Matt Schaub sets NFL record with pick six in fourth straight game

Matt Schaub is the greatest starting quarterback the Houston Texans have ever had.

Of course, that’s not saying a whole lot since the 2002 expansion team has really had only one other regular starting quarterback -- David Carr, the guy Schaub was brought in to replace in 2007.

And Schaub has had a good run with the Texans, helping the franchise reach the playoffs for the first time in his injury-shortened 2011 season and again last year.

The 2012 Pro Bowler has also been quite solid at quarterback, throwing for 122 touchdowns and 73 interceptions with a completion percentage of 64.3.

But things have gotten ugly real fast this year, as Schaub is being held to blame by many fans for the Texans’ 2-3 start. He has thrown for eight touchdowns (not bad) and completed 63.7% of his passes (consistent with his career average).

Then there’s his nine picks. And they’re not all just ordinary, run-of-the-mill interceptions. When his first pass attempt Sunday night was nabbed by San Francisco’s Tramaine Brock and returned for a touchdown, Schaub became the first NFL quarterback to throw a pick six in four consecutive games.

That was the first of his three interceptions during the 34-3 loss to the 49ers. And to think fans were already clamoring to have him benched -- with at least one even burning his jersey -- in the week leading up to the game.

Schaub was eventually replaced by backup T.J. Yates on Sunday night, but Coach Gary Kubiak said he was sticking with Schaub as his starter.

“Hopefully, that’s rock bottom tonight,” Kubiak said.

Now that’s loyalty to the best starting quarterback in franchise history. Or maybe that’s because his only other real option is Yates, who did win a playoff game with the Texans while Schaub was hurt after the 2011 season but really hasn’t had much NFL experience.

We’ll see if Matt Leinart gets a call from the Texans this week.

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