The Houston Texans dismantled the Jacksonville Jaguars 37-21 Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.
Along with the run game, which produced 160 yards and two touchdowns on 41 carries, the passing game was key as well. The biggest part of the Texans’ new-look passing attack was quarterback Tyrod Taylor and receiver Brandin Cooks. The duo hooked up for five catches for 132 yards on seven targets.
Taylor said after the game that he and Cooks were, “just on the same page.”
“We’ve done a great job of making plays first and foremost, the two catches, the two deep ones that he went up the court were contested catches and he done a great job of being strong through the catch,” Taylor said.
Taylor threw caught a 40-yard pass down to the Jacksonville 2-yard line early in the first quarter to setup Houston’s first touchdown. In the second quarter, Taylor threw another deep ball for Cooks down to the Jaguars’ 8-yard line, a gain of 52 yards.
The former Pro Bowler expects Cooks to continue making such plays throughout the next 16 games.
“We’re going to need him to continue to keep making those contested catches as the year progresses, and I definitely trust him match-up-wise,” said Taylor. “I think he just showed what type of receiver he can be. He’s always done that, but I think today just going up and making those contested catches shows that he’s just being versatile when it comes to playing the receiver position.”
Taylor finished the game going 21-of-33 for 291 yards, two touchdowns, and also rushed four times for 40 yards.
Houston takes to the road and will face the Cleveland Browns next Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 33-29 to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 at Arrowhead Stadium.
