Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans Match Player Stats On Sep 13, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Sep 13, 2015

HOUSTON -- Alex Smith passed for 243 yards and three touchdowns as the Kansas City Chiefs took advantage of two critical turnovers in their 27-20 victory over the Houston Texans Sunday at NRG Stadium.

The Chiefs (1-0) converted two turnovers inside the Houston 15-yard line into touchdowns, including an interception by rookie cornerback Marcus Peters on the Texans' first offensive snap. With 5:01 remaining in the first half, Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston forced a fumble with his sack of Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer that defensive end Allen Bailey recovered. Kansas City scored on the next snap for a 27-6 lead.

Smith followed both turnovers with scoring strikes, finding tight end Travis Kelce with a 10-yard pass after Peters' interception for a 7-0 lead with 10:22 left in the first quarter. Smith hit running back Jamaal Charles for a 7-yard touchdown pass after the Bailey fumble recovery.

Kelce added a 42-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown later in the first quarter following a Texans drive that stalled near midfield. Chiefs kicker Dustin Colquitt chipped in a pair of field goals before the Charles scoring catch, more than enough scoring to bolster the Chiefs' ferocious defense.

The Chiefs harassed Hoyer throughout by recording four sacks in addition to Peters' interception and the forced fumble by Houston. Hoyer, making his Texans (0-1) debut, finished 18 of 34 for 236 yards with a 4-yard, first-quarter touchdown pass to receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Ryan Mallett replaced Hoyer at quarterback with 6:10 left and spearheaded a 7-play, 59-yard scoring drive that culminated in an 8-yard touchdown pass to Hopkins. Mallett, who lost the quarterback completion with Hoyer during the preseason, also converted a pass to Hopkins for the subsequent two-point conversion. Mallett later stewarded a 10-play drive resulting in a Randy Bullock field goal.

NOTES: Chiefs RT Eric Fisher was a late scratch with a left high ankle sprain. Fisher, who missed three preseason games after sustaining the injury Aug. 17, was moved from left tackle while sidelined. He expressed concern over his injury to the coaching staff last week and was replaced in the lineup by Jah Reid, recently released by the Baltimore Ravens. ... Following an injury-marred rookie season, one that ended with microfracture surgery in December, Texans LB Jadeveon Clowney played liberally on passing downs. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 draft, Clowney played in just four games last season before succumbing to a right knee injury. ... Chiefs rookie CB Marcus Peters recorded an interception on his first professional snap. Peters, the 18th overall pick out of Washington, picked off Texans QB Brian Hoyer at the Houston 13-yard line with 11:04 remaining in the first quarter, setting up the first Chiefs touchdown.