The Houston Texans exercised some demons from 2015 by defeating the Kansas City Chiefs to remain undefeated on the season at 2-0
It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win. The Houston Texans hosted the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, a team that had their number last season.
The Texans lost to open the season against the Chiefs and then got beaten even worse in their lone playoff game. Thanks to those two losses, this game was circled in red for the team as a barometer of how much they really have improved from their 9-7 team from 2015.
It looked like things could be heading in the wrong direction early as quarterback Brock Osweiler ended his second straight opening drive with an interception, this time he made the gaffe in the red zone. Fortunately for him and the Texans, the defense was able to get the ball back quickly thanks to J.J. Watt coming up with a fumble.
Osweiler atoned for his mistake with a 27-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins. It was the only play of the drive and would prove to be the only touchdown of the entire day by either team.
Nuuuk !! @Spark_Sports_: J.J. Watt recovers the fumble
— Clemson Buzzz (@ClemsonBuzzz) September 18, 2016
Then, a beautiful 27-yard TD for DeAndre Hopkins #HOUvsKC
pic.twitter.com/PH7xicKR28
The Texans were able to add a couple field goals before the half and K.C. added one as well. The 13-3 lead could have been much more as Houston was playing superb defense, but their offense just wasn’t finishing drives.
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After the intermission things looked pretty much the same. Osweiler did have one beautiful pass which looked like a touchdown again to Hopkins, but the refs decided it wasn’t a completed catch.
Osweiler did throw another interception, but Houston’s defense continued to hold strong. Whitney Mercilus and Kevin Johnson each added fumble recoveries as Houston won the turnover battle.
Watt and John Simon each had a sack and a half and Benardrick McKinney also recorded a sack for the defense which is looking like the most fearsome defense in the NFL at this point.
Neither team scored in the third quarter but the two field goals in the fourth by Nick Novak was enough for Houston to hold off the Chiefs, who hit three field goals in the same quarter.
The Texans next game will be on Thursday night against the New England Patriots, who lost their starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in a win today.