Nick Novak kicks the Houston Texans past Kansas City 19-12

Four Nick Novak field goals kicked the Houston Texans past the Kansas City Chiefs 19-12 on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

The Texans (2-0) used three first half fumble recoveries to build a 13-3 lead. Kansas City kicker Cairos Santos did his best to keep pace accounting for all of the Chiefs points with four field goals including a career best from 53 yards out with five seconds gone in the second quarter.

The Houston Texans opened the game with a quick strike 53-yard connection between quarterback Brock Osweiler and rookie Will Fuller to put the team at the Kansas City three yard line just three plays into the contest. The Texans could not take advantage of the good fortune as Kansas City intercepted the Houston signal caller to thwart the drive.

The Texans defense came to play as well sacking Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith four times, recovering three fumbles, recording nine quarterback hits and limiting the Chiefs to four field goals. Houston also had an interception negated by a penalty. Three first half fumble recoveries marked a franchise high for the Houston organization.

"“Our defense has worked on that a lot,” said head coach Bill O’Brien during the postgame press conference in the bowels of NRG Stadium. “We are constantly working those kinds of drills. I’m sure every team does that. We have a lot of guys that understand not just securing the tackle but getting their hands on the ball, getting the ball out. Our coaches do a good job of coaching that and our players did a good job of executing today.”"

Defensive end J.J. Watt, in just his second game back from off-season back surgery, made his presence felt early in the game. On third-and-six at the Kansas City 44, Watt recovered a Smith fumble and Houston made them pay on the very next play with an Osweiler to DeAndre Hopkins 27-yard touchdown pass. On the final play of the first quarter Watt dropped Smith for a four yard loss recording his first sack of the season. The sixth year veteran recorded 1.5 sacks, five combined tackles and two quarterback hits.

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Houston found the endzone just once despite being inside the Chiefs 20-yard line four times and inside the ten on two occasions.

Despite racking up nearly 400 yards of offense, the Texans run game was short on production until late in the game. Running back Lamar Miller, who has yet to find the endzone in 2016, carried 25 times for 83 yards including 12 carries for 55 yards in the final quarter.

Osweiler in his second game as the Texans field general completed 19-of-33 for 268 yards and a touchdown. Fuller (4/104) and Hopkins (7/113/TD) combined for 11 receptions and 217 yards. It was Fuller’s second consecutive 100-yard receiving game.

Novak’s (32, 24, 31, 43) four field goals allowed Houston to keep putting points on the board. The Texans placekicker has now recorded seven field goals in the team’s first two games.

The Texans on a short week prepare for a Thursday night showdown with the New England Patriots (2-0) at Gilette Stadium. Kick-off is set for 8:30p.m. ET.

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