Does anybody know what it is about Slaton that leads to the fumbling problem? Is it technique, concentration, physical limitations, etc...? And whatever it is, is it fixable?
Schaub throws for 392 yards, 4 TDs as Texans hold off Bengals http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap...ss&source=twitter&ex_cid=Twitter_espn_4575004 CINCINNATI -- With four touchdown passes, Matt Schaub deprived the Bengals of another day for drama. Schaub tied his career high with his four scoring throws -- two of them to tight end Owen Daniels -- as the Houston Texans had their way all day, pulling away to a 28-17 victory over a Cincinnati team that couldn't stay close enough to give itself a chance at the end. The Bengals (4-2) had won three straight games in the last 22 seconds, pulling off one improbable drive after another because an opponent failed to finish them off. They had one more escape on Sunday -- Steve Slaton fumbled with the Texans (3-3) in field-goal range with 6:12 left. Drama? Not this time. The Bengals fumbled the ball back two plays later, a sign the odds had caught up with them. Not that Schaub left them much of a chance. He had his fourth 300-yard passing game of the season, smoothly picking apart a defense that lost its top pass rusher and a starting tackle in the first quarter. Schaub was 28 of 40 for 392 yards, the second-highest total of his career. Carson Palmer ran a Bengals offense that stayed in character -- not much got done until the last two minutes. The Bengals scored 10 points in the final 48 seconds of the first half, putting Cincinnati up 17-14. This time, the offense went nowhere in the second half. Houston's defense has shut out the last three opponents in the second half, and clinched this one when Brian Cushing intercepted Palmer's pass with 1:49 left. Palmer, playing with a glove on his left (non-passing) hand to support a sprained thumb, was 23 of 35 for 259 yards. The Bengals suffered a significant loss when defensive end Antwan Odom -- tied for the NFL lead in sacks -- hurt his left Achilles tendon in the first quarter and didn't return. Odom barged through the line and blocked Kris Brown's 28-yard field goal try on Houston's first possession. He hurt his right leg on Schaub's 12-yard touchdown pass to Daniels and was taken off the field on a cart, costing the Bengals their best pass rusher. They also lost starting defensive tackle Domata Peko to a knee injury in the first quarter, evening things up on the line. The Texans were missing their two starting guards, out with season-ending injuries. Schaub's only mistake was an overthrown pass that helped the Bengals roll off those 10 points late in the first half. Cincinnati has scored 54 of its 118 points in the last two minutes of a half or overtime.
Its not like they were solely running the ball. On that particular drive, they used a nice combination of passing and running to get the ball to the two. They were going for the dagger. Then a holding penalty. Then a not-so-bad call to run the ball on first or second and LONG, but Slaton fumbles (when he absolutely could not afford to). If he doesn't fumble there, they likely throw it. On the drive after that, there was ~ 5 minutes left, and they got the ball back near midfield. Again, they get a holding penalty on first down that pushes them back (thus making a first down unlikely). Even if they hadn't been pushed back, at that point, I don't mind running some clock. We don't have an offense as prolific as the Saints' offense. We also were on the road. Finally, even if you do have a prolific offense, you have to be able to run the ball in this league... especially with a lead. If you can't, you end up like all those other prolific offensive teams who couldn't protect a big lead because of the lack of running game (ie - the run and shoot Houston Oilers).
The same reason his helmet still continues to fall from his head on almost every play. Actually, I think it might be a combination of the first 2 things you listed, only add anxiety as he is trying to make barry sanders like moves when he runs.
Well, the drive with 5 min left...we did 3 rushing plays and punted...no intention on getting the first down. That is terrible, specially given the fact that it was quite obvious that Cincy had no chance in stopping our passing game. Against Arizona...Schaub had completed about 10-11 passes in a row...we were on fire in the passing game, even if it was just for 4-5 yards per catch. Still, we were moving the ball efficiently AND taking time off the clock. On that possession that Schaub threw the pick 6...after gaining a couple first downs and driving, we decide to run the ball for -3 yards, leaving a 3rd and long...leading to Schaub INT for a TD. When you have something going for you, you dont stop and do something else. You dont fix something that isnt broke.
It's amazing how they got bad so quick. Their offense wasn't this bad, it was great running game... They dropped another pass... Can't count on these guys winning today, at least we won.
Honestly, I'm in awe. Like, it entertains me to see just how bad they can be. One of my FF teams has Chris on it. I single handedly won a game for me, and was damn good in a couple others...then....BAM.....dey suxors.
Welker WIDE OPEN for a pass... yeah i'm not going to be watching this one anymore. I think this team has rolled over. Their running game still has the exact same game, no reason they can't run the ball well. I understand their dfence problems, you take that big black hole out the middle and things are going to be harder....but their running game...same oline, same HBs... It would make a lot of sense to put in VY now, you at least have to see what you have if you're the Titans.
haha, first place is first place. As the Bengals have been proving this year (well, not today..) you don't have to win by a lot, you just have to win. and I know a Steeler fan isn't disparaging a win because of an injury to a team's best player...
Agreed... there were times in that game, and today's game, where the play-calling absolutely sucked. But, if you don't at least ATTEMPT to run the ball... this offense can't do a lot of the things that make it as good as it is... namely the play-action pass, which has been their best weapon (and Schaub's best "skill"). If another team knows you're going to pass the ball... no matter how good your offense is (I'm talkin 1991 Houston Oilers-good)... eventually a good defense will beat you
Stop "trolling" (as you lovely people call it) in texans threads by talking about the titans. Texans fans are funny to watch week after week. Enjoy the win this week. talk to me if you guys END THE SEASON above .500 this year. I also hope the titans keep losing at this point, makes it for fun times.
That came out of nowhere. It's not like I said we had no chance. Like I said, we are capable of beating anybody, it's just that we're incredibly inconsistent. Based on ours and Cincinatti's performance prior to the game, there is no way you could unbiasedly say we should win that game. You could say we could pull off an upset, but saying we should win implies that we are definitely a better team which is arguable. I'm happy we won, but I had really high expectations coming into this season and they won't be satisfied until we play like we did today on a consistent basis.
