Official Texans @ Bengals Game Thread, 10/18/2009

[Roy P]

Inactives: DT Shaun Cody, FS Nick Ferguson, TE Anthony Hill, CB Antwaun Molden, DT DelJuan Robinson.

I sure hope we can play some defense against the Bengals.

[Roy P]

The Bengals have been doing a good job of taking away their opponent's #1 WR. Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph have done a great job, and perhaps Andre Johnson will not be as dominant as we are used to seeing.

I think the key player today is going to be Owen Daniels. If he can expose Rey Malauga's lack of coverage skills in the middle of the field, it may make our running game more successful.

On the other side of the ball, our LB's have to be smart about when to attack. Benson's reputation is going to make them respect the run, but they can't get so concerned that they overrun the play or bite on Play-Action leaving the Secondary exposed.

I think we are going to lose today, but hopefully we get a squeeky win :D

[Arky]

On the other side of the ball, our LB's have to be smart about when to attack. Benson's reputation is going to make them respect the run, but they can't get so concerned that they overrun the play or bite on Play-Action leaving the Secondary exposed.


Yep, this is very important. The Texan linebackers need to meet Benson at the LOS and keep him there.

My other key to the game is turnovers. The Texans absolutely have to win the turnover battle if they hope to win. Zero turnovers by the Texans would be nice (but unlikely)...

[WMH]

Is Ferguson a healthy scratch? Has Pollard rendered this guy useless?

The way Pollard has played the run the past two games, he could be a key component in keeping Benson's production respectable.

[Arky]

Gametime!

Bengals win the flip and bring the kickoff back to their 32.

Benson for 3.

Benson for 5. 3rd and 2.

Pitchout to Benson gets about 6 and the 1st down.

Benson for 3. Ball at the Bengal 48.

Screen to Coles goes for 14 yards. 10 yard holding on Bengals LT. Ball back at the Bengal 45.

[Arky]

Pass to Ocho for 7. 3rd and 3.

Deep pass goes inc. so Bengals to punt.

JJ fair catches at the Texan 12.

[WMH]

Andre freaking johnson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Arky]

Wooo.....1st play, screen to AJ goes for 59 yards. Ball at the Bengals 29.

Dump to OD picks up about 11 and the 1st down.

Slaton takes the ball to the Bengals 11. 2nd and 4.

[WMH]

Unbelievable.....:mad:

[Arky]

Pass to OD in the endzone goes inc. 3rd and 4.

Schaub pressured and throws the ball away so Texans to go for the FG.

FG is blocked. :(

Bengals ball at their 13.

[TheMatrix31]

Just another waste man

[chuck]

You know when John McClain thinks something you need to think the opposite. McClain never misses an opportunity to tell us how great Marciano is and how his units are "outstanding."

[WMH]

Atta boy Cush!

[Arky]

Palmer hits Coles for 18.

Palmer hits the TE for 9. Ball at the Bengals 40.

Benson for 8 but holding on the OL so -10. 2nd and 11.

Personal foul on Bengals backs the ball up even more. Ball at the Bengals 20. 2nd and 19.

Palmer hits Caldwell for 12. 3rd and 7.

Cushing breaks up the 3rd down attempt (who says he can't pass defend?).

Bengals to punt.

JJ catches the punt and is stopped at the Texan 30.

[Arky]

Schaub's 1st down pass is tipped inc.

Slaton for 5. 3rd and 5.

Schaub hits DA for 12. 1st down.

Dump to Slaton for about 4. Ball at the Bengal 48.

Slaton run and picks up the 1st down at the Bengal 41.

Nice play to OD for 18.

Slaton for 5. Ball at the Bengal 18.

Slaton for 1. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Pass to Walter is aobut 2 yards short of the 1st down.

Schaub sneaks for it on 4th down and gets the 1st down.

Schaub dumps to OD who takes it to the endzone!

Texans 7, Bengals 0

[WMH]

Saaaaaawwwwweeeeettttt!!!!!

