Watt anchors defense, Foster carries offense
Defensive back Kareem Jackson was in the right place when he intercepted Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez with 1:51 left and Arian Foster piled up a 152 rushing yards on 29 carries while ultra hot defensive end J.J. Watt shored up the defense, helping the Texans slip past the New York Jets 23-17 on Monday night at MetLife Stadium.
The win continues a historical season for the 5-0 Texans.
Houston led 23-17 with3:28 left and with the Jets’ offense threatening to penetrate Houston’s defense. Until a Sanchez pass deflected off the hands of tight end Jeff Cumberland, into the waiting hands of Jackson, who returned the ball eight yards before falling to the turf with 1:51 left. Following, the Texans’ offense entered the field for three rushing plays and punted, leaving the Jets four seconds to work with, which ended with another batted pass, as time expired.
Houston surrendered 17 points, but the defense came through at crucial moments. With help from one of the NFL’s top defensive players in Watt, who leads the league with 8.5 sacks after one in last night’s game. Three more than what he finished with all of last season. Early, Watt and teammate LB Brian Cushing, who left with a knee injury, worked together to disrupt New York’s timing. Watt also had two batted passes, one which resulted in an interception. Both came at important times.
For most of the evening, Foster ran through New York’s defense picking up chunks of yards. His 13-yard touchdown run gave the Texans a 14-7 lead.
Also, kicker banged home three field goals which factored in the win.
As for the Jets (2-3) who trailed all game, could never sustain a drive to tie or take the lead. Much of that had to do with Houston’s defense.
Jets’ Mark Sanchez was 14-of-31 for 230 yards, a touchdown and one interception and Joe McKnight returned a kickoff 100-yards.
Matt Schaub finished 14-of-28 for 209 yards and a touchdown.
The Atlanta Falcons are the other undefeated team in the NFL.