Live In-Game Updates: Texans Fall To Giants 24-16

Can the Houston Texans contain one of the league's best running back during an interconference battle against the New York Giants?

The Houston Texans head north to take on the New York Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as both teams continue their 2022 NFL campaigns.

The Texans rank last in the league in run defense (181.6 yards per game), 19th in passing defense (217.5), and 30th overall. That could get worse against a Giants team who rushes for 161.5 yards per game, good enough for fifth in the league.

Giants running back Saquon Barkley has rushed for 779 yards and five touchdowns this season.

"First thing, it’s a good sound to it, ‘going against another top-10 running back’, saying that we have a top-10 running back," coach Lovie Smith said. "I think whatever you are, as a football team, what you believe, your personality, you don’t get away from that." 

Texans star receiver Brandin Cooks has returned to the lineup after missing the Texans' Thursday night loss for personal reasons after expressing his displeasure on social media and privately that he wasn't traded at the NFL deadline.

RECORDS: Houston Texans (1-6-1) at New York Giants (6-2)

ODDS: The Texans are 5.5-point underdogs to the Giants.

GAME TIME: Sunday, November 13th, 2022, at 12 p.m. CT

LOCATION: Metlife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)

TV/RADIO: CBS|KHOU 11, SPORTS RADIO 610 | 100.3 THE BULL | MEGA 101

THE FINAL WORD: Coach Lovie Smith's high praise for Pierce:

1st Quarter:

The Texans received the ball first. Houston records the first three-and-out of the game. Punt.

Change of possession

The Giants scored on their first possession of the game with a nine-yard touchdown pass between quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Lawrence Cager. Their play ended a 68-yard, 10-play drive.

Giants 7, Texans 0

Change of possession

The Texans recorded the second three-and of the game. Punt.

Change of possession

The Giants could not gain any momentum on the offensive side of the ball. Punt.

Change of possession 

The Texans record their third straight three and out. Punt. 

Change of possession

End of 1st quarter

2nd Quarter:

The Giants recorded 30 yards in seven plays during their latest offensive possession, but the Texans withstood New York's ability to move the chains. Punt. 

Change of possession

The Texans were finally able to get something going on the offensive side of the ball. Rookie running back Dameon Pierce accounted for 59 of the Texans' 61 yards in seven plays. The drive ended with Ka'imi Fairbairn drilling a 38-yard field goal. 

Giants 7, Texans 3

Change of possession

Saquon Barkley had his best carry of the day. He rushed for 27 yards to set up the Giants on the Texans' 44-yard line. Smith called for the first blitz of the game, which resulted in veteran Maliek Collins and Christian Kirksey splitting a sack on quarterback Daniel Jones. Punt.

Change of possession

Behind 12 yards from Pierce, the Texans held the ball for less than four minutes of play during their latest offensive drive. Punt.

Change of possession

A 14-yard punt by Cam Johnston placed the Giants on their two-yard line. The Texans nearly held the Giants to a punt until cornerback Desmond King recorded Houston's first penalty of the game due to holding. 

After picking up the automatic first down, the Giants failed to take advantage of the extra opportunity.  

Change of possession

Rookie offensive lineman Kenyon Green created a nice gap for veteran running back Rex Burkhead for a 13-yard gain. After a reception made by Cooks, the Texans started to gain some momentum until Green and Laremy Tunsil recorded back-to-back holding calls. Punt.

Change of possession

The Texans ended the half with Jerry Hughes recording a sack on Jones. Hughes is now up to eight sacks on the season. 

End of Half

3rd Quarter

A missed tackle by rookie safety Jalen Pitre led to a 54-yard touchdown reception made by wide receiver Darius Slayton. The Giants' latest touchdown took less than three minutes (2:27) into the second half.

Giants 14, Texans 3

Change of possession

The Texans began their first drive of the second half with a five-yard reception by Cooks. Mills would later find wide receiver Chris Moore for a 23-yard gain, even though the pass was tipped by linebacker Micah McFadden. 

A 17-yard gain by tight end Jordan Akins led to the Texans getting into the red zone for the second time on the day. The Texans ended their drive with Mills connecting with wide receiver Nico Collins for his first touchdown of the season. 

Giants 14, Texans 10 

Change of possession

The Giants answered the Texans' call with their second touchdown of the half. New York notched 74 yards in 12 plays en route to Barkley ending the drive with his sixth rushing touchdown of the season.

Giants 21, Texans 10 

Change of possession

End of 3rd Quarter

4th Quarter:

The Texans had a rough time trying to make plays against the Giants' defensive front seven. Houston nearly allowed the third sack of the game to ruin their latest offensive drive until Akins turned a short pass attempt from Mills into a 46-yard gain.

While on the Giants' nine-yard line, Pierce committed his first fumble since the Texans' Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears. Turnover.

Change of possession

Three-and-out for the Giants. 

Change of possession

Mills connected with Cooks for a 25-yard gain. On their second consecutive trip to the red zone, Mills and Cooks connected again for a touchdown, but Green's holding penalty cost the Texans seven points. 

On the Texans' next play, Mills attempted to throw a touchdown pass to Phillip Dorsett but was intercepted by defensive back Dane Belton.

Change of possession

The Giants recorded 25 yards on seven plays before punting the ball to the Texans.

Change of possession

The Texans nearly recorded their third turnover of the game due to a fumble made by Mills, but his forward arm motion resulted in Houston retaining possession. The Texans had to settle for a 34-yard field goal made by Fairbairn. 

Giants 21, Texans 13

 Change of possession

The Giants put the game out of reach for the Texans by connecting on a 49-yard field goal attempt.

Giants 24, Texans 13

Change of possession

The Texans drilled a 46-yard field goal. And after the failed on-side kick, the Giants regained possession. 

End of Game

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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