Myself and many others suspected this game would spell disaster for the Texans (although in the end I picked Houston to win)... turns out, a disaster it was.  I'd like to be able to say the Texans would have won if they hadn't been decimated by injuries, but that would be a fabrication.  The Texans defense was absolutely, positively ATROCIOUS.  The play-calling at times, was equally bad.  Unfortunately for us Texan fans, it's time to admit that we made way too much out of the first two wins and a close loss to Indianapolis.

Now, many would say that I'm actually making too big a deal of one loss, but let's look at this thing... the defense let Joey Harrington carve them up with even more ease than Peyton Manning did.  At least the defense stiffened up in the second half against the Colts - nothing close to that today, though.  "Professional Slice of Charred Toast," aka DeMarcus Faggins continued to earn his reputation as one of the worst defensive backs in the league by getting beaten consistently by the average-to-below-average wideouts from Atlanta... but obviously we can't put this entire loss on his shoulders on Faggins, who Houston Oiler fans may soon dub "the New Richard Johnson."  Fact is, the defense got two sacks, but never got enough pressure to rattle Peyton Harrington...er, Manning... er... Joey Harrington. 

Similar to last week - even if the Texans were able to score late touchdowns, there was no sign whatsoever that the feeble, weak, and seemingly disinterested Houston defense would have stopped the opposing offense.  Andre Johnson, Jacoby Jones, Jerome Mathis, and Ahman Green wouldn't have changed a bit of the defensive problems the Texans had today - and at this point, there's no reason to believe the defense (especially the secondary) will turn it around.

We've also got to address the play-calling for the second straight week.  Last week, mistakes were made - mistakes coach Kubiak even admitted to... but there were only a couple, and could be chalked up to the fact that they were playing the Colts.  This week, the bad play-calling happened consistently.  Early on, Kubiak stubbornly ran the ball even when the Texans weren't getting more than 2 or 3 yards per play.  Obviously he wanted to establish the running game, but when things aren't working and you get stopped on 3rd down and short AND 4th and short - it might be time to open up the offense a little bit and show off that shiny new quarterback that we gave up so much for, who by the way looked very good again this week.  Matt Schaub is clearly not the problem.

Another point of contention with the coaching - Roddy White made an obvious reception early in the second half.  NFL teams have people in the booth with access to replays so they can determine if it's worth it to try and challenge a call.  White CLEARLY made the catch, yet the Texans decided to challenge it anyway - which cost them a time out.  This exact thing happened last week against Indianapolis, and the Texans (again) could have used that late time out.

Further - late in the game the Texans needed a score, but even when the Texans approached the red zone - the offense ran the ball.  Why?  You don't have all your time outs, time is a factor in the game, the running game hadn't done much for you the entire game, and Schaub had been passing the ball very well in this game.  Soon after, when Schaub's TD run was overturned by instant replay, the Texans continued to run the ball, still with time as a huge factor.  It was maddening, and inexplicable.

Motivation shouldn't even be in the equation next week at home against Miami.  The Texans have a fluffball schedule, and today they let a fluffball roll all over them.  Next week, they play what may be the worst team in football in the Miami Dolphins - a team that lost at home today to the Oakland Raiders.  They'll be fired up to break through next week.  The Texans need to win, and win big next week.  Injuries aside, if they can't beat the Dolphins at home, and rather easily - we might be in for another long season in Houston.

I of course remain the eternal optimist, which is odd considering I'm a pessimist when dealing with everything else in my life.  The Texans will rebound and handle the Dolphins, setting up what's sure to be a typically knock-down drag-out fight with the Jacksonville.

Read more at www.HoustonDiehards.com

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