Watson threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins with just over two minutes left for a comeback victory after the Jets took a fourth quarter lead.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N. J. — Deshaun Watson threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins with 2 minutes 15 seconds left in the game, lifting the Houston Texans to a 29-22 comeback victory over Sam Darnold and the Jets on Saturday night at MetLife Stadium.
After Darnold and the Jets took their first lead on Elijah McGuire’s 2-yard touchdown run, Watson and the Texans (10-4) answered right back.
A holding call on cornerback Morris Claiborne on third down prolonged the drive, and Watson completed passes of 20 and 3 yards to Demaryius Thomas and 7 yards to Hopkins to get to the Jets’ 14. Watson then found Hopkins streaking down the left sideline and launched a pass that the receiver somehow came down with, despite being tightly covered by Claiborne.
Hopkins appeared to injure a leg on the play, and Watson and Alfred Blue helped him to the sideline as the Texans celebrated. The receiver was O. K., though, and finished with 10 catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns.
Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 40-yard field goal — his fifth kick of the game — made it 29-22 with 54 seconds left.
Darnold and the Jets (4-10) had one more opportunity to try to tie — or win — but Houston held on.
The loss ruined what was a terrific night for Darnold, who made plays with his arm and legs all game.
