The 2006 Houston Texans season was the franchise's 5th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 1st under head coach Gary Kubiak. The team improved on their 2–14 record in 2005 and finished 6–10, a four-game improvement over their previous season.
Offseason On January 2, 2006, the day after the last game of the 2005 season, head coach Dom Capers and most of the coaching staff was fired by owner Bob McNair. General Manager Charley Casserly was spared, but would eventually resign in May. On January 22, 2006, Bob McNair announced that Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak would become the Texans' second head coach. Kubiak, a Houston native, was a candidate for the job in 2001 before the team chose Dom Capers. On June 5, 2006, the Texans hired Denver Broncos assistant general manager Rick Smith as Casserly's successor.
Player additions and subtractions Additions: DL Anthony Weaver LB Sam Cowart (later released before season start) RB Ron Dayne WR Eric Moulds (trade with Buffalo Bills) DB Dexter McCleon DL N.D. Kalu OL Brad Bedell WR Kevin Walter TE Jeb Putzier OL Ephraim Salaam WR Derrick Lewis DB Guss Scott DB Dexter Wynn RB Samkon Gado DL Thomas Johnson OL Mike Flanagan
Subtractions: WR Jabar Gaffney TE Bennie Joppru RB Moran Norris DB Jason Bell OL Milford Brown OL Tyson Walter RB Vernand Morency QB Tony Banks RB Jonathan Wells WR Donovan Morgan WR Corey Bradford
Draft
With their 2–14 record in 2005, the Texans earned the right to the first selection in the 2006 NFL draft. Leading up to the draft most believed the team would select RB Reggie Bush out of University of Southern California, who was being compared to Gale Sayers and touted as the greatest prospect to ever enter the draft. Many local fans in Houston wanted the team to draft hometown hero Vince Young who had led the University of Texas to a Nation Championship in January. However, the Texans would choose neither and announced the day before the draft that they would pick defensive end Mario Williams out of NC State instead. Williams was signed to a six-year, $54 million contract.
The pick both shocked and angered fans and the team was ripped by the national media for making what many believed was one of the worst mistakes in NFL Draft history. With the first selection in the second round they selected Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans. Ryans would prove to be a steal as he would eventually be named the Defensive Rookie of the Year for 2006. The rest of their picks included Pittsburgh offensive tackle Charles Spencer, Miami (FL) offensive tackle Eric Winston, Wisconsin tight end Owen Daniels, Virginia running back Wali Lundy, and Colorado St. wide receiver David Anderson.
Despite the fact that many believed drafting Mario Williams was a mistake, the Texans would go on to have the best draft classes of any team in 2006 according to most experts. Young and Bush did not live up to pre-draft expectations, while Williams would be selected to multiple Pro Bowls.
Staff
Roster
Uniform combinations In 2006, the Texans wore five different uniform combinations. They wore their blue jerseys and blue pants for the first time during a week 16 win over the Indianapolis Colts, along with wearing their white jerseys and white pants together for the first time in franchise history in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Preseason
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Kansas City Chiefs W 24–10 1–0 Reliant Stadium Recap 2 at St. Louis Rams W 43–24 2–0 Edward Jones Dome Recap 3 August 27 at Denver Broncos L 14–17 2–1 Invesco Field at Mile High Recap 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 16–13 3–1 Reliant Stadium Recap
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 10 Philadelphia Eagles L 10–24 0–1 Reliant Stadium Recap 2 September 17 at Indianapolis Colts L 24–43 0–2 RCA Dome Recap 3 September 24 Washington Redskins L 15–31 0–3 Reliant Stadium Recap 4 October 1 Miami Dolphins W 17–15 1–3 Reliant Stadium Recap 5Bye 6 October 15 at Dallas Cowboys L 6–34 1–4 Texas Stadium Recap 7 October 22 Jacksonville Jaguars W 27–7 2–4 Reliant Stadium Recap 8 October 29 at Tennessee TitansL 22–28 2–5 LP Field Recap 9 November 5 at New York Giants L 10–14 2–6 Giants Stadium Recap 10 November 12 at Jacksonville JaguarsW 13–10 3–6 Alltel Stadium Recap 11 November 19 Buffalo Bills L 21–24 3–7 Reliant Stadium Recap 12 November 26 at New York Jets L 11–26 3–8 Giants Stadium Recap 13 December 3 at Oakland Raiders W 23–14 4–8 McAfee Coliseum Recap 14 December 10 Tennessee Titans L 20–26 4–9 Reliant Stadium Recap 15 December 17 at New England Patriots L 7–40 4–10 Gillette Stadium Recap 16 December 24 Indianapolis Colts W 27–24 5–10 Reliant Stadium Recap 17 December 31 Cleveland Browns W 14–6 6–10 Reliant Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Game summaries Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Texans opened the 2006 season at home against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 10. The Texans looked sharp early with QB David Carr throwing a 25-yard TD pass to former Bills WR Eric Moulds in the 1st Quarter. The Eagles would tie the game with QB Donovan McNabb throwing a 42-yard TD strike to WR Donte' Stallworth. The Texans would retake the lead, however, after a 34-yard FG from K Kris Brown. Philadelphia took the lead late in the half with McNabb throwing a 5-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Brown and held on to it for the rest of the game. In the third quarter, McNabb hooked up with RB Brian Westbrook with a 31-yard pass and then, opposing kicker David Akers ended the game in the fourth quarter with a 42-yard field goal. David Carr finished 18-of-27 for 208 yards and a touchdown and was sacked five times.
