Rapid Reaction: Houston Texans blitzed by Arizona Cardinals

Nov 10, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) is sacked in the second quarter by Arizona Cardinals line backers Matt Shaughnessy (91) and Marcus Benard (59) during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-USA TODAY Sports

Do the Houston Texans know there are two halves to each game?

Houston’s play in Sunday’s 27-24 loss in the final two quarters to the Arizona Cardinals makes me think they don’t.

The Texans were unable to stop the blitzing/pass rush of the Cardinals, and that led to chaos for quarterback Case Keenum, which led to the Texans’ seventh consecutive loss this season. They haven’t won since Sept. 15 against the Tennessee Titans.

Houston falls to 2-7 overall with the loss, just one game ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the standings. Think about that one for a second. The Jaguars have a win more recently than the Texans. The Jaguars are one game behind the Texans in the standings!

Keenum finished the Week 10 game 22-of-43 for 201 yards. He totaled three touchdowns and no interceptions. He did have a fumble that went for a Cardinals touchdown.

In the second half, the Cardinals held the Texans to 41 yards of offense. For the game, Houston collected 235 yards of offense, compared to 332 by the Cardinals.

As predicted, the Texans had very little in from their running game, but let’s be honest, Ben Tate is a tough man for playing injured like he is and deserves a lot of props and respect. The Texans were led by Tate in rushing with 56 yards on 15 carries. His longest carry was 12 yards. Dennis Johnson had seven yards on four carries.

DeAndre Hopkins had six receptions for 69 yards, but Andre Johnson totaled 37 yards on five receptions with two touchdowns.

If not for J.J. Watt’s defensive play late in the fourth quarter, the Texans wouldn’t have been even close to the end zone in the second half.

What are your thoughts on this game? The Texans as they are next set to face the Oakland Raiders next Sunday in Houston.

Check out the Toro Times later this evening and all day Monday for various recaps of this game.