Matt Schaub and the 5 Worst Closers in the NFL

Matt Schaub and the Houston Texans has again failed to finish and close out a close game. They had several opportunities to get a last-second touchdown to get a win versus the Oakland Raiders. Instead, Schaub threw a game-ending interception from inside the 10-yard line.

Schaub is quickly earning a reputation as a quarterback unable to win close games. This is a tag that no quarterback wants to earn.  It usually means that your team isn't very successful, often resulting in missing the playoffs due to a last-second collapse.

Quarterbacks are expected to be the leader and come through in the clutch. If a quarterback is unable to capitalize on game-winning opportunities, he will find himself out of work.

Schaub isn't the only quarterback gaining some heat for not being able to win the close game.

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears made a trade to acquire a Pro Bowl quarterback, but they instead got Jay Cutler. In defense of Cutler, he has not been surrounded by a ton of talent. However, a lot Bears games have ended with a Jay Cutler interception.

Brian Urlacher and the Bears' defense always find a way to keep the game close. The defense's success has given Jay Cutler plenty of chances for some last-minute heroics.  However, he has been unable to consistently close out games.

A good example is the last game of the 2010 season. Cutler had an opportunity to lead the Bears on a last-minute touchdown drive that would have eliminated the Green Bay Packers from playoff contention.  However, Cutler threw an interception in the red zone, with rest being history.

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo is a different type of problem, as he tends to find a way to lose the game. This is different because the other players on this list are unable to win games. However, Romo is able to lead a last-minute, game-winning drive.

Closing games is more than just leading a last-second drive; a quarterback needs to know how to protect a lead. Romo's inability to avoid bonehead plays is what earns him a spot on this list.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

It might be a little unfair to put Newton on this list, but he is a starting quarterback, thus he is eligible.  His presence on this list shouldn't discount his impressive start. He is putting up very good numbers, while putting his team in a position to win football games.

However, Newton has had opportunities to win close football games.  The past two weeks, Carolina was in a position to pull off big wins, but they were unable to finish strong.  These failures fall on the entire team, but as the quarterback, Newton needs to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility.

I think by the end of the season, Newton will find himself on a different list.

Kevin Kolb, Arizona Cardinals

It seems like every week the Arizona Cardinals have the ball with a chance to get a game-winning score. However, Kevin Kolb has been unable to orchestrate game-winning drives. The Cardinals are a disappointing 1-4, but they could easily be 4-1.

There have been some unfortunate things that impacted the result of these games. However, it is up to the franchise quarterback to win games. Kolb received a big contract to come in and win football games.