For the first time since Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns in September, Tyrod Taylor started under center for the Houston Texans after making his comeback from a Grade 2 hamstring injury sustained in the road loss.
Taylor’s return to the field wasn’t enough to uplift Houston to a win, as the Texans fell 17-9 to the Miami Dolphins Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium.
With the loss, the Texans will enter the bye week on an eight-game losing streak, while possessing a 1-8 record through the first nine games of the 2021 season.
It was a rough day for Taylor as he threw for 227 yards and a career-high three interceptions in the loss. He threw two picks during the first half, which the Dolphins capitalized on with two touchdowns. Miami led the Texans 17-6 entering the half-time break.
In addition to not taking care of the ball, Taylor was sacked five times as a result of returning to an inferior offensive line with Laremy Tunsil, Justin Britt and Marcus Cannon out due to their respective injuries.
Although it was an unpleasant game for the Texans, the same could be said for the Dolphins. Jacoby Brissett recorded a pair of interceptions of his own, as Miami registered four turnovers in the win. The two organizations combined for nine total turnovers.
The turning point for the Texans took place early in the first quarter when it appeared that Houston was finding their groove in Taylor’s return. Taylor threw his first interception of the game to Dolphins defensive back Jevon Holland at the 10:46 mark of the first period.
Holland’s pick set up a 12-play touchdown drive for Miami — as the Dolphins scored the first touchdown of the day on a six-yard touchdown run by Myles Gaskin amid a wildcat offense.
Brissett led the Dolphins to their first victory in seven tries by recording 244 yards and one touchdown in the win.
While the Texans struggle offensively, Houston’s defense made it a rough victory for the Dolphins, as the defensive front sacked Brissett four times in the loss.
Following the loss, the Texans will return to play on Sunday, Nov. 21, in an AFC South showdown against the Tennessee Titans. Houston is now last in their division following the results of Week 9 where the Jacksonville Jaguars won their second game of the season in a win over the Buffalo Bills.