The2008 Houston Texans season was the franchise's 7th season in theNational Football League (NFL) and the 3rd underhead coachGary Kubiak. Though the Texans lost their first four games of the season, they rallied and won five of their last six games, to finish with an 8–8 record for the second consecutive year.

The 2008 season also marked the Texans' first appearance onMonday Night Football.

Head coachGary Kubiak entered his third year with the Texans.Alex Gibbs, who implemented his successful zone blocking scheme with theDenver Broncos and theAtlanta Falcons joined the staff as the assistant head coach, replacingMike Sherman, who left to become the head coach atTexas A&M.Kyle Shanahan, son of Broncos coachMike Shanahan, took over as the offensive coordinator in place of Sherman.

Additions:

• LBKevin Bentley
• RBChris Brown
• SSNick Ferguson
• QBQuinn Gray (Released before regular season)
• CChris Myers
• CBJacques Reeves
• LBChaun Thompson
• LBRosevelt Colvin (Released before regular season)

Subtractions:

• LBCharlie Anderson
• SSMichael Boulware
• LBDanny Clark
• DBVon Hutchins
• WRJerome Mathis
• TEJeb Putzier
• CMike Flanagan
• CSteve McKinney
• LBShawn Barber
• OTJordan Black

The Texans had seven selections in the2008 NFL draft. The Texans originally had five before the draft after having traded their second round selection to theAtlanta Falcons to land quarterbackMatt Schaub and their sixth-round pick to theDenver Broncos for centerChris Myers. The Texans traded their first-round pick with theBaltimore Ravens for their third and sixth-round selections along with their first-round pick.

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Note: Intra-division opponents are inbold text.

The Texans began their 2008 campaign on the road against thePittsburgh Steelers. In the first quarter, Houston trailed early as Steelers RBWillie Parker got a 7-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Texans continued to trail as Parker got a 13-yard TD run, while QBBen Roethlisberger completed a 13-yard TD pass to WRHines Ward. Houston ended the half with kickerKris Brown getting a 34-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Texans continued to trail as Parker got a 4-yard TD run, while Roethlisberger and Ward hooked up with each other again on a 16-yard TD pass. In the fourth quarter, Houston replied with QBMatt Schaub completing a 14-yard TD pass to WRKevin Walter. Pittsburgh responded with kickerJeff Reed nailing a 44-yard field goal. The Texans closed out the scoring with a game with a 4-yard TD run by Schaub.

With the loss, Houston began its season at 0–1.

The Texans were originally scheduled to play theBaltimore Ravens in Week 2, but due to structural damage toReliant Stadium byHurricane Ike, the game was postponed until Week 10. This allowed both Houston and Baltimore to take their bye week.

Coming off their unexpected bye week, the Texans flew toLP Field for a Week 3 AFC South duel with theTennessee Titans. In the first quarter, Houston struck first with kickerKris Brown getting a 44-yard field goal. The Titans responded with RBLenDale White getting a 2-yard TD run. The Texans answered with Brown kicking a 24-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Tennessee increased its lead with QBKerry Collins completing a 9-yard TD pass to TEBo Scaife. The Texans answered with rookie RBSteve Slaton getting a 6-yard TD run, but the PAT failed. The Titans closed out the first half scoring with White's 1-yard TD run.

In the third quarter, Tennessee added onto its lead with kickerRob Bironas nailing a 44-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Titans sealed the win with CBCortland Finnegan returning an interception 99 yards for a touchdown.

With the loss, Houston fell to 0–2.

Still searching for their first win of the year, the Texans flew toJacksonville Municipal Stadium for a Week 4 AFC South duel with theJacksonville Jaguars. In the first quarter, Houston trailed early as Jaguars FBMontell Owens took a fake punt and ran 41 yards for a touchdown. The Texans got on the board with kickerKris Brown getting a 27-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Houston took the lead as QBMatt Schaub completed a 30-yard TD pass to rookie RBSteve Slaton. Jacksonville ended the half with kickerJosh Scobee getting a 46-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Jaguars retook the lead with QBDavid Garrard completing a 16-yard TD pass to WRMatt Jones. The Texans tied the game with Schaub completing a 5-yard TD pass to WRKevin Walter. In the fourth quarter, Jacksonville responded with Scobee's 40-yard field goal. Houston retook the lead with Schaub hooking up with Walter again on an 8-yard TD pass. However, the Jaguars got the lead again as Garrard got a 5-yard TD run. The Texans tied game on Brown's 47-yard field goal. However, in overtime, Jacksonville sealed Houston's fate as Scobee nailed the game-winning 37-yard field goal.

