HOUSTON-The Houston Texans were just a yard away from going to overtime with the Arizona Cardinals.
Instead they let another one get away because of their inability to convert in the red zone. Houston lost to Jacksonville two weeks ago after a similar chance to tie it up late ended with a fumble at the goal line.
Houston's problems in that area are primarily because the team can't run the ball. The Texans had eight running plays that went for either no gain or negative yardage on Sunday, including two by Chris Brown in that late drive.
Left tackle Duane Brown can't believe they've lost two games because they couldn't get a yard.
"It's real hard," he said. "In my whole football career, there's nothing like it. To know that you were one yard away from changing the game, it's very sad for us."
Their problems running the ball aren't just limited to the red zone. Steve Slaton was stuffed for no gain twice on third-and-1 against the Cardinals and Houston finished with 45 yards rushing.
"It's just very frustrating," coach Gary Kubiak said of the running game. "It is very important to the team's success. When you run the ball well and control the football it helps your defense. It helps everybody. We have not been doing that. We're not going to give up on it, but obviously it's a major, major concern coming out of these games."
Houston also had a second-and-5 from the 16 early in the second quarter and came away empty when a field goal attempt by Kris Brown was blocked.
The Texans are 29th in the league in red zone scoring efficiency, scoring on 13 of their 18 trips inside the 20. Their 18 trips to the red zone are tied for fifth most in the league, but their one rushing touchdown is among the league's worst.
Houston's red-zone woes are more pronounced because of the two big misses at the end of close games. But they're just one of many teams around the league struggling in this area.
Not surprisingly, the winless Rams are worst in the NFL with four scores in 10 chances inside the 20. They were particularly bad in Sunday's 38-10 loss to Minnesota, fumbling twice and throwing an interception inside the 10.
The Titans, Raiders and Panthers, who have two wins combined, have converted all but six of their trips to the red zone this season. Those three teams have had the fewest trips to the red zone of anyone in the NFL. Oakland is the worst with seven chances and Carolina and Tennessee are just slightly better with nine trips each.
Indianapolis, Minnesota and New Orleans are all in the top five in touchdowns in the red zone, which could have something to do with their undefeated records.
Houston scored on three of its red-zone opportunities against the Cardinals, but is haunted by the points that got away. Andre Johnson, who watched helplessly from the sideline during the goal-line stand, believes things will turn around if the running game can get going.
"You have to have your run game established and as a football team you should be able to get one yard," he said. "It's killed us in two games. We just have to take it upon ourselves to get the job done. If we can get our running game going, I think it will help us out a whole lot."
NOTES: RG Mike Brisiel injured his foot against the Cardinals.? Kubiak said he wasn't sure of the extent of the injury yet but that "it doesn't look good."
