, but regardless they were only up seven at halftime. Their ability to shake off an average half and dominate the second is another good sign to their overall potential. With just a few exceptions this season, the Texans will have a large advantage in overall talent compared to their opponents and that showed up on the field on Sunday. They scored through the air, they scored on the ground, scored twice on defense, and are one of the most balanced teams in the league. They're reaching the point in my mind that if they show up and play their 'A' game, there's no game they can't win.</p>
<p><b>Offense: B</b></p>
<p>If there's one issue to nitpick at from this win, it has to be the continued struggles from the running game. The Texans averaged <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201209300htx.htm">3.1 yards per carry on Sunday</a> against a team that ranked 30th in the league against the run coming into the game. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Titans</a> loaded up against the run for most of the game, but the Texans have to do better than 3.1 per carry. In order for this offense to perform to it's full capability, they'll have to prove they can run against eight guys in the box or better defenses will make them one dimensional. Foster has run for 380 yards and four touchdowns so far through four games which looks good on the surface, but he's averaging just 3.58 yards per carry for the season (his previous low was 4.4). The running game has been effective, but it hasn't shown any of the explosiveness this year that's made it special in the past. Foster is on pace for 412 carries this season; that's way too many for a team that has a second running back as good as <span>Ben Tate</span>. If Foster continues at this pace, they'll run the risk of having a worn out back by the time the playoffs start.</p>
<p>The passing game didn't put up the monster numbers like last week, but Schaub was efficient and I had the feeling that they could have thrown for 300 yards and four touchdowns if they needed it to win the game. <span>Andre Johnson</span> was held under 100 yards for the second time this season, but Schaub has a lot of options and <span>Owen Daniels</span> had another big game.</p>
<p><b>Defense: A</b></p>
<p>Despite giving up a shocking rushing total to Chris Johnson, the Texans once again made an opposing offense look much worse than their normal level of play. This would have been an 'A+' grade, but letting Johnson triple his rushing total is inexcusable. After knocking out starting quarterback <span>Jake Locker</span> early on in the game, the Texans defense continued to bring pressure and never let <span>Matt Hasselbeck</span> get into a rhythm. <span>J.J. Watt</span> continued his Defensive Player of the Year campaign with another two sacks. Watt now has 7.5 sacks for the season putting him on pace for a record shattering 30 sacks. Other players in the Texans front seven were disruptive with a sack/forced fumble from Antonio Smith and a batted pass from <span>Brooks Reed</span>. The secondary also had a big game with two interceptions, both returned for a touchdown. Included in that was a great pick by <span>Kareem Jackson</span> when he jumped a short route and returned it for a touchdown. When Kareem Jackson is high stepping into the endzone, you know you're team is playing at a high level.</p>
<p>Back to the rush defense; they have to shore up this part of their game going forward. Chris Johnson had just 45 yards over three games before Sunday and more than tripled his season total with 141 rushing yards for the game. The bulk of those came up the middle (over center) with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201209300htx.htm">104 yards on 13 carries</a>; Johnson had 37 yards on just 3.08 yards per carry on his other attempts. The Texans have struggled against the run this season giving up 4.92 yards per carry to <span>Reggie Bush</span>, 5.0 yards per carry to <span>Maurice Jones-Drew</span>, and 5.64 to Chris Johnson. It hasn't yet hurt them because they've been able to build up big, early leads that don't allow the opponent to keep running the ball in the second half. Later in the season when they face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> who they likely won't blow out, this could become a big problem.</p>
<p><b>Special Teams: B</b></p>
<p><span>Shayne Graham</span> made all of his kicks including his only field goal attempt from 33 yards. <span>Donnie Jones</span> was solid but not great with an average of 43.2 yards per punt. The kicking game won't win many games for the Texans this year, but both Graham and Jones are solid and shouldn't lose them any games either. In the return game, Holliday averaged 28 yards per kick return, and 8.5 yards per punt return; not the type of production that put him on the roster. His judgement on when to take the kick out of the endzone also has not improved. The opening kickoff went seven yards deep into the endzone but Holliday decided to return the kick and got to the 23 yard line. It didn't hurt them on that play, but there was no reason to return a kick from that deep. This team has other options at the position with <span>Danieal Manning</span>, and <span>Justin Forsett</span> who have return experience, plus <span>Keshawn Martin</span> who returned kicks in college. I don't think Holliday is in danger of losing his job now, but if the Texans have an injury and need to add some depth, I wouldn't be surprised if that player was added at the expense of Holliday's roster spot.</p>
<p><b>Overall: A</b></p>
<p>The Texans have scored 30 or more points in three of their four games. They scored 27 in their only non-30 point game and could have scored more had the game been closer. The Texans have the highest average margin of victory this season (17.5) and have won by 20 or more points in three of their four games. They were up by 20 in the fourth quarter vs. Denver before the Ben Tate fumble led to a late game scare. The toughest part of their schedule is about to begin, but they've passed every test easily so far and still look like a Super Bowl contender.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2012/10/1/3434504/houston-texans-monday-hangover-grading-the-win-over-the-tennesseeBrian McDonald2012-10-01T10:30:30-05:002012-10-01T10:30:30-05:00J.J. Watt was dominant, again.
