For the second time in franchise history, your Houston Texans are 2-0.
Wow, I didn't think that was possible during halftime of yesterday's game. For the first time in franchise history, the Texans won a game against the Redskins and in overtime. We're just a scant two games into the season, but the guys in Deep Steel Blue are knocking out a whole lot of franchise records and firsts. Next? The first 3-0 start in franchise history. Before we look ahead, let's take a look at the unsung hero of Week Two.
The unsung hero, based off of post-game reaction, is wide receiver Kevin Walter. Why Walter? Look after you leap to find the answers you seek.
This off-season, Kevin Walter received a five-year, $21.5 million deal. The deal was met with a mixed reaction. On one hand, Walter was the steady veteran who was dependable, and people were happy to see him be rewarded. On the other hand, many fans wanted to see Jacoby Jones get a chance to become the second wide receiver because he offered more big plays than Walter. No, this isn't an invitation to start the whole "Jacoby Debate" up again. This is about Kevin Walter - the man who definitely earned his paycheck with his performance yesterday.
Yesterday, Kevin Walter put up near-career highs with an 11 catch, 144 yard, and one touchdown performance. For those wondering, he was one catch and 16 yards shy of his career-best performance, which came against Jacksonville in 2007. Not only did Kevin put up big numbers, but he also made those catches when the Texans needed them the most.
The obvious statistic to start with is Walter's 11 receptions on 11 targets - better than Andre Johnson's 12 receptions on 17 targets or Jacoby's 6 catches on 9 targets. Six of those 11 catches went for first downs and a seventh went for his second touchdown catch of the season. With bad field positioning plaguing the Texans all game, Walter helped dig the Texans out of that hole as he was the recipient of six Matt Schaub passes when the Texans had the ball at or behind their own 35-yard line.
Kevin Walter didn't eat a left tackle on a BULL RUSH, nor did he block a field goal that kept hope alive. He didn't pull his own Willis Reed moment and return from injury to catch a game-tying touchdown on 4th-and-10. Kevin didn't put up a franchise record 497 passing yards or make a game-winning field goal. However, Kevin Walter definitely made big plays when the Texans needed them even if the post-game praise went to other, bigger names.
For his near-career best game, Kevin Walter is the unsung hero of Week Two, and I'm eating crow about how undeserving he was of that relatively big contract. Agree? Disagree? That's what the comments are for.