2007 Houston Texans season The 2007 Houston Texans season began with the team trying to improve on their 6 - 10 record in 2006 . This season marks the sixth year of existence for the Texans franchise as well as Reliant Stadium . Offseason . The offseason was dominated by rumors and speculation surrounding the future of David Carr and the Texans . Jake Plummer was a leading candidate to replace Carr until he was traded to Tampa Bay and then retired . The Texans also contacted free agent Jeff Garcia before he signed with Tampa Bay . Finally , on March 21 the Texans struck a deal with Atlanta and traded draft picks for their backup quarterback , Matt Schaub . David Carr was cut on March 23 and later signed by the Carolina Panthers . Another situation of great speculation to fans was that of Domanick Williams . Williams , the Texans all - time leading rusher , had a lingering knee injury that kept him side - lined for the entirety of the 2006 season . The Texans signed Ahman Green during free agency and eventually released Domanick on March 23 , 2007 . Player Additions / Subtractions . Additions : Subtractions : Draft . The Texans swapped their first - round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft ( 8th overall ) with the Atlanta Falcons for their first - round pick ( 10th overall ) as part of the Matt Schaub deal . In drafting Okoye , who was 19 at the time of the draft , the Texans took the youngest player in NFL Draft history . The Texans also traded their second - round selections in 2007 and 2008 as part of the Schaub deal and did not choose again until the third round , when they took Jacoby Jones from Division II Lane College , the highest picked player who did not play in Division I FBS or FCS that year . Offensive lineman Kasey Studdard ( 6th round ) became the second Texas Longhorns player drafted by the Texans ( Sloan Thomas was taken in the 7th round in 2004 ) . Regular season results . Week 1 : vs . Kansas City Chiefs . The Texans began their 2007 campaign at home against the Kansas City Chiefs . After a scoreless first quarter , Houston came out pounding in the second quarter with kicker Kris Brown getting a 26 - yard field goal , while QB Matt Schaub completed a 77 - yard touchdown pass to WR Andre Johnson . In the third quarter , DE Mario Williams showed his reason for being last year ' s # 1 overall pick by returning a fumble 38 yards for a touchdown . Afterwards , the Chiefs got their only score of the game with kicker Justin Medlock nailing a 27 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Texans sealed the victory with Brown kicking a 28 - yard field goal . Matt Schaub , in his Texans debut , went 16 of 22 for 225 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception . With the win , Houston began their season at 1 - 0 . Week 2 : at Carolina Panthers . Following their home win over the Chiefs , the Texans flew to Bank of America Stadium for their Week 2 match - up against the Carolina Panthers . In the first quarter , Houston trailed early as QB Jake Delhomme hooked up with WR Steve Smith for a 7 - yard and a 12 - yard TD pass . Houston would respond with QB Matt Schaub completing a 31 - yard TD pass to WR Andre Johnson . In the second quarter , Schaub and Johnson would hook up with each other again on a 9 - yard TD pass . The Texans would take the lead prior to halftime with kicker Kris Brown getting a 25 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Houston increased its lead with RB Ahman Green getting a 13 - yard TD run . On the following kickoff , Panthers FB Nick Goings would fumble the ball , causing it to roll into Carolina ' s end zone , where WR Kevin Walter would land on it for a touchdown , giving a huge momentum swing towards the Texans . In the fourth quarter , Houston would out the game out of reach with Brown kicking a 33 - yard field goal . The Panthers would munster up one last score as Delhomme completed a pass to Smith , who would break off many Texans defenders and go 74 yards for a touchdown . In the end , Houston would hold on to win . With the win , not only did the Texans begin their season at 2 - 0 for the first time in franchise history , but their 34 points in one game also became a franchise record . Week 3 : vs . Indianapolis Colts . Following an impressive win over the Panthers , the Texans went home for an