1992: Bills Beat Broncos for AFC Title in Defensive Struggle

The AFC Championship game on January 12, 1992 featured the defending conference champions, the Buffalo Bills, hosting the Denver Broncos, a team that had reached the Super Bowl three times in the preceding five seasons.

Buffalo, coached by Marv Levy, had narrowly lost the previous year’s Super Bowl to the Giants and again topped the AFC East with a 13-3 record in ’91. The high-powered offense that led the league in total yards featured QB Jim Kelly, RB Thurman Thomas, and WR Andre Reed. The defense was strongest at linebacker, a group that included Pro Bowlers Cornelius Bennett and Darryl Talley, and had plenty of speed, but star DE Bruce Smith missed all but five games due to a knee injury and the unit as a whole was showing signs of wear. Still, the Bills easily dispatched the Chiefs in the Divisional playoff round and were 11.5-point favorites as they sought to win the conference title for a second year.

The Broncos, under the direction of Head Coach Dan Reeves for the eleventh season, bounced back from an off-year in 1990 to win the AFC West with a 12-4 tally. Denver had the AFC’s top-ranked defense, also boasting an excellent group of linebackers plus the fine safety tandem of Steve Atwater and Dennis Smith. As had been the case for the last decade, the key to the offense was QB John Elway. RB Gaston Green came from the Rams and had a career year with 1037 rushing yards. Denver narrowly defeated the Houston Oilers in its Divisional game to advance to the AFC title contest.

It was sunny and temperatures mild, although windy, at Rich Stadium with 80,272 fans in attendance. The Bills had the first possession and punted. The Broncos, starting from their 45, advanced to the Buffalo 39 before having to punt, but again had good starting field position at their 49 after the home team again had to kick from deep in its own territory. This time Denver reached the 34 before Gaston Green was stopped for losses on successive plays. Facing third-and-15, John Elway was sacked for another 12 yards by NT Jeff Wright, once again forcing a punt.

The Broncos got the ball back in short order when a pass by Jim Kelly that was tipped at the line was intercepted by NT Greg Kragen. Taking possession at the Buffalo 29, the visitors were still unable to gain ground and came up empty when David Treadwell’s 47-yard field goal attempt sailed wide to the left.

The Bills reached Denver territory for the first time on the ensuing series, but had to punt from the 44. Green ran for 18 yards and Elway passed to WR Vance Johnson for a gain of 10 more as the opening period came to a close. With the ball once more in Buffalo territory, an apparent interception by CB Kirby Jackson at the two was overruled by replay review. This time the visitors got to the 11 thanks to short completions by Elway, but Denver was moved back from there on a fumbled snap and sack. The game remained scoreless as Treadwell’s 42-yard try for a field goal hit the right upright.

The Broncos continued to win the battle for field position, but also continued to come up empty as Treadwell missed a third field goal attempt, this time from 37 yards, that again struck the right upright. Neither team threatened to score for the remainder of the first half. Thus far, Denver was doing a superb job defensively of pressuring Kelly and shutting down the Buffalo offense.  But while the Broncos were winning the statistical battle, having outgained the Bills (123 to 58) and accumulated nine first downs to Buffalo’s three, they had nothing to show for it on the scoreboard.

The situation remained much the same as the third quarter commenced and the teams exchanged punts. Finally, the Bills put together a promising drive. Thurman Thomas ran effectively, Kelly completed two passes, and Andre Reed gained 16 yards on a reverse. However, after getting to the Denver 26, Kelly’s next throw was picked off by CB Tyrone Braxton. The reprieve proved to be short-lived for the Broncos. Two plays later, an Elway pass that was tipped by Wright was intercepted by LB Carlton Bailey, who returned it 11 yards for a touchdown (pictured at top, Wright #91, Bailey #54). Scott Norwood added the extra point and Buffalo was ahead by 7-0 with 5:28 left in the period.

The teams traded punts as the game headed into the fourth quarter, and now backup QB Gary Kubiak was in for Elway, who suffered a thigh injury early in the second half and finally had to leave the contest. Kubiak completed two passes and Green had gains of ten and seven yards as the Broncos advanced to the Buffalo 31. LB Darryl Talley sacked Kubiak for a 10-yard loss on a second-and-nine play, and while the quarterback was able to regain eight yards of that on a scramble, a fourth-and-11 pass to WR Michael Young came up a yard short.

The Bills responded with a 50-yard drive in nine plays. Kelly completed consecutive throws to TE Keith McKeller, the second for 25 yards in a third-and-five situation. Runs by Thomas and a throw to Reed for 10 yards got the ball to the Denver 26 and Norwood booted a 44-yard field goal to put Buffalo ahead by ten points with 4:18 remaining in regulation.

The Broncos came back with an 85-yard series that took eight plays. Kubiak ran for 11 yards on first down and then completed three straight passes to Vance Johnson, the longest for 24 yards. Kubiak hit on two more throws to Johnson, for 23 and eight yards, and the quarterback finished the possession off with a three-yard carry for a TD. Treadwell’s conversion made it a three-point contest with the clock down to 1:43.

