C.J. Stroud's First TD Puts Texans Ahead of Saints At Half

Quarterback C.J. Stroud played his best football of the preseason in two drives, as the Houston Texans lead the New Orleans Saints at halftime.

A late field goal drive to end the half helped the Houston Texans take a 10-7 lead at halftime over the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome Sunday.

On the Texans' first drive, quarterback C.J. Stroud made one of his best throws of the preseason — a deep, lofted pass down the left sideline to Nico Collins. Though it was swatted away by Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor at the last second, Stroud dropped it right in the bucket, displaying the accuracy Houston saw that led to him being the No. 2 overall draft pick.

His next drive, which was set up by a 27-yard punt return from Tank Dell, he placed perfect throws of 13 and three yards, respectively, to Dalton Schultz and Collins. The second was Stroud's first touchdown of the preseason to give Houston a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Rancho Cucamonga, California, native put a pleasant bow on his preseason, completing 2 of 4 passes for 16 yards and a touchdown.

Davis Mills relieved Stroud after two drives and didn't build the same rhythm until his fourth drive, going 5-for-9 for 42 yards while getting sacked three times. He connected with wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson on three passes for 24 yards.

Texans running back Dameon Pierce also had his most productive game of the preseason. Last week against the Miami Dolphins he tallied just 15 yards on six carries, but Sunday, he ran for 30 yards on five totes.

His ankle — and vision — looked back to 100 percent, especially on a 13-yard run in which he hit the hole and ran over Saints cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham channeled his vintage self Sunday as quarterback Jameis Winston's favorite target in four drives.

Graham climbed the ladder, leaping up over Texans linebacker Christian Harris for a 25-yard completion. Later in the drive, Winston found Graham in man coverage for a 3-yard touchdown pass to knot the game up 7-7.

Winston finished his night 11-for-16 for 93 yards and a touchdown.

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