The Texans started a rookie fifth-round pick at quarterback on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. They lost All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson to another hamstring injury in the third quarter. And they still found a way to win.
Houston edged Atlanta 17-10 in a thrilling game at Reliant Stadium that wasn’t decided until the final play. Arian Foster ran for 111 yards and a touchdown in rookie quarterback T.J. Yates’ first NFL start. The Texans are now 9-3 and on a six-game winning streak.
“It’s a great win because of everything we’ve been through,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “I just told the guys, it’s been three weeks, three different quarterbacks, but it’s the same team. It’s the same 46 guys going out there every week and just battling.”
Yates completed 12-of-25 passes for 188 yards after season-ending injuries to Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart in the last two games. He threw a three-yard touchdown pass to tight end Joel Dreessen in the second quarter, drawing chants of “T-J, T-J” from the home crowd.
