Thoughts of Harvey, Irma in Houston loss
HOUSTON — With all eyes on the tunnel leading under the stands, J.J. Watt emerged. He raised a Texas flag skyward before screaming, “Let’s go,” sending NRG Stadium into a frenzy.
Watt and the Texans opened their season Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, giving the area ravaged by Hurricane Harvey and its flooding a muchneeded distraction from the harsh reality of life in the wake of the storm.
That was accomplished, even though the Texans lost 29-7.
For the Jaguars, the big win was tempered by concerns for their state as Hurricane Irma made landfall Sunday, with the mammoth storm threatening to affect all of Florida, including the Jacksonville area.
“It was a nice win, but you can really only enjoy it momentarily because our thoughts and prayers are back with everyone in Florida,” head coach Doug Marrone said, “... and hoping that they’re safe.”
The uncertainty of the storm also left their plans for the week in limbo. Teams normally return home immediately after games, but the Jaguars were staying in Houston on Sunday night and will decide what their next step is Monday.
Leonard Fournette ran for 100 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut, and Jacksonville had a franchise-record 10 sacks and forced four turnovers to get the victory, its first in a season opener since 2011.
Blake Bortles threw for 125 yards and a touchdown, Calais Campbell had four sacks and Dante Fowler returned a fumble 53 yards for a score as the Jaguars snapped a six-game skid against Houston.
Watt has become the celebrity face of the recovery from Harvey after raising a staggering $31 million in the two weeks since it devastated not only Houston but much of southeast Texas. He addressed fans in a video message played on the big screens before Sunday’s game as images of the flooding flickered alongside the defensive end.
“Let’s start this season off right and show what Texans are made of,” Watt said in the video, drawing a roar from the crowd.
Watt returned after missing 13 games last season after back surgery, but injured his finger in the first half and finished with just one tackle.