Defensive end J.J. Watt’s interception returned for a 19-yard touchdown provided the Houston Texans with the necessary spark to get going on Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
With 4:45 to go in the first quarter, Watt managed to get his hands on a Matthew Stafford pass and turned it into a quick touchdown.
“That was dope,” Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson said. “It brought me back to the old days. He’s not getting old as we look at it. He’s still got some athletic ability.”
The week prior against the New England Patriots, Watt batted away four passes.
“I knew sooner or later, especially after last week’s game, he was going to get one of them,” Watson said. “So, it was good.”
Interim coach Romeo Crennel told the team during Week 11 that turnovers tend the come in bunches, and Watt’s takeaway was the first of three on the afternoon en route to a 41-25 win that sent Houston to 4-7 on the year with five games remaining.
“I mentioned they come in streaks sometimes, and we talked about how J.J. used to be able to tip the ball, intercept it, and run it in for a touchdown,” Crennel said. “Then lo and behold, he does it early in the game, and put us up 10 points on the board. So, we felt good about that. I think that gave the defense a lift, and it gave the whole team a lift to see him make a play like that. So, that was good.”
The Texans will need more splash plays from Watt, or from his teammates, over the final five weeks, starting with Dec. 6 against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Houston has a 2-1 division record, and with a little help, it could be the foundation for a divisional steal in January.
