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| The Houston Texans assembled on the sideline, prior to kickoff, for the National Anthem, and received thunderous cheers and shouts of approval from the fans at NRG Stadium. Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved |
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved
HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 1, 2017) In a game that saw no players kneeling during the National Anthem, the Houston Texas scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and went on to down the Tennessee Titans by the score of 57-14 at Houston's NRG Stadium on a beautiful Sunday, October 1, 2017 afternoon. The 57 points was a franchise record for the Texans and pushed their season record to 2-2 for the season. The 43-point difference is also the largest margin of victory in a game in team history. The previous high was a 34-point drubbing at Tennessee on October 23, 2011.
It did not take long for the Texans to jump on the scoreboard, and in this case, capitalize on a Titan mistake during their first possession. On their first possession and a third-and-six play, Titan quarterback Marcus Mariota's pass, intended for Delaine Walker was picked off Andre Hal, who returned it ti the Tennessee 43-yard line. From that point, Houston rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson engineered a four-play, 43-yard drive that ended with a two-yard option rush by Lamar Miller. Along with Ka'imi Fairbairn's extra point, the Texans took a 7-0 lead at the 12:13 mark of the first quarter.
After a three-and out drive by the Titans, Houston took control of the ball for their second possession and promptly drove 76 yards in 11 plays for their second score of the game. Watson connected with DeAndre Hopkins on a short eight-yard pass for the score. Fairbairn again added the extra point push the Texans' lead to 14-0 after 9:46 of play.
Watson and the Texans continued to rack up points; kicking off the second quarter with a 16-yard pass to Will Fuller V for another six points. Fairbairn again converted the extra point, giving the Texans a 21-0 lead. The Titans finally got on the scoreboard in the second quarter when Mariota drove the ball 75 yards in five plays for their first touchdown; a 34-yard quarterback keeper. Ryan Succop kicked the extra point to cut the Texans' lead to 21-7. Houston responded with a 50-yard field goal by Fairbairn midway through the quarter to increase their lead to 17 points (24-7). The 50-yarder was this longest of the season and extended his team record streak of making his first seven kicks of his pro career.
In the final minutes of the first half, Mariota added six more point to the Titan's total with a seven-play, 75-yard drive that ended with another quarterback keeper; a two-yard run for the score. Succop added the extra point to bring Tennessee within 10 points of the Texans (24-14). After the ensuing kickoff and two penalties against the Titans, the second a 52-yard defensively pass interference call which gave the Texans a first-and-goal from the two-yard line. This time, Watson decided to imitate Mariota; keeping the ball and rushing the final two-yards for the score. Fairbairn kick was wide, giving the Texans a 30-14 lead when the half ended. The Texans' 30 first-half points are the second most in team history. The most points scored by Houston in the first half in 34 against Indianapolis on September 11, 2011.
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| Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved |
At the 6:54 mark in the third quarter, Watson (shown left) again connected with Fuller V on a 10-yard pass; to cap a 14-play, 75-yard scoring drive; along with Fairbairn's extra point; giving Houston a 37-14 lead. After the score, Tennessee replaced Mariota, who was reported as questionable with a hamstring injury, with Matt Cassel. Cassel did little to improve the Titans' performance against the Texans; as Tennessee still had difficulty finding the end zone. Houston added an insurance touchdown and extra point with 11:25 remaining in fourth quarter, when Watson hit Miller with a eight-yard pass for the score. A little less than three minutes later, Fairbairn connected for 40-yard field goal. To add insult to injury; and the very next set of downs, Cassel, with a pass intended for Walker, was picked off by Dylan Cole and returned for a touchdown. Fairbairn added another extra point to his scoring total for the day; giving Houston a 54-14 lead.
Watson, in only his fourth game as a professional; completed 25-of-34 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns. In addition, he rushed for 24 yards on four carries and one touchdown. He is the third rookie quarterback with four-plus touchdown passes and one-plus rushing TDs since 1950. Johnny Green first accomplished the feat in 1960; playing for the Buffalo Bills. Fran Tarkenton was the second rookie to achieve that status in 1961, for the Minnesota Vikings.
Miller led the Texans on the ground, carring the ball 19 times for 75 yards and one TD. In the air, Hopkins caught the ball 10 times for 107 yards and one touchdown. The Texans' 57 points were the most scored in a game since Green Bay scored 55 points against the Chicago Bears in Week 10 of 2014.
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