HOUSTON — New coaches, new season, same result.
The Washington Redskins lost, 17-6, to the Houston Texans on Sunday. They have not won an NFL game since Nov. 3, 2013. There are multiple reasons why.
Sunday, they turned the ball over at the Texans’ 9- and 11-yard lines. Houston also scored after blocking a punt and running it into the end zone.
In a microcosm of the day — and last 11 months — Andre Roberts appeared to have space for a strong punt return before he was whacked by teammate Darrel Young and pushed out of bounds.
Robert Griffin III had a solid day though he was besieged by Texans defensive end J.J Watt and multiple other Houston defenders. Griffin finished 29-for-37 for 267 yards. Griffin was also sacked three times.
A fumble at the Houston 11-yard line ended a strong drive to open the second half. Griffin tripped on right guard Kory Lichtensteiger’s leg, reached to hand off to Alfred Morris (14 carries, 91 yards), and they didn’t connect.
The Redskins stopped themselves again the next possession. Tight end Niles Paul fumbled after a 48-yard gain over the middle. The Texans recovered at their 9-yard line.
Much of the first half was equally bumbling.
The Texans led, 14-6, at the half because of a 76-yard touchdown to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, which safety Bacarri Rambo was burned on, and a blocked punt that Houston ran five yards into the end zone.
The Redskins’ lone score came when Young stretched out at the 1-yard line and extended the ball into the end zone. It gave the Redskins a short-lived 6-0 lead. They would not score again, running their losing streak to nine consecutive games, dating back to last season.
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
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