Can Matt Schaub Lead the Houston Texans to the Playoffs?

The emergence of Matt Schaub as an upper-echelon quarterback has propelled the Texans into the middle of the playoff race. At this point in the season, the Texans have equaled a franchise-best record of 4-3.

What sets this team apart from previous teams in franchise history and from other teams in the playoff hunt is elite quarterback play.

How many teams have won Super Bowls without franchise quarterbacks? Since 1988, four teams have won NFL titles without franchise caliber signal callers. Jeff Hostetler with the New York Giants, Mark Rypien with the Washington Redskins, Trent Dilfer with the Baltimore Ravens, and Brad Johnson with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

That's the list. 

These players were either backups or game managers and had dominant defenses leading the way. These quarterbacks were on Super Bowl winning teams, but did not win Super Bowls, if I can paraphrase Charles Barkley. 

Their role was to hand off to strong and powerful running backs and throw short and safe passes. Basically, their role was to not turn the ball over.

On the other hand, Hall of Famers such as Joe Montana, Steve Young, John Elway, and Troy Aikman and current franchise quarterbacks Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Ben Roethlisberger have led their teams to Super Bowl victories. Sure, most of these teams had great backs and good defenses, but quarterback play was the lynch pin of success.

It's a virtual certainty that winning a Super Bowl without a preeminent quarterback is nearly impossible without an historically excellent defense. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens come to mind as recent examples. 

Those defenses were on the same level as the all-time great defenses, and it’s no surprise they ended the season by hoisting the Lombardi trophy.

In essence, if a team has a franchise quarterbacks, someone to hitch the wagons to, it has a chance to win a Super Bowl.  Conversely, without a top dog, chances of extended success are slim.  It’s possible, but it’s certainly not probable, to win a Super Bowl without an elite quarterback.

How many games are decided in the last few minutes or on the final drive of a game?  Possessing a signal caller capable of marching the team down field to score is paramount to success in the NFL. This is what franchise quarterbacks must do. They have to be able to throw the ball and they have to be able to win games.

What does all this have to do with Matt Schaub?

Well, who leads the NFL is passing yards? Which player has thrown for the most touchdown passes so far this season? 

Answer: Matt Schaub. 

In other words, welcome to the big leagues, Matt.  You're a franchise quarterback.  The Texans are in the hunt for the playoffs because of improved and consistent play from the quarterback.

Let's quickly address his strengths as a passer. Without a doubt, Schaub can make every throw in the route tree.  But quarterback play is more than just throwing the ball. Kyle Boller, JaMarcus Russell, and David Carr are all capable of throwing passes in practice. The difference comes between the lines and between the ears.

Schaub has developed great chemistry with All-World wide receiver Andre Johnson as well as with emerging tight end Owen Daniels. Even less heralded players such as Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones, and David Anderson have had success with Schaub at the helm.

Sure, it's easy to throw the ball to Johnson and put up big numbers, you say.  Let's not lose sight of the fact that Carr played with Johnson and was never confused with a world beater.

Not only is Schaub capable of making every throw, he has emerged as a leader on this young Houston team. His body language has improved. He has cut down on sacks and forcing passes into coverage. He shakes off mistakes easier and faster. 

Schaub has shown he is capable of leading a potent and dangerous passing attack both physically and, most importantly, mentally. The Texans will go as far as Schaub will take them. 

At the same time, Schaub is not perfect. It's easy to identify his flaws. He has limited athleticism, quickness, and speed. He will never be confused with Steve Young, Randall Cunningham, or Doug Flutie. Heck, Schaub has less mobility than Big Ben and Philip Rivers.

He has also been injury prone in his career. It's noteworthy, though, that of the hits that have knocked Schaub out of games, the defensive players have drawn fines. In 2008, Jared Allen's repeated dives into Schaub's knees and Albert Haynesworth's body slams both drew substantial fines from the NFL and would likely injured any quarterback.

Schaub has also not helped himself or his offensive line at times. He has a tendency to hold onto the ball too long in an attempt to make plays down field. While this has improved in 2009, occasionally the younger and less experienced Schaub emerges. 

Despite his flaws, Schaub continues to show improvement.  He has improved with getting rid of the ball and avoiding bone crushing hits for the most part.

Sure, Schaub has yet to play at an elite level for an entire season. But an improved offensive line led by tackles Eric Winston and Duane Brown has helped keep Schaub off the ground. He's been sacked 12 times in 249 drop backs. 

Compare that to Big Ben, who has been taken down 19 times in 233 attempts. Fellow young gun Philip River has hit the turf 15 times in 213 passing attempts.

In addition to the improved play by the offensive line, Schaub has, for the most part, gotten rid of the ball by throwing it away or hitting his check down receivers when pressured or when down field receivers are not open. The credit must be given both to Schaub and to Coach Gary Kubiak for this improvement.

When it comes down to it, Schaub is a franchise quarterback. Is he on the same level as Brady, Peyton, Drew Brees, or Big Ben? 

No, not quite. 

But Schaub is in the conversation with Rivers, Eli Manning, Carson Palmer, and Donovan McNabb on that second tier. The numbers support Schaub’s position among the elite.  Only playoff success will pull Schaub’s name higher on this list.

Schaub certainly has the physical tools. He is averaging more passing yards per game than anyone not named Peyton or Rivers. Furthermore, Schaub has developed strong leadership qualities and also possesses that "it" factor. 

David Carr was definitely more athletic than Schaub and had an equal if not superior arm. What Carr lacked was that “it” factor. But, none of the Texans believed in Carr. 

He was incapable of leading this team anywhere.

Schaub, on the other hand, can lead the Texans to victory. This Houston team continues to struggle running the football and playing consistent overall team defense, but is still 4-3. Sure, the Texans have bottled up opposing running backs in the past few weeks, but teams are still able to pass the ball. 

And exactly zero Texans fans have forgotten what Chris Johnson or Maurice Jones-Drew did earlier this season. In addition, Alex Smith of all people led the 49ers on three second half touchdown drives in Week 7. 

Point is, this is not an all-time great defense but, so far, the team is winning games.  The Texans will win games because of the offense piloted by Schaub. 

I give plenty of credit to Mario Williams for playing hurt, the more consistent play of DeMeco Ryans and the intensity of Brian Cushing.  But, nobody will confuse this team with the 2000 Ravens or the 1985 Bears, two of the best defenses in recent memory. 

The defense struggles to pressure opposing quarterbacks without blitzing and the secondary remains a work in progress.

The Texans are winning because of the passing attack led by Matt Schaub. The Texans can continue to win because of strong play from Schaub. 

And, finally, the Texans can be a playoff team, both this year and into the future, because of the play of Matt Schaub, their franchise quarterback.