Denver succeeded on an onside kick that was recovered by Steve Atwater, but on the next play RB Steve Sewell fumbled after catching a pass and Kirby Jackson (pictured at right), who forced the fumble, recovered for the Bills. Buffalo was able to run the clock down to 17 seconds before punting, and while Kubiak completed two passes, time ran out on the Broncos at their 48 yard line. The Bills won by a final score of 10-7.

Buffalo’s offensive output was far below its regular season average as Denver led in total yards (304 to 213) and first downs (20 to 12). The Bills recorded four sacks to one by the Broncos. Each club turned the ball over two times. However, Denver’s David Treadwell missed all three of his field goal attempts while Scott Norwood of the Bills was successful on his one try.

Jim Kelly, who was harassed by Denver’s blitzing, completed 13 of 25 passes for 117 yards with no touchdowns while giving up two interceptions. Thurman Thomas rushed for 72 yards on 26 carries and had three catches for 15 yards. Keith McKeller led the Bills with 39 yards on his three pass receptions.

For the Broncos, John Elway was successful on 11 of 21 throws for 121 yards and was picked off once while Gary Kubiak (pictured below), the long-time backup who had already announced his retirement and was appearing in his last game, went 11-of-12 in relief, for 135 yards, and ran three times for 22 yards and a TD. Vance Johnson caught 7 passes for 100 yards and Steve Sewell gained 78 yards on his 7 receptions, although he also gave up the critical late-game fumble. Gaston Green compiled 53 yards on 19 rushing attempts.

“We did everything we could,” said a disappointed Coach Reeves of the Broncos in summation. “Our defense held them to three points. It’s a shame a turnover changed the game.”

The return to the Super Bowl did not bring Buffalo better fortune. The Bills lost to Washington in the second of what would turn out to be four consecutive Super Bowl defeats. Denver dropped to 8-8 in 1992 and next returned to the playoffs as a Wild Card entry in ’93. The Broncos did not advance as far as the AFC Championship game again until 1997, when they won their first NFL title.

2011: Texans Rally to Beat Bengals and Clinch First-Ever Division Title

The Houston Texans did not reach the postseason in their first nine years of existence, but stood poised to win a division title as they faced the Cincinnati Bengals on December 11, 2011. Coached by Gary Kubiak, the Texans had an outstanding defense, but attrition was a problem on offense.  T.J. Yates (pictured above), a rookie fifth-round draft pick out of North Carolina, had taken over at quarterback when starting QB Matt Schaub and then backup Matt Leinart went down with season-ending injuries in consecutive weeks. The first-year quarterback was making just his second start and was also without star WR Andre Johnson, who was sidelined by a strained hamstring. But RB Arian Foster was a steady performer and the Texans had won six straight games after a 3-3 start to come into the contest at Cincinnati with a 9-3 record.

Cincinnati, under Head Coach Marvin Lewis for the ninth year, was moving in the opposite direction, having started off at 6-2 before losing three of four games to barely be in playoff contention with a 7-5 tally. QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green were both rookies who moved directly into the starting lineup with promising results. As had typically been the case since Lewis took over as coach, the defense was solid.  

There was a small crowd of 41,202 fans in attendance at Paul Brown Stadium. The teams traded punts to start the game before the Texans mounted a scoring drive. After Arian Foster gained 11 yards on two carries, RB Ben Tate (pictured below) broke away for 44 yards to the Cincinnati 32. Houston was able to pick up another four yards before Neil Rackers kicked a 46-yard field goal.

The Bengals responded with a scoring series of their own. Andy Dalton completed a pass to WR Jerome Simpson for 21 yards and RB Cedric Benson followed up with a 42-yard run to the Houston one. The failure to reach the end zone mattered as the home team was immediately backed up five yards by a false start and the Bengals were able to regain only two yards before Mike Nugent kicked a 22-yard field goal that tied the score at 3-3.

FS Reggie Nelson intercepted a T.J. Yates pass on the next series and returned it 23 yards to the Houston 25. The Bengals lost ground from there but still took the lead when Nugent kicked another field goal, this time from 47 yards.

In a series that extended into the second quarter, Yates completed passes to TE Owen Daniels for 27 yards, WR Kevin Walter for 19, and Foster for 21. But after reaching the Cincinnati one, LB Rey Maualuga forced Tate to fumble and the Bengals recovered.

Cincinnati proceeded to drive 97 yards in 15 plays. Benson ran effectively and Dalton had a completion to TE Jermaine Gresham that picked up 26 yards. The Bengals converted two third downs and, facing a fourth-and-three situation at the Houston 35, Dalton passed to A.J. Green for 11 yards. Finally, Dalton threw down the middle to Simpson for a 17-yard touchdown. Nugent converted and the Bengals were up by 13-3 with three minutes remaining in the first half.

The Texans put together an effective drive in response as Yates went to the air and had completions of 24 and 18 yards to Daniels, five yards to WR Jacoby Jones, and six to Foster. But after reaching the Cincinnati 30, Rackers missed on a 47-yard field goal try. With the clock now down to 30 seconds, Dalton threw to WR Andrew Hawkins for 22 yards and to Gresham for 10 to set up a 49-yard Nugent field goal. Cincinnati carried a 16-3 lead into halftime.

