The New Orleans Saints’ comeback bid against the Houston Texans was jump-started by running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray. Who else could have kept it going but reserve quarterback Taysom Hill, who caught a dart from starting quarterback Drew Brees to close the Texans’ lead to just four points?
That’s exactly what happened late in the third quarter, when the Saints began funneling touches to Kamara and Hill. Hill entered the game and lined up at a variety of spots — option quarterback, tight end and eventually at wide receiver. That last alignment put him in great position to go up and get a jump ball from Brees in the end zone.
Momentum swung heavily in the Saints’ way after that. Safety Marcus Williams came through with a leaping, acrobatic interception of Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson on the following series — and an unnecessary roughness foul on wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who body-slammed Williams, put the Saints in prime position to score again.
And that’s what they did. Brees found second-year wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith from 14 yards out to give the Saints a 24-21 lead with 14:55 remaining.
