What About Schaub?

No matter how much hype and debate and analyzation you do of any team in the preseason, contemplating how the first significant game will play out, you won't have more than half a clue what's going to happen until that day finally arrives, and the players hit the field. And I'll be honest, I thought a veteran team like the one Herm Edwards is running--although depleted at QB, WR, and on the offensive line--would give Houston a tough time. I forecast what I felt was an optimistic prediction a few months ago, a 21-16 season-opening win for the Texans. But no matter how much you think about it, the first game is pretty much always surprising, and it let me know once again that I was foolish to think I had figured it out.

The Chiefs opened the game with the ball and eked out a long drive, creeping into Houston territory and setting up for an early 30-yard field goal, and three point lead. Out trotted rookie placekicker Justin Medlock, the kicker KC felt confident enough in to dispatch the inconsistent Lawrence Tynes in favor of. That confidence lasted all of one kick, as Medlock shanked it badly to the left, and set the tempo for the game. Houston enjoyed a Kris Brown field goal, a 77-yard Matt Schaub-to-Andre Johnson TD, and big Mario Williams diving on a fumble, then scrambling to his feet and steaming into the endzone for a 17-0 lead before KC got their first and only points of the game on a Medlock field goal. It would be his only as a Chief, as Kansas City reneged on their commitment to the youngster and cut him in favor of former Green Bay kicker Dave Rayner the next day. Kris Brown tied on another field goal in the 4th quarter to make it 20-3 Houston, which is how the game would end.

Plenty of positives, here. The Texans run defense, much-maligned in recent history, slowed Chiefs' superstar Larry Johnson way down, as he tallied a very modest 10 rushes for 43 yards and seven catches for 44 yards. KC QB Damon Huard also sputtered, completing 22 of 33 passes, but for only 168 yards, and no TDs versus two interceptions. Along with the picks (by Dunta Robinson and Travis Johnson, respectively, both of which were rather highlight reel-ish), Houston forced three fumbles out of the Chiefs, recovering two, which gave them a +2 in the turnover differential for the game.

However, the Chiefs lost #1 receiver Eddie Kennison on the first play of the game on a reverse that looked like it was going to go for a big play until he pulledup with a lame hamstring and had to hobble out of bounds after a minimal gain. This clearly wrecked Kansas City's gameplan, as the loss of Kennison resulted in Larry Johnson accumulating seven receptions, a very high number for most running backs. Huard was also playing with a calf injury that had been plaguing him since preseason. All in all, KC's offense is one of the more vanilla in the league, so Houston's ability to completely shut it down, while obviously not a bad thing, doesn't grab my attention like it would if they did it again this week.

Also, and I really hate to do it since I believe he is our answer at QB, but if you take out the long TD pass to 'Dre, Schaub completed 15 of 21 passes for 148 yards, no TDs, 1 INT, and the interception was in the endzone, when the game was still scoreless. That reminds me of another QB that wore #8 for us.. that said, he made good reads and throws, bought time with his legs without panicking and scrambling, and kept Houston on the field and in control. Raise your glass/beer can/wine cooler to Schaub!

Now, the task at hand. Carolina traveled to St. Louis in Week 1, and after three quarters had a scant 14-13 lead. But they put the Rams away with authority in the fourth, scoring 13 more points and allowing none in return, winning 27-13. Jake Delhomme threw three touchdowns and no interceptions, DeShaun Foster nearly hit the century mark on the ground, and Steve Smith was his normal superhuman self, recording 118 yards receiving, including a 68-yard TD. This offense works, and will test Houston's defense in ways KC simply couldn't. Oh, and Carolina still has Julius Peppers, one of the most dominant and athletically-gifted defenders football has ever seen. In the words of Bill Murray, "So they got that goin' for 'em."

As awesomely exciting as an upset road victory against a potential Super Bowl team would be, not to mention a 2-0 start for the first time in franchise history, I can't honestly say I believe it will happen. My prediction way back when was 30-14, Carolina, but now I believe the game will be more contested than that, especially if Houston is again able to stuff the opposing running game. However, against Houston's tender secondary, I can't Steve Smith having a quiet day, even with Dunta on him. But hey, what do I know? Haven't got half a clue. Go Texans.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this