Week 10: Texans Beat Pathetic Bills 12-10
Offense goes without a touchdown again as season goes down in flames.
by Steve Saslow

at Week 10 Texans   12 Bills   10 Gameday Grades

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse... it did. Don't let the final score of 10 points fool you. The Bills went a third straight game without scoring a touchdown as the Texans beat the Bills 12-10. The Bills showed that their offensive woes aren't limited to the road. They had two field goals and two safeties as another solid defensive effort was wasted. A Drew Bledsoe fumble, (what else is new) on the final last ditch drive wrapped the game up. And a boneheaded acceptance of a Texans penalty cost the Bills any miracle chances at a victory.

The defense did their job again for a second straight week, this time they even tried to help the offense. A Jeff Posey sack in the end zone that knocked David Carr out of the game gave the Bills a 2-0 lead in the first quarter. An interception by Antoine Winfield led to the Bills lone second half field goal and the safety on the final play of the game given to them by the Texans were 7 of the 10 points the Bills could muster against one of the worst defenses in the league.

The Bills were able to move the ball on the ground, as Travis Henry gained 149 yards and played in the second half with a cracked fibula suffered late in the first half. With the running game moving, it was dispicable that they continued to try to win the game through the air in the first half. Two straight 3rd and 2 plays were stopped on incomplete passes as Drew Bledsoe audibled out of running calls. When they finally ran it on another 3rd and 2, Henry scampered for 64 yards setting up the only three points the offense produced themselves.

While the Bills were struggling to score, they were deflated by two missed Rian Lindell field goals in the first half. He missed from 29 and 44 yards as the snaps were a little wobbly. Those misses and a 46 yard touchdown pass from backup QB Tony Banks to rookie WR Andre Johnson just before halftime gave the Texans a 6-5 lead. The Bills dominated the half statistically but still trailed despite having 100 plus more yards in the half. The failure in the red zone killed them once again. Lindell may have missed two field goals but if the offense could get into the end zone he doesn't even attempt those kicks. A dropped pass in the end zone by Sam Aiken led to Lindell's only successful kick in the first half.

The Bills defense gave up a field goal drive on the opening kickoff of the second half to extend the Texans lead to 9-5. On the next defensive series, Winfield tried to get the Bills back in the game with a pick that set the Bills up at the Texans 20. They moved the ball to the two yard line behind runs by Henry who was an injured warrior in this one. On fourth and goal at the two the Bills showed no confidence in the offense by kicking a field goal to pull back within one point.

The defense was deflated and again gave up a big drive at the end of the game. Another big play by Johnson set the Texans up for a field goal to go up 12-8. The offense did move the ball down the field with 3:15 left as Aiken caught a 19 yard reception to get the Bills to the Texans 31 at the two minute warning. Bledsoe than fumbled the ball away once again, in a scene that has become all too familiar in recent weeks. It was a close call but replay did not overturn the call. The Bills had one more miracle chance but somebody inexplicitly accepted a penalty on third down that if declined would have given the Bills :40 or so perform a miracle. Instead the Texans took a safety as time expired making the final score 12-10.

Well, the season is now definitely over, no reason to put off the inevitable, fire Gregg Williams and Kevin Gilbride immediately. This team has no offense, and they make the same mistakes week in and week out. They consistently try to throw, when the way to win is on the ground. This by far may be the most disappointing season in club history. It only gets worse, the Colts come to town next weekend.

Here are our exclusive gameballs and goats from the game:

Rian Lindell - He missed two field goals, a chip shot 29 yarder and a 44 yarder, there was no wind, so weather wasn't a factor. He did bounce back to hit two field goals. His kickoffs were very short also.

Nate Clements - He missed a tackle on Andre Johnson's 46 yard touchdown and was beaten by Johnson for a 27 yard pass. Also called for a boneheaded unnecessary roughness call.

Drew Bledsoe - Once again, he seems unsure of himself in the offense. He fumbled the ball away once again and that cost the team a chance at a victory. He was tentative and wasted a few timeouts. He even tried to call one as the first quarter was coming to an end.

Jonas Jennings - He was called for two costly holding calls on the first series of the fourth quarter. He was pressed into action because of Mike Williams automobile accident.

Sam Aiken - Bledsoe went to him a few times in big situations with zero results. Including a dropped pass by Aiken in the end zone. A dropped pass on the opening possession and he ran a wrong route on a big third and five play in the fourth quarter. He did catch a big pass on the ill fated final drive.

Player Of The Week

Travis Henry - He led the team with 149 yards on 23 carries and was a warrior that everyone on the team should look up to.

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