March 28, 2024

Foster runs for 152 yards as Texans top Jets, 23-17

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Thanks to Arian Foster, the Houston Texans are still undefeated — but they very nearly let this one slip away.

Foster ran for 152 yards and a touchdown, and the Texans are 5-0 for the first time and defeated the New York Jets for the first time in team history, hanging on for a 23-17 victory Monday night.

With a chance to lead the Jets on a winning drive, Mark Sanchez was intercepted by Kareem Jackson on a pass that tipped off the hands of Jeff Cumberland with 1:51 remaining.

“You got to give yourself a chance to win and we did that tonight,” Sanchez said.

The Texans (5-0) joined the Atlanta Falcons as the NFL’s only teams without a loss.

“Arian stepped up and played huge,” quarterback Matt Schaub said. “We’re very excited to be 5-0 and get a win on the road.”

The Jets (2-3) were heavy underdogs after coming off a 34-0 loss to San Francisco last week, but made a game of it. Backup quarterback Tim Tebow got the crowd fired up at times throughout the game, including running for a first down on a fake punt, but had little impact otherwise.

Houston overcame a 100-yard kickoff return by Joe McKnight that cut the Jets’ deficit to 20-14.

Schaub was 14-of-28 for 209 yards and a touchdown to Owen Daniels, winning his ninth straight game — the longest active streak in the NFL — dating to last season. Daniels finished with four catches for 79 yards for the Texans, who have just their second five-game winning streak in team history.