Great protection by the guys up front!

[TheMatrix31]

Jeez, I love Owen.

[WMH]

Odom is down. Achilles. Will not return. You never want to celebrate a guy getting hurt......it sure helps our cause today.

[Roy P]

I am noticing that Slaton is lining up by himself. Seeing Casey and Daniels line up out wide and in the slot. Good use of formations this week. Slaton is getting better defenses to run against.

[Arky]

Bengals bring the kickoff back to their 36.

Palmer hits Ocho Cinco for 22. Ball in Texan territory.

End of 1st quarter.

[Roy P]

Odom is down. Achilles. Will not return. You never want to celebrate a guy getting hurt......it sure helps our cause today.

Hopefully, that kid from Ga Tech doesn't have his break out game today. Michael Johnson fell on draft day, but has physical skills.

[chuck]

The Texans need to find a pass rush.

[TheMatrix31]

I see we've reverted back to our awful third-down defense.

....and now it's turned into points.

Freakin' LAME.

[Arky]

Benson on the sweep for about 1.

Benson for about 2. 3rd and 7.

Palmer hits Caldwell over the middle for 14. 1st down.

Benson for 3. 2nd and 7.

2nd down pass is dropped/inc.

Palmer hit Caldwell (again) for 12. 1st down and goal at the 9.

Benson cuts back on the run to take the ball into the endzone. 9 yard TD.

Texans 7, Bengals 7

[chuck]

Disgusting play by the LBs and Safeties.

[WMH]

Well....there goes the shutout.....:p

[chuck]

I am noticing that Slaton is lining up by himself. Seeing Casey and Daniels line up out wide and in the slot. Good use of formations this week. Slaton is getting better defenses to run against.

I noticed that, too, and I also noticed that so far Casey has yet to block anyone.

[Roy P]

Disgusting play by the LBs and Safeties.

Cushing shut off the front side, but Diles simply played ole' :(

[Roy P]

I noticed that, too, and I also noticed that so far Casey has yet to block anyone.

Casey just lined up in the backfield next to Schaub in the Shotgun.

[Arky]

AD brings the kickoff back to the 25.

Pass to AJ good for 12.

Deep pass to AJ goes inc. - almost INT'ed. 2nd and 10.

Slaton pushes the pile for about 4. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Dump to OD good for the 1st. Ball at the Bengals 43.

Slaton for 12.

Schaub sacked back at the 40. -9 on the play.

On 2nd and 18, screen to Slaton goes all the way! 40 yards.

Texans 14, Bengals 7

[WMH]

Slaton's got a little burst today. Me likes...me likes ALOT! :D

[Roy P]

Casey just lined up in the backfield next to Schaub in the Shotgun.

Now Daniels does it and runs out for a first down. :)

[WMH]

Little Shanny's brought his "A" game today.....Nice job fella's!

[TheMatrix31]

Thats what happens when you f'n use him in screen passes.

[chuck]

Casey just lined up in the backfield next to Schaub in the Shotgun.

And he didn't have a blitz to deal with so he released into space underneath.

I'll tell you who CAN block, though, and that's Kevin Walter. He never fails to put a body on someone.

The interior OL looks as good as I've seen it in a long time.

[Roy P]

I am noticing that Slaton is lining up by himself. Seeing Casey and Daniels line up out wide and in the slot. Good use of formations this week. Slaton is getting better defenses to run against.

Aww....That was just beautiful. This is the offense I've been expecting to see out of this roster.

[Arky]

Bengals bring the kickoff back to their 23.

Benson for no gain.

Dump pass to Caldwell goes for about 3. 3rd and 7 coming up.

3rd down pass goes inc. so Bengals to punt. Attaway defense!

30 yard return by JJ on the punt! Texans will takeover near midfield.

[chuck]

Aww....That was just beautiful. This is the offense I've been expecting to see out of this roster.

To this point 14 passes versus 7 rushes. That seems about right to me and we can see the results.