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>If you're a <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a> fan, there was a <i>lot</i> to love about Sunday's 38-14 win over the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tennessee Titans</a>. The win moved the Texans to 4-0, and gave Houston another AFC South victory.</p>
<p>The folks over at<a href="http://www.battleredblog.com/2012/9/30/3433858/texans-dismantle-titans-38-14" target="_blank"> Battle Red Blog</a>, SB Nation's Houston Texans blog, credited both the offense and defense in Houston's dominating win over the Tennessee Titans -- but they especially credited J.J. Watt, who continued his excellent 2012 campaign on Sunday.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Wow. I'm not even sure where to start. This was one of the most methodically efficient games I've seen from a team that has become famous for methodically efficient games. The defense scored twice and (before garbage time) kept the Tennessee offense in check all day long. <span>J.J. Watt</span> distanced himself even further in his campaign for Defensive Player of the Year. <span>Matt Schaub</span> was smooth as one could ask for and didn't turn the ball over while the run game kept chains moving and drives alive. There are a couple little things that need to be improved (<i>ahem, cough cough</i> <span>Brice McCain</span> and <span>Trindon Holliday</span>), but on the whole I could not be more pleased.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Houston will look to improve to 5-0 next Monday night, when it heads to New Jersey to take on the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Jets</a> on <i>Monday Night Football.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-texans/2012/10/1/3437666/texans-titans-2012JP Starkey2012-10-01T08:44:20-05:002012-10-01T08:44:20-05:00Antoine Caldwell sprained his ankle
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> escaped Sunday's convincing 38-14 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> without any major injury concerns. Houston suffered just one relatively minor injury in the victory.</p>
<p>Right guard <span>Antoine Caldwell</span> sprained his ankle in the second quarter. Caldwell required assistance getting off of the field.</p>
<p>Though an injury to an offensive lineman usually has negative implications for a team, the Texans are in fine shape even if Caldwell misses time. Rookie guard <span>Ben Jones</span> and Caldwell had been sharing a rotation at right guard, and Jones <i>should</i> be able to take on a bigger role if Caldwell misses time.</p>
<p>Houston's offensive line has been dominant in 2012, allowing <span>Arian Foster</span> to rush for 380 yards through the first four weeks of the season.</p>
<p>The Texans will have a full week to evaluate whether or not Caldwell will be ready to play in Week 5. Gary Kubiak's club will head to New Jersey, to take on the 2-2 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> on <i>Monday Night Football. </i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-texans/2012/10/1/3437072/nfl-injury-report-texans-week-4JP Starkey2012-09-30T15:29:10-05:002012-09-30T15:29:10-05:00Strong second half leads Texans to win over Titans
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a> defense got involved in the scoring on Sunday, much to the chagrin of the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tennessee Titans</a>, and helped power the Texans to a 38-14 win at Reliant Stadium. <span>Danieal Manning</span> and <span>Kareem Jackson</span> each returned interceptions for touchdowns as part of a dominant second half in which the Texans outscored the Titans 24-7 to cruise past the Titans.</p>
<p>With the win, Houston remains perfect on the season at 4-0. Tennessee falls to 1-3 on the year and are quickly finding themselves out of the AFC South race.</p>
<p><span>Matt Schaub</span> and <span>Andre Johnson</span> got the Texans going early with a 33-yard pass on the second play from scrimmage and then another 20 yards on the following play. Schaub then capped off the seven play, 77-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to <span>James Casey</span> and Houston was off and running.</p>
<p>The Texans' second touchdown drive was a little more balanced as <span>Arian Foster</span> got involved and combined with Schaub to move Houston 45 yards. Foster then rumbled into the end zone from four yards out and the Texans were up 14-0.</p>
