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A16 sports
Saturday 12 September 2020
Houston Texans do little right as they lose to Chiefs again

By KRISTIE RIEKEN his fifth year in the league
AP Sports Writer after he's shown flashes
HOUSTON (AP) — The Hous- of brilliance in his first four
ton Texans started this sea- seasons but has missed 22
son the same way they games because of injuries.
ended the last one by STOCK DOWN
losing to the Kansas City Receiver Kenny Stills was
Chiefs. The offense had supposed to be an impor-
trouble sustaining drives tant part of the offense in
and the defense couldn't his second season in Hous-
get off the field in the 34- ton after a trade from Mi-
20 loss. Now they'll have a ami in 2019. He was target-
few extra days to figure out ed just twice and finished
what went wrong and how with zero yards receiving.
to fix it before a visit from INJURED
Lamar Jackson and Ravens RB Duke Johnson left Thurs-
on Sept. 20. day's game with a leg injury
In their playoff loss last sea- and did not return. O'Brien
son, the Texans took a 24-0 said he did not have an up-
lead before the Chiefs date.
scored the next 41 points in KEY NUMBER
the 51-31 victory. Houston 1 - The Texans had just one
took a 7-0 lead on Thurs- sack of Patrick Mahomes
day night, but couldn't do Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson scores a touchdown on a 1-yard run against the on Thursday night as the
much right after that as the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in Kansas 2018 MVP had ample time
City, Mo.
Super Bowl champs scored Associated Press to throw throughout the
the next 31 points to cruise game.
to another win. WHAT'S WORKING to bounce back after run- job of that in the opener. NEXT STEPS
The offense struggled to Houston's running game ning for just 345 yards last Watson was sacked four The top priorities for the
make big plays in its first was solid in the first game season. "He's a hard runner, times and hit seven more Texans must be to improve
game without superstar with David Johnson as the great vision. Plays until the on a night when he was un- their pass protection and
receiver DeAndre Hopkins, featured back after he was final whistle," Watson said. der near-constant pressure. pass rush before their date
often settling for short gains acquired in the trade with "He's finding a new rhythm "We had trouble with Frank with the Ravens. If they do
as the Texans had to punt Arizona for Hopkins. John- in a new offense. So, he did Clark," coach Bill O'Brien that Watson should have
on three of their first five son had 77 yards rushing a good job of making plays said. "We had trouble with more time to find receivers
drives. Quarterback De- and a 19-yard touchdown and running the ball." some of their (schemes) up downfield to convert the
shaun Watson lamented run to lead the team on a WHAT NEEDS HELP front. We have got to really big plays the Texans were
the lack of opportunities to night the Texans finished The Texans signed left tack- fix that very quickly here." lacking against the Chiefs.
take shots downfield in his with 118 yards on the le Laremy Tunsil to a three- STOCK UP Improving the pass rush
first game since signing a ground. Watson added 27 year, $66 million contract Receiver Will Fuller had should help them get off
four-year, $160 million con- yards rushing and scored this offseason to anchor eight receptions for 112 the field on third down and
tract on Saturday. on a 1-yard run in the fourth the offensive line and pro- yards in his first game as have a more balanced
"That was the only thing quarter. Watson was im- vide continuity in its effort Houston's No. 1 receiver time of possession; Kansas
that we didn't do," Watson pressed with Johnson's to better protect Watson. with Hopkins in Arizona. The City had the ball for almost
said. "They did a good job work in his debut with the Tunsil and the rest of the Texans are counting on Full- nine minutes more than
of getting back to me." team. Johnson is looking line didn't do a very good er to have a big season in they did on Thursday. q

Zvonareva, Siegemund win U.S. Open women’s doubles title

to the chair umpire for a when their opponents be- U.S. Open trophy she won
ruling. gan to play better. with Nathalie Dechy. She
"Are we allowed to give a Unseeded after deciding also was the runner-up in
hug?" she asked. to play together shortly singles at Flushing Mead-
The rules of tennis during before the tournament, ows in 2010, falling to Kim
the coronavirus pandemic Zvonareva and Siege- Clijsters, and rose to a ca-
were the only thing Zvona- mund found their games reer-high singles ranking of
reva and Siegemund worked together and plan No. 2 the following month.
couldn't figure out in their to partner again at the up- She also won the 2012
first tournament together. coming French Open. Australian Open doubles
The duo won the U.S. "I felt like the third match title but later battled in-
Laura Siegemund, left, of Germany, and her partner Vera Open women's doubles we really started com- juries and began playing
Zvonareva, of Russia, celebrate winning the women's doubles title Friday, beating the municating well, we re- less, especially after giving
final against Xu Yifan, of China, and Nicole Melichar at the third-seeded team of Xu ally started to understand birth to daughter Evelina
US Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in New
York. Yifan and Nicole Melichar each other," Zvonareva in 2016.
Associated Press 6-4, 6-4. said. "Yeah, it just got bet- "It wasn't easy," Zvonareva
Zvonareva and Siege- ter and better from there said. "I had a lot of injuries
By BRIAN MAHONEY wardly facing each other, mund collected $400,000 on." in the past and always try-
AP Sports Writer rackets and arms in the air — and also their hug — by Zvonareva, a Russian who ing to come back, and it's
Vera Zvonareva and Lau- in confusion. racing to quick leads in turned 36 this week, add- a big privilege for me to
ra Siegemund stood awk- Finally, Siegemund turned both sets and holding on ed this title to the 2006 be here today."q