Quarterback Jeff Driskel threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to receiver Johnny Johnson with 30 seconds left in the preseason opener, and the Houston Texans outlasted the New Orleans Saints 17-13 Saturday night at NRG Stadium.
Driskel threw three interceptions as he completed 16 passes on 26 attempts for 165 yards. Nevertheless the former San Francisco 49ers 2016 sixth-round pick gutted through the turnovers to ensure new coach Lovie Smith started out his tenure a winner.
The Texans’ first-team offense generated 20 yards through two drives, unable to get a first down, and went 0-2 on third downs. Quarterback Davis Mills was 3-3 for 14 yards and an 86.1 passer rating.
Cornerback Tremon Smith intercepted second-year quarterback Ian Book on a deflection with 3:03 in the first quarter. Smith’s 12-yard return to the Saints’ 34-yard line to setup an eventual Ka’imi Fairbairn 49-yard field goal.
On the second play of the second quarter, defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo recovered a botched snap at the Saints’ 47-yard line. The Texans capped off the drive with Driskel completing a four-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jalen Camp with 11:54 to go in the second.
Linebacker Tae Davis punched out the football on an Abram Smith carry with 6:02 to go in the fourth quarter. Cornerback Fabian Moreau recovered at the 1-yard line to void a Saints red zone trip and keep the Texans’ hopes alive down 13-10. However, Driskel threw his third interception of the night to New Orleans cornerback Brian Allen with 4:20 left in the game.
Fourth-round running back Dameon Pierce made his debut with his first carry going for 20 yards early in the second quarter. The former Florida product finished with five carries for a game-high 49 yards.
The Texans go on the road Aug. 19 to play the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
New Orleans travels to Lambeau Field on Aug. 19 to face the Green Bay Packers.
Scoring summary
First quarter (7:55) — Washington 9 pass from Dalton (Lutz kick) — 7-0 NO
First quarter (1:23) — Fairbairn 49 kick — 7-3 NO
Second quarter (11:54) — Camp 4 pass from Driskel (Fairbairn kick) — 10-7 HTX
Second quarter (1:55) — Lutz 23 kick — 10-10
Fourth quarter (12:28) — Romo 36 kick — 13-10 NO
Fourth quarter (0:30) — Johnson 6 pass from Driskel (Fairbairn kick) — 17-13 HTX