A win — but consider the source

HOUSTON — Mark Brunell misfired only three times in 27 pass attempts, Clinton Portis returned and scored two touchdowns and, after another slow start, the defense did what it should do against a team like the Texans: force the issue.

The Washington Redskins saved their season yesterday at Reliant Stadium with a 31-15 win over the lowly Texans. And you heard it here first: This was one of two games the Monday Morning Quarterback thought were locks for the Redskins this season. No. 2 comes against Tennessee in three weeks.

But don’t get too fired up.

These were the Texans, who are only slightly better than the 49ers team the Redskins thumped 52-17 last season. At least Houston fans can’t directly blame old friend Charley Casserly anymore; he’s living in D.C. and hanging out on “The NFL Today” set instead of watching the Texans’ defense get torched.

But for the Redskins, a win is a win is a win.

Q: Start printing the playoff tickets. The Redskins are headed in the right direction, correct?

A: We’ll find out Sunday at FedEx Field. If they can find a way to beat Jacksonville, they will be 2-2 heading to Giants Stadium, their House of Horrors since Gibbs Version 2.0 started in 2004.

Every game for the Redskins is a must win until they reach the .500 mark. A loss to the 2-1 Jaguars (who lost at Indianapolis yesterday) would put the Redskins’ season back in the toilet.

Q: You have been one of Brunell’s main bashers since Week 1 of 2004, so you have to acknowledge that the old man with the old arm and the old legs looked pretty darn good, right?

A: OK, I’ll admit he executed the game plan, which called for short passes. It didn’t require much pass protection or much accuracy.

The game plan Redskins fans saw against Houston is one that ignores the deep ball. Brunell is loathe to throw to receivers who have defenders within, say, 14 yards. So the dink-and-dunk game suits him best. But it’s unlikely it will work for three or four consecutive weeks.

Q: So, what you’re saying is Brunell will be in big trouble when he faces a good defense and must throw longer than 17 yards downfield?

A: Yep, that’s my story, and I’ll stick to it until No.8 proves otherwise. He was 24-for-27 for 261 yards, but other than a 74-yard shovel pass to Portis, Brunell’s longest completion was 25 yards.

Q: Speaking of Portis, he came back and looked sharp. Does he make that big a difference to the offense?

A: Absolutely. Portis is the linchpin for this offense. When he runs well, the pass opens up. When he runs well, the offense stays on the field. When he runs well, the entire team gets fired up.

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