What a wild one! The Texans took a two-point lead (19-17) into the final quarter of this fast and furious contest, but it wasn’t enough as the Saints, who, after their first week loss to the best team they will play this season (the Green Bay Packers), shifted up to the gear that saw them crowned World Champions in 2009 and rattled-off 23 points to Houston 14 to take the win by a touchdown.
37 points in a quarter tells the story – this was an electrifying game, and a potential, however unlikely, Superbowl match-up. The Saints are a couple of years ahead of the Texans in terms of laying solid foundations for the future, whilst also being able to compete for championships. It’s been a long road for Gary Kubiak and his Texans, but this year – as we’ve said in each of the previous two seasons, and somewhat hopefully before that – is their year to step-up, inherit the Colts position as top-dogs of the AFC South and make an appearance, and hopefully some headway, in the playoffs.
The Saints are still stinging from the embarrassing loss to the 7-9 Seahawks in the Wild Card round of last season’s playoffs, but they look ready to atone for that particular humiliation.
Statistically, Matt Schaub outperformed Saints counterpart, Drew Brees. It’s tough for a QB to finish the game with 100+ rating, 3 TD/1 INT and a whopping 373 yards and lose the game. Still, at least you know your main guy’s doing his job.
And even the Texans D can’t beat themselves up for going to sleep on the Saints offense in the fourth quarter – these guys are good, really good. The Texans have time to tweak their unit and must now knuckle-down and focus on making it in to the playoffs at all costs.
Who knows, those Gold helmets could be waiting for them at the end of the Rainbow…
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
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