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Find out more about Alan: Alan Burge, (or 'aj' as he’s known to his Texans family and friends) joined the Examiner team after three years of writing fan-tastic articles for houstontexans.com. Alan has been following pro football since Joe Willie's guarantee and has been a regular at Houston home games since Earl's rookie season. Alan is a Texans season ticket holder who brings his readers a blend of thoughtful analysis, passionate and insightful commentary, and well-informed opinion -- from the fan perspective. Alan's work is widely recognized and he has been heard talking Texans football many times as a guest on sports talk radio stations across the country. Alan is a long time resident of the Clear Lake/Friendswood, Texas area and is a graduate of the University of Houston. When not immersed in all things NFL, this football addict/part-time sportswriter/aerospace enthusiast also likes to spend time with his family, travel and enjoy the great outdoors. Send Alan an email. |
Yeah, a win is a win is a win. Blah blah blah. And that's about how I feel about this win. Blah.
The Lions had no business being within 17 points of the Texans in this one, but the Texans, givers that they are, showed today why they are not a playoff caliber team.
And it was shown in a few really easy to understand plays and scenarios in a most brutal and painfully expected way.
Play 1: The Texans look like John Elway's Broncos running up a 21-0 lead. They are up 21-3 and looking to break the Lions backs just before halftime with a chance to go up 28-3. But no. They can't handle prosperity. Matt Schaub is sacked at the Detroit 9 yard line and fumbles the ball away to the Lions, blowing a golden scoring opportunity, and adding to the Texans league worst turnover margin.
Play 2 (actually, scenario #2): The Texans offense came out of the locker room in the second half totally flat and treated us to an ugly 3-and-out consisting of an incomplete pass, a run for no gain, and another sack of Schaub for a 12 yard loss. They would have a similar drive when it mattered at the start of the 4th quarter. Joy.
Play 3: On the ensuing drive, the Lions took the ball and the 'gift that keeps on giving' defense of the Texans gave up consecutive runs of 21 and 26 yards to Kevin Smith, the final one being embarrassingly easy. This was the Lions entre' back into a game they had no business being in. Here we go again.
Play 4: After the Texans seemingly take a commanding 28-10 lead, the defense pulls one of their patented bonehead stunts having Petey line up in man against Calvin Johnson on a go route. That combined with the 'no pressure on Orlovsky' package that defensive coordinator Richard Smith dialed up resulted in a 96 yard TD pass and more hope for the hopeless Lions.
Play 5: On the Lions final scoring drive that pulled them within 28-21, the Texans had them dead to rights - or so you would think. After a penalty on "False Start Foster" the Lions were faced with a 3rd and 19 from their own 20. Most teams with good defenses close out opponents at this point - or earlier. But no. The Texans defense gives up 23 yards on a Orlovsky pass to Mike Furrey. This wasn't Manning to Wayne, Favre to whomever, or Roethlisberger to Ward. This was Orlovsky to Furrey for yet another 3rd and long gift, courtesy of the Texans soft defense.
When's the last time the Texans defense made a big play? I'm talking about a game changer stop or forced turnover when it counted. When?
The answer is never. It doesn't happen. The Texans aren't going anywhere and won't be able to compete with the big boys until they get a defense -- meaning getting a lot more out of what they have.
There are probably 30 other teams in the league that would have beaten the Texans today and until this team stops committing critical turnovers, and until this defense undergoes a complete makeover, this team is going to be nothing more than a borderline .500 tease at best.
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