Win Proves Costly as Houston Texans Defeat Buffalo Bills

Let's start with the good news.  The Houston Texans were able to pull away late and beat the Buffalo Bills on the road to improve to 5-3.  The running game was dominant.  The defense played very well.  More on these later.

We might as well talk about the bad news now.  Tight end Owen Daniels, according to multiple media sources, tore his ACL and will be lost for the season. 

The loss of Daniels is potentially devastating, but the Texans have the personnel to adapt and survive.  Not only can rookie James Casey step in, but the Texans can play more three wideout sets. 

Casey was drafted out of Rice as a potential replacement for Daniels in the event Daniels left Houston following the 2009 season.  Granted, Casey has only two catches in his NFL career, but he is a smart player who offers some of the same strengths as Daniels.

Like Daniels, Casey is an adequate blocker and has good hands.  He is good at working the middle of the field and runs fairly precise routes.  

Having said that, Casey is not on the same tier as Daniels.  He clearly lacks the experience of Daniels and is not quite as fast.  Perhaps most importantly, he has not developed a high level of chemistry and trust with quarterback Matt Schaub. 

The Texans will, of course, miss Daniels, but the offense can still operate on a very high level.  Playing wide receivers Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones in a three wide set can open the field. Both Johnson and Walter are adept at running routes in the middle of the field and can replace some of what Daniels brought to the team.  In addition, David Anderson and Andre' Davis will have to step up their games. 

If running back Steve Slaton can ever solve his fumbling problems, he can be a very effective weapon in the passing game.  Slaton is shifty, fast and is a terror in the open field.  Again, he can only help the passing game if he solves his fumbling problems.

Against Buffalo, Slaton had three touches and lost his fifth fumble of the season.  He was replaced by Ryan Moats who set a franchise record by scoring three rushing touchdowns in one game. 

Moats ran for 92 yards up the middle and was very effective at moving the chains.  He was not as effective running outside, and is not as quick or explosive as Slaton.  Perhaps Moats should get more carries while Slaton works out his fumbling issues.  Hopefully something positive can come from Slaton's benching.

I don't put too much stock in what Moats was able to do against Buffalo's meager run defense.  The Bills have the worst run defense in the league.  This isn't meant to take away from the good game Moats and the interior of the line had, but a dose of reality is needed. 

There is more good news.  The defense played very well.  Jacques Reeves and Rookie of the Year candidate Brian Cushing picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick's passes.  Lee Evans and Terrell Owens combined for seven catches, but three of TO's came well after the game was decided.   The Bills were largely held in check.

Cushing was particularly dominant.  He led the team with 10 tackles and also added another sack in addition to the interception.  More importantly, his attitude and intensity are contagious.  DeMeco Ryans seems particularly energized because of his fellow linebacker's play. 

Antonio Smith got his first sack as a Texan and also pressured Fitzpatrick on numerous occasions.  Bernard Pollard and Glover Quin also played very well for a safety that has been picked on throughout the season. Rookie Brice McCain saved a touchdown on a kickoff because of speed and hustle.  The Texans improved defense stems at least in part from Cushing's presence.

There was much for Texans' fans to celebrate.  The team is 5-3 for the first time ever.  If the playoffs started today, the Texans would be among the participants.  That's worth repeating.  The Texans would be part of the playoffs if they started today.

The Texans overcame a slow start and three first half turnovers.  On a day when Schaub was good but not great, the team won.  This was the third road win on the season for the Texans.  These are things good teams have the ability to do.  It's time for people to recognize that this is a good team. 

Good teams can also overcome the loss of key players.  Both starting guards have been lost for the season and the Texans have not skipped a beat.  One could even argue that the play of Kasey Studdard, Antoine Caldwell and particularly Chris White has energized the running game.  Overcoming the loss of Daniels will only be the next test for Houston.  So far, the Texans have shown that they are up to the challenge.