With the loss, the Texans fell to 0–3.

Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the Jaguars, the Texans finally got to play their home opener as they played a Week 5 AFC South duel with theIndianapolis Colts. Due to an illness, QBMatt Schaub was unable to play, allowing backup QBSage Rosenfels to get the start.

In the first quarter, Houston trailed early as Colts kickerAdam Vinatieri got a 46-yard field goal, along with RBJoseph Addai getting a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Texans responded with rookie RBSteve Slaton getting a 1-yard TD run, kickerKris Brown getting a 37-yard field goal, and Rosenfels completing a 5-yard TD pass to WRAndre Johnson. In the third quarter, Houston increased its lead with Brown nailing a 43-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Texans continued its run with Slaton getting a 1-yard TD run, expanding their lead to 17 points. What followed went into the NFL history books, as Sage Rosenfels fumbled twice and threw two interceptions to blow the biggest lead inside of 5 minutes in NFL history. The key play was known as the 'Rosencopter' play, when on third-and-eight, Rosenfels opted to try to hurdle a defender rather than sliding short of the first down.Gary Brackett recovered the fumble for a 58-yard touchdown, and Rosenfels was never the same afterwards, turning the ball over twice more. With the disappointing loss, Houston fell to 0–4.

Coming off a heartbreaking home loss to the Colts, the Texans stayed at home for a Week 6 duel with theMiami Dolphins. In the first quarter, Houston trailed early as Dolphins QBChad Pennington completed a 53-yard TD pass to RBPatrick Cobbs. The Texans responded with kickerKris Brown getting a 27-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Miami added onto its lead as Pennington completed an 80-yard TD pass to Cobbs. Houston answered with Brown kicking a 33-yard field goal and WRJacoby Jones returning a punt 70 yards for a touchdown.

In the third quarter, the Texans took the lead with QBMatt Schaub completing a 12-yar TD pass to WRAndre Johnson, but the Dolphins replied with RBRicky Williams getting a 5-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Houston regained the lead as Brown got a 42-yard field goal, yet Miami struck back RBRonnie Brown got a 6-yard TD run. The Texans got the last laugh as Schaub got the game-winning 3-yard TD run (with a failed 2-point conversion).

With the thrilling win, Houston won its first game of the season and improved to 1–4.

Coming off their last-second win over the Dolphins, the Texans continued their home stand with a Week 7 interconference duel with the winlessDetroit Lions. In the first quarter, Houston drew first blood as QBMatt Schaub completed a 2-yard TD pass to TEOwen Daniels, along with RBAhman Green getting a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Texans increased their lead as rookie RBSteve Slaton got a 1-yard TD run. The Lions responded with kickerJason Hanson getting a 54-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Detroit tried to catch up as RBKevin Smith got a 26-yard TD run. Houston answered with Schaub hooking up with Daniels again on a 1-yard TD pass. In the fourth quarter, the Lions tried to rally as QBDan Orlovsky completed a 96-yard TD pass to WRCalvin Johnson, along with Hanson nailing a 54-yard field goal. The Texans' defense stiffened for the victory.

With the win, Houston improved to 2–4.

Coming off their win over the Lions, the Texans closed out their four-game home stand against the winlessCincinnati Bengals. In the first quarter, Houston drew first blood as WRJacoby Jones returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown. The Bengals responded with kickerShayne Graham getting a 43-yard field goal. The Texans increased their lead as QBMatt Schaub completed a 6-yard TD pass to WRDavid Anderson. Cincinnati closed out the half as Graham nailed a 32-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Houston began to pull away as Schaub completed a 7-yard and a 39-yard TD pass to WRKevin Walter. In the fourth quarter, the Texans closed out their home stand in style with rookie RBSteve Slaton getting a 20-yard TD run.

