Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt celebrates his touchdown on an interception of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton. Tony Gutierrez/AP/Press Association Images
NFL
The Redzone: Houston, we have no problems
Wildcard Weekend lived up to its name – and the Texans looked the most impressive in an eventful few days.
ALL FOUR DIVISION winners came through Wildcard Weekend but Steven O’Rourke thinks the Houston Texans were the most impressive of the lot.
Game of the week
Cincinnati Bengals 10 @ Houston Texans 31
Back in April, many Houston fans were critical of their team for using six draft picks on defensive players.
Indeed, the Texans raised a few eyebrows in Houston when they used the 11th overall pick to select Wisconsin defensive end JJ Watt despite the fact Nick Fairly was still on the board and quarterbacks – something they were in need of – were going all around them.
However, on Sunday Watt repaid the faith shown in him by the Texans organisation when he intercepted a football for the first time in his career.
Not only that, but Watt returned the pick for a touchdown, ensuring that the Texans defence scored almost as many points (7) as it conceded (10).
Houston limited the previously impressive Andy Dalton to just 257 yards on 42 pass attempts, almost completely taking his two favourite weapons – AJ Green and Jimmy Gresham – out of the game, limiting them to less than 100 yards combined.
Cincinnati had even less joy against the Texans run defence with Brian Leonard their top rusher with just 34 yards.
The Texans were equally impressive on offence with Arian Foster rushing for 153 yards and two touchdowns and Andre Johnson topping off a 90 yard receiving game with a touchdown of his own, giving Houston their first ever playoff win.
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If I was a Baltimore Ravens fan, I’d be very worried about next weekend.
Yes, his completion percentage is still in Ryan Leaf territory but you have to admire the fact that Tebow was able to do what doesn’t come naturally to him to pull out this win.
His technique still leaves a lot to be desired – the footwork is awkward and the throwing action is too elongated – but Tebow recognised that the Steelers doubted his ability to throw the ball deep and did it anyway, passing for 316 yards and two touchdowns.
Kudos must also go to the Broncos defence (three sacks on the Steelers final drive which ensured they couldn’t get in field goal range) and Demaryius Thomas (204 receiving yards and two touchdowns).
However, given how awful he has been for the last three weeks, you have to admire Tebow’s performance in this game. He now has as many playoff wins as Tony Romo.
Mike Smith is like a dog with a bone. A dog with a bone that is unable to move it a few inches forward. The ability to move the ball in short yardage has cost the Falcons their season, will it cost Smith his job?
Steven O’Rourke is the offensive co-ordinator of Tullamore PhoenixAmerican Football Club, winners of the IAFL DV8s national title in 2010 and 2011. Tullamore are always recruiting new players so, if you’d like to play football and not just read about it, Steven would love to hear from you.
The Redzone: Houston, we have no problems
ALL FOUR DIVISION winners came through Wildcard Weekend but Steven O’Rourke thinks the Houston Texans were the most impressive of the lot.
Game of the week
Cincinnati Bengals 10 @ Houston Texans 31
Back in April, many Houston fans were critical of their team for using six draft picks on defensive players.
Indeed, the Texans raised a few eyebrows in Houston when they used the 11th overall pick to select Wisconsin defensive end JJ Watt despite the fact Nick Fairly was still on the board and quarterbacks – something they were in need of – were going all around them.
However, on Sunday Watt repaid the faith shown in him by the Texans organisation when he intercepted a football for the first time in his career.
Not only that, but Watt returned the pick for a touchdown, ensuring that the Texans defence scored almost as many points (7) as it conceded (10).
Houston limited the previously impressive Andy Dalton to just 257 yards on 42 pass attempts, almost completely taking his two favourite weapons – AJ Green and Jimmy Gresham – out of the game, limiting them to less than 100 yards combined.
Cincinnati had even less joy against the Texans run defence with Brian Leonard their top rusher with just 34 yards.
The Texans were equally impressive on offence with Arian Foster rushing for 153 yards and two touchdowns and Andre Johnson topping off a 90 yard receiving game with a touchdown of his own, giving Houston their first ever playoff win.
If I was a Baltimore Ravens fan, I’d be very worried about next weekend.
See the highlights here.
Player of week
Tim Tebow
Yes, his completion percentage is still in Ryan Leaf territory but you have to admire the fact that Tebow was able to do what doesn’t come naturally to him to pull out this win.
His technique still leaves a lot to be desired – the footwork is awkward and the throwing action is too elongated – but Tebow recognised that the Steelers doubted his ability to throw the ball deep and did it anyway, passing for 316 yards and two touchdowns.
Kudos must also go to the Broncos defence (three sacks on the Steelers final drive which ensured they couldn’t get in field goal range) and Demaryius Thomas (204 receiving yards and two touchdowns).
However, given how awful he has been for the last three weeks, you have to admire Tebow’s performance in this game. He now has as many playoff wins as Tony Romo.
See his highlights here.
Play of the week
4th and 1
Mike Smith is like a dog with a bone. A dog with a bone that is unable to move it a few inches forward. The ability to move the ball in short yardage has cost the Falcons their season, will it cost Smith his job?
See the lowlights here.
Results
AFC
Cincinnati Bengals 10 @ Houston Texans 31
Pittsburgh Steelers 23 @ Denver Broncos 29
NFC
Detroit Lions 29 @ New Orleans Saints 45
Atlanta Falcons 2 @ New York Giants 24
Steven O’Rourke is the offensive co-ordinator of Tullamore PhoenixAmerican Football Club, winners of the IAFL DV8s national title in 2010 and 2011. Tullamore are always recruiting new players so, if you’d like to play football and not just read about it, Steven would love to hear from you.
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American Football Andy Dalton Cincinatti Bengals Houston Texans NFL NFL Playoffs Sunday Watt Tim Tebow