AFC South duel with the defending Super Bowl champions , the Indianapolis Colts ( who Houston won against last time at home ) . In the first quarter , the Texans delivered the first punch with WR Jerome Mathis returning a kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown . However , the Colts responded with QB Peyton Manning completing a 2 - yard TD pass to TE Dallas Clark . In the second quarter , Houston retook the lead with kicker Kris Brown getting a 33 - yard field goal . However , Indianapolis went ahead with RB Joseph Addai s 4 - yard TD run . In the third quarter , the Colts managed to put the Texans in a huge hole with kicker Adam Vinatieri ' s 36 - yard field goal , Addai ' s 8 - yard TD run , and Vinatieri ' s 28 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , Houston tried a comeback with RB Samkon Gado ' s 1 - yard TD run . Indianapolis would get their final score of the game with Vinatieri kicking a 35 - yard field goal . The Texans drew close with QB Matt Schaub ' s 1 - yard TD pass to RB Vonta Leach . However , the Colts managed to hold on to win . With the loss , Houston fell to 2 - 1 . Week 4 : vs . Atlanta Falcons . Hoping to rebound from their divisional home loss to the Colts , the Texans flew to the Georgia Dome for an interconference battle with the winless Atlanta Falcons , where QB Matt Schaub would fight against his former team . In the first quarter , Houston trailed early as Falcons kicker Morten Andersen nailed a 28 - yard field goal . The Texans managed to take the lead with Schaub completing a 35 - yard TD pass to WR André Davis . However , Atlanta regained the lead with QB Joey Harrington completing a 5 - yard TD pass to WR Michael Jenkins In the second quarter , Houston ' s current woes continued with Harrington and Jenkins hooking up with each other again as 7 - yard TD pass , along with Andersen kicking a 22 - yard field goal . The Texans got their only score of the period with kicker Kris Brown nailing a 42 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Houston kept closer with a 37 - yard field goal , but the Falcons eventually responded with Andersen kicking a 36 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Texans again crept closer with Brown getting a 19 - yard field . Yet again , Atlanta replied with Andersen kicking a 46 - yard field goal . Afterwards , the Falcons held on to get their first win of the year . With their second - straight loss , the Texans fell to 2 - 2 . Week 5 : vs . Miami Dolphins . Trying to snap a two - game losing streak , the Texans returned home for a Week 5 duel with the winless Miami Dolphins . In the first quarter , Houston took the early lead with RB Ron Dayne getting a 1 - yard TD run . However , the Dolphin answered with kicker Jay Feely getting a 23 - yard field goal , along with RB Ronnie Brown getting a 3 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , the Texans ' recent struggles continued as Miami managed to get 40 - yard and a 33 - yard field goal from Feely . The Texans would end the half with kicker Kris Brown getting a 54 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Houston began to retaliate with Brown nailing a 43 - yard and a 54 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Dolphins managed to get a 48 - yard field goal . Fortunately , the Texans would snap their two - game skid with Brown nailing a 20 - yard field goal , along with an astounding 57 - yard field goal . With the win , the Texans improved to 3 - 2 . Week 6 : vs . Jacksonville Jaguars . Coming off their home win over the Dolphins , the Texans flew to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for a Week 6 AFC South showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars . In the first quarter , Houston struck first with kicker Kris Brown getting a 20 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , the Texans increased its lead with Brown kicking a 35 - yard field goal . However , the Jaguars took the lead with QB David Garrard completing a 1 - yard TD pass to TE George Wrighster , along with kicker John Carney getting a 37 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Houston continued to trail as Garrard completed a 9 - yard TD pass to WR Reggie Williams ( with a blocked PAT ) . The Texans would respond with Brown getting a 33 - yard field goal . However , in the fourth quarter , Jacksonville would pull away with RB Maurice Jones - Drew getting a 7 - yard TD run , LB Daryl Smith returning a fumble 77 yards for a touchdown , and Jones - Drew getting a 57 - yard TD run . Houston ' s only response would be back - up QB Sage Rosenfels completing a 1 - yard TD pass to FB Vonta Leach . With the loss , the Texans fell to 3 - 3 . So far this year , Houston is 1 - 3 without WR Andre Johnson , who was still recovering from injuries . Week 7 : vs . Tennessee Titans . Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the Jaguars , the Texans went home for a Week 7 AFC South showdown with the Tennessee Titans . In the first quarter , the Titans struck first with kicker Rob Bironas getting a 52 - yard field goal . Houston would respond with LB DeMeco Ryans returning a fumble 26 yards for a touchdown . However , Tennessee would answer with Bironas getting a 25 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Houston began to struggle as the Titans increased its lead with Bironas kicking a 21 - yard field goal , RB LenDale White getting a 1 - yard TD run , and even Bironas with a 30 - yard and a 28 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Texans continued to struggle as Bironas gave Tennessee a 43 - yard field goal , while RB Chris Henry got a 4 - yard TD run . However , in the fourth quarter , Houston began to fight back . It began with QB Sage Rosenfels completing a 7 - yard TD pass to WR David Anderson . It continued with Rosenfels ' 6 - yard TD pass to WR Kevin Walter . The Titans would get a 29 - yard field goal by Bironas . Afterwards , the Texans continued its comeback with Rosenfels completing a 7 - yard TD pass to TE Jeb Putzier and a 53 - yard TD pass to WR André Davis . Unfortunately , Tennessee would get the last - second win as Bironas barely made a 29 - yard field goal , making him the very first kicker in NFL history to get 8 field goals in one game . With their second - straight loss , Houston fell to 3 - 4 . Week 8 : at San Diego Chargers . Trying to snap a two - game skid , the Texans flew to Qualcomm Stadium for a Week 8 intraconference game against the San Diego Chargers . In the first quarter , Houston ' s recent struggles continued as Chargers QB Philip Rivers completed a 49 - yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates . Later , a goof - up on special teams led to more points as a high punt snap went into the end zone . Punter Matt Turk was unable to fall on the ball and San Diego CB Antonio Cromartie managed to recover it for a touchdown . In the second quarter , the Texans got on the board with kicker Kris Brown nailing a 40 - yard field goal . However , the Chargers continued their beatdown with Rivers and Gates hooking up again on a 31 - yard TD pass . Later , San Diego increased its lead with Cromartie returning an interception 70 yards for a touchdown , along with Rivers completing a 14 - yard TD pass to WR Chris Chambers . After a scoreless third quarter , Houston tried to come back , as QB Sage Rosenfels completed a 28 - yard TD to TE Joel Dreessen in the fourth quarter . That was as close to the Chargers as they got . With their third - straight loss , the Texans fell to 3 – 5 . Starting QB Matt Schaub ( 11 / 18 for 77 yards and 2 interceptions ) left the game in the second quarter with a concussion , after getting a late hit from San Diego CB Drayton Florence . The team is now 1 – 5 without WR Andre Johnson . Week 9 : vs . Oakland Raiders . Trying to snap a three - game skid , the Texans flew to McAfee Coliseum for a Week 9 intraconference duel with the Oakland Raiders . With QB Matt Schaub out with a concussion , back - up QB Sage Rosenfels got the start . In the first quarter , Houston drew first blood as RB Ahman Green got an 8 - yard TD run for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , the Texans continued to roll over the Raiders as RB Ron Dayne got a 14 - yard TD run , while kicker Kris Brown nailed a 40 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Oakland finally managaed to respond as kicker Sebastian Janikowski managed to get a 22 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . In the fourth quarter , the Raiders drew closer as RB Justin Fargas got a 1 - yard TD run . Fortunately , Houston took control with Rosenfels completing a 42 - yard TD pass to WR André Davis . Oakland ' s only response was QB Josh McCown completing a 28 - yard TD pass to WR Tim Dwight . With their three - game skid snapped , the Texans entered their bye week at 4 - 5 . The win also kept Houston unbeaten ( 3 - 0 ) against the Raiders . Week 11 : vs . New Orleans Saints . Coming off their bye week , the Texans were at home for a Week 11 interconference duel with the New Orleans Saints . In the first quarter , Houston trailed early as Saints kicker Olindo Mare completed a 52 - yard field goal . Fortunately , the Texans responded with QB Matt Schaub completing a 73 - yard TD pass to WR Andre Johnson . In the second quarter , New Orleans regained the lead with QB Drew Brees completing a 6 - yard TD pass to WR Devery Henderson . Fortunately , Houston would reply with Schaub completing a 10 - yard TD pass to TE Joel Dreesen , along with kicker Kris Brown getting a 36 - yard field goal . After a scoreless third quarter , the Texans took control in the fourth quarter as Brown nailed a 53 - yard and a 23 - yard field goal . With the win , the Texans ( for the first time in franchise history ) improved to 5 - 5 . Andre Johnson , in his first game back from injuries , had an impressive day with 6 receptions for 120 yards and 1 touchdown . DE Mario Williams had a big game , as he had 6 tackles , a sack , and a forced fumble . Week 12 : vs . Cleveland Browns . Coming off their home win over the Saints , the Texans flew to Cleveland Browns Stadium for a Week 12 duel with the Cleveland Browns . In the first quarter , Houston shot first as QB Matt Schaub completed a 17 - yard TD pass to WR Kevin Walter for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , the Browns got on the board as QB Derek Anderson completed a 19 - yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards . The Texans would regain the lead as kicker Kris Brown managed to get a 41 - yard field goal . However , Cleveland would regain the lead as Anderson completed a 7 - yard TD pass to TE Kellen Winslow . In the third quarter , Houston started to fall behind as Browns kicker Phil Dawson managed to get a 25 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . In the fourth quarter , Cleveland sealed the win with Dawson nailing a 27 - yard field goal and RB Jamal Lewis getting a 1 - yard TD run . The Texans ' only response would be Schaub ' s 6 - yard TD pass to TE Owen Daniels . With the loss , Houston fell to 5 - 6 . The Browns defense managed to hold Andre Johnson to a season - low 3 receptions for 37 yards . Week 13 : at Tennessee Titans . Hoping ro rebound from their road loss to the Browns , the Texans flew to LP Field for a Week 13 AFC South rematch with the Tennessee Titans . In the first quarter , Houston got the first punch as RB Ron Dayne got a 1 - yard TD run . The Titans would respond with RB LenDale White getting a 1 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , Houston regained the lead with kicker Kris Brown getting a 45 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . In the third quarter , the Tennessee took the lead with QB Vince Young completing a 43 - yard TD pass to WR Roydell Williams , along with an 11 - yard TD pass to WR Justin Gage . In the fourth quarter , the Texans tried to get a comeback as QB Sage Rosenfels completed a 28 - yard TD pass to WR Andre Johnson , yet the Titans respoded with RB Chris Brown getting a 7 - yard TD run . Houston tried to comeback and take the lead , but their only response was Browns ' 50 - yard field goal . With the loss , the Texans fell to 5 - 7 . They have now lost 7 out of their last 8 divisional road games . QB Matt Schaub ( 3 / 5 for 34 yards ) was knocked out of the game in the first quarter with a left shoulder injury . Week 14 : vs . Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Trying to snap a two - game losing skid , the Texans went home for a Week 14 interconference duel with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . In the first quarter , Houston drew first blood as QB Sage Rosenfels completed a 4 - yard TD pass to WR Andre Johnson for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , the Buccaneers got on the board with RB Earnest Graham getting a 4 - yard TD run . Afterwards , Houston answered with Rosenfels completing an 8 - yard TD pass to WR Kevin Walter . In the third quarter , the Texans immediately increased their lead as WR André Davis returned the half ' s opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown . Tampa Bay would respond with Graham getting an 11 - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , Houston ended the game with Rosenfels completing a 4 - yard TD passe to TE Owen Daniels . With the win , the Texans improved to 6 - 7 . For DE Mario Williams ( the 1st pick of last year ' s draft ) , his 1 sack in the game increased his season total to a franchise - best 9 . 