...In the Bullseye.com: QB Quandary Threatens Season

A season that began with such promise is close to running off the rails after the Houston Texans won just two of their first five games. Losing to Baltimore, Seattle and San Francisco in three weeks wasn't so shocking, but the way they lost was. In truth, the Texans have played well in just two of the ten quarters so far and are a few fortunate calls from beginning the season 0-5.

The primary focus is on quarterback Matt Schaub who has had his confidence rocked by an NFL-record four consecutive games with an interception returned for a touchdown. Overall, he's thrown more picks (9) than scores (8) and appears to struggle with his confidence more each game.

Now, he'll have to go the next 4-to-6 weeks without his security blanket, TE Owen Daniels, who broke a leg against the 49ers. Wideouts Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins have missed time with concussions, and left tackle Duane Brown sat out two games with a foot injury.

Not all of the trouble can be placed at the feet of Schaub despite giving opponents easy TDs in all five games, a disheartening event for any team. The defense has had to fight from behind way too often and has had trouble holding a lead. The only two wins came on the final play and three games saw the Texans blow leads. The defense has managed just two interceptions and two fumble recoveries while sacking opposing quarterbacks at less than three times per game.

Rookie kicker Randy Bullock has also struggled, converting just 7-of-12 in field goal attempts although many of the misses came from long range.

But if Gary Kubiak cannot put Schaub back together again, the Texans will either soldier on behind backups T.J. Yates and Case Keenum or abandon a season where they were expected to return to the playoffs.

The schedule-maker will help as Houston hosts the St. Louis Rams before visiting the surprising Kansas City Chiefs and resting through a bye week. Following that is a November 3rd home date with the Indianapolis Colts that may decide the division.

The season is not lost and a playoff berth could still be won, but the Texans already know that they do not perform well on the road, particularly in the playoffs, so finishing with just a wild card berth should be a ticket to an early exit.

If they do not get there, pressure will be put upon the front office to make changes and our window of playoff opportunities with this regime could be coming to a close.

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