With the win, not only did Houston improve to 3–4, but they won three straight games for the first time in franchise history.

Coming off their home win over the Bengals, the Texans flew to theHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome for a Week 9 interconference duel with theMinnesota Vikings. In the first quarter, Houston trailed early as Vikings RBAdrian Peterson got a 1-yard TD run. The Texans responded with CBJacques Reeves returning an interception 44 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Minnesota answered with QBGus Frerotte completing an 8-yard TD pass to WRSidney Rice and a 49-yard TD pass to WRBernard Berrian.

In the third quarter, Houston tried to rally as QBSage Rosenfels completed a 3-yard TD pass to WRDavid Anderson. In the fourth quarter, the Vikings replied with Frerotte completing a 25-yard TD pass to TEVisanthe Shiancoe. The Texans tried to come back as Rosenfels completed a 14-yard TD pass to WRAndre Johnson. However, the Vikings' defense stiffened for the win.

With the loss, Houston fell to 3–5.

QBMatt Schaub (21/29 for 224 yards and 1 interception), who started the game, left after the first half with a sprained left knee.

Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Vikings, the Texans went home for a Week 10 duel with theBaltimore Ravens. Both teams were supposed to play each other in Week 2, butHurricane Ike forced them to reschedule their game to this week.

With QBMatt Schaub out with an injury, back-up QBSage Rosenfels was given the start.

In the first quarter, Houston trailed early as Ravens QBJoe Flacco completed a 43-yard TD pass to WRYamon Figurs. In the second quarter, the Texans responded with kickerKris Brown getting a 23-yard field goal. Baltimore answered on a Houston blunder, as rookie OTDuane Brown committed a holding penalty in his own end zone, giving the Ravens a safety. Baltimore added onto their lead as kickerSteven Hauschka got a 54-yard field goal. The Texans closed out the half with Brown nailing a 48-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Ravens increased their lead as RBWillis McGahee got a 1-yard TD run. Houston responded as Rosenfels completed a 60-yard TD pass to WRKevin Walter. However, in the fourth quarter, Baltimore greatly pulled away as Flacco completed a 1-yard TD pass to TETodd Heap (with a 2-point conversion pass to WRDerrick Mason), QBTroy Smith completed a 14-yard TD pass to Heap, and McGahee getting a 4-yard TD run.

With the loss, the Texans fell to 3–6.

Trying to snap a two-game losing streak and avenge their Week 5 collapse, the Texans flew toLucas Oil Stadium for a Week 11 AFC South rematch with theIndianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, Houston struck first as kickerKris Brown got a 28-yard field goal. The Colts responded with kickerAdam Vinatieri getting a 40-yard field goal. The Texans answered with Brown making a 34-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Indianapolis tied the game with Vinatieri getting a 39-yard field goal. Houston replied with RBAhman Green getting a 1-yard TD run. The Colts closed out the half with Vinatieri making a 32-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Indianapolis got the lead as QBPeyton Manning completed a 23-yard TD pass to RBJoseph Addai. The Texans regained the lead as rookie RBSteve Slaton getting a 71-yard TD run. The Colts answered with Addai getting a 7-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Indianapolis increased their lead as Manning completed a 10-yard TD pass to WRMarvin Harrison. Houston tried to come back as Green got a 2-yard TD run, but the Colts pulled away as Vinatieri nailed a 31-yard field goal.

With the loss, the Texans fell to 3–7.

Trying to snap a three-game losing streak, the Texans flew toCleveland Browns Stadium for a Week 12 duel with theCleveland Browns. In the first quarter, Houston drew first blood as QBSage Rosenfels completed a 17-yard TD pass to WRKevin Walter. In the second quarter, the Texans increased their lead as kickerKris Brown got a 31-yard field goal. The Browns responded with kickerPhil Dawson getting a pair of 32-yard field goals. Houston ended the half with Brown making a 31-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Texans continued their dominance as Brown nailed a 36-yard field goal. From there on out, Houston's defense kept Cleveland's offense in check.

