The Houston Texans move to 5-5 on the year with a 24-17 victory over the New York Jets, stay in a first place tie with the Colts
The Jets predictably deferred after winning the coin toss, putting the pressure early on T.J. Yates.
They came out and got a first down, but following an overthrow and two dropped passes they were forced to punt off of their first possession.
The defense came out and gave up a couple chunk plays and back to back first downs. They stiffened, and forced a 3rd and long situation, and then a subsequent punt. They are carrying the momentum from last week’s huge win into this game early.
On their second offensive series, Bill O’Brien mixed it up and went with the “wildcat” formation with Jonathan Grimes taking the snap. It paid off, and they gained a chunk of 10 yards out of the new set.
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T.J. Yates looked comfortable and patient early, outside of missing on a deep ball to DeAndre Hopkins, he started the game well and handled the situation with poise.
Surprisingly, the Texans were able to drive the ball down the field on the Jets with their second drive, while relying heavily on the run. They went wildcat again, and Cecil Shorts III was able to get a key first down into the red zone. They got to the 10 yard line and faced a 3rd and 3 to keep the drive alive, Yates was able to throw a dart for a 4 yard gain and a first and goal.
It was exciting to see O’Brien finally dial up a goal line play to J.J. Watt, but unfortunately the defender was able to break up the pass late and force an incompletion. The Texans faced a 3rd and goal after the scoreless 1st quarter of play came to an end.
Unfortunately, the Texans weren’t able to punch it in, and had to settle for a field goal. They took a 3-0 lead with 14:53 remaining in the second quarter.
It was great to see the Texans able to control the ball and time of possession in the first, more than doubling the TOP that the Jets were able to muster up.
The Texans defense came out and forced a nice, clean and quick 3 and out. They really have turned a corner from the first half of the season.
Bill O’Brien was innovative early on 3rd downs. He called on the wildcat formation very early, and often. They got a first down each time they ran it out of that set.
T.J. Yates was blasted on an overload blitz from the secondary, and they forced a fumble as he was setting to throw, it was the first turnover of the game for either team, and it set the Jets up in great position in plus territory.
The Texans defense gave up a quick first down, but then stopped the Jets in their tracks and forced them to settle for a field goal. They tied the game 3-3 with 8:21 remaining in the first half of play.
The Texans offense came out, and they got absolutely nothing. Quick 3 and out, and to make matters worse, as the Jets came back out on the field, Johnathan Joseph was headed into the Texans locker room with an apparent knee injury.
Fortunately, the Texans were able to hold them to a quick 3 and out regardless of injuries.
T.J. Yates then led the Texans down and had 2 huge passes to Hopkins, who just continues to blow my mind with his athletic ability. He burned Darelle Revis twice, and one was for a 61 yard touchdown. The Texans took a 10-3 lead with about 3 minutes to play in the first half.
The Texans defense came out once again and forced a 3 and out. They successfully made it 12 straight quarters of play without allowing a touchdown. That’s impressive.
The Texan offense came out in 2 minute mode, and T.J. Yates handled himself beautifully. He didn’t make the critical mistakes, and kept the ball from the Jet offense to hold the 10-3 lead heading into halftime.
The Texans were on defense to start the second half, and they picked up right where they left off…forcing yet another quick 3 plays and punt.
Unfortunately, the magic of Yates started to fade as he made 2 pretty inaccurate throws, and the Texan offense was forced to punt the ball back to New York.
The Texans were on the unfortunate side of an overturned fumble, as they called Ivory down before the ball came loose, and on the next play had a deep pass interference to put the Jets into the red zone.
The Texans then gave up their first touchdown in 13 quarters of play, on a deep corner route to Brandon Marshall. The Jets tied up the game at 10 points with 11:23 remaining in the third quarter.
The Texans quickly responded and Bill O’Brien really pulled out all of the stops. Cecil Shorts III threw a beautiful ball off of a quick screen, double pass to a wide open Alfred Blue for the touchdown. The Texans took a 17-10 lead with 7:51 to go in the 3rd quarter.
J.J. Watt was playing like a man possessed all game, and notched his second sack during the third quarter. They forced yet another Jets 3 and out, giving the offense another chance to extend their lead.
Extend their lead they did, as they drove straight down the field and put up another touchdown. DeAndre Hopkins took full advantage of the matchup when Revis left the game two plays before, and grabbed his second receiving touchdown of the game. The Texans went up 24-10 with 3:24 to go in the 3rd quarter.
After some bad officiating, the Texans lost a challenge and were forced to defend a short field to protect the 14 point lead. They were able to do just that, and forced a Jet punt after some stout play.
The offense came out pinned deep at their own 6 yard line, and weren’t able to get out of the shadow of their own goal post. They had to punt from the end zone, and tried to flip the field.
They were successful after a personal foul against the Jets, and the Jets were forced back to their own 25 yard line.
The Texans defense held once again, and forced a punt.
Unfortunately, the offense went 3 and out and gave the ball right back to the Jet’s offense.
Ryan Fitzpatrick showed supreme moxie, and blasted his way into the end zone on a gutsy run against his former team in Houston. They drew within 7 points and made the score 24-17 with just over 4 minutes to play in the game.
The Texans offense didn’t help again, going 3 plays and out and giving the Jets life with 3 minutes to go.
The defense was put in a crunch time situation facing a 4th down and 5, and grabbed an interception to stop the immediate threat. The Texans got the ball back with 2:47 to go in the 4th quarter.
The offense again put the defense under immense pressure, giving them the ball back with 2:19 to go and on their 20 yard line.
The Texans defense responded once again, on yet another interception. Andre Hal has been playing lights out at safety since he was promoted to starter. They got the ball back to seal the game with 1:52 remaining. They sealed it from victory formation and won 24-17.
The Texans win and move to .500 on the season, keeping pace with Indianapolis to stay atop the AFC South.