Texans Not Ready Yet

Eleven games into the season, the Texans continue to have this awful habit of failing to put together two good halves in a game.

The 35-27 loss to Indianapolis -- a defeat that allowed the Colts to build their record against them to 15-1 -- is the perfect example of what's plagued the Texans since the season began.

For the first time this season, the Texans scored on their first series. Then they scored another touchdown on their second series for a 14-0 lead over Indianapolis.

The Texans led 17-0 in the second quarter and 20-7 at halftime. And yet because they are the Texans, and they were playing against Peyton Manning and the undefeated Colts, most in Reliant Stadium expected what happened in the second half.

Remember, the Texans entered this game with back-to-back 20-17 losses to Indianapolis and Tennessee, and they could have forced overtime in both games if Kris Brown had connected on 41- and 49-yard field goals. But he didn't. As a result, the Texans lost four consecutive games in which they could have forced overtime on the last play, but they blew it each time.

Against the Colts, the Texans began to crumble one piece at a time. They weren't good enough to overcome adversity like a horrendous, 43-yard pass interference penalty on cornerback Jacques Reeves that set up Manning's second touchdown pass that pulled the Colts within 20-14.

Manning's third touchdown pass on the next series gave them a 21-20 advantage they wouldn't relinquish.

Afterward, coach Gary Kubiak blamed himself, saying he has to find a way to get the players to play four good quarters in a game. Well, if he hasn't done it by now, odds are that he won't be able to do it this season.

Big-time players are supposed to come up big when the pressure is on. Matt Schaub threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in the second half. Andre Johnson failed to control what would have been a touchdown catch, and they settled for a field goal. Robinson was beaten for another touchdown. Fullback Vonta Leach dropped a pass before an interception return for a touchdown. Right tackle Eric Winston was called for holding before Schaub was stripped, causing a fumble that set up the last touchdown drive. Defensive end Antonio Smith was called for two personal fouls, giving him three in his last two games.

The Texans are 2-4 at Reliant Stadium, so perhaps it's good they return to the road against Jacksonville. They're trying to avoid being swept by the Jaguars.

Come to think of it, it was the Jaguars who put them in this yoke they can't shake when they stopped the Texans at the 2-yard line as time ran out in the third game of the season.