Lost amid the disappointment of the Cowboys 0-2 start to the season is the fact that Miles Austin has seamlessly picked up his stellar production numbers from where we left off last season. In 2009, Austin finished third in the league with 1,320 yards and tied for fourth with 11 touchdowns.
So far in 2010, Austin leads the league in receiving yards (288) by a wide margin, has already recorded two 100+ yard games and is tied for first in the NFL with 20 receptions.
In week one against the Redskins, Austin led the team in receptions (10) and yards (146). His 10 catches tied a career high, while his 146 yards marked his seventh 100+ yard game and the third-most in his career. He followed up that performance in week two with another 10 catch effort against the Bears for 142 yards. His two consecutive games with 10 catches and 100+ yards receiving make him only the second receiver in Cowboys history to do so - after Michael Irvin in 1995.
Going into the Texans game, Austin leads the league in catches of 20+ yards (5), has a phenomenal 76.9% reception rate and leads the league in catches for first down with 15.
The Texans on the other hand have allowed 400+ yards passing in both of their games this season. After two games, they are ranked last in the league in pass defense. Looks like this could be another big week for Miles Austin, as the league's most prolific receiver in 2010 meets the worst pass defense of 2010. After the break we look at Austin's numbers since he became a starter last year.
Austin has been on an MVP-type roll following his record-breaking first career start in week 5 last season. After his 250-yard effort against the Chiefs, Austin has gained more receiving yards than any other NFL wide receiver (1,527) and is tied for the third-most receptions and touchdowns over that span.
| Receiving Leaders Since Week 5, 2009 | ||||||||
| Yards |
Receptions |
Touchdowns |
||||||
| Player | Yds | Player | Rec | Player | TDs | |||
| Miles Austin | 1,527 | Wes Welker | 119 | Randy Moss | 13 | |||
| Andre Johnson | 1,424 | Brandon Marshall | 97 | Larry Fitzgerald | 12 | |||
| Wes Welker | 1,309 | Miles Austin | 96 | Miles Austin | 11 | |||
| Roddy White | 1,223 | Andre Johnson | 96 | Roddy White | 11 | |||
| Sidney Rice | 1,140 | Roddy White | 90 | Three tied | 10 | |||
His back-to-back 100-yard performances this season marked the third time in his career that he had consecutive 100-yard games while his back-to-back 10-catch games a first for the prolific Austin. Since 2006 only three other receivers have had back-to-back 10+ catch games - Andre Johnson (three straight in '08), Anquan Boldin (also in '08) and Wes Welker (twice, '08 & '09).
Go get 'em Miles.