Texans Team Report

INSIDE SLANT

The Texans have plummeted from 5-3 to 5-6 because they haven’t made big plays in pressure situations. They’ve lost their last three games by three, three and eight points. They blew a 20-7 halftime lead and lost 35-27 to Indianapolis.

Coach Gary Kubiak is under a lot of pressure as the team has collapsed during the ongoing losing streak. Fans want him fired. They’re tired of the team making the same mistakes, especially at such an important time of the season. The players make just enough mistakes to lose rather than just enough plays to win.

“We’ve been in a lot of very close games, and we’ve struggled to make the play to get over the top,” Kubiak said. “We’ve got to find a way to make the plays when we’re in these close games. Good teams do that.”

The Texans are 1-5 in the AFC South, and they play at Jacksonville on Sunday. That’s a must-win situation. If they defeat the Jaguars and avoid being swept in the AFC South series, they play the next two against Seattle and St. Louis.

It’s not out of the question that the Texans rally for a three-game winning streak to stand 8-6 after a three-game losing streak. To accomplish that goal, they have to make plays, not mistakes.

“It’s a frame of mind,” Kubiak said. “It’s something we’re trying to find. I know we believe we can win every week. Regardless of all the poor things we did (against the Colts), we still had every opportunity to win. I’ve got to find some consistency in the group.”

As he does after every defeat, Kubiak takes the blame.

“I’ve got to get them to the point where they make those plays when they’re in pressure situations,” he said. “In crunch time, we’ve got to make the right call to get them over the top. I wish there was one thing I could put my finger on. I can’t right now. I’m searching. We’ve got to keep battling, stay focused and stay positive.”

NOTES, QUOTES

—Coach Gary Kubiak wants his leaders to step up and take control of the locker room to help the team break a three-game losing streak and beat Jacksonville.

“When you have adversity, people either get strong or weak,” Kubiak said. “We need a lot of strong people around here as we move forward. We all carry our weight. I’ve got to worry about myself. They’ve got to look in the mirror and worry about themselves, too. We’ve all got to do our part to find a way to be successful.”

• QB Matt Schaub(notes) had three turnovers in the second half of Sunday’s loss to the Colts. He led the Texans to a 20-7 halftime lead. He threw one touchdown pass in each half, but the turnovers ruined his performance.

“Like the team, I thought he was excellent in the first half (but), he struggled in the second half when we made the mistake with the ball, trying to make the big play,” Kubiak said about Schaub’s first interception that was thrown into double coverage. “I thought that led to some other issues. He knows he’s got to play better for us to be successful.”

• Schaub threw an interception that was returned 27 yards for a touchdown by OLB Clint Session(notes). Schaub threw the ball late to TE James Casey(notes), who was near the sideline. Session read it and broke on the ball. It was the second time Schaub was intercepted on that route. Cardinals CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie(notes) did the same thing in the Texans’ seven-point loss to Arizona earlier this season.

“That was the tight end on an out route,” Schaub said. “The guy undercut it. It’s on me. I need to get off that and go somewhere else with the ball.”

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Player Notes  

• DE Mario Williams(notes) had his fifth sack against the Colts. He also had two hurries and two tackles for loss to go with a tipped pass. It was his best performance in four games.

• OLB Brian Cushing(notes) intercepted his third pass of the season. He also led the team with 11 tackles. Cushing continues to make plays all over the field even though he doesn’t practice on Wednesday and Thursday because of a sore foot.

• LT Duane Brown(notes), who hasn’t missed a start in his two seasons, limped off the field after the Indianapolis game. He had swelling in his knee a day later. Coach Gary Kubiak said Brown’s practice and game status would be “day to day.”

• LT Rashad Butler(notes), who has been with the Texans for three seasons, will make his first start if Brown can’t play. Butler is the swing tackle, meaning he can play either side.

• WR Jacoby Jones(notes) continues to have an outstanding touchdown ratio. Jones had three catches for 27 yards and a touchdown against the Colts. That gives him 16 catches and four touchdowns. He averages 16.6 yards a catch. He also has a touchdown on a kickoff return.

Report Card Vs  . COLTS

Passing Offense:   F-plus—Matt Schaub was 14-of-17 for 152 yards and a touchdown in the first half when the Texans led the Colts 20-7. He was 17-of-25 for 132 yards and a touchdown in the second half when the Texans were outscored 28-7. He threw two interceptions and lost his first fumble of the season. Andre Johnson(notes) should have caught a touchdown pass, and they settled for a field goal. The wide receivers combined for 15 catches and the tight ends three. RBs Steve Slaton(notes) and Chris Brown combined for 10 receptions.

Rushing Offense:   B—The Texans entered the game ranked 30th in rushing with an average of 87.4 yards a game. Against the Colts, they rushed for 122 yards on 24 carries. That’s 5.1 yards a clip. Steve Slaton went a third consecutive game without a fumble. He carried 10 times for 57 yards. Chris Brown carried 11 times for 56 yards. FB Vonta Leach(notes) did an excellent job as the lead blocker and also caught a touchdown pass.

Pass Defense:   B-minus—They limited Peyton Manning(notes) to 244 yards, Reggie Wayne(notes) to three catches for 17 yards and Dallas Clark(notes) to an average of 7 yards a catch. The problem was that Manning threw three touchdown passes, including one each to Wayne and Clark. Manning was intercepted twice and sacked two times. Pierre Garcon(notes) caught the other touchdown pass. Two rookies - OLB Brian Cushing and CB Brice McCain(notes) - intercepted Manning.

Rush Defense:   B—The Texans would have allowed only 94 yards if Chad Simpson(notes) hadn’t broken four tackles on his 20-yard touchdown run. That gave the Colts 114 yards and a 5-yard average per carry. OLB Brian Cushing and SS Bernard Pollard(notes) combined for 21 tackles, including 15 unassisted.

Special Teams:   B—Kris Brown(notes) kicked two field goals. Matt Turk(notes) had a 53-yard gross and a 49.5 net. The coverage teams were outstanding. Kickoff returns were good. Punt returns were mediocre.

Coaching:   D—When your team blows leads of 17-0 and 20-7, you deserve a low grade. The Texans played a wonderful first half and a wretched second half. They committed penalties at the worst time, lost the ball three times and dropped passes. They played like losers.