The Bengals had the ball first in the third quarter but Dalton fumbled when sacked by LB Connor Barwin and LB Brooks Reed recovered for the Texans at the Cincinnati 17. Houston capitalized when, four plays later, Yates passed to TE Joel Dreessen for a six-yard touchdown. Rackers added the PAT and the home team’s lead was cut to six points.

The teams traded punts until the Bengals, starting from their own two yard line, drove all the way to the Houston 10. A pass interference penalty accounted for 25 yards and Dalton threw to Green for a 36-yard gain to the Houston 9. Cincinnati lost a yard over the ensuing three plays and Nugent came on to kick a 28-yard field goal that extended the lead to 19-10.

In a series that extended into the fourth quarter, the Texans advanced into Cincinnati territory. Yates threw to Foster for 17 yards and Jones for 16 and ran for 12 yards on his own to convert a third down, but he also fumbled when hit by DT Geno Atkins on a sack and DE Jonathan Fanene recovered for the Bengals at the Cincinnati 48.

The resulting possession was short and ended with a punt. On Houston’s next series, Yates completed seven passes, the longest to Walter for 19 yards, and the Texans reached the Cincinnati 15 before the drive stalled. Rackers kicked a 33-yard field goal to again make it a six-point contest.

The Bengals again had to punt following the next series and the Texans started at their 20 yard line with 2:33 left in regulation and no timeouts remaining. Yates was again effective passing the ball, connecting with Daniels three times for a total of 26 yards and Walter for 19 to the Cincinnati 35. A spike followed by a sack had the visitors facing third-and-15, but Yates ran 17 yards for a first down. Three plays later, the Texans were again facing third down and this time a pass interference penalty on CB Adam “Pacman” Jones moved the ball 17 yards to the six. From there, Yates threw to Walter for a six-yard touchdown with two seconds left. Rackers added the all-important extra point and Houston came away with a dramatic 20-19 win.

The Texans had the edge in total yards (412 to 285) and first downs (25 to 16) as well as time of possession (31:44 to 28:16). However, Houston also turned the ball over four times, to two suffered by the Bengals, and Cincinnati recorded five sacks, to one by the Texans.

T.J. Yates completed 26 of 44 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns while giving up one interception. He also rushed for 36 yards on five carries. Owen Daniels had 7 catches for 100 yards and Kevin Walter contributed 6 receptions for 76 yards and the game-deciding TD. With the one long carry, Ben Tate led Houston in rushing with 67 yards on 8 attempts while Arian Foster was held to 41 yards on 15 carries, although he added 33 yards on four catches.

For the Bengals, Andy Dalton was successful on 16 of 28 throws for 189 yards and a TD, giving up no interceptions. Cedric Benson ran for 91 yards on 21 attempts and A.J. Green (pictured below) topped the receivers with 5 catches for 59 yards. Mike Nugent was successful on all four of his field goal attempts.

“A rookie quarterback beat us today,” said Cincinnati safety Chris Crocker. “He did it with both his arm and his feet. I don’t even know what to say. Wow.”

With a Tennessee loss shortly thereafter, the Texans clinched the AFC South title and finished with a 10-6 record. Cincinnati, given scant chance of making the postseason after the loss, nevertheless won its next two games and qualified for a Wild Card slot at 9-7, which placed third in the AFC North. The teams met again in the Wild Card playoff round and Houston won to advance to the Divisional level, falling to Baltimore.

T.J. Yates ended up completing 82 of 134 passes (61.2 %) for 949 yards and three touchdowns along with three interceptions. In the postseason, he was 28-of-55 for 343 yards with a TD and three interceptions. He returned to being a backup in 2012 and threw just 32 more passes over the course of the next two years before being traded to Atlanta. The 300-yard passing performance against the Bengals remains his best single-game total.

2008: Andre Johnson Gains 207 Yards as Texans Edge Titans

The Houston Texans were coming off three straight wins and, while not in playoff contention, looking to achieve the first winning season in franchise history as they hosted the Tennessee Titans on December 14, 2008. In their third season under Head Coach Gary Kubiak, the Texans had a productive offense directed by QB Matt Schaub (when healthy), who had an outstanding target in WR Andre Johnson (pictured at right), plus rookie RB Steve Slaton to bolster the ground game. The defense, however, was less proficient and streaky Houston had a 6-7 record.

The Titans, coached by Jeff Fisher, were 12-1 and had already clinched the AFC South, but were still looking to gain home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Third-year QB Vince Young had been benched in favor of veteran Kerry Collins, to good effect, and rookie RB Chris Johnson was exceeding expectations. The defensive line was anchored by star DT Albert Haynesworth and there were other fine players in LB Keith Bulluck, CB Cortland Finnegan, SS Chris Hope, and FS Michael Griffin. Rob Bironas also provided reliable placekicking.

There were 70,831 fans present at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. The Titans had the first possession and moved into Houston territory largely on the strength of Chris Johnson’s running as he gained 29 yards on three carries. But after reaching the 37, Kerry Collins threw a long pass that was intercepted by CB Fred Bennett in the end zone and returned 23 yards. However, after Matt Schaub passed to Andre Johnson for 15 yards, he fumbled while being sacked by DE Jevon Kearse and Albert Haynesworth recovered at the Houston 32. Six plays later, Rob Bironas (pictured below) kicked a 26-yard field goal.

The Texans responded by putting together a long, 16-play drive that covered 70 yards. Schaub connected with Johnson for 22 yards on a third-and-ten play and followed right up with another pass to Johnson that gained 14 yards. A roughing-the-passer penalty helped Houston out of a third-and-23 jam and Steve Slaton had a 19-yard run along the way. Finally, on the first play of the second quarter, Kris Brown kicked a 32-yard field goal to tie the score.

The Titans went three-and-out on their next series, and after the ensuing punt had the Texans starting at their own 11, Schaub went long for Johnson down the middle for a 65-yard gain to the Tennessee 24. After three running plays, Schaub went to Johnson again and the result was a 13-yard touchdown. Brown added the extra point and Houston was ahead by 10-3.

The teams traded punts before the Titans reached midfield and Collins threw to WR Justin McCareins for 17 yards, only to have the receiver fumble and DE Tim Bulman recover for the Texans at their 31. The clubs returned to exchanging punts until, with 39 seconds remaining in the half, the Titans took over the ball at their own two and quickly moved 93 yards in four plays. The biggest was a pass from Collins to WR Brandon Jones for 40 yards and that was followed by a 36-yard gain on a pass interference penalty. Bironas kicked a 23-yard field goal and the score was 10-6 at halftime.

Following a short possession to start the third quarter, the Texans punted and Tennessee drove 30 yards in nine plays. Collins completed two passes, both to TE Bo Scaife, and RB LenDale White ran three times for 18 yards. Bironas kicked his third field goal, this time from 51 yards, and Houston’s lead was down to one point.

That was the way it stayed for the remainder of the period. A long series by the Texans reached the Tennessee seven, but it was all for naught when Brown missed a 26-yard field goal attempt. As the game headed into the fourth quarter, the Titans had the ball deep in their own territory and had to punt. An apparent 23-yard return by WR Jacoby Jones was wiped out by an illegal block and the Texans had to start at their 36. But a pass interference penalty got them to midfield and back-to-back pass completions to TE Owen Daniels – the second of which was good for 19 yards in a third-and-five situation – got them to the Tennessee 12. Once again they tried for a field goal, and this time Brown was successful from 24 yards to give the home team a 13-9 lead.

The Titans reached the Houston 48 on the next series and punted. The Texans had a short series that also resulted in a punt, with Matt Turk booming it 57 yards but DB Chris Carr returning it 17 yards to the Tennessee 39. Collins immediately went long and WR Justin Gage caught it for a 28-yard gain to the Houston 33. Chris Johnson ran for 13 yards but the drive finally stalled at the 16 and Bironas was once again called on to kick a field goal, which was successful from 34 yards.

Schaub threw to Andre Johnson for 40 yards on a series that reached the Tennessee 41 and resulted in a punt. The Titans came right back with a big pass play of their own as Collins connected with Gage for 34 yards, but facing fourth-and-three at the Houston 32, Tennessee passed up a long field goal attempt and came up empty when Collins tossed an incomplete pass.

That came with just under two minutes remaining to play, and proved to be Tennessee’s last shot. The Titans used all three of their timeouts on the next series, but a 12-yard carry by Slaton gave the Texans a game-clinching first down as they were able to run out the clock. Houston was the winner by a final score of 13-12.

The Texans had the edge in total yards (375 to 281) and first downs (22 to 14). However, they hurt themselves with 11 penalties at a cost of 127 yards, as opposed to 7 flags thrown on Tennessee totaling 64 yards. Houston also gave up three sacks while not getting to Kerry Collins at all. The Titans turned the ball over twice, to one suffered by the Texans.

Andre Johnson, who was largely shut down by the Titans when the two teams met earlier in the season, had a huge performance with 11 catches for 207 yards and the game’s only touchdown. Matt Schaub completed 23 of 39 passes for 284 yards and a touchdown with none intercepted. Steve Slaton (pictured below) ran for an even 100 yards on 24 carries.

For the Titans, Kerry Collins was successful on 15 of 33 throws for 181 yards and no TDs with one intercepted. Chris Johnson rushed for 65 yards on 13 attempts. Justin Gage caught three passes for 76 yards. Rob Bironas was the scoring star as he was successful on all four of his field goal attempts – but one that he didn’t get to try on Tennessee’s last possession might have made the difference in the outcome.

The Texans lost the next week but won their season finale to finish at 8-8 for the second straight year, again missing out on a winning record and placing third in the AFC South. They would finally finish over .500 for the first time in 2009. Tennessee split its last two games but ended up with the conference’s best record at 13-3. The season ended in disappointment with a loss to the Ravens in the Divisional round of the postseason.

Andre Johnson, in his sixth year, led the NFL with 115 catches and 1575 receiving yards. He averaged 13.7 yards per catch and scored eight touchdowns. It all resulted in his receiving consensus first-team All-NFL recognition as well as selection to the Pro Bowl for the third time. His 207 receiving yards against the Titans set a franchise record that he broke in 2012.  

2007: Long Kris Brown Field Goals Propel Texans Over Dolphins

The Houston Texans were 2-2 as they faced the Miami Dolphins at Reliant Stadium on October 7, 2007, having won their first two games of the season but then lost the next two. In their second year under Head Coach Gary Kubiak, the club had made changes, most notably acquiring QB Matt Schaub from Atlanta and 30-year-old ex-Packer RB Ahman Green. Schaub started off well, especially in combination with WR Andre Johnson in the first two winning contests, but when Johnson went down with a knee injury and Green was also slowed by injury, the Texans ran into trouble.

The Dolphins, coached by Cam Cameron following the departure of Nick Saban for Alabama, had lost all four of their games to date. They had also brought in a new quarterback in the offseason, ex-Chief Trent Green, who beat out Cleo Lemon for the starting job in the preseason. While second-year RB Ronnie Brown was a bright spot, there were few others.

The Texans had the first possession of the game and proceeded to drive 78 yards in 11 plays. Schaub misfired on his first two passes but then converted a third-and-ten situation with a completion to WR Kevin Walter for 16 yards. A personal foul penalty on Miami DE Jason Taylor turned a second-and-17 play into a first down along the way. Schaub connected with WR Andre’ Davis for 49 yards to the Miami two and while it took four straight handoffs to RB Ron Dayne to finally score, Houston had the early lead.

The Dolphins responded with a scoring series of their own after rookie WR Ted Ginn Jr. returned the ensuing kickoff 52 yards. Green scrambled around end for a 23-yard gain to highlight a 46-yard drive that ended with a 23-yard Jay Feely field goal to narrow Houston’s margin to 7-3.

Miami got the ball back quickly when a deflected Schaub pass was intercepted by CB Andre Goodman. Goodman returned the pickoff 18 yards to give the Dolphins excellent field position at the Houston 25. On the next play, a scary situation that turned ugly occurred when an aborted handoff was fumbled and Ginn, recovering, attempted to reverse field and advance. Green was knocked unconscious while attempting to block. While lying motionless on the field, the player he blocked, Houston DE Travis Johnson, taunted him and drew a 15-yard penalty (as well as plenty of negative comments afterward). Green was taken off the field on a stretcher and was finished for the day (and, ultimately, the year).

Cleo Lemon came into the game at quarterback and the Dolphins drove to a three-yard touchdown run by Ronnie Brown. With the successful extra point, they were ahead at the end of the first quarter by a score of 10-7. 

Early in the second quarter, and following a punt by the Texans, Miami scored again. Brown started the series with a 22-yard run and it was followed by a Lemon pass to Ginn that covered 36 yards. The Dolphins made it to the Houston 22 from where Feely booted a 40-yard field goal to make it 13-7.

The Dolphins got the ball back again in good field position when Schaub fumbled while being sacked by Taylor and DE Rodrique White recovered at the Houston 41. Seven plays and 26 yards later, Miami added to its lead as Feely was successful on a 33-yard field goal.

With time running down in the first half, the Texans put together an eight-play scoring drive. Schaub completed passes of 16 yards to Davis and 20 yards to RB Samkon Gado and, after the series stalled at the Miami 36, Kris Brown (pictured at top) boomed a 56-yard field goal to make it 16-10 at the half.

On Miami’s second play of the third quarter, FS C.C. Brown intercepted a pass by Lemon to give Houston good field position at the Miami 46. Seven plays later Brown kicked a 43-yard field goal to pull the Texans to three points behind. Following a punt by the Dolphins, Houston again drove to a long field goal attempt by Brown from 54 yards. It was successful to tie the contest at 16-16.

Miami moved back in front early in the fourth quarter thanks to a 10-play, 40-yard series that ended with Feely connecting on his fourth field goal, from 48 yards. The Texans came back with a 64-yard drive in 14 plays. They converted two third downs along the way, including a third-and-13 situation when Schaub threw to TE Owen Daniels (pictured below) for 15 yards. Another Schaub-to-Daniels pass gained 24 yards to the Miami four, and while the Texans couldn’t punch it in from there, Brown came through with his fourth field goal of the contest from 20 yards to again tie the score at 19-19.

The Dolphins took over possession with 5:25 left on the clock and short passes by Lemon got the ball into Houston territory. But after reaching the 38 yard line by the two minute warning, Lemon threw two incomplete passes and Miami punted. The 35-yard kick had the Texans starting their next series at the three.

On second down, Schaub passed to Daniels for a 19-yard gain to get out of the hole. Two plays later he hit Daniels again for 14 yards and then WR David Anderson for 19 yards to the Miami 44. The Texans having taken their second timeout, Schaub passed to Walter for six yards and then spiked the ball at the 38. The clock ran down to one second before Houston took its final timeout and Brown came through with a 57-yard field goal to give the Texans a 22-19 win.