[Arky]

Slaton for 1.

Slaton for no gain or -1. 3rd and 10 coming up.

3rd down pass is blocked. Texans to punt.

[WMH]

To this point 14 passes versus 7 rushes. That seems about right to me and we can see the results.

Then two straight runs......Unexplainable.

[chuck]

Then two straight runs......Unexplainable.

And we see the results of that, too. I don't mind running the ball a lot but what I hate is stubbornly running out of obvious running formations.

[TheMatrix31]

Back to crappy playcalling. Thank you Kubahan.

[Roy P]

Hopefully, that kid from Ga Tech doesn't have his break out game today. Michael Johnson fell on draft day, but has physical skills.

Well, there was a pass knocked down. :(

[Roy P]

Carson Palmer was across the line of scrimmage when he passed that deep ball too.

[Arky]

Punt is fair caught by the Bengals at their 14.

Deep pass by Palmer goes inc. Illegal formation on the offense is declined. 2nd and 10.

Offsides Texans -5. 2nd and 5.

Benson for 4. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Wooowee... Texans defense stops Benson short so Bengals to punt.

Punt is helped out of bounds by JJ at the Texan 28.

[WMH]

FANTASTIC stop by the D.

Let's see which "offense" cleans up the last 3 minutes....

[chuck]

And there's some excellent LB play. Nice work, boys.

[Arky]

1st down pass is thrown away - inc.

Pass to AJ good for about 8. 3rd and 2.

3rd down pass over the middle goes inc. Texans to punt.

[WMH]

We sure could use a turnover here.....

[TheMatrix31]

Waste waste waste. Don't they realize they could be up 14 with the ball coming back to them at the half?

[Arky]

Waste waste waste. Don't they realize they could be up 14 with the ball coming back to them at the half?

They thought they could run the ball for a while there..... Not yet....

[Arky]

Bengals fair catch the punt at their 31. 2:19 left in the half.

Pass to Coates good for 8. 3rd and 2. 2 minute warning.

Bengals sneak for the 1st down. 1:35 left.

Ocho Cinco burns D-Rob for 50. Ball a the Texan 8.

1st down pass is deflected.

Palmer hits Coles in the back of the endzone for the TD.

Texans 14, Bengals 14

:48 seconds left in the half.

[WMH]

DROB is not worth $10M/yr.

[Roy P]

What might we be able to get in a trade for Dunta Robinson?

[TheMatrix31]

**deep breaths**

[chuck]

Just absolutely irresponsible secondary play.

[Roy P]

What did we give up for Jaques Reeves?

[TheMatrix31]

.....EVERY pick in the draft next year should go to the secondary. I don't give a shit.

[Roy P]

I'm having flashbacks to when I wanted to draft Leon Hall. :mad:

[Roy P]

3rd and 6, could we screen please?

[Arky]

AD brings the kickoff back to near the 30.

Pass to AJ good for 4. 34 secs left in the half.

2nd down pass goes inc. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Schaub hits JJ and JJ squirms for the 1st down.

Oh no, pass over the middle is INT'ed by Crocker. Bengals ball at the Texans 41. 9 seconds left in the half. Penalty on the play. Offsides Texans - declined. 3 seconds left in the half.

Bengals to attempt a 49 yd. FG.

FG is good.

Bengals 17, Texans 14.

Halftime.

[TheMatrix31]

Nice pass, douche.

[WMH]

Dammit!!!!!

[Roy P]

Schaub overthrows Walter for an Interception. :(

Gives the Bengals a 3-point lead.

[TheMatrix31]

Cool, gonna go to the half down three when we should have been up at least 14. Thanks to awful playcalling on the last three possessions by Kubahan and the secondary.

Thank you.

[chuck]

That was as bad a series for Schaub as I've seen - indecision, poor decisions and a terrible pass for an int.

A free three points. The Texans can't execute a 20 yard FG but they freely give away points at the end of the half. That's one more reason why they are not a good team and will not be any time in the foreseeable future.

