|
In
this early AFC match up between two 1-0 teams the scoring got started
early and often. Just: 43 seconds into the game Drew Brees hit Curtis
Conway down the right sideline for a 67 yard TD reception. Conway had
to make a nice move at the 10 to avoid two tacklers and then dart his
way to the score. It didn¹t take the Texans long again as Powder demonstrated
his excellent stick control and quarterback play marching the Texans
easily to the Charger 13 yard line and on their next play David Carr
hit Corey Bradford to even the score.
After the
ensuing Kickoff the Texan defense buckled down stopping Tomlinson short
of the first down and forcing the Bolts to punt. On the second play
from scrimmage after the punt, David Carr found a wide-Jabari Gaffney
standing alone in the end zone for a 46 yard Touchdown. Replay showed
that All-pro Safety Rodney Harrison tripped in coverage leaving the
rookie speedster out of Florida widefor the score. The first quarter
concluded with the Texans holding a 14-7 lead.
The second
quarter started just like the first ended. The Texans held the Chargers
forcing them to punt and David Carr drove Houston down the field finding
Jermaine Lewis for the 26yrd score. It had all the making of a Texans
blow out, as Houston went ahead 21-7.
The Chargers
however regrouped and Drew Brees put together a touchdown drive capped
off by an 11 yard TD run by L. Tomlinson. The next drive of the game
might have proved to be the story of the game. After receiving the kickoff
and taking the Texans to the Charger 40, Junior Seau came on a hard
blitz hitting David Carr and knocked him out of the game. The injury
would later turn out to be not that serious, as Carr returned. He only
sat out one series, however he would later prove to be not the same
quarterback he was in the first half. On a positive note for the Texans
Carr¹s backup Quinn kept the Texans drive alive and hit TE Alan for
the 10 yard score that gave the Texans a comfortable 28-14 lead.
Chargers
secondary of Ryan McNeil, Quentin Jammer, Rodney Harrison and Rogers
Beckett began pointing fingers at each other as no one had a clue as
to what was happening to them. But the Bolts offense was able to respond
as Brees hit Conway again this time on a 41-yard strike to pull them
within a touchdown 28-21 with 1:12 left in the half. Interesting enough
the Texans were not happy with the touchdown lead and tried unsuccessfully
to score again. They were forced to punt with: 28 seconds left in the
half. Chargers Tim Dwight took the punt on his own 30 and managed a
15-yard return to his own 45. With two time-outs Brees took over and
hit Conway twice on post patterns across the middle of a Texan prevent
defense. This set up a Doug Christie 45 yard field goal that he nailed
as time expired in the half leaving the half-time score at 28-24. This
field goal would later prove to be extremely important for the Chargers.
The second
half did not have nearly as much fireworks as the first. After holding
the Texans on theirng position of the second half, Brees lead
the Chargers down the field. On the five-yard line he took matters in
his own hands scrambling for a 5 yard TD that gave the Chargers their
first lead since 7-0, at 31-28. That lead did not last long however
as All World special teams player Jermaine Lewis took the kickoff 92
yards untouched for the touchdown, putting Houston back up 35-31.
From that
point on that¹s when both teams defense took over the game. David Carr
was never his self again over throwing receivers and getting pressured
by Marcellus Wiley who had two sacks and Raylee Johnson and Junior Seau
who each had a sack apiece. The game came down to a goal line showdown
between the Charger offense and the young Texan defense.
With the
ball on the 1-yard line and on 3rd down the Chargers attempted to give
the ball up the middle to Tomlinson. Texan DT Seth Payne had other ideas
as he knifed through and tackled Brees before he could get the hand-off
to Tomlinson. This set up a crucial 4th and goal from the 2. The Chargers
after lining up for the play called a time out, not liking what they
saw. On the next play Brees tossed the ball on a sweep to the weak side
of the field. Tomlinson out ran Texan DB Marcus Coleman to the corner
for the game winning score. The Texans did get the ball back with 1:45
seconds but they went 4 plays and out and Brees kneeled and ran the
clock out. Final score Chargers 38 Texans 35.
After the
game coach Mike Dixon was quoted a saying, "Hats off to the Texans and
coach Powder who played a great game. Coach Powder has done an excellent
job with that young team and I¹m sure they will have a great year. We
just felt that we had the better athletes and we made some adjustments
at the half and escaped with a tough victory. Great game."
|