Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce. Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Watch: Texans' 80-yard kickoff return sets up quick TD

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 24, 2024 1:09 PM ET

It only took the Houston Texans 18 seconds to score their first touchdown in Sunday's home game against the Tennessee Titans.

Texans backup running back Dameon Pierce returned the opening kickoff for 80 yards. On the ensuing play, Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud tossed a 19-yard touchdown to rookie tight end Cade Stover, his former Ohio State teammate. The TD was the first of Stover's career.

Dameon Pierce 80-yard return on the opening kickoff!

: #TENvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/SUiy1bHwFY
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024

Only took the Texans 18 seconds to score

: #TENvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/vgVC2ew0DB
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024

Houston (7-4) leads the AFC South and would have the No. 4 seed in the playoffs if the season ended Sunday. While it's in a solid position, the club has sputtered recently.

Entering this matchup, the Texans have lost two of their last three games. During this stretch, Stroud has thrown one touchdown pass and three interceptions.

As of Sunday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives the Texans a 95.2% chance to win their division, but they must regain momentum. They don't want to falter in the playoffs.

The roaring start may help Stroud and Co. get back in a rhythm.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads: