2011 Houston Texans season

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2011 Houston Texans season
Houston Texans wordmark.png
OwnerBob McNair
Head coachGary Kubiak
General managerRick Smith
Home fieldReliant Stadium
Results
Record10–6
Division place1st AFC South
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Bengals) 31–10
Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Ravens) 13–20
Pro Bowlers
4

The 2011 Houston Texans season was the franchise's 10th season in the National Football League and the 6th under head coach Gary Kubiak. The Texans improved on their record from the 2010 season, despite losing starting quarterback Matt Schaub & backup Matt Leinart to season ending injuries. Third stringer T.J. Yates filled in, and earned the franchise's first playoff berth by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 20–19 in Week 14 and clinching the AFC South. It also assured the Texans of at least one playoff game at home—the first NFL playoff game in Houston since 1993. After reaching the Divisional match against the Baltimore Ravens, the Texans suffered their maiden loss in the NFL Playoffs, losing 20–13.

Prior to the season, former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips was hired as defensive coordinator, replacing Frank Bush who was terminated by Texans owner Bob McNair.[1] The Texans defense made major improvements in Phillips' first year calling Houston's defensive plays. The team allowed the fourth-fewest points in the league in 2011 (compared to fourth most in 2010), the second-fewest yards allowed (third-most in 2010) and third-fewest yards per play (4.8, compared to 6.0, second-worst in 2010). Not only do the 2011 Texans hold the record for least points conceded in the average game of a season for the team with 17.4 points, which happened nine times, but they also got a +103 point differential, which is the best in franchise history. Of the Texans' 10 wins, 9 of them were decided by at least 6 points.

Offseason[]

2011 draft board[]

Round Selection Player Position College
1 11 J. J. Watt Defensive end Wisconsin
2 42 Brooks Reed Defensive line Arizona
2 60 (From Patriots) Brandon Harris Defensive back Miami
4 127 (From Bears through Redskins) Rashad Carmichael Defensive back Virginia Tech
5 144 (From Redskins) Shiloh Keo Defensive back Idaho
5 152 (From Colts through Redskins) T. J. Yates Quarterback North Carolina
7 214 Derek Newton Offensive line Arkansas State
7 254 (Mr. Irrelevant) [a] Cheta Ozougwu Defensive line Rice
^[a] Compensatory selection.

Preseason[]

Schedule[]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 15 New York Jets W 20–16 1–0 Reliant Stadium Recap
2 August 20 New Orleans Saints W 27–14 2–0 Reliant Stadium Recap
3 August 27 at San Francisco 49ers W 30–7 3–0 Candlestick Park Recap
4 September 1 at Minnesota Vikings L 0–28 3–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap

Regular season[]

Schedule[]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 11 Indianapolis Colts W 34–7 1–0 Reliant Stadium Recap
2 September 18 at Miami Dolphins W 23–13 2–0 Sun Life Stadium Recap
3 September 25 at New Orleans Saints L 33–40 2–1 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
4 October 2 Pittsburgh Steelers W 17–10 3–1 Reliant Stadium Recap
5 October 9 Oakland Raiders L 20–25 3–2 Reliant Stadium Recap
6 October 16 at Baltimore Ravens L 14–29 3–3 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
7 October 23 at Tennessee Titans W 41–7 4–3 LP Field Recap
8 October 30 Jacksonville Jaguars W 24–14 5–3 Reliant Stadium Recap
9 November 6 Cleveland Browns W 30–12 6–3 Reliant Stadium Recap
10 November 13 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 37–9 7–3 Raymond James Stadium Recap
11 Bye
12 November 27 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 20–13 8–3 EverBank Field Recap
13 December 4 Atlanta Falcons W 17–10 9–3 Reliant Stadium Recap
14 December 11 at Cincinnati Bengals W 20–19 10–3 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
15 December 18 Carolina Panthers L 13–28 10–4 Reliant Stadium Recap
16 December 22 at Indianapolis Colts L 16–19 10–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
17 January 1 Tennessee Titans L 22–23 10–6 Reliant Stadium Recap

Game summaries[]

Week 1: vs. Indianapolis Colts[]

Week One: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Colts 0 0 077
Texans 17 17 0034

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: September 11
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 71,444
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
Game information

The Texans began their season at home against the AFC South division foes, Colts. With the win, the Texans started the season out at 1–0.

Week 2: at Miami Dolphins[]

Week Two: Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 6 10 0723
Dolphins 3 0 7313

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: September 18
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT/3:15 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 87°F (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 51,032
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information

The Texans went on the road to face the Dolphins. With the win, the Texans improved to 2–0.

Week 3: at New Orleans Saints[]

Week Three: Houston Texans at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 10 6 31433
Saints 0 10 72340

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: September 25
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 73,002
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
Game information

With the loss, the Texans fell to 2–1.

Week 4: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers[]

Week Four: Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 0 7310
Texans 7 3 0717

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 71,585
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
Game information

With the win, the Texans improved to 3–1.

Week 5: vs. Oakland Raiders[]

Week Five: Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Raiders 3 9 31025
Texans 7 7 3320

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: October 9
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 71,420
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information

With the loss, the Texans fell to 3–2 and they lost both their second game and first home game against the Raiders.

Week 6: at Baltimore Ravens[]

Week Six: Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 0 7 7014
Ravens 7 3 61329

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT/3:05 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 72°F (Partly Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 71,154
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
Game information

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

Week 7: at Tennessee Titans[]

Week Seven: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 3 17 71441
Titans 0 0 707

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: October 23
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 72°F (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 69,143
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon
Game information

With the win, the Texans improved to 4–3.