With the win, not only did the Texans improve to 4–7, but they finally got their first road win of the season.

Coming off their road win over the Browns, the Texans went home, donned their "Battle Red" uniforms, and played in their very first Monday Night Football game in franchise history, as they played a Week 13 AFC South rematch with theJacksonville Jaguars.

In the first quarter, Houston drew first blood as QBSage Rosenfels completed a 31-yard TD pass to WRAndre Johnson, while kickerKris Brown got a 38-yard field goal. After a scoreless second quarter, the Texans increased their lead early in the third quarter as Brown got a 50-yard field goal. The Jaguars responded with kickerJosh Scobee getting a 29-yard field goal, yet Houston answered with Brown nailing a 20-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Houston began to pull away as rookie RBSteve Slaton got a 7-yard TD run. Jacksonville answered with RBFred Taylor getting a 4-yard TD run, yet the Texans immediately replied as Slaton got a 40-yard TD run. The Jaguars close out the scoring with QBDavid Garrard completing an 18-yard TD pass to WRReggie Williams.

With the win, Houston improved to 5–7.

This was the first time that Houston hosted a football game on Monday night in 14 years. The last Monday night game that was held in Houston was on November 21, 1994, in the Houston Astrodome when theHouston Oilers were defeated by theNew York Giants 13–10.

With their MNF home win over the Jaguars fresh in their minds, the Texans flew toLambeau Field for a Week 14 interconference duel with theGreen Bay Packers. Houston shot early in the first quarter as QBMatt Schaub completed a 58-yard TD pass to wide receiverKevin Walter. The Packers responded in the second quarter with QBAaron Rodgers completing a 20-yard touchdown pass to TEDonald Lee, yet the Texans closed out the half with a 30-yard field goal from kickerKris Brown.

Houston got the third quarter's only points as Brown got a 41-yard field goal. Green Bay answered in the fourth quarter as RBRyan Grant got a 6-yard touchdown run, yet the Texans replied with Schaub completing an 11-yard touchdown pass and a 2-point conversion pass to wide receiverAndre Johnson. The Packers tied the game as Rodgers completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverJordy Nelson. Houston got the last laugh as Brown nailed the game-winning 40-yard field goal.

With the win, the Texans improved to 6–7.

With the win, not only the Texans improved to 7–7. but they won four straight games for the first time in franchise history.

Coming off their divisional upset win at home over the Titans, the Texans flew toOakland–Alameda County Coliseum for a Week 16 duel with theOakland Raiders. Houston trailed early in the first quarter as Raiders quarterbackJaMarcus Russell completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverChaz Schilens. The Texans responded with fullbackVonta Leach's 1-yard touchdown run. However, Oakland responded with kickerSebastian Janikowski getting a 33-yard and a 30-yard field goal. Houston tied the game in the second quarter as kickerKris Brown got a 53-yard and a 24-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Raiders scored two unanswered touchdowns: wide receiverJohnnie Lee Higgins caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Russell, followed by an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown. The Texans tried to come back in the fourth quarter: Brown nailed a 40-yard field goal, but that was too little, too late.

With the loss, Houston fell to 7–8.

Hoping to end their season on a high note, the Texans closed out their season at home in a Week 17 interconference duel with theChicago Bears. Houston trailed early in the first quarter as Bears quarterbackKyle Orton completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverBrandon Lloyd, followed by a 37-yard field goal from kickerRobbie Gould. The Texans responded and took the lead as quarterbackMatt Schaub a 43-yard and a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverAndre Johnson.

In the third quarter, Houston added onto their lead with running backRyan Moats scoring a touchdown on a 2-yard run. Chicago answered with Orton completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight endGreg Olsen. In the fourth quarter, the Texans pulled away as kickerKris Brown nailed a 22-yard field goal, followed by rookie running backSteve Slaton's 2-yard touchdown run. The Bears tried to come back as Orton got a 1-yard touchdown run, but Houston's defense stiffened for the victory.

With the win, the Texans closed out their season at 8–8.

Source:^[5]

• Official Website
• Houston Texans Team Page

• Houston Texans seasons
• 2008 NFL season by team

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