Schaub's Career Day Dispatches Cincinnati, 28-17

NFL News - October 18th, 2009 - Written by John

The legend of the Cincinnati Bengals had grown in recent weeks, with late wins over the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens in dramatic fashion. That legend took a major hit on Sunday, however, when the Houston Texans rode into town and left with a 28-17 win. Matt Schaub torched the Bengals' secondary for 392 yards and four touchdowns, a majority stake in his team's 472 yards on the day. His four scores tied a career high and set the Texans back on a winning course they expected to be on when the season started. They are now 3-3 and are in second place in the ever-changing AFC South. They are 3-3 for the third time ever and have only gotten to 4-3 once before.

Tight end Owen Daniels was Schaub's main scoring target, connecting for two of his touchdowns on the day. But Andre Johnson was the real estate king on the day, catching eight passes for 135 yards.

The Bengals had raced to a 4-1 record with thrilling finishes in all five of their games, with their lone loss coming on a late tipped ball touchdown by the Denver Broncos. They had a chance to rally once again this week when Houston's Steve Slaton fumbled late in the fourth quarter. But the Bengals fumbled the ball back two plays later and never threatened again. Despite the marr, Slaton actually had great day for the second week in a row, racking up 100 yards receiving for the first time in his career.

Carson Palmer had 259 yards through the air for the Bengals, but never really got things clicking. He led his team to two scoring drives late in the first half to take the lead 17-14. But the Bengals never really threatened again in the second half, succumbing to 14 unanswered points by the Texans. Palmer was picked off on the team's last drive of the game, a vastly different result than his previous heroics in which he threw a game-winning touchdown to win the last three games.

Jacoby Jones gave the Texans the lead in the third quarter on a 23-yard touchdown reception, and Daniels broke it open with a seven-yard catch to make it 28-17.

It was same old story for the Texans, who haven't surrendered a single point in the second half for three consecutive games. The Bengals lost two key pass rushers in the game. Antwan Odom, who is tied for the league lead in sacks, hurt his Achilles on Daniels final touchdown catch, and Domata Peko left earlier in the game with a knee ailment.

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