Houston outgained the Dolphins (352 yards to 285) and had the edge in first downs (20 to 17). However, they hurt themselves with two turnovers, to one suffered by Miami. They also failed to run the ball effectively, gaining just 74 yards on 28 carries, and had difficulty reaching the end zone.

Kris Brown kicked five field goals in as many attempts, with a record three of them coming from 54 yards or longer, including the game-winner. All of that came after he had injured his foot on the opening kickoff. Matt Schaub completed 20 of 34 passes for 294 yards but with no touchdowns and one intercepted. Owen Daniels caught 6 passes for 96 yards while Andre’ Davis contributed 79 yards on his 4 receptions and Kevin Walter added 5 catches for 67 yards. Ron Dayne rushed for 40 yards and a TD on 16 carries.

For the Dolphins, Ronnie Brown was the offensive star with 23 rushes for 114 yards and a TD and a further 39 yards on 5 pass receptions. After replacing Trent Green, Cleo Lemon was successful on 15 of 27 throws for 151 yards and had one intercepted. WR Marty Booker was the top receiver with 45 yards on 5 catches. Jay Feely, overshadowed by Kris Brown, nevertheless had a good day as he booted four field goals in four attempts. Ted Ginn Jr., (pictured below) who caught one pass for 36 yards, also averaged 35.2 yards on his five kickoff returns.

The Texans lost their next three games but ultimately ended up at 8-8 for the first non-losing season in franchise history. It still placed them last in the highly-competitive AFC South (all three teams ahead of them went to the playoffs). Miami suffered through a dreadful 1-15 campaign, not pulling out a win until its fourteenth game.

Kris Brown was successful on 25 of 29 field goal attempts (86.2 %), including all five from over 50 yards. Injuries hindered Matt Schaub, who appeared in 11 games and passed for 2241 yards with 9 touchdowns as well as 9 interceptions.

Trent Green, who had missed half of the ’06 season after suffering a concussion in the opening game, never played again for the Dolphins in 2007, although he did play as a backup for the Rams in 2008, his last season. Ronnie Brown, who played so well for a poor team, went down with a season-ending injury in the seventh game. He rushed for 602 yards on 119 carries (5.1 avg.) and caught 39 passes for 389 yards.

2010: Foster’s 231 Rushing Yards Propel Texans to Win Over Colts

The season-opening game at Houston’s Reliant Stadium on September 12, 2010 matched the host Texans against the defending AFC Champions, the Indianapolis Colts. Houston was coming off of a 9-7 record in ’09, the franchise’s first winning season. Under offensive-minded Head Coach Gary Kubiak, QB Matt Schaub had a Pro Bowl year and had an outstanding receiver to throw to in WR Andre Johnson. However, the running game had been disappointing due to injuries on the line and the dropoff in performance of second-year RB Steve Slaton. Undrafted rookie RB Arian Foster (pictured above) had started the season on the practice squad and played well when given an opportunity late in the year, giving him the chance to take over the starting role in 2010.

The Colts, under Head Coach Jim Caldwell, were a steady and successful team that was coming off of a Super Bowl loss to the New Orleans Saints after going 14-2 during the regular season. QB Peyton Manning had yet another MVP year and the club appeared to be solid on both sides of the ball. Moreover, Indianapolis had an overall record of 15-1 against the Texans and had won the last six games between the division rivals.

The Texans started off fast as they scored on their first two possessions on field goals of 30 and 49 yards by Neil Rackers to take a 6-0 lead after a quarter of play. The third drive, which extended into the second quarter, culminated in the first touchdown of the game as Schaub threw to WR Kevin Walter for 22 yards. The TD was set up by back-to-back completions of 23 yards to WR Jacoby Jones and 21 yards to Johnson.

However, on Houston’s next possession and following two runs by Foster that gained 17 yards, Schaub was intercepted by DB Melvin Bullitt, who ran 19 yards to give the Colts good field position at the Texans’ 35. Indianapolis took full advantage as Manning, passing on every down, completed five of seven passes that ended with a 14-yard touchdown throw to WR Reggie Wayne. Houston’s lead was cut to 13-7.

Following a three-and-out possession by the Texans, the Colts took over at their own 35 with 3:50 remaining in the half. Converting a fourth-and-two play along the way, Indianapolis moved methodically down the field. A 26-yard Manning completion to WR Pierre Garcon got the ball down to the Houston six yard line, and Adam Vinatieri kicked a 20-yard field goal to cut the Texans’ lead further to 13-10 at halftime.

Houston started off the second half with a 15-play, 66-yard drive that featured Foster carrying the ball 10 times for 49 yards, including a one-yard touchdown. The Colts, now down 20-10, drove to the Texans’ 27, but Manning was sacked for a seven-yard loss by defensive ends Mario Williams and Jesse Nading, pushing Indianapolis out of field goal range. The resulting punt went into the end zone for a touchback and Foster started off the Houston possession with an 11-yard run that put him over 100 yards for the game.