<p>Things didn't get much better for the Titans when Jake Locker went down hurt. He left with a shoulder injury and was called "questionable to return", but never did.</p>
<p>That brought on <span>Matt Hasselbeck</span>, who did lead the Titans on a second quarter touchdown drive, but that was all he really managed.</p>
<p>With the Tennessee deficit cut to 14-7, Hasselbeck did his best to let Houston run away with the game. He got picked by Manning early in the third quarter and Manning took it back 55 yards for a touchdown. Hasselbeck also threw one to Jackson, which went 64 yards the other way for six.</p>
<p>In between, the Texans offense continued to cruise. Foster was slowed down some by the Titans' defense, but he did get to 86 yards and Schaub was efficient through the air, adding a second TD pass. Tennessee added a late touchdown, but the game was already over as Houston improved to 4-0 for the first time in franchise history.</p>
<p><b>Fantasy studs/duds: </b>The Texans defense had two interceptions for touchdowns for a nice showing, while Chris Johnson racked up 141 yards for the Titans, albeit without a touchdown. Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/fantasy">SBN Fantasy</a> for more.</p>
<p><b>Odds: </b>Houston was favored by 12 and easily covered in their dominant victory. <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl/odds)">SBN Odds</a> has everything else.</p>
<p><b>Injury info: </b>There is no word yet on the severity of <span>Jake Locker's</span> shoulder injury. That he was "questionable to return" is encouraging, but he never made it back and there has not been an update yet.</p>
<p><b>Next up: </b>Both teams are on the road next week. The Texans get eight days off because their next game is on Monday night against the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jets</a>, while the Titans will look to get back on track versus the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Vikings</a>.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-texans/2012/9/30/3433984/texans-vs-titans-final-score-recapRyan Rosenblatt2012-09-30T14:23:11-05:002012-09-30T14:23:11-05:00Houston adds cushion to lead in third quarter
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>After the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tennessee Titans</a> kept themselves in the game despite losing quarterback <span>Jake Locker</span> in the first quarter, the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a> have taken firm control of the game after three quarters, leading 28-7.</p>
<p>The Titans have played the ball-control game thus far, rushing Chris Johnson 17 times for 86 yards. But in picking and choosing their time to strike, Tennessee turned the ball over.</p>
<p>On the Titans' second possession of the game at their own 32-yard line, backup quarterback <span>Matt Hasselbeck</span> went deep to tight end <span>Taylor Thompson</span>. But Houston safety <span>Danieal Manning</span> intercepted the pass and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown to give the Texans a 21-7 lead.</p>
<p>The Texans added another score soon after. Quarterback <span>Matt Schaub</span> found tight end <span>Owen Daniels</span> for a 28-yard touchdown to top off a 75-yard Houston drive that took less than three minutes.</p>
<p>Daniels leads the Texans with six catches for 72 yards after three quarters.</p>
<p>The Titans have hurt themselves with seven penalties for 73 yards.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-texans/2012/9/30/3433602/texans-titans-2012-score-updateKevin Zimmerman2012-09-30T13:34:07-05:002012-09-30T13:34:07-05:00Tennessee cuts Houston lead in second quarter
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Houston Texans</a> lead the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Titans</a> 14-7 at the half, but Tennessee backup quarterback <span>Matt Hasselbeck</span> has kept his team in the game with a second-quarter touchdown drive. Hasselbeck replaced starting quarterback <span>Jake Locker</span>, who was lost in the first quarter to a shoulder injury.</p>
<p>The veteran performed well stepping in for Locker, going 5-for-7 for 82 yards and a touchdown pass in the second quarter.</p>