[Arky]

Halftime stats:

Passing: Schaub 13/22, 203 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Rushing: Slaton 9/41, Schaub 1/1

Receiving: AJ 4/84, OD 4/57, Slaton 2/41

Tackles: Ryans 11 (!), Pollard/Cushing 4 each, Wilson/Mario 2 each

3rd down conversions: Texans 3/7, Bengals 4/8

Turnovers: Texans 1, Bengals 0

Time of possession: Texans 14:09, Bengals 15:51

[Arky]

Texans to receive the kickoff. AD brings it back to the 34.

Slaton gets loose on the dump for 15. Ball at the Texan 48.

Slaton fumbles - Bengals recover - Kubes challenges. Ball was ruled a fumble on the field but it sure looked like Slaton was down on replay.

Yay, we win the challenge! ;) 2nd and 8.

Dump to Slaton picks up about 10 and the 1st down.

[WMH]

Oy.....it looks like his knee was down....but knowing our luck, Bengal ball, and now we are staring at being down 6-10....

[chuck]

Radio guys are saying he was absolutely down. Either way, I'm tired of seeing Slaton put the ball on the carpet.

[Arky]

Dump to Leach picks up 7. 2nd and 3.

Slaton TFL. 3rd and 7.

Pass to Walter good for 13 and the 1st down. Ball at the Bengals 23.

Pass to JJ all alone in the endzone good for the TD!

Texans 21, Bengals 17

C'mon defense - earn your money....

[chuck]

VERY pretty.

[Roy P]

Kubes challenges. Ball was ruled a fumble on the field but it sure looked like Slaton was down on replay.

Yay, we win the challenge! ;) .

Things are going well when Kubiak wins a challenge. Good job on that one coach! :D

[TheMatrix31]

Perfect time to force a turnover here.

[Arky]

Bengals bring the kickoff back to their 22.

Pass to Coles for 6.

Offsides Texans -5. 1st down Bengals.

Benson for about 3.

PI on D-Rob. 1st down Bengals at midfield.

Fumble! Texans ball.

[Roy P]

[QUOTE=Arky;15099]

Pass to JJ all alone in the endzone good for the TD!

QUOTE]

The point to note is Schaub rolled out left and set his feet and didn't overthrow a wide open Jacoby Jones in the endzone. That was the same action that he overthrew in the back of the endzone last week. Perhaps his ankle is feeling better this week. :cool:

[chuck]

That is a fumble.

[TheMatrix31]

Perfect time to force a turnover here.

There ya go!

[WMH]

Perfect time to force a turnover here.

There you go.....

[TheMatrix31]

They're gonna waste this turnover, aren't they?

[Arky]

Good call, Matrix...


Schaub hits Walter for 11, I think.

Slaton for 1.

Schaub scrambles for 1.

Schaub pressured and throws inc.

Texans to punt.

Bengals ball at the 20.

[chuck]

Interior line play back to being porous and Schaub taking too long to make a decision.

[Roy P]

There ya go!

Brian Cushing created that Fumble. Not bad, Rook.

[Dennis2112]

Wow same old story...

When presented with an opportunity to put the bengals in a hole and we find a way to let the opportunity pass without taking advantage of it.

Good teams take advantage of those situations...mediocre teams get it done to them.

I hope we change this trend and take advantage of the future chances....and quickly

UPDATE: A sack by Barwin is a good start!!!

[Arky]

The Texans are keeping it too close.... they need to keep their foot on the pedal....

1st down pass to Ocho Cinco goes inc.

2nd down pass picks up 6. 3rd and 4.

Hey, hey.. Barwin on the sack!

Bengals to punt.

[WMH]

How about that rook!

Nice one CB!

[TheMatrix31]

Brian Cushing created that Fumble. Not bad, Rook.

He's tearin' it up out there.

[Roy P]

Interior line play back to being porous and Schaub taking too long to make a decision.

I think that was more on Myers than Caldwell, but I'm biased.

