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Texans Smash Jaguars In 'MNF' Debut

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 2, 2008

Updated: 12/02/2008 12:12 am

HOUSTON - Mario Williams, Steve Slaton and the Houston Texans put on quite a show in their "Monday Night Football" debut.

Williams had a season-high three sacks and forced a fumble and Slaton ran for a pair of touchdowns to lead the Texans to a 30-17 win against the slumping Jacksonville Jaguars.

Andre Johnson added a TD reception and Kris Brown kicked three field goals in the win, a highlight in Houston's disappointing season so far.

The top pick in the 2006 draft, Williams brought down quarterback David Garrard in the second, third and fourth quarters. He forced a fumble by Garrard on his last sack and Houston recovered on the 7.

Slaton scored on the next play to make it 23-3 with about 5 minutes left.

The Texans led 10-0 at halftime and Brown added a season-long 50-yard field goal with 10:12 left in the third quarter. The score followed Jacoby Jones' 28-yard punt return to the Jaguars' 38.

Williams picked up his first sack in the second quarter, and Houston's 18th-ranked defense held Jacksonville to 113 yards and five first downs in the first half.

The Texans set up for a 21-yard field goal in the last minute of the half. But holder Matt Turk bobbled a bad snap from Bryan Pittman and threw a pass out of the end zone.

Sage Rosenfels made his fourth consecutive start in place of Matt Schaub, who's been out with a left knee injury but was active for the game.

The Texans took the opening kickoff and Rosenfels found Johnson for a 12-yard gain on Houston's first play from scrimmage. Johnson, third in the NFL in receiving yards, has caught a pass in 46 consecutive games.

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