Texans vs Packers Review: Offense
The Texans did not play like an undefeated team on Sunday night against the Packers. They played like the 2010 Texans which were the laughing stock of the NFL.
The Texans had the chance to separate themselves even further from the remainder of the division, and potentially put a nail in the Packers coffin by handing them their fourth loss of the season, but they were outplayed from the first whistle.
A majority of blame can be applied to a defense that allowed Aaron Rodgers to pass for six touchdowns, however the offense was almost equally uninspiring.
Oct 14, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) wipes his face after throwing an interception against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium.The Packers won 42-24. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE
Matt Schaub
Matt Schaub needed to have a big game in order for Houston to beat Green Bay. Gary Kubiak obviously agreed with that statement as he chose to pass the ball three times on the game’s first drive which resulted in a three-and-out.
The game’s mood was essentially set in the first five minutes as the Texans offense was extremely predictable and the defense shot itself in the foot after they should have been off the field, only to then give up a touchdown on the extended drive.
Schaub was around his season average in yards and his completion percentage was pretty good, and the two picks he threw were late in the game when he was just trying to make something happen. That being said the numbers are very deceiving in this case.
Schaub couldn’t have made his receivers get open, or his line block better, or Arian Foster gain more than a yard per carry, and for that reason this loss is not on his shoulders. He could have and should have played better, but even Schaub at 100% couldn’t make up for the running game being non-existent and the defense giving Rodgers a free pass to the endzone regularly.
Namastate
Arian Foster had two rushing touchdowns. Now that I said the one positive thing that can be taken from this week’s running game, we can move to the bulk of material which was abysmal.
Arian Foster had no running lanes to speak of and lost his balance on more than one occasion. If he rushed for more than two yards on a play it was a reason for celebration. Foster had no burst and while it’s not clear if he is completely to blame for that it certainly was not easy to watch.
Ben Tate came back this week and had a big fat three carries. Justin Forsett came in during garbage time and got 47 yards on seven carries but with that exception the running game was as bad as I have ever seen the Texans have.
The portion of the blame appropriated to the offense can be placed squarely on the running game, both the running backs and the offensive line.
Oct 14, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) runs after a catch against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE
Wide Receivers
The biggest bright spots could be found with these guys, however they were still few and far between. First and foremost Andre Johnson amassed 75-yards receiving on Sunday night meaning he cracked the 10,000-yard career mark. This is an extremely impressive accomplishment and we at the Torotimes wish him a sincere congratulations.
DeVier Posey was another bright spot as he was able to block a garbage time punt and recover it in the endzone for the third touchdown of the night for the Texans.
That’s about it as far as good things go, and there weren’t any stand out bad things that happened regarding the receivers. They were mediocre from beginning to end and that was evident on the scoreboard.
Offensive Line
The offensive line was horrible. While they only gave up three sacks in the game, Schaub was on the run from beginning to end and they couldn’t open a hole for a running back to get through at all.
It was unbelievable how a team that had looked so good just last week could play so horribly in front of their hometown fans. The offensive line was flat out terrible and if they continue to play like that they will suffer the consequences for the remainder of the season, especially next week against Baltimore.