The Houston Texans stunned the Los Angeles Chargers at home with a 27-20 upset victory at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The Houston Texans have relied heavily on All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to carry the majority of the load as the focal point of quarterback Deshaun Watson’s passes, but Watson was able to integrate other players in the offense against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Prior to this game, the tight ends only had four receptions for 51 receiving yards against the New Orleans Saints and the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, against the Chargers, Watson completed eight passes to his tight ends for 122 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
More from Toro Times
- Houston Texans: Can Sean Payton really be the next head coach?
- Houston Texans Draft: Michael Mayer should be a no doubter at pick 12
- Houston Texans already telling fans the Davis Mills era is over
- Houston Texans have hand forced, waste no time in firing Lovie Smith
- Houston Texans: Pros and Cons of keeping Head Coach Lovie Smith
Week 3 was a breakthrough performance for not only the tight ends but for Watson as well since its the first time this season that he goes for over 300 yards over the air. Jordan Akins and Darren Fells were able to take advantage of all the attention the Chargers placed on the wide receivers and burned the defense in the second half.
Texans finished the second half outscoring the Chargers 20-3 after going to halftime trailing 17-7. Akins had his first two touchdowns in his second season in the league after not recording a single touchdown reception last year as a rookie throughout the regular season. Akins showed potential in the preseason as a rookie against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he was finally able to put it on display in the regular season.
Fells was the other tight end that had an impressive performance with the Texans. Up to this point, he was a non-factor in the offense and recorded his only reception for nine yards against the Jaguars in Week 2. However, Fells finished with five receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown reception in Week 3.
His size and strength at the position are a net positive for the Texans as he is able to hold his own and win at the point of attack against defenders to create lanes for the running backs. Although he proved that he can utilize those attributes to also get open in the passing game.
Texans have a bounty of weapons in the passing game, and Watson was able to get the tight ends involved to come back and win their second game of the season.