The Texans’ drive stalled at the Indianapolis 42 and, following a punt, Manning completed four straight passes that moved the Colts 40 yards to the Houston 46. However, on a pivotal play, a deep pass to Garcon that gained 32 yards ended with the wide receiver fumbling and Houston CB Glover Quin recovering, giving the ball back to the Texans at their nine yard line.

Foster immediately took off on a 42-yard jaunt and, after Steve Slaton ran for 13, followed up with an 11-yard carry up the middle and then a 25-yard run for a touchdown. In short order, instead of the Colts closing the margin, the Texans had now extended it to 27-10.

Manning again filled the air with passes on the ensuing 12-play drive, hitting WR Austin Collie three times and Wayne and TE Dallas Clark twice apiece. The second completion to Clark was for 10 yards and a TD that, with the successful PAT, made it a ten-point game. However, an attempted onside kick failed as Walter recovered for the Texans.

Once again Houston kept the ball on the ground, which meant Foster carrying six times for 41 yards that included an eight-yard touchdown. With the clock now down to just under two minutes to play, the result was virtually sealed, although Manning completed a deep pass to Collie that resulted in a 73-yard touchdown.

While it was once again a ten-point game, Nading recovered another onside kick attempt by the Colts to snuff out any possible threat. Houston was able to run out the clock and come away with a 34-24 win.

The Colts outgained Houston (463 yards to 355) but the breakdown of rushing to receiving yards showed a significant contrast. The Texans rushed for 257 yards while Indianapolis ran the ball just 10 times for 44 yards and passed for the rest. Each team suffered two sacks and one turnover apiece.

Arian Foster’s breakout performance was the biggest story as he set a new club record with 231 yards on 33 carries and scored three touchdowns. Matt Schaub went to the air only 17 times, with 9 completions for 107 yards, and had one TD as well as one interception. Andre Johnson led the receivers with three catches for 33 yards.

For the Colts, Peyton Manning completed 40 of 57 passes for 433 yards and three TDs, suffering no interceptions. Austin Collie (pictured below) caught 11 passes for 163 yards and a TD and Dallas Clark also had 11 receptions, for 80 yards. Reggie Wayne gained 99 yards on 7 catches that included a score. RB Joseph Addai accounted for all of the team’s rushing statistics and contributed a further 6 catches for 29 yards.


“At halftime, we talked about the key to the game being the most physical team and our offensive line,” said Houston’s Coach Kubiak. “That's what you want as a coach. You want those guys walking the sideline saying, 'Run the ball, coach’.”

Things did not go as well for the Texans the rest of the year. While the offense was proficient in both running and passing the ball, the defense collapsed and ended up ranking 30th in the league. Houston finished at 6-10 for third place in the AFC South. Arian Foster continued to perform very well, however, as he led the NFL in rushing with 1616 yards on 327 carries (4.9 avg.) with 16 touchdowns.

The Colts won the division with a 10-6 record but struggled at times due to injuries and lost in the Wild Card playoff round to the Jets. Peyton Manning led the league in pass attempts (679) and completions (450) and ranked second in yards (4700), TD passes (33, tied with Drew Brees of the Saints), and completion percentage (66.3).

2007: Rob Bironas Kicks 8 FGs as Titans Nip Texans

In his first two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, placekicker Rob Bironas had demonstrated that he had a strong leg and the ability to make kicks in the clutch. While there had been occasional accuracy issues, his 78.9 % success rate on field goals was solid. In his third year, 2007, his memorable performance on October 21 served notice that he had reached the level of the league’s premier kickers.

The Titans were 3-2 as they traveled to Houston to take on the Texans at Reliant Stadium. Tennessee, under 14th-year Head Coach Jeff Fisher, was coming off of an 8-8 season and seeking improvement under second-year QB Vince Young. However, Young had suffered a quadriceps injury the week before in a loss to Tampa Bay and 34-year-old veteran Kerry Collins was starting in his place. Houston was under second-year Head Coach Gary Kubiak and had a new quarterback in Matt Schaub, obtained from Atlanta during the offseason.

The Titans started off the scoring on their first possession as Bironas boomed a 52-yard field goal. The clubs traded fumbles and then Houston went three-and-out and punted. But on Tennessee’s first play, Collins fumbled when sacked by LB DeMeco Ryans, who picked up the loose ball and ran 26 yards for a touchdown that gave the Texans a 7-3 lead.

On Houston’s next possession, Schaub suffered an ankle injury and left the game. His replacement, Sage Rosenfels, threw an interception on his first play to give the Titans good field position at the Texans’ 38 yard line. The resulting drive stalled at the seven and Bironas kicked his second field goal, of 25 yards, to narrow Houston’s lead to 7-6, which was the score at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was all Tennessee as Bironas kicked field goals of 21, 30, and 28 yards and RB LenDale White scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Meanwhile, Schaub had returned to the lineup, but the Texans were forced to punt three times and lost a fumble. A hip injury near the end of the quarter knocked Schaub out of the game for good, and Bironas’ fifth field goal as time expired staked the Titans to a 22-7 lead at the half.

