Texans 24, Saints 6 (F)

Houston’s defense came as ready to play as Hoyer.

Former Hahnville and LSU Tiger Alfred Blue ran for 77 yards and a touchdown as Houston soundly defeated New Orleans, 24-6.

This was the first game in the Sean Payton era in which the Saints did not score a touchdown. The last time the Saints were held without a touchdown was a 13-12 loss against the Detroit Lions on December 24, 2005.

“That’s a long time”, Watt said. I think it’s really good to – no matter what the score was, to end the game with the ball like we did. “As a back end, we pride ourselves on being on the same page, going out and executing the defense and making plays”. With his sack of Drew Brees in the third quarter, Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has recorded a sack in five consecutive games for the fifth time in his career. He would have had another, but Brees threw the ball into the turf as Watt wrapped him up and was penalized for intentional grounding in the second quarter.

Payton was certainly disappointed in the defeat, but wouldn’t say it was the most frustrated he’s been after a loss. “This was not the most frustrating ever (but) it’s disappointing to lose a game like that, and it’s definitely disappointing not to score a touchdown”. Hoyer was 15-of-18 for 112 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

During its four-game winning streak Houston’s defense has stifled offense after offense, including the once undefeated Cincinnati Bengals, giving up a little more than eight points a game. “I don’t think any guy on this team is turning anything in, we just didn’t play well enough”. “Just had a bad taste in or mouth from a couple of those games and just internally promised each other it wouldn’t happen again”. That snapped the longest active streak in the National Football League as Brees completed just 25 of 45 passes for 228 yards for a 61.6 passer rating. The Saints could not convert on third down, going 3-for-12, as well as 0-for-1 on fourth down.

· T Zach Strief appeared in his 136th career game, moving into a tie with S Tommy Myers for 20th place on the club’s all-time games played list. But the change didn’t lead to better results and the Saints gave up several big plays and dropped their third straight.

Hoyer finished 21 of 27 for 205 yards while the Texans amassed 167 rushing yards at 4.4 yards per carry.

The Saints got on the scoreboard with a 30-yard field goal by kicker Kai Fortah with 6:35 left in the second quarter.

Sidelined the previous four games with a sprained right ankle, Texans corner Kareem Jackson made his return count as he intercepted Brees in the fourth quarter on a goal-line pass intended for Cooks. He might have gone all the way, but Jadeveon Clowney, who was downfield blocking, got in his way, allowing the defense to catch up and bring him down.

The Texans pushed the lead to 14-0 when Hoyer threw a shovel pass to Cecil Shorts for a touchdown on Houston’s second drive. But it surrendered only 10 points over the final three quarters, and safety Jairus Byrd came up with his first interception as a Saint in the second quarter.

Houston held New Orleans to 268 total yards, forcing three turnovers. Houston WR DeAndre Hopkins caught a pass in his 43rd straight game and finished with five receptions for 36 yards.