Texans beat Jets, remain perfect on the season

Mark Sanchez will remain Jets starting QB for now

Mark Sanchez completed under 50 percent of his passes and threw two picks in the New York Jets' 24-17 loss to the Houston Texans, but Rex Ryan assured media the fourth-year player from USC will remain the team's starter at quarterback.

Texans vs. Jets, Week 5: New York edged by better team

The New York Jets were close to pulling off an impressive upset Monday night against the undefeated Houston Texans. However, the Jets just didn't have enough to upend their visitor, losing, 23-17, at MetLife Stadium.

New York was done in by Texans' running back Arian Foster, who collected 152 rushing yards and a touchdown, three field goals by kicker Shayne Graham and a stout performance by one of the best defenses in the league.

Though the loss dropped the Jets to 2-3 overall, the SB Nation blog Gang Green Nation believes there was a lot of good to take away from the showdown, especially the aggressive play calling.

I loved the fake punt. I loved the onside kick. If Schilens had held onto it instead of let it slip through his arms, Rex Ryan would be a hero. There's a quote from Rex after the game, in which he took responsibility for the call, when he said, "I came here to win." That's the attitude, Rex! I thought he lost it with his weight loss, but I like that aggressive attitude. Empty the playbook. Make teams spend time planning for stuff like that.

Overall, the New York fan base believes its team played well against one of the (if not the) best team in the NFL. And one the reasons they did was because the team never gave up.

One thing we can say about this team is that they do not quit. I'm honestly not that upset that the team lost.

The full reaction from Gang Green Nation can be read here.

Next Sunday, the Jets host the Indianapolis Colts. The game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on CBS.

Texans vs. Jets, Week 5: Houston's sluggish offense bailed out by defense

For the first time in franchise history, the Houston Texans are an unblemished 5-0 to start the season. On Monday night, the visiting Texans defeated the New York Jets, 23-17, at MetLife Stadium using 152 rushing yards and one touchdown from running back Arian Foster.

Foster's score came in the second quarter and helped Houston take a 14-7 lead with 11:11 remaining in the first half. But it was three field goals by kicker Shayne Graham that helped the Texans tally enough points to remain undefeated.

Despite Foster's and Graham's performances, the Texans offense, one of the best in the NFL, was held in check by the Jets' defense, and according to the SB Nation blog Battle Red Blog, credit needs to be given to New York for sticking around.

Minus Foster, the Texans offense struggled after their opening touchdown drive, a 34-yard pass from Matt Schaub to Owen Daniels. The New York defense was salty and locked down Houston for most of the night. Monday's 23 points scored were a season-low for the Texans.

In the end, what won the game for Houston was its defense that, like the offense, is one of the best in the league.

Brice McCain had a sack and interception and Kareem Jackson also had his career-high third interception, but we all want to talk about J.J. Watt. Watt's batted pass led to McCain's interception which kept New York from tying the game at half time. Watt also had another sack to give him an NFL-best 8.5 on the season. Justin James Watt's third tipped pass of the game, his eighth on the season, would end Monday Night's match-up and move Houston to its first 5-0 start in franchise history.

Next week, the Texans host the Green Bay Packers in a Sunday Night Football affair (8:20 p.m. ET on NBC).

Texans Vs. Jets game recap: Houston holds off New York on Monday night, 23-17

New York Jets return man Joe McKnight cut the Texans' lead to six midway through the third quarter with a 100-yard kick-off return touchdown, but that was as close as New York would get as they fell to the still perfect Houston Texans on Monday night, 23-17.

Tipped passes proved deadly to the Jets' offense. With time running down in the first half, the Jets had moved inside the Houston 10-yard line looking to tie the game at 14 before halftime. But a Mark Sanchez pass was tipped by Texans defensive end J.J. Watt and intercepted and returned 86 yards by cornerback Brian McKnight. Instead of a tie game, the Texans extended the lead, 17-7.

With the Jets mounting their final drive of the game trailing with under two minutes to play, a Sanchez pass deflected off a Jets wide receiver and was also intercepted. And with only four seconds left to play and the New York Jets needing a miracle, Sanchez's last pass was, of course, tipped and incomplete.

J.J. Watt continued his impressive season, adding another sack to bring his league-leading total to 8.5.

Mark Sanchez finished 14-of-31 for 230 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Shonn Greene was the leading rusher with eight carries and 26 yards.

The Texans were led by running back Arian Foster, who ran 29 times for 152 yards and one touchdown. Texans quarterback Matt Schaub was 14-of-28 for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

The Houston Texans remain perfect, moving to 5-0 on the season with the win. The New York Jets drop to 2-3.

Important Rex Ryan update

Joe McKnight has a 100-yard return TD, Rex Ryan celebrates

A big play for the Jets against the Texans.

Nick Mangold injury: Jets center carted off

New York Jets center Nick Mangold was carted off to the locker room after injuring his ankle early in the third quarter Monday night against the Houston Texans.

Tim Tebow doesn't throw bad balls; receivers drop them

via ESPN.

Texans vs. Jets: Mark Sanchez's first half interception is a big one

Sanchez's pick was a potential 10-point swing.

Watch Antonio Cromartie almost catch a pass in the Texans-Jets game

Cromartie almost hauled in a deep ball.

Brian Cushing injury: Texans LB hurts leg, ruled out

Brian Cushing headed to the locker room in the second quarter of the Houston's game against the New York Jets. He went down with a leg injury after a low block by Matt Slauson.

Texans vs. Jets: 5 plays is all Houston needs

The Texans offense didn't have any problems passing or running the ball.

Direct snap to Tim Tebow on the fake punt is risky, but works out for Jets

Tebow picked up the first down on the fake.

Texans vs. Jets: Mark Sanchez finds Jeff Cumberland for a 27-yard touchdown

Tebow time has been avoided after this Sanchez touchdown pass.

Texans' Matt Schaub fools the Jets, throws 34-yard TD pass

Schaub found Owen Daniels for the touchdown.

NFL inactive list, Week 5: Texans vs. Jets

Arian Foster's backup is out for the Texans.

Monday Night Football weather forecast: Rainy night in New Jersey

A storm system moving in from the south will bring rain to Monday's game between the Texans and the Jets.

Ben Tate injury: Texans RB unlikely to play on Monday night

Houston Texans running back Ben Tate is unlikely to go on Monday night against the New York Jets, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Tim Tebow will have a larger role in Texans-Jets game

Tim Tebow will be asked to do more in the New York Jets' Week 5 game against the Houston Texans after spending most of the year working odd jobs for the Jets' sputtering offense.

Texans Vs. Jets: Game Time, TV Schedule, Odds And More

The Houston Texans look for their first franchise win against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football on ESPN.

NFL picks Week 5: Texans vs. Jets

The undefeated Houston Texans and the New York Jets meet on Monday Night Football at MetLife Stadium.

Week 5 NFL lines and odds: Texans vs. Jets

The Houston Texans come to New York on Monday night to take on the Jets as significant favorites.