Deshaun-less Texans still too much for Lawrence, Jags
HOUSTON — Tyrod Taylor threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns filling in for Deshaun Watson to lead the Texans to a 37-21 victory over Trevor Lawrence and the mistake-prone Jaguars on Sunday.
Taylor took over at QB for Houston with Watson’s future with the team uncertain after 22 women filed lawsuits alleging sexual assault or harassment after he requested a trade.
Expectations for the Texans were low entering this season with Watson out and star defensive end J.J. Watt gone to Arizona. But Taylor and Houston’s revamped running game were more than enough to handle a Jaguars team that didn’t look much better than it was last season when it got just one win despite the addition of top overall pick Lawrence.
EAGLES 32, FALCONS 6
In Atlanta, Jalen Hurts threw three touchdown passes, the first of them to Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, and the Eagles made a winner of Nick Sirianni in his head coaching debut with a rout of the hapless Falcons.
Now firmly entrenched as the Eagles starter after Carson Wentz was traded, Hurts certainly looked the part with touchdown passes of 18 yards to Smith, 9 yards to Dallas Goedert and 23 yards to Jalen Reagor.
STEELERS 23, BILLS 16
Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ newlook offense overcame a slow start, Ulysees Gilbert returned a blocked punt 9 yards for a touchdown and Pittsburgh rallied to a season-opening victory over host Buffalo.
Down 10-0, the Steelers scored on each of their first four possessions of the second half, with Roethlisberger putting Pittsburgh ahead for good by lobbing a 5-yard TD pass to Dionte Johnson in the corner of the end zone.
SEAHAWKS 28, COLTS 16
Russell Wilson threw three of his four touchdowns in the first half and Seattle clamped down in the second half to close out a season-opening victory in Indianapolis.
Indy lost its eighth straight opener, the past five with different starting quarterbacks.
CARDINALS 38, TITANS 13
Kyler Murray scored five touchdowns and linebacker Chandler Jones recorded a career-high five sacks as the visiting Cardinals simply dominated the Titans.
49ERS 41, LIONS 33
Dre Greenlaw returned an interception for a touchdown to help the 49ers score 17 points over two-plus minutes late in the first half, and they barely held on for the victory in Detroit.
BENGALS 27, VIKINGS 24
Evan McPherson kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired in overtime to push the host Bengals over the Vikings.
CHIEFS 33, BROWNS 29
Patrick Mahomes threw for 337 and three touchdowns and ran for another touchdown as the Chiefs rallied past the visiting Browns.
Kansas City trailed 22-10 at halftime but played much better in the second half. Travis Kelce caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes with 7:04 left to complete the comeback and set the final margin.
DOLPHINS 17, PATRIOTS 16
Tua Tagovailoa threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle in the third quarter and Xavien Howard recovered a fumble with New England driving in the fourth to help the visiting Dolphins hold on.
SAINTS 38, PACKERS 3
Aaron Rodgers has rarely had an NFL performance like this.
The league’s reigning MVP completed 15 of 28 passes for 133 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a drubbing to the hurricane-displaced Saints in Jacksonville.
RAMS 34, BEARS 14
Matthew Stafford passed for 321 yards and three touchdowns in a dynamic debut with his new team, leading the host Rams past Andy Dalton and the Bears.