The Houston Texans take on Washington for a Week 11 showdown at NRG Stadium.
Former Texans quarterback Taylor Heinicke returns to the place where he saw his first NFL action. Heinicke completed one pass for Houston in 2017 during the quarterback-less part of the stretch after the starter injured his ACL on Nov. 2, the day after the Houston Astros won the World Series.
Washington presents a unique pass rush that may give Davis Mills some fits. The interior led by Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen also has the ability to influence the run game.
Follow along for all of the updates coming out of NRG Stadium.
First quarter
15:00 — Washington will get the ball first.
14:19 — On a second-and-9 from the Washington 25, rookie S Jalen Pitre drops a sure interception as there was miscommunication between QB Taylor Heinicke and WR Terry McLaurin.
14:04 — The Texans manage to turn Washington three-and-out.
13:15 — On a second-and-10 from the Texans’ 32, QB Davis Mills throws a pick-six to CB Kendall Fuller. Mills was looking for WR Brandin Cooks. Extra point is good. 7-0, Washington
12:20 — On third-and-15 from Houston’s 25, Mills throws a 1-yard screen to WR Chris Moore.
10:12 — On third-and-6 from Washington’s 46, Heinicke misses WR Curtis Samuel. Houston turns Washington’s offense three-and-out for the second straight drive, but still trail 7-0.
8:36 — After two straight RB Dameon Pierce 1-yard runs, on a third-and-8 from the Houston 27, Mills throws a 7-yard pass to WR Nico Collins. There was an offensive holding call on G Kenyon Green. Washington declines the penalty.
5:09 — Heinicke scrambles and looks downfield for WR Jahan Dotson on third-and-6 from the Houston 46-yard line. Pitre had another chance at an interception as to ball fell out of his arms.
3:47 — Mills sneaks it for a couple yards on third-and-inches from the Houston 29-yard line, representing the Texans’ initial first down of the game.
2:37 — DT Jonathan Allen basically takes Green for a ride back to Mills and sacks him for a 9-yard loss on third-and-8 from the Houston 33.
Second quarter
15:00 — RB Antonio Gibson rushes for nine yards on a first-and-10 from the Washington 47 to start the quarter.
11:49 — Samuel rushes for a 10-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 14-0, Washington
10:26 — Mills takes a 7-yard sack as DE Montez Sweat gets home on third-and-14 from the Texans’ 21.
4:59 — The Texans hold Washington on third-and-goal from the 7-yard line as Heinicke has to throw it away.
4:55 — How do you get an illegal formation as the block team on a field goal try? Well, the Texans did. Nevertheless K Joey Slye kicks a 25-yard field goal good. 17-0, Washington
4:14 — Finally, something good for Houston. Mills dumps off to RB Dare Ogunbowale for a 12-yard gain on third-and-7 from their own 28-yard line. However, Green gets dinged with a holding call, and Houston has to retry on a third-and-17. Mills dumps off to Ogunbowale again but for a 5-yard gain.
0:10 — Slye hits a 24-yard field goal that is just good on the left side, as Al Michaels would say.
Halftime
Stats
TEXANS
Mills: 6/9, 22, INT; 2 carries, 1 yard
Pierce: 6 carries, 2 yards
Collins: 2 catches, 12 yards
WASHINGTON
Heinicke: 12/22, 164 yards; 1 carry, minus-2 yards
Gibson: 9 carries, 38 yards; 2 catches, 22 yards
Samuel: 2 carries, 18 yards, TD
Logan Thomas: 4 catches, 57 yards
Third quarter
12:30 — On a fourth-and-3 from the Washington 15-yard line, Mills rushes for a 4-yard gain.
9:56 — The Texans eventually go for the field goal after going backwards six yards over the course of the next three plays. K Ka’imi Fairbairn hits a 29-yard field goal. No shutout today. 20-3, Washington
8:27 — DE Jerry Hughes had RB Brian Robinson wrapped up behind the line of scrimmage on a third-and-2 from the Washington 39. Instead it turns into a 3-yard gain.
6:38 — Washington decides to throw on a third-and-1 from the Houston 49-yard line. Heinicke’s pass falls incomplete.
5:19 — Mills hits Moore for an 11-yard gain on third-and-6 from the Houston 10.
4:27 — Allen sacks Mills again for a 12-yard loss on third-and-10 from the Texans’ 21.
0:48 — Heinicke hits Gibson for a 9-yard gain on third-and-10 from the Houston 34. Washington lines up to go for it on fourth down as the quarter expires.
Fourth quarter
15:00 — Washington actually goes for it and Robinson picks up three yards.
12:12 — Slye hits a 44-yard field goal. 23-3, Washington
11:01 — Houston has to burn a timeout, their first of the second half. Mills throws incomplete looking for TE O.J. Howard at the 50 on third-and-2 from the Texans’ 33.
10:56 — Mills hits Cooks for 19 yards on fourth-and-2.
10:13 — Mills throws an interception looking for Cooks. Off the deflection S Darrick Forrest collects the takeaway, rolling out of bounds at the Washington 3-yard line.
3:25 — Mills scrambles for a 4-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 23-10, Washington