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| Other Week 6 Game Recaps | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARI at SEA | BAL at MIN | BUF at NYJ | CAR at TB | CHI at ATL | CLE at PIT | DEN at SD | DET at GB |
| HOU at CIN | KC at WAS | NYG at NO | PHI at OAK | STL at JAX | TEN at NE | ||
Week 6 Game Recap: Houston Texans 28, Cincinnati Bengals 17
Houston Texans
| QB Matt Schaub, Pass: 28 - 40 - 392 - 4 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 3 - -1 - 0 |
Though he was sacked twice, Schaub frequently had plenty of time to throw and took advantage. The Texans used misdirection and a variety of traditional and bubble screens to get Andre Johnson and Steve Slaton open for big plays and runs after the catch. Schaub also found Owen Daniels open frequently underneath. Schaub's only bad pass, an overthrown ball over the middle, was picked off.
| RB Steve Slaton, Rush: 19 - 43 - 0, Rec: 6 - 102 - 1 (6 targets) |
Slaton got the bulk of the carries before the Texans turned to Chris Brown late in the fourth quarter with a big lead. When the Texan offensive line was able to give him a crease, Slaton was decisive hitting the hole and ran hard. Slaton was very good in the open field and the Texans schemed a number of screen passes to get him into space. Slaton had a number of long runs in the fourth quarter called back by holding calls after he broke plays outside.
| RB Chris Brown, Rush: 9 - 45 - 0 |
Brown was a non-factor until late, when the Texans relied on him to grind the clock down in the fourth quarter. The Texans' offensive line was dominating the Cincinnati defensive front and Brown was physical in gaining yardage between the tackles.
| RB Vonta Leach, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets) |
Leach was targeted on just one pass but was effective in opening holes for Steve Slaton by controlling the Bengal linebackers on run plays.
| WR Andre Johnson, Rec: 8 - 135 - 0 (14 targets) |
Johnson broke a bubble screen for a 59 yard gain on the Texans' first offensive play and remained consistently effective throughout the game. The Texans moved him into the slot frequently, forcing the Bengals into a nickel package and away from the top and bottom coverage that had been successful against other WR1 matchups in previous weeks. As usual, Johnson was very physical coming out of his routes and after the catch.
| WR Kevin Walter, Rec: 3 - 29 - 0 (4 targets) |
The Texans' gameplan seemed to favor Owen Daniels and Steve Slaton as secondary options rather than Walter, who had only three catches on short routes. Walter was sure-handed and able to get separation underneath on each of his catches.
| WR Jacoby Jones, Rec: 2 - 29 - 1 (2 targets) |
Jones was left wide open after a strong play action fake by Matt Schaub and easily caught a pass in the end zone on a skinny post route. He was frequently used in three wide receiver sets.
| WR David Anderson, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (1 targets) |
Anderson saw time in some of the Houston spread packages, but was only targeted once.
| TE Owen Daniels, Rec: 7 - 78 - 2 (9 targets) |
The Bengals blew coverage on Daniels repeatedly on misdirection and play action and Matt Schaub took full advantage. Daniels showed great hands, including on a diving, one-handed touchdown catch. He was also able to accelerate away from Cincinnati linebackers on multiple occasions to gain separation.
Cincinnati Bengals
| QB Carson Palmer, Pass: 23 - 35 - 259 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0 |
Palmer had a tremendous first half, showing a strong arm and pinpoint accuracy on 13 of 19 passing for 182 yards and a touchdown. He was again fluid in avoiding the pass rush. The second half was a different story. Dropped passes, near-misses and three-and-out drives kept the Bengals from extending drives and making big plays. Palmer's lone interception came on a forced throw into zone coverage late in the fourth quarter.
| RB Cedric Benson, Rush: 16 - 44 - 1, Rec: 2 - 1 - 0 (2 targets) |
Benson was showing signs of breaking out in the second quarter after the Texans held him in check early. Benson was made to look very ordinary in the second half, however, with only four carries for ten yards. The Texans frequently got penetration on early downs and the Bengals couldn't extend drives to get Benson into a rhythm. Benson did see more third down duty with Brian Leonard out, but wasn't targeted often in the passing game.
| RB Bernard Scott |
Despite Brian Leonard being inactive, Scott saw no time on offense against the Texans.
| WR Andre Caldwell, Rec: 6 - 57 - 0 (9 targets) |
Caldwell was the team's most targeted wideout against the Texans and was again very effective on underneath routes. He was physical inside and generally showed good hands, though he did drop one catchable ball on a third down play in the second half.
| WR Chad Ochocinco, Rec: 5 - 103 - 0 (7 targets) |
Ochocinco was targeted seven times and had more deep passes (three) than any other game this season. He narrowly missed connecting with Palmer on a deep sideline route that popped out of his hands on a diving try when he hit the ground and had another deep ball broken up on a slightly underthrown post pattern. Ochocinco did catch one deep ball and would have scored if not for a shoestring tackle inside the ten.
| WR Laveranues Coles, Rec: 4 - 40 - 1 (5 targets) |
Coles saw five targets, catching four passes. He was open underneath often in the first half and tiptoed along the end line for a touchdown catch after Carson Palmer bought time for him to get open behind the defense. Coles did have a critical third down drop late in the game.
| WR Chris Henry, Rec: 1 - 20 - 0 (3 targets) |
Henry saw only limited time in three wide receiver sets again this week, but managed only one catch on three targets.
| TE Dan Coats, Rec: 4 - 32 - 0 (6 targets) |
Coats continues to be a frequent check down option for Carson Palmer. He caught four passes on six targets, but dropped another pass in the red zone and lost a critical fumble in the second half.
| TE John Paul Foschi, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (3 targets) |
Foschi saw three targets but was used mostly as a blocking tight end. He fumbled at the end of his lone reception.