MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The day started poorly for the Houston Texans, with word that backup quarterback Ryan Mallett missed the team charter and flew commercial down to South Florida on Saturday in advance of the Texans game against the Miami Dolphins.
It got much, much worse.
Houston went into halftime trailing 41-0 -- the worst deficit in any half in franchise history, according to ESPN Stats and Info. The previous worst was a 35-3 first half against the Chargers in 2007.
The Texans gave up four touchdowns of 50 or more yards -- three such touchdown passes by Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill and one 85-yard touchdown run. Their other first-half offensive touchdown was a 10-yard pass from Tannehill to Landry.
The Texans didn't recover. They lost the game 44-26.
What it means: By the time the Texans regrouped at halftime, it was much too late. They were able to finally stop the bleeding of those explosive plays which buried them early, although it was as the Dolphins began substituting liberally. The Texans offense is a problem, but one that was expected prior to the season. The Texans defense is the unexpected problem. This wasn't a case of them simply being put in bad positions by a struggling offense. They allowed big runs on routine plays. They allowed a troublingly high number of yards after catch. Receiver Jarvis Landry caught a short pass and ran it 50 yards for a touchdown, eluding at least seven Texans who tried to tackle him.
What were they thinking? Arian Foster suffered an Achilles injury with less than five minutes remaining in the game and the Texans trailing 44-20. This is the second time the Texans have lost a significant player late in a blowout loss. Receiver Cecil Shorts was injured on the last play against the Atlanta Falcons. When Shorts' injury happened, I asked Bill O'Brien if he considers player health late in games when a deficit is likely insurmountable. He told me a few weeks ago that the Texans will always continue competing, no matter the score.
One reason to get excited: Skipping this one today.
One reason to panic: Foster's injury is a reason to panic. If it's an Achilles tear it could take at least nine months to heal and Foster would be out until next year's training camp.
Fantasy watch: Before his injury, Foster did have 125 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.
Ouch: We've talked ad nauseum about Foster's injury. Linebacker Akeem Dent also suffered an injury.