October 12, 2008
Finding a Way to Finish, Finally
by Keith Weiland
Keith@IntheBullseye.com

A lot like the miracle of childbirth, the miracle of the Texans' first win of the 2008 season was far from pretty. In fact, it was plenty painful and a little bloody, but in the end, it was all worth it as the Texans defeated the Dolphins 29-28.

On fourth down with three seconds remaining, quarterback Matt Schaub scrambled up the middle three yards for the game-winning touchdown. It capped a game in which the great Charles Dickens might describe it as being both the best of times and the worst of times.

Let me explain. Ahead 23-21 with 3:18 to play, Texans safety Eugene Wilson intercepted a pass from Chad Pennington near midfield. Yay! A turnover to ice the win, right?

Ah, but wait. Wilson fumbled during his return at the Miami 27-yard line, breathing new life into their opponents. The Dolphins then drove 73 yards for a touchdown and a 28-23 lead, leaving just 1:45 on the clock.

Then it really got weird. After overcoming a sack deep in Texan territory to throw for a first down, Schaub misfired on a pass intended for Andre Johnson that was ruled an interception. Replay showed the ball bouncing to the turf, so officials gave the ball back to the Texans, now with 52 seconds remaining and a 4th-and-10 situation from their own 36-yard line.

That then brings us to the...

Key Play

Schaub, who had connected with Johnson eight times earlier in the game, threw his fourth down attempt up high into the air and let his playmaker go and bring it down. And bring it Johnson did, hauling in the 23-yard pass and landing in Miami territory to extend the drive.

Receiver Kevin Walter followed Johnson's spectacular catch with one of his own, pulling in a 30-yard pass from Schaub down to the 11-yard line. Another completion to Johnson moved the Texans down to the 3-yard line, but it took a clutch scramble by Schaub on fourth down to produce the game's deciding score.

Game Balls

Defensive end Mario Williams had yet another special game, forcing a fumble and sacking Pennington twice. Both Johnson and Schaub set team records today, as Johnson caught ten balls for 178 yards and a score and Schaub threw for 379 yards and a TD. But both offensive stars also committed costly mistakes (a redzone fumble for Johnson and a pair of interceptions from Schaub) that made the game much closer than it probably should have been.

Oh, and I would be remiss not to mention the punt return for a touchdown by Jacoby Jones. Always an adventure with the ball in his hands, Jones' return midway through the second quarter helped erase what had been a pretty disappointing start to the game for the offense.

Key Stat

2-2, 100%

Just as their opponents had done in the last two games, the Texans converted key fourth downs late in the game when they needed to most. Johnson's fourth down reception capped an amazing statistical afternoon for the go-to player on the offense, while Schaub's winning scramble was reminiscent of the fourth down dive by David Carr to beat the Jaguars five years ago.

Sure, this was a one point victory over a team coming off a 1-15 season a year ago, but the Texans will take it any way they can get it. Here's hoping Schaub and the Texans ride the emotional high from this win to claw their way back to a respectable record.

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