Texans @ Jets Review: Offense
The Texans were completely underwhelming in their 23-17 victory over the Jets on Monday Night.
The offense was certainly not without blame as they were only able to muster 23 points, their fewest of the year. Sure, Arian Foster was an unstoppable force, but the remainder of the offense was ineffective.
Matt Schaub
Schaub’s performance was essentially the definition of mediocre. He completed 50% of his passes for just over 200 yards, a single touchdown and a pick.
Schaub was playing against a defense that was having difficulties this season. Not only that, they were without top cover corner, Darrelle Revis, Bart Scott and Sione Pouha.
Like I said before the game, you can’t expect a game managing quarterback like Schaub to put up numbers like he did in 2009. However, you have to expect a higher efficiency than that.
Schaub played well enough to beat the New York Jets on Monday night. If he plays like that again next week against the Green Bay Packers, the Texans will see their undefeated record disappear.
Oct 8, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) reacts after scorinig on a 13-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE
Namaste
Arian Foster was the shining light in an overall lackluster offensive performance. He accrued 152 yards rushing on 29 carries and scored a touchdown on his way to being the third fastest running back to reach 5,000 career yards from scrimmage, behind just Edgerrin James and Eric Dickerson.
Foster was seemingly unstoppable from the start as he rushed for a hundred yards in the first half for the first time in his career. His patient running style paid off early and often, making the fact that Ben Tate couldn’t go almost irrelevant.
Maybe Justin Forsett didn’t put up the statistics some fans wanted to see or show any sort of burst whatsoever, but it was the first significant play time he has seen this season and should be taken with a grain of salt.
If the running game can produce at that high of a level game in and game out the Texans will be a force to be reckoned with.
Oct. 8, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Mills/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE
Wide Receivers
The wide receivers were one of the hardest parts of the game to watch on Monday night. It wasn’t that Darrelle Revis was locking down Andre Johnson and Antonio Cromartie was covering Kevin Walter.
Antonio Cromartie rendered Andre completely useless. He picked off a pass intended for him and had enough of a step on him that even if Andre’s routes were crisp and perfect, Cromartie could catch up before the ball got there.
Not only did Andre get nullified by good coverage, he also nullified himself with dropped balls. I’d love to say I have no questions as to whether Andre will stop slumping soon, but I’ve seen no reason to believe that statement this season.
The tight ends were certainly entertaining last night as both James Casey and Owen Daniels had four catches for 53 and 79 yards respectively. The running backs didn’t show up like I thought they would which is somewhat concerning.
If the Texans passing game doesn’t step up and become at the very least more efficient, then they could see an early exit this season.
Offensive Line
It was another good night for the offensive line on Monday as they didn’t give up a sack. The seven-man rotation appears to be working well and if the line can continue to keep Schaub upright this section never needs to be longer than this.