[WMH]

We need to build a cushion here.....The Bungles have become known for their late game heroics.

Let's get 7!

[Arky]

Pollard has "running into the kicker" (not roughing) penalty on the punt. Bengals decline so Texans ball at their own 34.

Slaton TFL -3. 2nd and 13.

Pass to AJ good for 20. Ball at midfield.

[TheMatrix31]

Why do they keep calling outside runs when the Bengals have some pretty good linebackers?

[Roy P]

"as you know, Randy, when you're playing the Texans, they blitz about as much as any team in the league under new defensive coordinator, Frank Bush."

Did anybody else hear that?

[chuck]

He's tearin' it up out there.

You know what, he makes some rookie mistakes with positioning and so on but I am not at all sure that Cushing isn't the team's best defensive player.

[chuck]

I think that was more on Myers than Caldwell, but I'm biased.

Agree completely. Myers just whiffed on his block.

[Arky]

Screen to Slaton good for 10. 1st down.

Schaub throws the ball out of bounds. 2nd down.

Slaton on the draw for no gain.

Screen to Slaton works like a charm for 26 yards. Ball at the 12 yard line.

[TheMatrix31]

There you go with the screen again. Call them often, jeez.

[chuck]

"as you know, Randy, when you're playing the Texans, they blitz about as much as any team in the league under new defensive coordinator, Frank Bush."

Did anybody else hear that?

No, because I'm listening to the radio. I remember seeing the Texans blitz once today.

[WMH]

"as you know, Randy, when you're playing the Texans, they blitz about as much as any team in the league under new defensive coordinator, Frank Bush."

Did anybody else hear that?

Yeah, he's said a couple humdingers.....

[TheMatrix31]

Owen Daniels is my hero.

[Arky]

C Brown for 4.

What a catch by OD! Touchdown!

Texans 28, Bengals 17

C'mon defense....

[WMH]

Nice catch OD!!!!!

[Roy P]

Why do they keep calling outside runs when the Bengals have some pretty good linebackers?

Have you seen us run up the middle with much success?

[Roy P]

There you go with the screen again. Call them often, jeez.

Can't call them enough, in my opinion.

[Roy P]

Owen Daniels is my hero.

Enough to give him $4.6M/yr? I think that is about the price and it's going up by the game.

[TheMatrix31]

Have you seen us run up the middle with much success?

Eh, my point was moreso running in general. Just so happened that the focus of my complaint was an outside run that time, lol.

[TheMatrix31]

To Randy Cross:

We didn't score off of Coats' turnover.

[WMH]

I think DRob should be a SS.

[Roy P]

I think the key player today is going to be Owen Daniels. If he can expose Rey Malauga's lack of coverage skills in the middle of the field, it may make our running game more successful.



I'm liking the game plan today. I might stop talking about finding our next head coach. Maybe I should just focus on getting a new defensive coordinator.

[Arky]

Bengals bring the kickoff back to their 15.

D-Rob with backfield tackle -5. 2nd and 15.

2nd down pass goes inc.

3rd down pass is inc. so Bengals to punt.

JJ brings the punt back to the 37. Flag on the play. Roughness on the Bengals = +15. Ball near midfield.

[chuck]

Enough to give him $4.6M/yr? I think that is about the price and it's going up by the game.

I was just looking at the Redskins' roster and noticed that Chris Cooley is making $11,000,000 this year. Eleven million! No wonder the Redskins are never going to be any good.

[WMH]

Don't take your foot off the gas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Roy P]

To Randy Cross:

We didn't score off of Coats' turnover.

Somebody should tell Cross that James Casey is #86, and he's been on the field today. He just didn't touch the ball. Anthony Hill is the TE who is inactive.

[Arky]

Slaton bounces on the brick wall for 2.

Short pass to AJ good for 3. 3rd and 5.

3rd down pass almost INT'ed... Texans to punt.

