It was an interesting night for the second year QB who was putting up very solid if not outstanding numbers through three and a half games. Then adversity hit. Savage turned the ball over on back to back series to begin the second half, putting his team in a hole.
It was a big positive to see him shake it off and get the tying touchdown on his fourth TD pass of the preseason. Ultimately he exited the game after a hard hit to the turf. It would have been fun to see if he could have pulled this one out of the fire.
Running the ball has been difficult this preseason. Alfred Blue had nice numbers but for everyone else it was tough sledding. It'll be refreshing to see what Blue can do behind the first team offensive line while Arian Foster recovers. By the way, Duane Brown told Texans Radio his hand will not keep him out of the opener.
Two of Dallas' touchdowns came off turnovers; a pick six and a Savage fumble. The other drive was a 48-yard march after a nice punt return. The big point here is that the defense did a solid job this preseason. And no one named Watt, Wilfork, Clowney or Joseph ever saw the field.
Special teams remains a mixed bag. You would have loved to see more consistent returns and better coverage this preseason. A lot of guys got opportunities. This much is clear; Shane Lechler's leg looks spry and Randy Bullock looks sharp (5-5, perfect on 33 yard PATs). And Jon Weeks is as reliable as the earth spinning on its axis.
We got a few glimpses of what the offense could do with Brian Hoyer. The first drives against San Francisco and New Orleans are hopeful indicators of this attack's potential. The defense you mostly saw in the preseason was hardly what will be counted on to make hay come next Sunday.
Now the Texans can get off their feet for a few days. It's been a tough camp with plenty of tough love from the coaching staff.
Check out photos from the Texans preseason finale against the Cowboys.
Come Monday it's on to Kansas City.
