This Week in the Red Zone, or Don't Blink or You'll Miss Our Spiffy New Mobile Quarterback: Cleveland Browns v. Houston Texans

Ho hum, another game, another notch in the win column for the Texans.  It's starting to feel a bit old hat to see the Texans come out of a game with the victory these last few weeks.

Oh, who am I kidding?  This winning stuff never gets old, especially if you think back to this time last year (vs. the Chargers).   Our secondary was burned regularly by the likes of Seyi Ajirotutu.  The Texans had to mount enormous fourth quarter comebacks to make up for, to put it kindly, lackadaisical offensive play in the first half each week. 

Think about that game.

Now think back to this one.

Now back to that game.

Now back to this one.

Against the Browns, the Texans dominated on both sides of the ball in all four quarters of the game (except that one garbage-time TD to Joshua Cribbs, which we'll chalk up to aliens or something).

Hell, even Bill Cowher (and I feel dirty quoting him) called the Texans "the most complete team in football."  Frankly, I'm still not sure I believe that he really said that.

It feels damn good to be a Texans fan this year.

Oh, and we have red zone stuff.  So jump and let's continue to revel in this week's win.

First Quarter

First Red Zone Drive

Our first appearance in the red zone doesn't come on the first drive of the game, oddly enough.  Not to say they didn't score on their first drive, it just didn't occur in the red zone.  At any rate, their SECOND drive lands the Texans in the red zone after Matt Schaub threw a 12-yard pass to Owen Daniels to get them to the 10-yard line.

On first-and-goal at the Browns' 10-yard line, Arian Foster ran off the left guard's side for a gain of eight down to the two-yard line.

Second-and-goal at the two comes and Schaub throws an incomplete pass intended for Arian Foster.

Third-and-goal comes, still at the two, and Schaub takes the ball and rumbles into the end zone for a Texans touchdown.

Time Spent in Red Zone:  0:56
End Result:  Matt Schaub shows off his wheels as he runs the ball in for the touchdown!
Score:  Cleveland 0 - Houston 14

Second Quarter

Second Red Zone Drive

The Texans' second red zone appearance was a really quick one.  They get into the red zone after a nine-yard run by Ben Tate gets the offense to the Browns' 19-yard line.

That's all Arian Foster needed, as he ran a sweep off the right side into the end zone for another Texans touchdown.

Time Spent in Red Zone:  0:05
End Result:  Arian Foster slices through the Browns' defense for the touchdown!
Score:  Cleveland 3 - Houston 21

Third Quarter

Third Red Zone Drive

The third, and final, red zone drive is also the longest drive of the day for the Texans.  They start their drive at the 14 after Schaub completed a pass to Foster for seven yards.

On third-and-two at the Browns' 14, Schaub completes an eight-yard pass to Owen Daniels, getting the Texans to the six-yard line with a fresh set of downs.

It's first-and-goal and Foster gets the carry for a three yard gain.

Second-and-goal at the Browns' three-yard line comes and Schaub throws an incomplete pass to Lawrence Vickers (I know, stunning, isn't it?). 

Third down comes and Schaub throws the ball to Jacoby Jones, and the ball falls incomplete.

Finally, out comes the hard-hitting Neil Rackers who successfully kicks a 21-yard field goal.

Time Spent in Red Zone:  1:43
End Result:  21-yard field goal for Neil Rackers
Score:  Cleveland 3 - Houston 27

Number of Trips in Red Zone:  3
Total Amount of Time in Red Zone:  2:44
Average Amount of Time in Red Zone:  0:54
Red Zone Efficiency:  3/3 (100%)
Scores in Red Zone:  2 TDs (Schaub, Foster) 1 FG (Rackers 21)

Next on the hit list is the second part of the Texans' tour of Florida:  the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Will Andre be able to convince Kubiak and Co. to let him play in his home state on Sunday?  Stay tuned.

Browns vs Texans coverage