With the Texans trailing 14-13 early in the fourth quarter, Osweiler capped a nine-play, 64-yard drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass on third and long to wide receiver Will Fuller to put the Texans up 20-14.
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Texans fans had plenty to be excited about on Sunday.
Fuller found plenty of space, Osweiler settled in after the first-quarter interception and Lamar Miller topped 100 rushing yards (106) against that defense.
Alshon Jeffery – It was a fine afternoon for Jeffery as he reeled in four receptions for 105 yards on six targets.
“I recognized it”, Osweiler said. I had a lot faith in Will. …
The team Pace and Fox inherited needed to be completely rebuilt, we are now in just the second year of what was clearly going to be a three-year job, and when they get in against teams that are more talented than them – which the Texans are – they will have days like they did Sunday in Houston. This game could have been a lot uglier, but thanks to the defense the offense was able to flip the switch in the second half. Three plays later, Osweiler’s keeper would convert a third-and-1 to extend the drive. Jeremy Langford rushed 17 times for 57 yards (3.4 ypc) and the Bears as a team averaged just 3.7 yards on the ground.
The issues started right away for the Bears in the second half.
Hal picked off Cutler in the third quarter to set up the second Novak field goal.
“It’s a game of halves, a game of quarters”, CB Tracy Porter said after the game.
“I think you need to run the ball”, O’Brien said. “Those types of drives during our season here, that’s not going to spell success”.
It’s possible the Texans are a really good team, with bonus baby free agent Osweiler and a defense with J.J. Watt, the enormous Vince Wilfork and the rejuvenated Jadeveon Clowney being of Super Bowl quality.
An early choice to go on fourth-and-1 with a seven-point lead and leave a 46-yard field goal untried was puzzling, a challenge of a Will Fuller catch later on the sidelines on which there was clearly nothing to challenge was odd, and a failure to challenge a Texans first down on a successful fourth-and-1 QB sneak that looked to be short hurt, too.
Cushing goes out, Watt looked a little rusty which is to be expected considering he is coming off back surgery. “Today definitely knocked some rust off”. Linebacker Jadeveon Clowney was a disruptive force (four tackles, three quarterback hits, one sack) and the Texans managed to thrive despite losing inside linebacker Brian Cushing to a first-quarter knee injury.
Glenn was hobbled late in the game, but if the injury isn’t serious, he will end up seeing more playing time in the future. Most notably, Jay Cutler’s only interception appeared to be because White ran the wrong route, and after that, Cutler barely even looked his way. Offensively it was sloppy, a dropped Touchdown pass, 2 red zone penalties equaled only 23 points. “Especially when you get into backyard football where you have to throw to catch up”. I know red area will be a big focus on this offensive unit moving forward, but bottom line, Week 1 is never flawless.
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Special teams created openings and got an average of almost 21 yards per kickoff return, plus a punt return of 31 yards by Eddie Royal to give the offense good field position.
