For the first time in franchise history, the Houston Texans are an unblemished 5-0 to start the season. On Monday night, the visiting Texans defeated the New York Jets, 23-17, at MetLife Stadium using 152 rushing yards and one touchdown from running back Arian Foster.
Texans vs. Jets, Week 5: Houston’s sluggish offense bailed out by defense
Foster's score came in the second quarter and helped Houston take a 14-7 lead with 11:11 remaining in the first half. But it was three field goals by kicker Shayne Graham that helped the Texans tally enough points to remain undefeated.
Despite Foster’s and Graham’s performances, the Texans offense, one of the best in the NFL, was held in check by the Jets’ defense, and according to the SB Nation blog Battle Red Blog, credit needs to be given to New York for sticking around.
Minus Foster, the Texans offense struggled after their opening touchdown drive, a 34-yard pass from Matt Schaub to Owen Daniels. The New York defense was salty and locked down Houston for most of the night. Monday's 23 points scored were a season-low for the Texans.
In the end, what won the game for Houston was its defense that, like the offense, is one of the best in the league.
Brice McCain had a sack and interception and Kareem Jackson also had his career-high third interception, but we all want to talk about J.J. Watt. Watt's batted pass led to McCain's interception which kept New York from tying the game at half time. Watt also had another sack to give him an NFL-best 8.5 on the season. Justin James Watt's third tipped pass of the game, his eighth on the season, would end Monday Night's match-up and move Houston to its first 5-0 start in franchise history.
Next week, the Texans host the Green Bay Packers in a Sunday Night Football affair (8:20 p.m. ET on NBC).
See More:
