“Stroud and Collins, the Texans’ dynamic duo, combined for one hundred and twenty-one (121) yards contributing to Houston Texans’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs 20-10.”
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City:
Under the bright lights of a National televised game with millions of fans across the country watching, the Houston Texans rose to the occasion knocking out the two-time Super Bowl champions in their own stadium 20-10.
With the experience of covering the Texans since their inception, this game was one of the best examples of a team that has arrived. To paraphrase author Nathaniel Hawthorne that ‘NFL franchises are always rising and falling in America.’ The Texans are the rising star in the NFL with their dominant defense led by hard hitting defensive back Kamari Lassiter who had five (5) solo tackles and one (1) assist. Jalen Pitre was ferocious as he laid out the Kansas City Chief wide receiver Rice to prevent a first down, he had four (4) solo tackles and two (2) assists. Defensive lineman Settles was out due to injury; however, Tommy Togial fitted in beautifully with his first sack of the season. The defense decisively shut down the Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick McHomes with his lowest passing yardage game in his career. In contrast, the Texans C.J. Stroud in just his second start after his concussion, went fifteen (15) completions on thirty-one (31) attempts for two hundred and three (203) yard with a nine (9) yard touchdown toss to running back W. Marks in the second quarter to put the Texans ahead 10-0. He had a good day with twenty-six (26) carries for sixty-eight (68) and has earned the number one spot in the backfield. It was good to see the Texans use their effective fullback Ogunbowale who pounded into the endzone for a score with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter to put his team back in the lead 17-10. Texans’ place kicker Fairbairn went two (2) for (2) for the day, and punter Tommy Townsend was outstanding with a fifty-six (56) yard punt that pinned the Chiefs deep in their own territory. The team went into low gear in the third quarter allowing the Chiefs to see temporary daylight; however, as Coach Ryans teaches, “It is how you finish the game that makes all the differences.” It was a pivotal game for this franchise that will launch this team into even bigger and better games in the future.
In other AFC South division action, the Jacksonville Jaguars crushed the Indianapolis Colts 36-19 and led the division with a 9-4 record. The Tennessee Titans beat the Cleveland Browns 31-29. The Texans are tied for second place with the Colts with an 8-5 record.
The Houston Texans host the (3-10) Saint Louis Cardinals at NRG Stadium, so read all about your hometown team in your hometown paper.