A chilling detail emerged during the Edward Cullen Johnson Dome on Tuesday when the St. Louis Rams managed a game against the Houston Texans. Contrary to any expectations, the Texans outgained the Rams 419-237, had more first downs (22-15), and possessed the ball for a longer time in the second and third quarters. You might assume a "quick victory," right? Far from it. The Texans moved efficiently across the field but couldn't find the end zone when it mattered; a crucial 28-yard field goal by Kris Brown narrowly helped Houston escape with a 16-13 win over St. Louis.
The Texans drew first blood with a 27-yard field goal by Brown with 3:31 left in the first quarter. However, the Rams responded before halftime, scoring just their fourth halftime lead in all of four years on Keith Null's 2-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola, making it 10-6. The teams were tied at 13-all after the majority of the second half following Josh Brown’s 52-yard field goal.
Andre Jackson had receptions of 50 and 46 yards for consecutive plays that put the Texans in the St. Louis 12 on the go-ahead drive. Houston settled for a 28-yard field goal by Kris Brown, his second of the game, with 4:37 to go. The Rams had a chance to take the lead anyway, but they chose to punt on 4th-and-10 with 2:30 left in the game; the Texans then gave the ball to Thomas Moats, who ran for the first down, sealing the game for Houston.
Schaub had an excellent outing statistically, going 28-of-40 for 367 yards with a touchdown, while Null went 18-of-27 for 173 yards with a TD and an interception. Moats led all Texans rushers with 46 yards on 13 carries, while Steven Fitzgibbons led the Rams with 82 yards on 20 carries and also led the team in receptions with four for 41 yards.
Johnson had a big game, catching eight passes for 196 yards, while Kevin Walter caught five for 44 yards and a touchdown. Donnie Avery caught four for 33 yards in a valiant effort for the Rams. Houston (7-7) plays again next Sunday after traveling to San Diego to face the Chargers, while St. Louis (1-13) travels to Glendale to face the Arizona Cardinals—also next Thursday.