Surprises and shocks from Week 2 of the NFL season

What’s Going on in Houston?

Funny thing: I woke up this morning and remembered a dream I’d had. The Houston Texans—you know the guys with no quarterback and a new coach—were 2-0 to start the season.

Crazy right?

Also crazy: it’s true.

Now, I don’t want to hype this team up too much after a beat down of the hapless Raiders, who are rebuilding and have a rookie quarterback. This was a game we assumed they would win.

And really, is the win over Washington a big deal either?

However, you have to win the games people expect you to and those were two games the Texans should have had a chance to win. Give credit where it is due—Houston has done that.

They have a chance to do the same thing with the New York Giants next week, given how disastrous that team looks.

The Texans are largely winning the way we assumed they would have to—with outstanding defense and a good run game. Head coach Bill O’Brien puts quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in favorable positions to succeed and limits his chances to make blunders.

O’Brien is creative too—a touchdown pass to defensive end J.J. Watt is insane, but lining him up as a tight end isn’t really given his athleticism. The Texans do what they have to in order to win.

On the other side of the field—Raiders fans, take heart. You had to know this was going to be a rough season and as much as quarterback Derek Carr looked bad in moments this week, there is only so much you can do with that much pressure in your face. While he wasn’t sacked, Carr was hit six times and hurried 11 times according to Pro Football Focus.

That’s tough on any rookie, especially one for whom reacting to pressure was a question mark coming into the league.

It’s going to take time, be patient.

Of course, you’ve been patient a long time already so, maybe your reserve of patience is used up.