Texans Preseason: Tremon Smith with the big interception

The Houston Texans defense gained an interception in the preseason opener during the first quarter.

OK, we get it, the Houston Texans are playing in a preseason game on Saturday night, but the important part of playing the game against the New Orleans Saints in the preseason opener is getting players on the field and seeing how they can help the team when the games count in the standings.

That brings us to the first quarter for the Houston defense. After a lackluster first drive by the defense where they allowed a touchdown to the Andy Dalton led offense of the Saints, Houston regrouped in a big way by forcing a turnover.

The turnover was an interception by defensive back Tremon Smith, who picked off an Ian Book pass on second-and-12 that was tipped by a Saints receiver and landed in the hands of Smith.  That interception led to Houston scoring three points with a field goal made by Ka’imi Fairbairn.

Below is the interception by Smith, with the highlight provided by @NFL Twitter:

Texans secondary will be an important part of the team in 2022

The Houston defense needs to improve from last season, and though this preseason opener really doesn’t show much with how the improvement is going thus far this season, the guess is some more discipline will be needed as in the early stages Houston’s defense has a roughing the passer penalty.

That said, the Texans rebounded again with Ogbonnia Okoronkwo — who had the 15-yard penalty — having a fumble recovery. That fumble recovery led to Houston scoring a touchdown on offense with Jalen Camp making a nice 4-yard catch in the end zone off a Jeff Driskel pass.

As for the interception in the first quarter, Smith will be needed this season for the Texans, in some sort of role in the secondary. Last season ,he finished with one fumble recovery and 16 solo tackles.

What are your thoughts on the Texans’ early success on defense with the interception and fumble recovery in consecutive series?