<p>Tennessee running back Chris Johnson saw his fair share of touches as Tennessee's offense took off in the second quarter after struggling in the first. At halftime, Johnson has 10 carries for 58 yards.</p>
<p>With a 14-0 Houston lead after the first quarter, Tennessee finally got on the board with eight minutes to play in the second. After a 78-yard, seven-play drive, Hasselbeck connected with tight end <span>Craig Stevens</span> on a 19-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit in half.</p>
<p>Texans quarterback <span>Matt Schaub</span> is 13-of-17 for 118 yards and a touchdown pass. Running back <span>Arian Foster</span> has 14 carries for 48 yards in the first half while <span>Andre Johnson</span> leads the team in receptions with three catches for 56 yards.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-texans/2012/9/30/3433312/texans-titans-2012-score-updateKevin Zimmerman2012-09-30T12:49:00-05:002012-09-30T12:49:00-05:00Texans lead Titans after first quarter
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a> lead the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tennessee Titans</a> 14-0 after the first quarter thanks to stout defense and an opportunistic offense.</p>
<p>The Texans methodically moved down the field on the first possession of the game, going 77 yards in seven plays to score on a <span>Matt Schaub</span> pass to <span>James Casey</span> for an 11-yard touchdown. The usual Texans suspects are leading the team thus far. Schaub is 7-for-9 for 92 yards and he's hit <span>Andre Johnson</span> twice for 53 yards.</p>
<p><span>Arian Foster</span> already has 10 carries for 36 yards and a touchdown. After the defense set up a drive starting at the Tennesee 47-yard line, Foster finished off a drive with a 4-yard touchdown run before the end of the first quarter.</p>
<p>Titans quarterback <span>Jake Locker</span> left the game with an injured shoulder that occurred on a sack, and his return is questionable, <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/252460530634194944">according to the team.</a> Locker went 0-for-2 before leaving the game.</p>
<p>Tennessee only produced 38 total yards against the stout Houston defense in the first quarter.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-texans/2012/9/30/3433122/texans-titans-2012-score-updateKevin Zimmerman2012-09-30T11:32:45-05:002012-09-30T11:32:45-05:00Texans avoid Titans' Kenny Britt
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The biggest inactive for the matchup between the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tennessee Titans</a> and <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a> is wide receiver <span>Kenny Britt</span>. The official Twitter account of the Titans <a href="https://twitter.com/tennesseetitans/status/252432452159684608">tweeted</a> out their inactives on Sunday, and he is the only big name. Britt left the Week 3 game against the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> midway through the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. Officially, it's an ankle sprain, and Britt isn't able to go at 100 percent with it just yet, so he'll be among the inactives.</p>
<p>For the Texans, there's not much of note regarding their inactive list. The team <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/252430913869332480">tweeted</a> out its list from the official account and the usual suspects are on it. Cornerback Jonathan Joseph and wide receiver <span>Andre Johnson</span> were limited in practice throughout the week, and having them inactive would have been a major loss, but fortunately for the Texans, they'll suit up and play.</p>
<p>The full inactive list for both teams is below.</p>
<p><b>Texans: </b>QB <span>John Beck</span>, WR Lestar Jean, CB Roc Carmichael, CB <span>Brandon Harris</span>, LB <span>Tim Dobbins</span>, T <span>Andrew Gardner</span>, OL <span>Brandon Brooks</span></p>
<p><b>Titans: </b>WR Kenny Britt, LB <span>Colin McCarthy</span>, QB <span>Rusty Smith</span>, RB <span>Jamie Harper</span>, OL <span>Mike Otto</span>, OL <span>Deuce Lutui</span>, DT DaJohn Harris</p>
<p>This post originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2012/9/30/3432532/texans-titans-inactives-nfl">SBNation.com</a>.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-texans/2012/9/30/3432790/texans-titans-inactives-nfl-week-6James Brady