Week 8: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars[]

Battle Red Day
Week Eight: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Jaguars 0 7 0714
Texans 7 0 71024

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 68°F (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 71,412
  • Referee: Scott Green
  • TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon
Game information

With the win, the Texans improved to 5–3.

Week 9: vs. Cleveland Browns[]

Week Nine: Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 3 0 3612
Texans 14 10 3330

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: November 6
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 71,511
  • Referee: Alberto Riveron
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information

With the win, the Texans improved to 6–3.

Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers[]

Week Ten: Houston Texans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 9 7 14737
Buccaneers 0 3 069

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 77°F (Partly Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 56,037
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon
Game information

With the win, the Texans went on their bye week 7–3. However, Matt Schaub was lost for the season due to a Lisfranc injury on his right foot.

Week 12: at Jacksonville Jaguars[]

Week Twelve: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 7 13 0020
Jaguars 7 3 0313

at EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 75°F (10% chance of rain)
  • Game attendance: 62,004
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
Game information

With the win, not only the Texans improved to 8–3, but swept the Jaguars for the 1st time since 2006. The Texans had to play the remainder of the season with T.J. Yates at QB after losing Matt Leinart for the season with a broken collarbone.

Week 13: vs. Atlanta Falcons[]

Week Thirteen: Atlanta Falcons at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 3 7010
Texans 3 7 0717

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: December 4
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 71,545
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
Game information

With the win, the Texans improved to 9–3.

Week 14: at Cincinnati Bengals[]

Week Fourteen: Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 3 0 71020
Bengals 6 10 3019

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 34°F (Clear)
  • Game attendance: 41,202
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon
Game information

With the last-second win, the Texans improved to 10–3 and clinched the franchise's first playoff berth and AFC South division title.

Week 15: vs. Carolina Panthers[]

Week Fifteen: Carolina Panthers at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 14 0728
Texans 0 0 6713

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 71,540
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Charles Davis and
Game information

With the loss, the Texans' seven-game winning streak was snapped, falling to 10–4. Houston also lost to the Panthers for the first time in franchise history.

Week 16: at Indianapolis Colts[]

Week Sixteen: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 10 0 3316
Colts 3 3 31019

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: December 22
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST/7:20 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 64,159
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (NFLN[a]): Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock and Alex Flanagan
Game information

With the loss, the Texans fell to 10–5.

Week 17: vs. Tennessee Titans[]

Week Seventeen: Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Titans 0 13 3723
Texans 7 3 3922

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: January 1
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 71,512
  • Referee: Ron Winter
  • TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee & Steve Tasker
Game information
Jake Delhomme and the Texans line up against the Titans

With the loss, the Texans would end their season at 10–6 and the AFC's #3 seed.

Standings[]

AFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Houston Texans 10 6 0 .625 4–2 8–4 381 278 L3
Tennessee Titans 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 325 317 W2
Jacksonville Jaguars 5 11 0 .313 3–3 4–8 243 329 W1
Indianapolis Colts 2 14 0 .125 2–4 2–10 243 430 L1

Postseason[]

Schedule[]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card January 7 Cincinnati Bengals (6) W 31–10 1–0 Reliant Stadium Recap
Divisional January 15 at Baltimore Ravens (2) L 13–20 1–1 M&T Bank Stadium Recap

Game summaries[]

AFC Wild Card Playoff Game: vs. #6 Cincinnati Bengals[]

AFC Wild Card Playoff Game: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 3 0010
Texans 7 10 7731

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Making their NFL postseason debut as the AFC's #3 seed, the Texans began their playoff run at home in the AFC Wild Card Round against the #6 Cincinnati Bengals, in a rematch of their Week 14 contest. Not only was this the Texans' first postseason game, it was the franchise's first game ever broadcast nationally on NBC, they were also the last NFL team to finally play on NBC, since their 2006 inception.

Houston trailed in the first quarter with Bengals running back Cedric Benson getting a 1-yard touchdown run, yet the Texans answered with an 8-yard touchdown run from running back Arian Foster. Cincinnati struck back in the second quarter with kicker Mike Nugent getting a 37-yard field goal, but Houston took the lead with a 39-yard field goal from kicker Neil Rackers, followed by rookie defensive end J.J. Watt returning an interception 29 yards for a touchdown. From there, the Texans took control with rookie quarterback T.J. Yates finding wide receiver Andre Johnson on a 40-yard touchdown in the third quarter, followed by a 42-yard touchdown run by Foster in the fourth quarter.

With the win, the Texans improved their overall record to 11–6.

AFC Divisional Playoff Game: at #2 Baltimore Ravens[]

AFC Divisional Playoff Game: Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 3 10 0013
Ravens 17 0 0320

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: January 15, 2012
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 31 °F (−1 °C), Sunny
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
Game information

With the loss, the Texans finished the overall season 11-7.

Staff[]

Houston Texans 2011 staff
Front Office
  • Chairman/CEO – Bob McNair
  • Vice Chairman –
  • Vice Chairman – D. Cal McNair
  • President – Jamey Rootes
  • Executive Vice President/General Manager – Rick Smith
  • Vice President of Football Administration –
  • Director of Pro Personnel –
  • Associate Director of Pro Personnel –
  • Director of College Scouting – Mike Maccagnan

Head Coaches

Offensive Coaches

 

Defensive Coaches

Special Teams Coaches

Strength and Conditioning

  • Head Strength and Conditioning – Cedric Smith
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning –

Final roster[]

2011 Houston Texans final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 active, 12 inactive, 8 practice squad

References[]

  1. ^ "Texans hire Phillips as defensive coordinator". January 2011.
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