Week 2: at Indianapolis Colts
The Texans traveled to the RCA Dome for an AFC South battle with the Indianapolis Colts. From the get-go, Houston trailed as opposing QB Peyton Manning threw a 10-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Stokley and a 21-yard pass to RB Joseph Addai in the first quarter. In the second quarter, opposing Kicker Adam Vinatieri kicked a 39-yard field goal to further distance themselves from Houston. The Texans would get a 43-yard field goal by Kicker Kris Brown, but Vinatieri also made a 43-yarder as time ran out in the half. In the third quarter, the Colts continued to put the game out of reach with Peyton throwing a 15-yard TD pass to TE Bryan Fletcher and Vinatieri kicking a 38-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Texans QB David Carr completed a 33-yard TD pass to TE Owen Daniels, but Indianapolis responded with RB Dominic Rhodes getting a 2-yard TD run. Houston would get another TD on a 1-yard pass to TE Mark Bruener, but the Colts put the game away with RB Ran Carthon getting a 3-yard TD run. After WR Andre Johnson provided Houston with a 10-yard TD pass, the Texans ending up losing their ninth straight contest against Indianapolis.
Week 3: vs. Washington Redskins
The Texans came home in Week 3 to take on the Washington Redskins. In the first quarter, Houston got off to a good start, as TE Mark Bruener caught a 2-yard TD pass. However, the Redskins would tie the game up on a 9-yard run by RB Ladell Betts. From there, things went downhill in the second quarter, as WR Antwaan Randle El caught a 23-yard TD pass and RB Clinton Portis ran 30 yards for a touchdown. In the third quarter, Washington continued to pound Houston, with Portis getting a 1-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Redskins would get one more scoring strike as kicker John Hall kicked a 46-yard field goal. The Texans would get another touchdown, as QB David Carr threw a 2-yard pass to TE Owen Daniels and RB Ron Dayne would run it in for the 2-point conversion. Unfortunately, Houston would fall to 0–3, losing 31–15.
Week 4: vs. Miami Dolphins
Staying at home, the Texans (still searching for their first win of the year) played a Week 4 intraconference match-up against the Miami Dolphins. After a scoreless first quarter, Houston trailed early, as Miami kicker Olindo Mare got a 52-yard field goal. Fortunately, the Texans would get a field goal of their own, with kicker Kris Brown getting a 32-yard field goal before halftime. In the third quarter, Houston fell behind, as Mare kicked a 29-yard field goal for Miami. In the fourth quarter, the Texans rallied against the Dolphins, as QB David Carr took the ball into the endzone from one yard out, then completed a 3-yard TD pass to WR Andre Johnson later in the quarter. Mario Williams recorded his first career sack and added a half sack one play later. Afterwards, Houston would have to hold off a late rally by Miami. Mare kicked a 22-yard field goal, and later got a touchdown, as QB Daunte Culpepper threw a 16-yard strike to WR Chris Chambers. Fortunately, the Texans prevented a two-point conversion when Mario Williams tipped the pass and held on to pick up their first win of the year.
Week 6: at Dallas Cowboys
Coming off their Week 5 bye, the Texans traveled to Texas Stadium for a rematch with their first-ever regular season opponent, the Dallas Cowboys, in a Lone Star State showdown. Houston struck first, as Kris Brown nailed a 19-yard field goal for the only first quarter score for either team. In the second quarter, Dallas managed to tie the game, as kicker Mike Vanderjagt hit a 22-yard field goal, but the Texans would retake the lead, as Brown booted a 48-yard field goal just as time ran out in the first half. Unfortunately, Dallas took control of the game in the second half. In the third quarter, QB Drew Bledsoe connected with WR Terrell Owens for two scores (3-yarder and a 21-yarder). In the fourth quarter, RB Marion Barber had a 1-yard TD run, Vanderjagt kicked a 21-yard field goal, and back-up QB Tony Romo hooked up with Owens on a 2-yard TD pass, Owens' third and final TD on the day. Dallas cruised in the second half, outscoring the Texans 31–0, and with the 34–6 loss, the Texans fell to 1–4.
Week 7: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Following a disappointing 34–6 road loss to their cross-state rival, the Dallas Cowboys, the Texans were looking to rebound at home against division rival Jacksonville, and they did. Houston did not trail at any point in their 27–7 trouncing of the Jaguars, in which they forced two turnovers, and dominated in total offense, tallying 349 yards from scrimmage to Jacksonville's 220. With the impressive upset, the Texans moved to 2–4, just one game behind the Jags for second place in the AFC South.
Week 8: at Tennessee Titans
Hoping to build on their surprising victory over the Jaguars, the Texans flew to LP Field for an AFC South showdown with the Tennessee Titans. After a scoreless first quarter, the Texans trailed early, as Tennessee QB Vince Young ran 20 yards for a touchdown. Houston would respond with kicker Kris Brown nailing a 27-yard field goal. However, things started getting ugly as Titans DE Tony Brown returned a fumble 40 yards for a TD. In the third quarter, QB David Carr lasted for only one drive, which resulted in a fumble recovery for Tennessee. He would be replaced with back-up QB Sage Rosenfels. However, a Rosefels interception resulted in Young completing a 20-yard TD pass to WR Bobby Wade. The Texans would respond with Rosenfels completing a 10-yard TD pass to WR Andre Johnson. In the fourth quarter however, CB Pacman Jones returned a punt 53 yards for a touchdown. Houston would try to retaliate, as Rosenfels completed two touchdown passes (a 1-yarder and a 2-yarder to rookie TE Owen Daniels), but in the end, any hope for a comeback resulted in a fumble, dropping the Texans to 2–5.
Week 9: at New York Giants