Special Teams Provide Spark as Houston Texans Stomp Oakland Raiders

After last week's troubling home loss, the Houston Texans responded in a big way.  This sounds familiar, doesn't it? 

After losing the season opener at home to the Jets, the Texans beat the Titans in Nashville.  In Week Three, the Texans lost to Jacksonville and responded by crushing the Oakland Raiders at home.

The Texans aren't as bad as they looked against the Jets and aren't as good as they looked against the Raiders.  They are somewhere in between, in all likelihood.

But, the Texans played a complete game in Week Four and stomped the Oakland Raiders in all phases of the game.

I thought the key to the game was special teams play.  Sure, the offense played well and the defense played a physical game.  But the special teams were, well, special.

From the opening kickoff, the special teams were on top of their game.  Oakland attempted to bloop a kick between the up-men and the return men.  John Busing alertly caught the blooper and the Texans started the game with a Kris Brown field goal.

Later in the first half, the Raiders tried the same bloop kick off.  This time, Rice product James Casey smartly caught the ball and maintained possession for the Texans. 

Whether the Raiders were trying to take Andre Davis out of the game or to catch the Texans napping, Houston stayed awake.  Simply put, the Texans were not going to be caught with their pants down on special teams.

Davis, in addition to tackling Justin Miller on a short Oakland return in the first half, downed a Matt Turk punt at the one yard line.  Davis' alert play led to a Brian Cushing safety.  Special teams play led to points once again.

Jacoby Jones had a a nice 23-yard return early in the first quarter.  Oakland punter Shane Lechler, one of the NFL's best punters, routinely booted the ball beyond the scope of the Oakland coverage units. 

The smell of a big return was in the air.  Jones was one move away from breaking the game wide open.  Momentum, already leaning towards Houston, seemed to be there for the taking.

Immediately after the safety, Lechler booted a 75 (75!)-yard punt.  Jacoby Jones caught the punt, made a move and was off to the races for a 95-yard touchdown, effectively ending the game in the third quarter.

To recap the key three-play sequence, Davis first downed the ball at the one-yard line.  On the next play, Cushing burst through the line and threw Vargas to the ground for a safety.  On the third play, Jones bolted for a touchdown return.

The game was all but over with this three-play sequence.  Steve Slaton, minus a first half fumble, scored twice.  Cushing played an intense and physical game to lead the defense. 

But the key was the third phase of the game.  Often unheralded, the special teams deserves credit for the significant contribution to the Texans first home victory of what can hopefully become a special season.