Houston, Texas:
The Houston Texans weathered a hard-fought defeat against the (7-2) Denver Broncos 18-15 with devasting losses of their quarterback C.J. Stroud to a concussion after a second quarter scramble and their place kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn. Stroud finished the afternoon with six (6) completions on ten (10) attempts for seventy-nine (79) yards before back -up quarterback Davis Mills came off the bench to manage the loss.
Mills was given the call to have his first start in three (3) years and practiced with the team this past week. He had a rough start with an interception on their first series of downs. Special teams turned the ball over on the next opportunity, so the Texans were 10-0 after the first quarter.
It looked bleak for the hometown boys in the second (2nd) quarter after Jaguars’ punt returner Washington fielded a sixty-eight (68) yard punt and sprinted seventy-three (73) yards for a touchdown. The Texans went into halftime trailing 20-10 after Texans’ running back Jo’quavious Marks on a sweep was able to get in the endzone. Back-up place kicker Matthew Wright hit a twenty-three (23) yard field goal. Going into the fourth quarter, the Houston Texans were behind 29-10. There is a saying that I have used my entire life, you can not beat a man who refuses to be beaten. Texans’ Quarterback Davis Mills engineered a successful drive with a twelve (12) yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jayden Higgins. The team went for a two-point conversion as Nico Collin secured the catch. The Texans were still behind 29-18. The defense shut down the Jaguars on numerous drives. It was frustrating as the team choked in the red zone. Mills continued his magical return hitting tight end Schultz for a seven (7) yard touchdown, then later on in the quarter was able to take it to the house on a fourteen (14) yard scramble putting the Texans in the lead for the first time in the afternoon 30-29. They missed the two (2) point conversion. The icing on the cake was when Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawerence was sacked by Will Anderson, Jr. causing a fumble that was picked up by Shelton Rankins who hustled down the field for his first touchdown securing the win 36-29. It was the most points that the Houston Texans scored in the fourth quarter in their history.
It was an amazing victory for the team and for the fans who stuck around to witness the miraculous finish. Davis Mills had twenty-seven (27) completions on forty-five (45) attempts for two hundred and ninety-two (292) yards with two (2) touchdowns passes with one (1) interception. Davis stepped up big for the team. Jo’quavious Marks led the team in rushing yards with sixty-three (63) yards on fourteen (14) carries. It was a big day for the Texans’ defense that ranks as one of the best in the league was led by Linebacker Danielle Hunter who was unbelievable with five (5) solo tackles and two (2) assists with three and a half (3 ½) sacks. It is game like this one that makes you glad you are a fan.
In other AFC South divisional play, the (8-2) Indianapolis Colts floored the (3-6) Falcons 31-25, the Tennessee Titans had a bye this week. The Houston Texans are in third place in their division with four (4) victories and five (5) defeats.
The Houston Texans travel to Tennessee to take on their division rival (1-8) Titans, so read all about your hometown team in your hometown paper.