By Jay Betsill
Game Info
Sunday – October 20 – 3:25 PM
TV: CBS
Arowhead Stadium – Kansas City
Coming off a 38-13 home loss to the St. Louis Rams, the Houston Texans have dropped four games in a row. Quarterback Matt Schaub threw a pick-six in an NFL-record four consecutive games and T.J. Yates filled in for Schaub after an injury and proceeded to throw yet another interception that would be returned 98-yards for a touchdown.
Following his apparent harassment at his house, Texans fans cheered his injury on Sunday. The Texans’ starting quarterback injured his ankle after being sacked by Rams defensive end Chris Long.
“It wasn’t all of the fans, but those are the same people when you’re out somewhere with your family and you tell them that they can’t have an autograph right now,” wide receiver Andre Johnson said. “Those are the same people who tell you that you are rude. No class. It just shows what they are all about. You don’t cheer about nobody being injured. I don’t care who it is. Guys lay their bodies on the line out there on that field, and some guys get injuries and it affects them their whole lives.”
Thursday, the team announced that with Schaub out with his injury, Case Keenum would be starting this weekend. The decision made by head coach Gary Kubiak moves Keenum ahead of backup Yates. Keenum, who starred at the University of Houston, holds NCAA records for career passing yards (19,217) and touchdown passes (155).
“We’re struggling, and we’re looking for a spark,” Kubiak said. “I think he deserves an opportunity to go out there. It’s a tough place to play. It’s a tough place to get your first start.”
The ‘tough place to play’ is Arrowhead Stadium, where the Texans will take on the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Alex Smith has thrown for 1,330 yards and seven touchdowns for new head coach Andy Reid. Kansas City has the top scoring defense in the league while the Texans rank 28th in points allowed.
“It is real,” Keenum said. “I have to pinch myself every now and then. It’s exciting. It’s what I want.”
Look for a good effort from the Texans defense, but not good enough to hand the Chiefs their first loss of the season. I’m predicting a low scoring affair, somewhere in the area of Kansas City 20-10.
