Fuller’s punt return TD lifts Texans over Titans 27-20

The Houston Texans just suffered their first loss of the season in Week 3 in a blowout road setback to the New England Patriots. But the Texans added a field goal to lead 20-17 at halftime.

The top overall pick in the 2014 draft had a sack and two quarterback hits and the Texans got a 27-20 win over the Tennessee Titans. WR DeAndre Hopkins has 24 receptions for 449 yards and four TDs in past three games vs. Titans.

Mariota finished the day with an ugly 13-29, 203 yard stat line, but he did show signs of life in the process.

“It’s unfortunate that J.J.is down, but. we still have to play ball”, linebacker Whitney Mercilus said.

Quarterback Brock Osweiler was asked this week about criticism of his reading defenses and that he locks on to receivers too much. He’s very bright. He works very hard. “I expect myself to play at an extremely high level”.

Take away the half-asleep start and the disastrous punt-team mistakes and a bunch more penalties and maybe it happens.

But still, this meant something, this early trip to Houston for the Tennessee Titans.

In four outings in 2016, the Titans’ defensive unit has allowed only five touchdowns while the offense and special teams have surrendered three scores. The interception came when it looked as if he threw the ball directly to Houston’s Quintin Demps in the second quarter.

“We’re close”, Mariota said. “He took more reps today, but we’re just being smart with him”. Just a bad throw. LB Brian Orakpo had sack in last game at Houston. After all, the rookie speedster would be up against Perrish Cox in coverage, a player who’s been perpetually burned all season. Barring a setback, wide receiver Kendall Wright also should make his season debut in Houston. Osweiler passed for 254 yards and two touchdowns.

Mariota was glad to have Wright back. He’s long overdue for his first touchdown of the season and as long as Hopkins, Osweiler, and the rest of the Texans can do their jobs in the passing game, the running lanes should be open for Miller.

Will Fuller had never returned a punt for a touchdown at any level entering Sunday’s game. However, no one even had a chance to touch Fuller on that return.

“I know there’s a lot of room from improvement from me”, he said. So in other words, if the Colts can run the table over the next month they’ll be 5-2 with wins over each AFC South team and with the only divisional games left on the schedule taking place at home.

MURRAY’S FIRST HALF: Sunday was the first time since 2013 against the Raiders that Murray had two rushing touchdowns before halftime. He has 45 passes defended in his six-year career. But this one should linger, to remind them of a lost opportunity when they were so close to a significant victory.