This play by Justin Houston proved the turning point in the Chiefs win over Houston (photo/KCChiefs.com)
With the Chiefs leading 20-6 and the Houston Texans facing third-and-14 from their own 16, Justin Houston made the play that was turning point in this eventual season opening win. Houston came around the edge and stripped Texans QB Bryan Hoyer of the football. Allen Bailey jumped on the loose ball forcing a second turnover of the game for the Texans.
The Chiefs set up at the seven, and Alex Smith dumped a pass off to Jamaal Charles who raced for the edge of the endzone and scored, to put the Chiefs up 27-6 late in the second quarter. Smith finished the first half 15-of-20 for 193 yards and three touchdowns, and played well. It was great field position and the help of the defense that complimented those quick scores.
As impressed as I was with the offense, that turnover by Houston proved to be the difference maker. The Chiefs were shut out in the second half and the Texans rallied with 11 points in the fourth quarter to pull to within a touchdown with 1:23 to play.
Derrick Johnson had the biggest impact on the game for the Chiefs defense. He finished as the leading tackler with eight, including six solo stops. He had one of the five sacks, a tackle for loss, deflected pass and another QB hit.
