Madden Preview Week 10: Texans 31 at Jaguars 52

First off, let me state that the Madden game still has Steve Slaton returning kicks and also isn't updated with the Kampman injury. Both of these could make significant differences in the game.

That said, for the second week in a row and now 3-3 in predictions, Madden Football on the PS3 completely exaggerates the Texans weaknesses in the Texans Madden Preview. The pass defense is non-existent, the play calling mostly atrocious and Matt Schaub's passes are completely wild. While in the real game, I am sure that we will see some of this, the Madden preview really blows it out of proportion allowing the Jaguars to trample the Texans 52-31.

Just like in weeks past in the real games, the Texans come out on the first drive looking good as they are able to jump out to an early lead. On their first possession the Texans run 7 times in a row on their first 7 plays and just slice through the Jaguars defense driving down into Jaguars territory. Even Steve Slaton gets into the action getting one critical carry on 3rd and 4 to bring the Texans to the 2 yard line. Schaub connects with Jacoby Jones on the ensuing play for a 2 yard TD pass.

The Texans defense even looks better and fired up - at the beginning. They are able to put a ton of pressure on David Garrard throughout the game on 1st and 2nd downs to force a few bad passes, but on 3rd downs Garrard seems still able to find holes in the Texans secondary to pick up monster yardage.This is where the game seems to really exaggerate one of the real weaknesses of the Texans. While in real life, they will undoubtebtly give up some of these big plays, it is HIGHLY unlikely that it would be as bad as it was in this Madden preview.  The same thing happened in last weeks preview against the Chargers. Madden took the pass defense and almost made fun of it by the amount of yards put up against them.

If the defense looks this bad in real life, I will honestly poop in my pants.

The play calling for the Texans also seems a little suspect. I know that in real life games, Kubiak has shown tendencies to drop the run early and start passing, but he has shown improvement in learning from and adjusting to that. The Madden Preview doesn't think so. Throughout most of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Quarters the Texans are often passing in what should be running situations and running in what should be passing situations. Not just a few mistakes, but throughout the entire game.  I also highly doubt the play calling will be this bad.

One of the only bright sides for the Texans in this week's Madden Preview is the running game. Foster has another big game against the Jaguars, rushing for over 132 yards - 100 of which was in the first half. Derrick Ward also rushes for 50 yards and 1 touchdown.

The Madden Preview comes into this week 3-3 and I believe almost 100% that it will be 3-4 after this game. There is no way in hell the Texans let the Jaguars put up 52 points on them, let alone win the game. Let's be honest - if the Colts or the Chargers can't put up that much...David Garrard most certainly isn't. I have to say that this Madden Preview was ridiculously painful to watch and has me losing a lot of faith in the credibility of Madden.

Passing
Player	Team	Att/Comp	Yards	TD	Int
Schaub	Texans	19 of 31	309	3	2
Gerrard	Jaguars	27 of 37	425	5	1
Rushing
Player	Team	Att	Yards	AVG	TD
Foster	Texans	22	132	6.0	0
Jones Drew	Jaguars	21	67	3.1	2
Ward	Texans	6	50	8.3	1
Jennings	Jaguars	1	3	3.0	0
Walter	Texans	1	-1	-1.0	0
Thomas	Jaguars	1	9	9.0	0
Slaton	Texans	1	9	9.0	0
Receiving
Player	Team	Rec	Yards	AVG	TD
Sims-Walker	Jaguars	8	234	29.2	3
T.Underwood	Jaguars	7	98	13.9	1
O.Daniels	Texans	6	85	14.1	0
G.Jones	Jaguars	4	28	7.0	0
K.Walter	Texans	4	109	27.2	0
Jones Drew	Jaguars	3	14	4.6	0
J.Jones	Texans	3	41	13.6	1
A.Johnson	Texans	3	40	13.3	1
M.Lewis	Jaguars	2	24	12.0	0
V.Leach	Texans	1	2	2.0	0
Z.Miller	Jaguars	1	3	3.0	1
D.Dickerson	Texans	1	15	15.0	1
J.Dreessen	Texans	1	17	17.0	0