Watson sharp in preseason debut, Texans beat Lions
Steelers’ wideouts impress in victory over Chiefs
HOUSTON, Aug 18, (RTRS): Deshaun Watson threw a touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins on his only drive in his preseason debut, and the Houston Texans downed the visiting Detroit Lions 3023.
Watson finished 5 of 7 for 60 yards, finding Hopkins from 4 yards out to cap an 11-play, 75-yard drive to open the game. Joe Webb took over from there, finishing 14 of 25 for 186 yards and a touchdown.
Matthew Stafford sat once again for the Lions, who started Josh Johnson at quarterback just a week after signing him. Johnson played into the second half, finishing 9 of 18 for 85 yards, an interception and two fumbles (one lost). David Fales took over and shined, going
Stidham, who threw for 179 yards and a score in Detroit last week, finished 14 of 19 on Saturday. He hit Damoun Patterson on a fade route on thirdand-12 for the winning score with 4:12 remaining.
With Tom Brady sitting out, Brian Hoyer started for New England, finishing 6 of 8 for 55 yards and an interception. He led one touchdown drive in four series.
Titans starting quarterback Marcus Mariota played three series and finished 6 of 9 for 63 yards and a touchdown, an 11-yard score to Delanie Walker, who saw his first game action since breaking his ankle in the 2018 regular-season opener. Ryan Tannehill followed and went 7 of 11 for 84 yards and one TD across three series.
Browns 21, Colts 18 In Indianapolis, with both starting quarterbacks sitting out, Cleveland Browns backup Garrett Gilbert threw for 151 yards and two scores to outduel Jacoby Brissett in a 21-18 victory over the host Indianapolis Colts.
Gilbert, a standout in this spring’s Alliance of American Football, completed 13 of 19 passes, including a 4-yard score to Jaelen Strong and a 6-yarder to D’Ernest Johnson.
Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr and the Browns’ other starters did not play, after two productive joint-practice sessions with the Colts during the week. Beckham has yet to play in the preseason.
Brissett played three series, going 8 of 10 for 100 yards and a 12-yard touchdown to Eric Ebron. Deon Cain, a 2018 sixth-round pick who missed all of his rookie season with a torn ACL, had seven catches for 80 yards, both game highs.
Andrew Luck sat out for the Colts as he continues to work back from a left ankle injury, but he did warm up pregame, moving laterally through bag drills and throwing several passes.