Hello. Any Texans fans out there? Am I last the last one? Apparently the fine folks at our local CBS affiliate aren’t big fans as they chose to show golden boy Vince Young and his Tennessee Oilers almost beat the Baltimore Ravens instead of the Texans winning their third game of the season 13-10 over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Surprising? No. Annoying? Yes. And since the Texans aren’t broadcast locally on the radio either I was forced to purchase the NFL Field Pass and hang out within listening distance of my computer for the duration of the game. At least my bedroom is clean now. Looks like CBS will be broadcasting the Titans game this upcoming Sunday as well so I guess the VY fans win.
For more on the actual game …
If Houston could play the Jaquars 16 times a year they’d be thrilled. The Texans franchise has 21 victories, six of those come against Jacksonville. They are 6-4 all time vs. the Jags. In comparison, they are 2-7 vs. the Titans and 0-9 against the Colts. This was also their first road victory since the 2004 season when they beat, guess who, Jacksonville 21-0. Twelve straight road losses leading up to this win! Thank God for the Jaguars.
Gary Kubiak‘s big-balled decision to go for it on fourth-and-one at their own 41 with 1:40 remaining on the clock proved to be the right one as Samkon Gado successfully picked up the one crucial yard needed for the game-clinching first down. Game ball(s) goes to coach Kubiak.
Jags quarterback David Garrard managed to throw four interceptions and Houston precariously held on for the win despite Texans kicker Kris Brown missing two of his four field-goal attempts.
Unfortunately, the Texans paid the price for this victory. Defensive end Antwan Peek, cornerback Lewis Sanders, and DE Travis Johnson will all be missing some playing time and offensive lineman Zach Wiegert is out for the year with a torn ACL. The loss of these four starters will further test an already shallow depth chart. QB David Carr, who injured his shoulder in the second half and was replaced by Sage Rosenfels, should be back for Sunday’s game in Houston vs. the Bills.
Jacksonville offensive tackle Khalif Barnes was arrested Saturday morning after allegedly failing two Breathalyzer tests reportedly blowing a .125 and a .121. The legal limit in Florida (and Texas) is .08. Barnes was suspended from the game by coach Jack Del Rio. In other NFL/DWI news, Dallas Cowboy (and former Houston Texan) Marcus Coleman was also arrested Saturday with a DWI charge and was subsequently cut from the team. Coleman had already been suspended for the first four games this season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. He played for the Texans from 2002-05 and intercepted 11 passes during that time.
This article appears in November 10 • 2006.