[WMH]

Schaub's arm strength, or lack there of, was almost exposed again. :mad:

[Arky]

Penalty on Texans forces a re-punt so Turk to punt again.

End of 3rd quarter.

[Roy P]

3rd down pass almost INT'ed... Texans to punt.

I'm starting to not like the Out route. Schaub gave a little pump fake giving Joseph time to get over and jump it. That needs some work.

Nike Punt by Turk on that snap.

[Dennis2112]

Another chance to put the game away slips through our fingers...again

We should have at least had a FG from that possession.

I hope the defense has another stop in them and our offense will go down and put the finish touches on this game.

[TheMatrix31]

Enough to give him $4.6M/yr? I think that is about the price and it's going up by the game.

I'm no money expert when it comes to football cap and salaries, but it seems worth it to me. If Cooley's making 11 million, too. I mean Owen is damn near our savior most every week. Schaub's security blanket. We have to keep him.

[Roy P]

Have we done a good job today stopping Cedric Benson? I think we have squared that away a bit. Haven't looked at the stats, but it seems like we are at least making tackles.

[Arky]

Benson for 1. Ball at the Bengals 20.

Benson for 5.

Reeves breaks up the 3rd down pass so Bengals to punt.

[TheMatrix31]

Have we done a good job today stopping Cedric Benson? I think we have squared that away a bit. Haven't looked at the stats, but it seems like we are at least making tackles.

By looking at my fantasy tracker...

He's got 42 yards and a TD, and one reception for -5 yards. Dunno how many rushes though.

[Roy P]

We had Cushing covering OchoCinco on that slant, and Palmer missed it. WHEW!!!

[Arky]

Tough running by JJ on the return brings the ball back to the Texan 34.

[Dennis2112]

Alright!!!!

The defense has given us another chance. The offense needs to use the short passing game and the occasional run to eat the clock and score a TD preferably or at least a FG.

[Arky]

1st down pass - Schaub hits AJ for about 14. Ball nearing midfield.

Slaton for no gain.

Slaton for about 6. 3rd and 5.

Ball is snagged by AJ for 13 and the 1st down.

Dump to OD goes for 14. Ball at the Bengals 22.

[Roy P]

Alright!!!!

The defense has given us another chance. The offense needs to use the short passing game and the occasional run to eat the clock and score a TD preferably or at least a FG.

More dump offs and screens to Slaton outside the tackles.

[Arky]

Slaton with big gain but flag on the play. Leach with block in the back.

1st and 12 at the 24.

C Brown for 5. 2nd and 8.

C Brown for about 7. 3rd and 1.

[Roy P]

Chris Brown up the middle trying to eat clock. Now Shotgun on 2nd and 4 for a draw play up the middle.

[WMH]

Hey, looky there. We converted a 3rd and 1!!!!!! :p

[Arky]

C Brown lunges for the 1st down. Keep it up, fellas!

TE screen to OD goes for about 3.

Timeout Texans.

[Roy P]

Okay, 8 minutes left to play, I'm starting to get a feeling like we might just win this thing. :D

[WMH]

Okay, 8 minutes left to play, I'm starting to get a feeling like we might just win this thing. :D

DUDE...what are you thinking? You know better than to say something like that.

Way to go Roy P....we are now officially "jinxed"! :(

[Roy P]

I only say that because I said we would lose. I've already unjinxed us by betting against us. :D

[Arky]

On 2nd and 8 at the 9, Slaton's nice run is negated by holding. 2nd and 18 at the 19.

Oh no, fumble in the backfield. Bengals recover.

Bengals ball at the 29. 6:12 left in the game.

[Roy P]

Oh shit. That good feeling I had, just went away. :o

[Dennis2112]

Well.....


I hope the defense has another stop in them.

It seems that our offense wants to give this game away.

[chuck]

Schaub's thrown for 400 yards, the D's held the Bengals to 15 yards this half and we are nowhere near assured of winning this game. Sickening.

[Arky]

Dump to Benson goes for 7.

Fumble! Texans ball!

