Ramblings from a McMaster Graduate

In an attempt to prove that last week’s domination on the road in New Orleans was no fluke, the Houston Texans welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers into Reliant Stadium. The hosts were rude to their guest as the Texans (4-0) decimated the Steelers (2-2) with a big 45-7 win. The Texans were powered by big games from seemingly everyone in their offense as they took turns scoring touchdowns against an aging Steeler secondary.

Matt Stafford led the way for the Texans throwing for 280 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. He had a season high passer rating of 149.3, connecting with 5 different Texans receivers during the game. The dynamic duo of A.J. Green and Andre Johnson combined for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns. Green also achieved his first 100 yard receiving game as a pro, finishing with 110 yards on 8 touches.

When the ball needed to be moved on the ground, Arian Foster was up to the task. After putting a fumble in the first quarter behind him, Foster finished the game with 111 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. He sat for the final drive of the game. He also contributed in the passing attack as he caught 2 balls for first downs to sustain some key Texans drives.

The Steelers offense did not show up in Houston. Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger finished with 156 yards, with 85 coming on a play where WR Mike Wallace slipped behind the otherwise perfect Texan secondary. Big Ben’s 3 interceptions in the first half allowed Houston to build a 24-0 lead going into the break. He also fumbled twice.

Houston welcomes Darren McFadden and the Oakland Raiders into Reliant Stadium as they try to continue their 4 game win streak. The Raiders (2-2) are coming off a 23-9 home win against the New England Patriots. 

Matt Stafford had his best game as a member of the Houston Texans (3-0), leading his team to a 42-10 trouncing of the New Orleans Saints (1-2) in which they never trailed.  Connecting on 18 of 29 pass attempts, Stafford threw for 329 yards and 3 touchdowns. The primary beneficiary of Stafford’s offensive output was All-Pro WR Andre Johnson, who caught 7 balls for 165, was responsible for all of Stafford’s scores, and named NFL Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

The offense looked alive for the first time this season in the opening quarter, using a spark from DE Antonio Smith. On the opening drive, Smith returned a Mark Ingram fumble to open the scoring, and the Texans never looked back. Arian Foster scored one of his two touchdowns in the opening frame, punching the ball in from 2 yards out. Stafford found Johnson streaking down the sideline on a 80 yard play-action pass with 9 seconds left in the first quarter to jump out to a 21-0 lead just 15 minutes into the game.

Foster, who finished with 140 yards on 11 carries, also broke a 70 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that all but put the game out of reach for the Texans. A.J. Green made a couple of drive-sustaining catches, and finished with 3 receptions for 37 yards.

The Texans defense was able to keep Drew Brees and the highly touted Saints offense in check for most of the afternoon. Brees finished with 208 yards and 2 interceptions. Mark Ingram was responsible for the Saints lone touchdown of the afternoon, but was held to a total of 25 yards rushing.

Houston will return to the friendly confines of Reliant Stadium in Week 4 to do battle against the AFC North heavyweight Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1), who are coming off a 31-27 win on the road in Indianapolis.