In a game with multiple losses, Watson gives hope
Injuries to Watt and Mercilus cast a pall over NRG Stadium, but rookie quarterback amazes
A nationally televised game that began on such a downer that it cast a pall over NRG Stadium turned into a touchdownpass slugfest between quarterbacks Alex Smith and Deshaun Watson.
Smith and Watson combined for eight touchdown passes, including five by the Texans’ extraordinary rookie. Watson’s amazing performance wasn’t enough to keep the Texans from suffering a 42-34 defeat.
On Kansas City’s first series, the Texans lost defensive end J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus.
From that point on, Smith dissected a defense that lacked an efficient pass rush and picked apart the secondary in the Chiefs’ fifth consecutive victory that allowed them to remain the NFL’s only undefeated team.
“That’s tough, but it’s not an excuse,” coach Bill O’Brien said about losing Watt and Mercilus.
One sack, no turnovers
The Texans sacked Smith once, and they failed to force a turnover on their way to allowing 450 yards and 29 first downs. Smith, who completed passes to 10 receivers, finished 29-of-37 for 324 yards and a rating of 130.2.
Smith helped the Chiefs convert 9-of-16 on third down.
“I told the players, ‘Let’s coach better and play better,’ ” O’Brien said. “It’s a long season.”
The Texans blew a chance to stay in first place in the AFC South. Their record fell to 2-3, and their next game is at home against Cleveland. Jacksonville rules the division with a 3-2 record after winning at Pittsburgh.
The Texans entered Sunday night’s game with a plan to contain rookie running back Kareem Hunt. They did a tremendous job in the first half, limiting him to 25 yards on 14 carries.
The Chiefs moved up and down the field, and, finally, Hunt was able to wear them down while they were protecting their lead.
He finished with 107 yards on 29 carries, a 3.6-yard average. He entered the game averaging 7.4 yards a carry and leading the league in rushing.
Considering how the Chiefs controlled the ball, it was surprising that Watson was able to keep the Texans in contention for much of the game. Each time he threw a touchdown pass, the defense couldn’t stop the Chiefs.
Not-so-special teams
Kansas City even scored on special teams.
Once again, the punt coverage let the team down. Shane Lechler’s 52-yard punt in the fourth quarter was returned 82 yards for a touchdown by receiver Tyreek Hill, who got around the right side and took off for the end zone. Nobody on the Texans’ coverage team had the speed to catch him.
The Chiefs were glad to get this one over because they were tired of dealing with Watson, who threw three of his touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.
Watson threw three to DeAndre Hopkins and two to Will Fuller.
Shockingly, Hopkins had four catches and three touchdowns. Both of Fuller’s catches produced touchdowns. Talk about efficient.
Watson got good protection from his offensive line despite being sacked three times. He finished 16-of-31 for 261 yards. He wasn’t intercepted, and he didn’t lose a fumble. His rating was 119.8.
Watson kept this one interesting with his mobility, vision down the field and accuracy. Hopkins made two outstanding touchdown receptions. The first one came in the back of the end zone before halftime to pull the Texans within 16-7.
If the defense had been able to force a punt, the Texans would have been close at halftime and getting the ball to begin the third quarter. Instead, Smith made it look easy in throwing another touchdown pass to build the advantage to 23-7 at the break.
Hopkins, Fuller shine
Hopkins’ second touchdown came on a leaping catch in the end zone. Fuller had one of those terrific plays, too. His was good for 48 yards when he made a leaping catch over cornerback Terrance Mitchell.
Fuller’s touchdown pulled the Texans within 26-20 early in the fourth quarter.
They needed the defense — and the punt coverage team — to come through, but both buckled against the Chiefs.
Hill’s punt return made it 39-20.
Hopkins caught two touchdown passes late in the game, sandwiched around Harrison Butker’s 49-yard field goal — his fifth of the game.
The Texans aren’t as good as the Chiefs, so it’s not surprising Kansas City won. There are no such things as moral victories, especially at home, but at least they made it interesting.
With Watson, the Texans showed just about anything is possible.