The Houston Texans picked up their first win of 2015 with a 19-9 victory over Tampa Bay.
Both Alfred Blue and DeAndre Hopkins had 100-yard performances as the Texans put up over 400 yards of offense. Ryan Mallett was 24-of-39 for 228 yards, with one touchdown and and one interception in his second start of the year.
The Texans aimed for a faster start to Week 3 and accomplished it with an early 7-0 lead. Hopkins led the receivers with eight catches for 101 yards and a score.
Injuries continued to plague the offensive line. Already without starting left tackle Duane Brown, right guard Brandon Brooks left in the second quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. The reshuffled unit still paved the way for 187 yards rushing on the day.
Alfred Blue rumbled for 139 yards and a touchdown. It was the second 100-yard rushing performance for Blue in his career.
The Texans defense added one takeway with an interception of Jameis Winston and held Tampa Bay to just one third-down conversion on 12 attempts.
Tampa Bay's first score of the day was a 58-yard field goal in the second quarter. Kyle Brindza missed two subsequent field goals from 32 and 33 yards, as well as an extra point attempt.
The Buccaneers got on the scoreboard late in the first half. Following a Mallett interception, Tampa Bay took over at the Houston 26-yard line. Two plays later, Charles Sims scored on a 32-yard catch-and-run from Winston. Tampa Bay missed the ensuing extra point as they took a 9-7 lead with 3:51 remaining in the first half.
Late in the second quarter, Bullock missed a 43-yard field goal when his kick hit the right upright. The Texans trailed 9-7 at halftime.
Winston threw his first interception of the day just four plays into the third quarter. Quintin Demps picked off the pass, intended for Mike Evans, to set up the Texans scoring drive. Bullock added a 39-yard field goal as Houston regained a 10-9 lead with 12:37 left in the third quarter.
Mallett led the Texans on a fourth-quarter scoring drive that began with a 30-yard completion to Hopkins. Blue scored his first touchdown of the season on a 20-yard run to cap off a five-play, 80-yard drive. Bullock's extra point attempt was wide right, and Houston led 16-9 with 9:14 left in the game.
Later, the Texans took up 6:52 of the fourth quarter with a 14-play, 76-yard scoring drive. Bullock added a 19-yard field goal as Houston won 19-9.
The Texans improve to 1-2 on the season and will travel to Atlanta in Week 4.
View photos from Sunday's Texans-Buccaneers game at NRG Stadium.