Rosenfels started the third quarter by throwing an interception, and that set up a sixth Bironas field goal of 43 yards seven plays later. After another three-and-out possession by Houston, Tennessee’s offense again marched downfield on a 12-play, 73-yard drive that ended with RB Chris Henry scoring on a four-yard run. With the score at 32-7, and the Texans’ offense having accumulated only 34 total yards, the game appeared to be a rout.

But as the third quarter wound down, Rosenfels began completing passes and early in the fourth period he completed a seven-yard touchdown throw to WR David Anderson. With a successful two-point conversion on a Rosenfels pass to WR Andre’ Davis, the Tennessee margin was narrowed, if ever so slightly, to 32-15.

Now it was the turn of the Titans to not move the ball. After a 28-yard run by White to start the next possession, Tennessee could go no further and punted. However, Craig Hentrich’s kick pinned the Texans down at their two yard line.

A 53-yard pass completion to Davis was nullified by a penalty, but completions by Rosenfels of 40, 23, and 8 yards to WR Kevin Walter, plus a 15-yard toss to RB Ahman Green, got the ball down the field and set up a six-yard Rosenfels-to-Walter touchdown pass. With the successful PAT, Houston was now only ten points behind at 32-22.

Tennessee went three-and-out on its next possession, but the Titans got a break when Anderson muffed Hentrich’s punt and it was recovered by Tennessee CB Reynaldo Hill at the Houston 33. Five plays later, the Titans were forced to punt again and the Texans took over at their 12 yard line.

With 4:30 left on the clock, Rosenfels immediately went to the air and was intercepted by LB Keith Bulluck. Four plays later, Bironas kicked his record-tying seventh field goal from 29 yards out.

The score was now 35-22 with under four minutes remaining. The Texans advanced from their 25 to the Tennessee 43, converting two third downs along the way, but at the two minute warning faced a fourth-and-five situation. Rosenfels completed a 12-yard pass to TE Owen Daniels to keep the drive alive and then followed up with a 24-yard completion to David Anderson down to the Tennessee seven. On the next play, Rosenfels connected with TE Jeb Putzier for the seven-yard touchdown, and with the extra point the score was 35-29.

Houston successfully executed an onside kick, recovered by LB Zac Diles at his own 34 yard line. Four plays later, Rosenfels completed a 53-yard pass play to Davis for a touchdown, and with Kris Brown’s successful point after, the Texans were ahead, 36-35, capping an amazing comeback.

There were still 56 seconds remaining, however, as the Tennessee offense returned to the field. Collins completed passes of 17 and 46 yards to WR Roydell Williams, and LenDale White’s six-yard run to the Houston 11 set up a last-play 29-yard field goal attempt for Bironas. The kick was successful, the Titans pulled out the 38-36 win, and Rob Bironas set a new single-game record with eight field goals in as many attempts.

Tennessee had 23 first downs to 18 for the Texans and also gained the most total yards with 422 to Houston’s 333. The chief disparity came in rushing yards, as the Titans piled up 155 on 39 carries to the Texans’ 39 on 12 attempts, but that reflected the need for Houston to resort heavily on the passing game in catching up in the second half.

Kerry Collins completed 25 of 42 passes for 280 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions - while he performed capably, the failure to reach the end zone after getting in scoring position set the stage for Bironas to set the field goal mark. LenDale White ran for 104 yards on 27 carries with a TD, while Chris Henry added 57 yards on 11 attempts and a touchdown as well. Roydell Williams gained 124 yards on 5 pass receptions and TE Bo Scaife caught 6 passes for 49 yards. CB Nick Harper intercepted two passes as part of an outstanding day on defense.


In relief of Matt Schaub, Sage Rosenfels (pictured above) went to the air 35 times and completed 22 of those passes for 290 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions (all four TD passes came in the fourth quarter, which tied an NFL record). Kevin Walter caught 6 passes for 97 yards and a TD to lead the club while Andre’ Davis added four receptions for 88 yards and a score. Ahman Green gained all 39 of Houston’s rushing yards on 11 carries and contributed 5 pass receptions for 32 more.

Tennessee went on to finish the regular season with a 10-6 record to place third in the highly-competitive AFC South and claim the second wild card spot. They lost in the first round of the playoffs to San Diego. Houston was in fourth with an 8-8 tally – it was the franchise’s first non-losing year.

In kicking eight field goals, Rob Bironas doubled his field goal total for the season to date. He also set a record for points scored by kicking only, with 26. The previous record of seven field goals in a game had first been set by Jim Bakken of the Cardinals in 1967 and was tied by Minnesota’s Rich Karlis in 1989, Chris Boniol of the Cowboys in 1996, and Billy Cundiff, also of Dallas, in 2003. Cincinnati’s Shayne Graham kicked seven in a game a few weeks after Boniol set the new mark.

Bironas ended up kicking a league-leading 35 field goals in 39 attempts for an 89.7 % success rate (fifth in the NFL). His 133 points ranked fourth. He was a consensus first-team All-Pro selection and was chosen for the Pro Bowl.