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A closer look at Chris Johnson's three touchdowns: Part III
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Despite having a career day statistically, this is how it all ended for Chris Johnson - much to the delight of Texans fans (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Last but not least, let's take a look at the third of three monumental Texans defensive breakdowns yesterday that allowed Chris Johnson to vault to #2 in the NFL in rushing behind only Adrian Peterson.
TD#3:
Situation: 10:06 mark of the 3rd quarter, score tied at 24, Tennessee on their own 9 yard line, 3rd and 10.
The Titans came out in basically the same formation as they did for Johnson's first TD, except that there were two wides left instead of right.
Crumpler lined up at tight end right and the Texans corners were in tight press coverage on the three wides.
John Busing came up to the line before the snap, lining up inside Tim Bulman who was at left defensive end.
At the snap there were ten Texans defenders within two yards of the line of scrimmage - and remember this was on 3rd and 10 from the Titans 9 yard line (those searching for differences between Richard Smith's defense and Frank Bush's defense need to look no further).
Collins took the snap out of the shotgun and handed the ball to Johnson on a little left to right counter move.
DeMeco blitzed up the middle and got caught up in traffic. The three corners dropped a few steps with the receivers but all were quickly engaged in blocks after the handoff. Busing was driven hard to the sideline by Crumpler.
Titans right tackle David Stewart crashed down on Amobi and drove him inside and out of the play. Mario and Antonio Smith got caught up in blocks away from play.
Tim Bulman came free on the left end and had a clear shot at Johnson before he cut to the hole, But Bulman got too deep in his rush and when Johnson cut it up inside all Bulman could do was dive at his heels.
Meanwhile, Cushing got tied up once again by his game-nemesis Kevin Mawae who sealed him off from the play.
One of the more impressive blocks on this play was by Titans left guard Eugene Amano who pulled right and managed to get out in front of Johnson as he was about to hit the second level. Amano took out Texans safety Eugene Wilson at the 18 which sprung Johnson for the distance.
Johnson did a great job playing off Amano's block of Wilson.
Fred Bennett was the next to last Texan in the picture before Johnson was off to the races, but Bennett was unable to get off a block by Nate Washington in time to cut Johnson off in the secondary.
Glover Quin was also in pursuit but was being shielded by Kenny Britt as Johnson streaked downfield for his third score of the day.
Obviously the Texans run defense has to get itself in order quickly. It's an vexing problem since the Texans are having a fair amount of success stuffing the run, but about one in every eight or nine plays, something bad happens.
To us Monday Night Quarterbacks, it's easy to see why the team has given up so many huge running plays.
When you load up the line like the Texans have been, it's imperative that the first wave of defenders make the stop before the ball carrier hits the second level, because there's not much help back there.
One thing for sure is that Frank Bush's defense is far less forgiving than what we're used to, especially if a linebacker misses an assignment. But I'm intrigued by what it can do if it's working according to plan.
Despite the gaffes, there are flashes of goodness that we've seen with this Texans defense and with the pressure it's bringing.
Remember, it took Buddy Ryan five weeks to get our defense squared away back in '93.
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