Texans 17 Redskins 6
New season, new head coach, same result as the Washington Redskins fell to the Houston Texans 17-6, in a game that was marred by turnovers and special teams mistakes.
The Redskins put the first score of the game on the board in the second quarter with a Darrell Young one yard touchdown plunge. The touchdown was set up by an Andre Roberts 25-yard punt return that was followed by three consecutive run plays before the Young score. On the four-play drive, running back, Alfred Morris had two carries for 37 yards to set the Redskins up with a first and goal at the one.
The Texans quickly responded on special teams when JJ Watt pushed through the right side of the Redskins’ extra point team and blocked Kai Forbath’s attempt.
On the ensuing drive, the Texans took the lead. After three consecutive Arian Foster runs, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick found a wide open DeAndre Hopkins, who beat safety, Bacarri Rambo for a 76-yard touchdown. Randy Bullock converted the extra point to give the Texans a 7-6 lead with 4:15 left in the first half.
The Redskins’ problems continued on their next drive when Texans’ rush end, Alfred Blue blocked Tress Way’s punt with his left hand and then scooped up the ball on his way to the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown to add to the Texans’ lead, 14-6.
The mistakes would continue as the Redskins entered the second half. Quarterback Robert Griffin, III and the Redskins committed a pair of crucial turnovers in the red zone in the third quarter to ruin drives.
On third-and-six from the Texans’ 14, Texans safety, D.J Swearinger was called for a questionable roughing the passer penalty to give the Redskins a first down at the 7-yard line. On the next play, Griffin botched the hand-off to Morris and Watt recovered it at the 10-yard line.
The next drive for the Redskins ended with another fumble as tight end, Niles Paul caught a 48-yard pass from Griffin only to have Swearinger strip him of the ball. Free safety, Kendrick Lewis recovered the fumble at the 9-yard line with 3:53 left in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter saw the Redskins offense struggle to move the ball. Watt and the Texans did not allow the Redskins to cross midfield on their only two drives of the quarter.
Randy Bullock made a 42-yard field goal with two minutes left to finish the scoring at 17-6.
Game Notes: Robert Griffin, III finished the game 29/37 for 267 yards and was sacked three times. JJ Watt had a blocked extra point, a fumble recovery, and a sack. The Redskins lost two players to injuries: tight end, Jordan Reed left the game early with a left hamstring injury and nose tackle, Barry Cofield left in the second quarter with an ankle injury.
