Houston Texans Take Touchdown Lead Into Halftime Over New Orleans Saints

The Houston Texans are on the march to .500 after a solid first half vs. the New Orleans Saints.

HOUSTON - After a tough loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week, the Houston Texans were looking to get back to .500 vs. another NFC South opponent, the New Orleans Saints. 

And after one half of play, the Texans look to be well on their way back to the win column, leading the Saints 17-7 after one half of play at NRG Stadium.

Once again, the Texans have been led by star rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud who has completed 9 of 16 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns through two quarters.

Stroud did toss his first interception of the season, ending an NFL-record streak, but the damage from that play was mitigated immediately with the Saints defender fumbling the ball just after the pick with the Texans recovering. 

The rookie QB would then respond well, leading the Texans down the field for their first touchdown of the game. 

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) looks for an open receiver during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at NRG Stadium / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Two drives later, Stroud got the Texans back into the end zone again, hitting Robert Woods for a six-yard score, and giving Houston a 10-point lead.

The Saints would respond to the Texans on their following drive, with Saints kicker Blake Grupe hitting a 48-yard field goal with 18 seconds to go in the half.

Grupe had missed one earlier in the game on the Saints opening drive, but the Saints were able to tie the game one drive later at 7-7 on a Derek Carr touchdown. 

Heading into the second half, Stroud and the Texans will look to continue to click on offense and keep putting points on the board as Houston quests back toward .500.