2007 Houston Texans season

"at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas"
*Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
*Game weather: Indoor (Roof closed)
*Game attendance: 70,765
*Referee: Peter Morelli
* TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and Solomon Wilcots (color commentator)

Following an impressive win over the Panthers, the Texans went home for an AFC South duel with the defending Super Bowl champions, the Indianapolis Colts (who Houston won against last time at home). In the first quarter, the Texans delivered the first punch with WR Jerome Mathis retuning a kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown. However, the Colts responded with QB Peyton Manning completing a 2-yard TD pass to TE Dallas Clark. In the second quarter, Houston retook the lead with kicker Kris Brown getting a 33-yard field goal. However, Indianapolis went ahead with RB Joseph Addais 4-yard TD run.

In the third quarter, the Colts managed to put the Texans in a huge hole with kicker Adam Vinatieri's 36-yard field goal, Addai's 8-yard TD run, and Vinatieri's 28-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Houston tried a comeback with RB Samkon Gado's 1-yard TD run. Indianapolis would get their final score of the game with Vinatieri kicking a 35-yard field goal. The Texans drew close with QB Matt Schaub's 1-yard TD pass to RB Vonta Leach. However, the Colts managed to hold on to win.

With the loss, Houston fell to 2-1.

Week 4: vs. Atlanta Falcons

"at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida"
*Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
*Game weather: 82°F (Chance of Rain)
*Game attendance: 63,715
*Referee: Mike Carey

Coming off their home win over the Dolphins, the Texans flew to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for a Week 6 AFC South showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the first quarter, Houston struck first with kicker Kris Brown getting a 20-yard field goal for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, the Texans increased its lead with Brown kicking a 35-yard field goal. However, the Jaguars took the lead with QB David Garrard completing a 1-yard TD pass to TE George Wrighster, along with kicker John Carney getting a 37-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Houston continued to trail as Garrard completed a 9-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Williams (with a blocked PAT). The Texans would respond with Brown getting a 33-yard field goal. However, in the fourth quarter, Jacksonville would pull away with RB Maurice Jones-Drew getting a 7-yard TD run, LB Daryl Smith returning a fumble 77 yards for a touchdown, and Jones-Drew getting a 57-yard TD run. Houston's only response would be back-up QB Sage Rosenfels completing a 1-yard TD pass to FB Vonta Leach.

With the loss, the Texans fell to 3-3.

So far this year, Houston is 1-3 without WR Andre Johnson, who was still recovering from injuries.

Week 7: vs. Tennessee Titans

"at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California"
*Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST/3:15 p.m. CST
*Game weather: 70F° (Clear Skies)
*Game attendance: 49,603
*Referee: Peter Morelli

Trying to snap a three-game skid, the Texans flew to McAfee Coliseum for a Week 9 intraconference duel with the Oakland Raiders. With QB Matt Schaub out with a concussion, back-up QB Sage Rosenfels got the start.

In the first quarter, Houston drew first blood as RB Ahman Green got an 8-yard TD run for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, the Texans continued to roll over the Raiders as RB Ron Dayne got a 14-yard TD run, while kicker Kris Brown nailed a 40-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Oakland finally managaed to respond as kicker Sebastian Janikowski managed to get a 22-yard field goal for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Raiders drew closer as RB Justin Fargas got a 1-yard TD run. Fortunately, Houston took control with Rosenfels completing a 42-yard TD pass to WR André Davis. Oakland's only response was QB Josh McCown completing a 28-yard TD pass to WR Tim Dwight.

With their three-game skid snapped, the Texans entered their bye week at 4-5.

The win also kept Houston unbeaten (3-0) against the Raiders.

Week 11: vs. New Orleans Saints

"at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee"
*Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
*Game weather: 61°F (Cloudy)
*TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Rich Gannon (color commentator)
*Game attendance: 69,143
*Referee: Jeff Triplette

Hoping ro rebound from their road loss to the Browns, the Texans flew to LP Field for a Week 13 AFC South rematch with the Tennessee Titans. In the first quarter, Houston got the first punch as RB Ron Dayne got a 1-yard TD run. The Titans would respond with RB LenDale White getting a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, Houston regained the lead with kicker Kris Brown getting a 45-yard field goal for the only score of the period.

In the third quarter, the Tennessee took the lead with QB Vince Young completing a 43-yard TD pass to WR Roydell Williams, along with an 11-yard TD pass to WR Justin Gage. In the fourth quarter, the Texans tried to get a comeback as QB Sage Rosenfels completed a 28-yard TD pass to WR Andre Johnson, yet the Titans respoded with RB Chris Brown getting a 7-yard TD run. Houston tried to comeback and take the lead, but their only response was Browns' 50-yard field goal.

With the loss, the Texans fell to 5-7. They have now lost 7 out of their last 8 divisional road games.

QB Matt Schaub (3/5 for 34 yards) was knocked out of the game in the first quarter with a left shoulder injury.

Week 14: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

"at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana"
*Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
*Game weather: Game played indoors (Domed stadium)
*TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Rich Gannon (color commentator)
*Game attendance: 57,262
*Referee: Ed Hochuli

Coming off an impressive blowout of the Denver Broncos, the Texans packed up and traveled to Indianpolis to do battle with their division rival. Houston drew first blood with as QB Sage Rosenfels threw a 17-yard TD pass to Kevin Walter. The Colts responded to the TD with a 29 yard Vinatieri field goal. The Colts, who got off to a slow start in the 1st Quarter, scored 3 TDs in the 2nd quarter, a 2-yard TD run by Joseph Addai and two Peyton Manning TD passes to tight end Dallas Clark. In the 3rd quarter, the Colts continued to pull away from the struggling Texans. Clifton Dawson scored a 4-yard TD Run and Manning passed to Reggie Wayne for a 7 yard TD. In the 4th quarter, the Colts put in backups and QB Sage Rosenfels threw a 6-yard TD to Andre Johnson and Darius Walker rushed up the middle for the 2-Point Conversion. The Texans fell 38-15, ending their 2-game win streak and hopes for their first winning season.

With the loss, the Texans fell to 7-8.

Week 17: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

"at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas"
*Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
*Game weather: Sunny
*TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg (play-by-play) & Randy Cross (play-by-play)
*Game attendance: 70,059
*Referee: Tony Corrente

Hoping to end their season on a high note, the Texans went home and played a Week 17 AFC South rematch with the Jacksonville Jaguars (who were playing mainly with backups, due to them already clinching a playoff berth).

In the first quarter, Houston trailed early as QB Quinn Gray completed a 22-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Williams for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, the Texans took the lead with RB Ron Dayne getting a 2-yard TD run and QB Sage Rosenfels completing a 2-yard TD pass to TE Owen Daniels. Jacksonville would tie the game with Gray completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR Ernest Wilford. Afterwards, Houston immediately responded with WR André Davis returning a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.

In the third quarter, the Texans increased their lead as Davis returned the second half's opening kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown. In doing so, Davis became the 7th player in NFL history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same game. Afterwards, Houston kept its momentum going with Dayne getting a 12-yard TD run. The Jaguars would respond with Gray complting a 5-yard TD pass to WR Matt Jones. In the fourth quarter, the Texans pulled away with RB Darius Walker getting a 1-yard TD run. Jacksonville would end the game with Gray and Wilford hooking up with each other again on a 17-yard TD pass.

With the win, Houston finished its season at 8-8.

For the year, the Texans scored a total of 43 touchdowns and managed to get 8 wins on the year (both franchise records).

ee also