HOUSTON (AP) DeAndre Hopkins got Houston going early and defense and special teams did the rest in a 19-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Hopkins had 113 yards receiving and a touchdown and Nick Novakkicked four field goals to help the Texans to the victory .
Novak connected from 32, 24, 31 and 43 yards for the Texans.
Cairo Santos made three field goals in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 19-12, but Houston recovered the onside kick with less than a minute left to seal the victory.
The Texans (2-0) showed that they are a much different team than the one that was embarrassed in a 30-0 wild-card playoff loss to the Chiefs (1-1) in January, when quarterback Brian Hoyer had five turnovers.
New quarterback Brock Osweiler did throw two interceptions but the Chiefs had more trouble taking care of the ball, with Houston’s defense setting a franchise record by recovering three fumbles in the first half.
“Our defense really stood up there and when they had to in critical situations played well,” coach Bill O’Brien said.
The first came when a high snap sailed over Alex Smith‘s head. J.J. Watt shoved him out of the way with one hand and pounced on it, showing he was getting back to his old self after July back surgery.
Osweiler, who finished with 268 yards passing, connected with Hopkins on a 27-yard touchdown pass on the next play to make it 7-0.
“When your defense makes a big play or your special teams make a big play, on offense you need to take that momentum and finish with a touchdown,” Osweiler said. “That’s exactly what took place in that moment.”
Watt continued to shine later in the first quarter when he took Smith down for his first sack this season, forcing the Chiefs to kick a field goal that made it 7-3.
Houston was leading by seven in the second quarter when Spencer Ware fumbled, Kevin Johnson scooped it up for his first career recovery and returned it 52 yards. The Texans couldn’t get their offense going after that and settled for a 24-yard field goal to make it 13-3.
John Simon forced the last fumble of the half on his strip-sack of Smith. It was recovered by Whitney Mercilus. But once again Houston failed to move the ball and Novak’s try for a 57-yard field goal fell short as time expired in the first half.
“We had way too many mistakes today,” coach Andy Reid said. “Too many penalties. Dropped balls. You name it. Turnovers, we had three turnovers. All these things led to points. That’s my responsibility.”
Marcus Peters intercepted Osweiler at the goal line on Houston’s first possession and picked him off again late in the third quarter.
That led to a 43-yard field goal that cut the lead to 13-6.
A field goal by both teams after that left the Texans up 16-9.
FULLER FLOURISHES
Houston rookie receiver Will Fuller finished with four receptions for 104 yards to become the first rookie in franchise history with consecutive 100-yard receiving games to start his career. The 21st overall pick in this year’s draft had 107 yards receiving in his NFL debut last week.
INJURY REPORT
Houston rookie WR Braxton Miller injured his hamstring in the first half and did not return. He doesn’t think the injury is serious, but will have an MRI on Monday.
ELITE COMPANY
Watt finished with 1.5 sacks on Sunday to give him 76 in his 82nd career game. He’s the second fastest in NFL history to reach 75 sacks behind Hall of Famer Reggie White who did it in 65 games.
NO, NO, NO
Peters learned that wagging your finger in the face of an opponent like NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo did after blocking a shot is frowned upon on the NFL.
Peters forced an incompletion on a deep ball thrown to Fuller in the second quarter and wagged his finger at him for several seconds. The move earned him a 15-yard penalty for taunting and a warning that a second such penalty would result in an ejection.
“He’s competing against a guy and made a nice play on the ball.” Reid said. “But you can’t wag your finger – they’re going to get you.”
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Hopkins and Fuller gave Houston two players with at least 100 yards receiving for the eighth time in franchise history and the first time since 2013.
BRING IT BACK
Kansas City rookie Tyreek Hill had a 105-yard kickoff return for a touchdown negated because of a holding penalty late in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
Kansas City hosts the Jets next Sunday.
Houston travels to meet New England on Thursday night.
NFL Scoreboard – Sunday, September 18, 2016:
Carolina 46, San Francisco 27
Baltimore 25, Cleveland 20
Tennessee 16, Detroit 15
New England 31, Miami 24
N.Y. Giants 16, New Orleans 13
Pittsburgh 24, Cincinnati 16
Dallas 27, Washington 23
Arizona 40, Tampa Bay 7
L.A. Rams 9, Seattle 3
Denver 34, Indianapolis 20
Atlanta 35, Oakland 28
San Diego 38, Jacksonville 14
Minnesota 17, Green Bay 14
Photo credit – George Bridges / Associated Press / Houston, TX