Texans Roll and the Cowboys play Santa

 The opening weekend for the NFL season got off to an inspiring effort from some and a need for improvement for others.  The Houston Texans opened up at home with All Pro running back being a game time decision and at game time he was left in street clothes.  The Texans had their way with the Indianapolis Colts and won 34-7.  The Colts star quarterback did not play with a neck injury.  Unlike the Colts the Texans found an adequate replacement for their injured players.

Derrick Ward started the game for the Texans at running back and scored the game’s first touchdown, but Ben Tate finished with a bang.  After Ward left the game in the first half with an injury Tate has to carry the running load for the Texans.  Tate finished the game with 116 rushing yards and his first career touchdown.  Tate, a 2^nd year pro out of Auburn, when ask why he did so well he stated, “the key to every running back running the ball well is the offensive line.  James Casey and those guys did a great job.”

The Texans defense forced two fumbles on Colts quarterback Kerry Collins which both led directly to Texans touchdowns by the offense.  The new defensive scheme by new Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips contained the Colts offense in the first half.  Coach Phillips feels the defense has been, “so far so good.”  Rookie defensive lineman JJ Watt had 5 tackles and one fumble recovery and Mario Williams playing his first game a linebacker recorded two sacks.

The Texans will travel to Miami to play the Dolphins next Sunday.

Prediction Texans will go to 2-0 with a win over the Miami Dolphins 24-10.

Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys played excellent football for three quarters and made critical mistakes in the fourth quarter to give the game to the New York Jets by a final score of 27-24.  The Dallas defense played a very solid game and kept the Jets at bay for the most part.  A special team break resulted in a touchdown by the Jets special team.

Tony Romo threw consistently to big three Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten.  The trio finished with over 270 yards and two touchdowns.  Felix Jones only had 44 rushing yards in the game and only 64 total rushing yards for the game.  However in the fourth quarter the defense that had been so good gave the Jets a touchdown drive of 84 yards in just under 3 minutes to open the quarter.  Two offensive series later a Dallas punt was blocked for a touchdown for the Jets.  The Cowboys started the quarter with a seven point lead and wound up losing by 3 pts.

The Cowboys will travel to San Francisco next week to play the Forty-Niners.  The Niners are rebuilding under new coach Jim Harbaugh, but did win their season opening game by defeating Seattle 33-17.

Prediction the Cowboys will win their first game 31-24.