Quick Recap: Texans Run All Over Buccaneers For First Win
By Yoni Pollak
The Houston Texans entered the game with zero wins, zero run game and zero help on special teams. Two of those things changed today after Alfred Blue and Texans ran all over the Buccaneers for their first win of the season.
The Texans got the scoring started early with a DeAndre Hopkins 5-yard touchdown on a quick slant. It was a perfect throw by Ryan Mallett who threw it right where only Hopkins could catch it. Mallett and Hopkins looked to have much better communication today. Though Hopkins had a few drops, he still finished with 8 receptions and 101 yards.
Mallett looked much better this game, completing 24-of-39 passes for 228 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. His lone interception was tipped at the line and batted in the air before landing in the hands of a Buccaneers defender. Still, Mallett commanded the offense all game and looked much better than week two.
The game balls go to the offensive line and Alfred Blue. Blue found holes all day, finishing with 139 yards on 31 rushes and a score. With Duane Brown out, the Texans started Chris Clark at left tackle and Oday Aboushi at left guard, both of whom looked excellent today. However, RG Brandon Brooks pulled up lame in the game and never returned to the game. The Texans only have six healthy lineman at the moment, so Brooks’ injury is worth monitoring.
Another game ball goes to the Texans defense, holding the Bucs to just 9 points, though the Buccaneers kicker did his best to keep his team off the scoreboard as well. Johnathan Joseph was excellent, breaking up multiple passes today. It was a 2010 secondary showing as Kareem Jackson looked like his rookie self, allowing several catches to Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans and even Louis Murphy.
More from Houston Texans
- Houston Texans: 4 reasons Romeo Crennel is right coach right now
- Houston Texans: The Most Underrated Sports Drought Ever
- Houston Texans: J.J. Watt’s early case for NFL Hall of Fame
- Houston Rockets and Texans: Two different coaches with one glaring similarity
- Houston Texans: DeAndre Hopkins and the Patrick Ewing Theory
Still, the Texans defense stepped up today. Jadeveon Clowney had another great game getting to Jameis Winston a few times, though he still has yet to rack up a sack. J.J. Watt’s streak of seven straight games with a sack was broken. Even with those two on the team, the Texans defense was unable to get a sack on Winston and that should worry some folks.
The Texans special teams was another disaster today. Randy Bullock missed both an extra point and a field goal, the gunners didn’t get down in time to make a tackle or simply down a ball and the Texans were unable to muster up any sort of notable return. The Texans were also bailed out by three missed field goals by Tampa Bay.
Still, a win is a win and however unsexy it was, the Texans are now tied with every team in the AFC South at 1-2.
Click here for all the latest on the Houston Texans.