Pollard on the recovery. Cushing on the rip out.

[WMH]

WAY TO GO D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep Slaton out of the f'ing game.

[TheMatrix31]

I love Brian Cushing!

[Roy P]

Well.....


I hope the defense has another stop in them.

.

There's Pollard!!!!! I'm keeping him on the defense. He's like Gold.

[Dennis2112]

The defense is playing its a$$ off.


Its time for the offense to take care of the ball and run the clock. Most importantly, score some points if possible

[Arky]

C Brown for about 8 but holding on the Texans - repeat 1st down. 1st and 20 at the Texan 48.

C Brown for about 6.

C Brown for about 3. 3rd and 11 coming up. 4:31 left in the game.

[WMH]

If we end up winning....the Bengal's late game stuff has come to an end.
If we end up losing...the Bengals late game stuff has thrived once again.....

[Roy P]

David Anderson does a good job of blocking for somebody so small.

Turk to punt after delay of game penalty that was declined.

[Arky]

C Brown for about 5. Ball at the Bengals 38. 4th and 6 so Texans to punt.

Punt goes into the endzone so Bengals ball at the 20.

[TheMatrix31]

Don't.Give.Them.Life.

[Roy P]

When we play Zone, we suck. We need to get some pressure on Palmer and play Man coverage.

[Arky]

Benson for 2.

Palmer hits Henry for 21.

Palmer hits Ochocinco. Ball at the Texans 42.

1st down pass goes inc.

Short pass for 5 to Caldwell. 3rd and 5.

Short pass to Caldwell again picks up the 1st down. Big hit by D-Rob on the tackle.

[WMH]

I see a pick coming in our near future....

[TheMatrix31]

Cushing is AWESOME.

[chuck]

There's my boy.

[Arky]

INT'ed by Cushing! Good call, WMH!

[Roy P]

Game ball goes to Brian Cushing. He just caught it. ;)

[TheMatrix31]

I see a pick coming in our near future....

Good call!

[Dennis2112]

Defensive ROY IMO

GO Cushing!!!!

[WMH]

I see a pick coming in our near future....

NICE! :D

I look forward to watching that young man play for us for years to come.

[Arky]

Texans ball at the 11.

C Brown for 5. 1:42 left in the game.

C Brown for about 10. 1st down.

Texans kneeling out the time.

Final score:

Texans 28, Bengals 17

Nice win and nice job all around....

[WMH]

I LOVE this formation!

[Roy P]

okay, nobody is going to get fired this week. We won and it wasn't even ugly. We pretty much dominated. Amazing.

[HPF Bob]

Nice win. Not perfect but probably their most impressive of the year. Back to 3-3. Now how about winning some games against good team?

[Fonz the Boss]

great job... hopefully we can get our first 2 game win streak of the season next week.

[TheMatrix31]

Nice win. Not perfect but probably their most impressive of the year. Back to 3-3. Now how about winning some games against good team?

Funny thing is we haven't really played any GOOD teams yet.

[chuck]

It's very simple, if the Texans can stop the run (and the NFL's best back this year), can move the ball with a controlled passing game and can find a back who won't fumble the Texans have every chance to be a good team.

Poor defensive executions, stubborn commitment to the run and senseless turnovers spell disaster.

I can't wait until next week to see which team shows up, the competent, ascendant Texans team we saw today or the dysfunctional circus we've seen in other weeks.

[chuck]

Funny thing is we haven't really played any GOOD teams yet.

The Jets are good and the Bengals are good. Maybe not Super Bowl good, but definitely playoff good.

[TheMatrix31]

Jets yeah, I'm not convinced about the Bengals though.

[NBT]

The Bengals have been doing a good job of taking away their opponent's #1 WR. Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph have done a great job, and perhaps Andre Johnson will not be as dominant as we are used to seeing.

I think the key player today is going to be Owen Daniels. If he can expose Rey Malauga's lack of coverage skills in the middle of the field, it may make our running game more successful.



