Texans vs. Falcons: 1st half recap; O-line allows no sacks
The Houston Texans trail the Atlanta Falcons by one point at halftime in Week 5, by a score of 17-16.
This game has went about as expected between these two teams in the host Houston Texans (2-2) and the Atlanta Falcons (1-3). The two teams have played near equally on the scoreboard with the Falcons leading 17-16, with the Falcons taking the lead late in the second quarter off a touchdown by Devonta Freeman on a 9-yard pass by Matt Ryan.
Atlanta’s first touchdown came in the opening quarter for a 7-0 lead off a pass by Ryan to Mohamed Sanu for the 14-yard score. The Falcons also made a 35-yard field goal by Matt Bryant, then taking a 10-7 advantage.
Houston scored their first touchdown by capping off an 11-play drive with a pass from Deshaun Watson to Will Fuller for a 6-yard touchdown, tying the score at 7-7 at that point in the first quarter. Houston added a second touchdown in the second quarter with a 33-yard touchdown reception by Fuller off a pass by Watson.
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The final points scored by the Texans in the first half were off a 50-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn, putting the Texans ahead, 16-10. That field goal helped the Texans kicker rebound from a missed PAT earlier in the game.
In the quarterback stat sheet, Ryan is 14-of-22 for 149 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Watson in the first half finished 13-of-16 for 165 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Carlos Hyde leads the Texans with 12 carries for 33 yards rushing, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry through the first two quarters played. Atlanta is led by Freeman with eight carries for 27 yards. Calvin Ridley led the Falcons in the first half in receiving with three receptions for 45 yards on six targets. Julio Jones finished the first half with three receptions for 42 yards, also on six targets.
The player who has really stood out in the first half is Fuller with eight receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns on nine targets. DeAndre Hopkins has been quiet in the first half with one reception for 14 yards, though he’s been targeted just twice in the first two quarters.
Maybe the most exciting part of the first half is the offensive line has not allowed a sack in the first half of the game. That is saying something because the Atlanta defense is no joke, as they have some talented players on the defensive line, including Grady Jarrett.
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The second half should be just as exciting and competitive as the first half. To be honest, besides the lack of sacks, the closeness of the score isn’t a big surprise. Both teams are playing close too even with each other, and that is how the Texans have been all season with their opponents.