Mallet in at QB and hands off to Brown for a gain of 2.

Brown goes left side for 1. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Brown gets stopped for no gain. Bullock on for the FG.

27-yarder is blocked. Ball is covered and the Raiders take over on downs.

Score remains:

Texans 30, Raiders 7

2 minute warning.

Raiders ball at their 17.

Pass to Holmes good for a 1st down.

McFadden gets about 6.

Pass to Holmes gets about 15. Ball at midfield.

Pass to Moore is dropped, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up. 1 minute left in the game.

Pass is deflected, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Carr scrambles for about 12 and the 1st down.

Pass to Holmes good for 6.

Pass to Moore gets a 1st down at the Texan 20. 38 seconds left in the game.

Pass is broken up, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Butler off his hands, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass in the flat goes for 5. 4th and 5 coming up.

Delay of game on the Raiders back it up 5. 4th and 10 coming up and Raiders will go for it.

Pass to Jones gets about 10 and the 1st down. 18 seconds left.

Pass to Jones in the end zone is complete for the TD.

Texans 30, Raiders 14

13 seconds left in the game.

I think he just hit his quota. If he had any rust, it has pretty much been sandblasted off by now....

Raiders try the onside kick but flags are down. Both teams flagged so offsetting, re-kick.

Raiders do the onside kick again and K Martin falls on it.

Texans kneeling it out.

Final Score:

Texans 30, Raiders 14

Well done, lads.

2-0 and in sole possession of first place in the division. After 2-14 last year, this is a far better start than what I expected. For me the best thing about today was that O'Brien had 'em up and ready to play at the very beginning, they didn't show up flat with a lack of focus. Now that's impressive.

I agree. They are doing all you need to win and not making bad mistakes.

Realy nice so see the turovers.

Bullock was money. I'm not sure I ever thought I'd say that.

And Newton looks like a different player.

They were talking about this a bit on the radio postgame - they can't come right out and say that Kubiak and his staff sucked ass but they came as close as they could. They stressed the improvement in the positional coaching.

I really wonder what might have happened three or four years ago if the team had had a competent, NFL-caliber coaching staff.

Maybe I'll also grow a mustache to celebrate the arrival of just such as staff a-la McNair. HPF Bob of course would in turn shave his off. I'm game if Bob's game.

Unless that hypothetical coaching staff results in Rick Smith not giving an extension to Post-injury Matt Schaub, it doesn't matter how we were coached.

I took a fall in early July and hurt my right hand pretty badly. Turned into a paw for a week and I had to do a bunch of things lefthanded. Decided I didn't *have* to shave so I grew out a beard I only shaved off about two weeks ago. I've now got a 70's retro stache and sideburns but they get trimmed a little more each day.

But none of this is important.

What matters is the Texans are 2-0, both teams being ones who did not have good passing offenses. We now fly to New Jersey to play Eli Manning and the Giants. Eli has definitely regressed the past 18 months, in part because his o-line looks terrible, but he still has some weapons to throw to. It will be our biggest test yet but not something I'm certain we can't win.

These Texans largely are not beating themselves but our secondary hasn't really been tested. When those PIs and defensive holdings return, we'll find out what the Texans are made of.

Don't forget the team was 2-0 last year too. :p

O'Brien and staff are getting improved production out of previous hot messes. Brooks Reed, the right side of the OL, fat aggie, special teams...

Granted, the Texans have played two of the hottest messes in the NFL in the Redskins and the Raiders, but still, this was a convincing win on the road.

Just please stay healthy. TIA

Early line = Texans 1 to 2.5 pt favorites over the New York Giants

I wouldn't call the Redskins one of the worst after they just pasted Jacksonville. Many thought Jacksonville was much improved before the season and I saw as many predictions with them ahead of us as not.

And with talent that made people say we were about like JAX, we have looked light years better. I don't say all that to disagree, I just think those wins were about more than level of competition.

I can remember times under Kubiak we were so talented at every spot but QB that we beat almost all of the teams we were supposed to. I can remember just being terrible under Capers. But in our short history have we ever been a team that overachieved? Since Head Coach is right up there with QB for the most importance in winning in the NFL, I am more encouraged by being well coached for once than I am discouraged about any of the dozen serious issues this roster still has.

And when Giant fans are finished wagering, it will be 3.5. :p

First place, baby. All to ourselves. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Game balls

- The entire Oline, not one sack in two games

- Arian Foster - two games with 53 carries and over 100 yds each game, which also is assisted by the Oline

- Kareem Jackson , with the game changing interception when Raiders were driving.

Way to go guys, lots of teamwork by everyone everywhere.

And it is nice to win.

Enjoy it a little longer. The Colts lost at home to the Eagles on Monday Night to fall 0-2 on the season.

HOU 2-0
TEN 1-1
JAX 0-2
IND 0-2

Pinch yourself if you thought we'd ever have a two-game lead on Indy at any time this season.

Ouch that pinch hurt

:)