5 sacks . Week 15 : vs . Denver Broncos . Coming off their impressive home win over the Buccaneers , the Texans stayed at home , donned their battle red alternates , and played a Thursday night intraconference duel with the Denver Broncos . In the first quarter , Houston drew first blood as QB Sage Rosenfels got a 5 - yard TD run for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , the Broncos got on the board with kicker Jason Elam getting a 41 - yard field goal . Afterwards , the Texans responded with kicker Kris Brown getting a 41 - yard field goal . Denver would end the half as Elam nailed a 47 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Houston replied with RB Ron Dayne getting a 6 - yard TD run . Denver would answer with QB Jay Cutler completing a 12 - yard TD pass to TE Tony Scheffler . In the fourth quarter , the Texans pulled away as Rosenfels completed a 4 - yard TD pass to WR Andre Johnson , while FB Vonta Leach managed to get a 1 - yard TD run . With the win , Houston improved to 7 - 7 . The game marked the only appearance of the Texans on primetime television of the season , their first since 2005 , and the first game in 2007 played with the roof open . Week 16 : at Indianapolis Colts . Coming off an impressive blowout of the Denver Broncos , the Texans packed up and traveled to Indianapolis to do battle with their division rival . Houston drew first blood with as QB Sage Rosenfels threw a 17 - yard TD pass to Kevin Walter . The Colts responded to the TD with a 29 yard Vinatieri field goal . The Colts , who got off to a slow start in the 1st Quarter , scored 3 TDs in the 2nd quarter , a 2 - yard TD run by Joseph Addai and two Peyton Manning TD passes to tight end Dallas Clark . In the 3rd quarter , the Colts continued to pull away from the struggling Texans . Clifton Dawson scored a 4 - yard TD Run and Manning passed to Reggie Wayne for a 7 yard TD . In the 4th quarter , the Colts put in backups and QB Sage Rosenfels threw a 6 - yard TD to Andre Johnson and Darius Walker rushed up the middle for the 2 - Point Conversion . The Texans fell 38 - 15 , ending their 2 - game win streak and hopes for their first winning season . With the loss , the Texans fell to 7 - 8 . Week 17 : vs . Jacksonville Jaguars . Hoping to end their season on a high note , the Texans went home and played a Week 17 AFC South rematch with the Jacksonville Jaguars ( who were playing mainly with backups , due to them already clinching a playoff berth ) . In the first quarter , Houston trailed early as QB Quinn Gray completed a 22 - yard TD pass to WR Reggie Williams for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , the Texans took the lead with RB Ron Dayne getting a 2 - yard TD run and QB Sage Rosenfels completing a 2 - yard TD pass to TE Owen Daniels . Jacksonville would tie the game with Gray completing a 6 - yard TD pass to WR Ernest Wilford . Afterwards , Houston immediately responded with WR André Davis returning a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown . In the third quarter , the Texans increased their lead as Davis returned the second half ' s opening kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown . In doing so , Davis became the 7th player in NFL history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same game . Afterwards , Houston kept its momentum going with Dayne getting a 12 - yard TD run . The Jaguars would respond with Gray complting a 5 - yard TD pass to WR Matt Jones . In the fourth quarter , the Texans pulled away with RB Darius Walker getting a 1 - yard TD run . Jacksonville would end the game with Gray and Wilford hooking up with each other again on a 17 - yard TD pass . With the win , Houston finished its season at 8 - 8 . For the year , the Texans scored a total of 43 touchdowns and managed to get 8 wins on the year ( both franchise records ) .