On the other side of the ball, our LB's have to be smart about when to attack. Benson's reputation is going to make them respect the run, but they can't get so concerned that they overrun the play or bite on Play-Action leaving the Secondary exposed.

I think we are going to lose today, but hopefully we get a squeeky win :D


Wrong! No cupie doll today! :D The defense played better, and my guy Cushing made an int to put the game away in the 4th quarter. A.J. was tremendous.

[Big Texas]

Maybe the Bengals are good, maybe their not. But we came into this game, expected to get blown out and we won in great fashion. We did what no one expected us to do. The Bengals were a team expected to be on the rise as a top contender; similar to the Broncos.

So credit, to the Texans for beating the odds. Hopefully Kubiak has seen a couple things:

We can win through the air

Passing can set up the run

Slaton was not in a sophomore slump, he was just being used incorrectly

If our defense stays focused they can be competitive.

Pollard has earned the starting safety position; passing team or not


Consistency is now the key!!!

[Keith]

http://www.inthebullseye.com/archive/2009/20091018.html

The Bengals may not prove to be a great team, but they were 4-1 and playing at home, brimming with confidence of having come from behind in three of their wins.

I think they may have been caught taking the Texans for granted a little bit, but this was a well-earned road win for sure against what ought to be a team fighting (against the Texans?? please?) for a wild card position.

A terrific win, an important win, but the Texans need to follow it up with a win next week to keep the momentum moving in the right direction.

[Nconroe]

Yes, that was a nice team win on offense and defense, perhaps what we were hoping to see in all the games. If we can play this consistently well, or even improve, we should continue to do well. Cincy was supposed to be a physical team, the kind that has historically given Texans trouble, and we dished it out and played just as physical, very nice to see. OL got out on the blocks on runs and held their own pretty well on pass plays. DL stopped the run and secondary prevented the big passes pretty well. And Cushing, what a bunch of big plays.

[popanot]

Damn... Amazing what utilizing a screen pass to one of your fastest, most elusive players can do. Now if Slaton can just figure out how to hold onto the damn ball! On D', what a game by Cushing. He's becoming one of the best LB's in the league, let alone the best defensive player on this team. I had my doubts at first along with a lot of people, but anyone still questioning that pick should probably tone it down at this point.

[cadams]

this was a great game to watch, but also frustrating. if they had played like this all season we would be getting ready to go watch a 5-1, or 4-2 at worst, team this week against the niners. that said, if they can actually show some consistency, they should be 5-3 going into the indy game in three weeks.

[kravix]

The announcers on the TV broadcast said the HC of the Bengals had been in the Texans playbook all offseason, trying to copy some of the plays etc..

I wonder if the def was getting some of the same looks they were used to getting in training camp and we able to react better to it.

[NBT]

Schaub has had 3 straight 300+ yds passing. The Oline is blocking very well for the pass now, so Schaub is getting the time to find second and 3rd receivers. Amazing how the often vilified screen has come alive for us.

[nunusguy]

Gone over the weekend visiting family out of state and didn't get to watch the game Sunday, but watched my U-Verse recording today after returning home to Houston(U-Verse is so superior to Comcast, not even close !), and yea this was definitely our best game.
My wife (a "Native Texan"), was complaining about the Texans' coverage by the ABC combo of Cross & Criqui until Cross compared AJ to his former teammate with the 49ers who also wore # 80. We get our share of cred.
Cushings interception was truly spectacular and more importantly timely and he played well, but no way he was the best LB on the field Sunday. Just the same, nice that he got a game ball because I know DeMecos the consummate team player and if the Texans win he's happy no matter who gets the most attention.

[NBT]

Sorry, I must take you to task for your assumption that our best LB is Demeco. He may have more NFL experience, but Cushing is pushing him already for tackles, so I think you err.

[Roy P]

I'm just glad that there is an argument over who is better, DeMeco or Brian. Last year, there was no doubt and I don't think Ryans has gotten worse.