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Houston head coach Gary Kubiak defended the selection of defensive end Mario Williams over dynamic running back Reggie Bush, saying they want to stop the Indianapolis Colts, not out-score them. In other words, don't play their game, play our game.
It's only two games into Kubiak's second year with the Texans but his logic is showing. For the first time in the franchise's history, the Texans are 2-0 and leading the AFC South.
Rarely have they played any significant games, but this week is the most important game in Houston's history. They will try to overcome the obstacle that could define the Texans as an elite team: the Indianapolis Colts.
As it has always been said, in order to be the best, you must beat the best. As the current Super Bowl Champions, the best team is the undefeated Colts.
Historically speaking, the Texans haven't faired well against Indy, with a head-to-head record of 1-9. But the good news is they did win the last meeting, 27-24.
The key to that victory was a relentless ground game that pounded its way to 191 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Ron Dayne led the way with 153 yards on 32 carries and both scores. Kicker Kris Brown sealed the victory with a 48-yard field goal as time expired.
Houston was the last team to beat the Colts. That could be good for confidence’s sake, but it can also be very bad if Indy holds a grudge.
The Texans played the pre-Bob Sanders Colts in that win. Before he returned to full health, Indianapolis had the worst run defense in the league. Once strong safety Sanders returned to health, the Colts made a complete 180 and became very stingy on the ground.
But that doesn’t mean Houston shouldn’t test Indy. Last week Tennessee had success on the ground against the Colts. The Titans bullied their way to 141 yards the hard way (granted it helps to have an athletic quarterback like Vince Young to scramble for 53 yards).
Dayne remains on the team but now plays a secondary role to Ahman Green, a key free agent signing this past off-season. The two styles should complement each other well.
But the biggest difference is directly behind center. General manager Rick Smith traded for quarterback Matt Schaub from Atlanta to be the new franchise quarterback. So far the move makes Smith look like a genius. Schaub has been sharp, throwing three touchdowns and just one pick. Schaub doesn’t hold on to the ball and delivers on time, unlike his predecessor, David Carr.
So far so good, but how well will Schaub deal with adversity? If he is to lead the Texans to their second straight win over Indianapolis, he must do so without his best weapon. Receiver Andre Johnson will miss the game with a knee sprain. Schaub has to spread the ball around but who will step up in Johnson’s absence?
With a short-handed offense, the defense built to stop the Colts must fulfill their meaning. The first cog is Williams who is playing to his potential. In week one, he had two sacks and a fumble recovery for a score.
But Williams can’t do it alone. To fortify the front four defensive tackle Amobi Okoye was drafted with Houston’s 2007 first round pick and he already has two sacks. Linebacker DeMeco Ryans, 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year, remains in-step with the pace he set last year. And cornerback Dunta Robinson, already with two interceptions, provides veteran leadership as well as lock down coverage one-on-one. He will have his hands full with receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne.
Either team would be considered the division leader. The Colts scored more points, but the Texans have the tiebreaker in points allowed. So already the Texans are learning one of the toughest lessons in sports: When you’re on top, everyone is trying to knock you down.
