The Houston Texans, who lost on a last-second pass to the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, lost again in the final seconds Sunday to the New York Jets, 30-27. Mark Sanchez hit Santonio Holmes on a 6-yard TD pass with 10 seconds left to wipe out a 27-23 Houston lead. The Jets (8-2) went 72 yards in 45 seconds to pull out victory after blowing a 13-point lead of their own in the fourth quarter.
The Texans, devastated by a last-play loss last week to Jacksonville, dropped to 4-7. Their season is in disarray because of miserably poor pass defense.
Some quick thoughts on the game:
• The Jets came into the game with the 20th-ranked pass offense in the NFL, but when the Houston Texans' defense devoted itself to stopping the Jets' fourth-ranked run game, the Jets made enough plays through the air to win. Sanchez, the 24th-rated passer in the NFL (80.5), threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns.
es missed the first four games of the season, but he has been making up for lost time the last three games. He notched 10 receptions combined in the past two contests and had seven for 126 yards Sunday. In the third quarter, he provided a big play against man-to-man defense as the Texans geared for the run. Holmes lined up in the slot, and cut inside to take a pass from Sanchez. Defensive back Brice McCain fell down, and Holmes raced for the 41-yard score and a 20-7 lead.
• Sunday was a chance to see Jets corner Darrelle Revis vs. Texans star wide receiver Andre Johnson. Revis won a lot of the battles, but Johnson got the Texans in position for a fourth-quarter touchdown with a big reception.
• Sanchez made some plays in the pass game, but it wasn't easy because of Mario Williams. The Texans defensive end forced Sanchez off his spot in the pocket again and again. Williams had a couple of sacks by the fourth quarter and Sanchez was throwing on the move more than he wanted.
• The Jets did not score a touchdown in the first quarter in their previous five games. They went end-zone dry again in the first quarter against the Texans and trailed 3-0 after one. It shouldn't be surprising. Sanchez was under a lot of pressure and had no chance to make his throws. Houston was devoted to stopping the run and took away Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson early.
• Sanchez handled the pressure in the second quarter, when the Jets finally scored a touchdown. Sanchez brought his team quickly to the line at the Houston 4-yard line and used a quick snap count. The Texans were not prepared and Braylon Edwards was wide open on a slant pattern for a touchdown catch.
• The Jets overcame two penalties in the 10-play drive. They are one of the most penalized teams in the NFL, but have survived with defense and the run game.
• The Jets advanced inside the red zone three times in the first half and scored one touchdown. New York could not run the football. They had 38 yards rushing in the first half, which was pretty surprising, given the Jets are a run-first team. New York ran that drive without tackle Damien Woody, who left the field for the locker room with a right leg injury. He came back to the field before the end of the half, but did not go back in the game.
• It was Revis vs. Johnson, but we also did see Texans receiver Kevin Walter beat Revis down the right sideline.... and drop a pass. Walter looked back into the sun and let the ball fall right through his arms. He tried to explain himself when he came to the sideline, but no one was listening.
• After the Walter drop, there was a poor punt and the Jets had terrific field position at the Houston 48-yard line. The Jets added a field goal to make their lead 13-7.
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