The New York Giants faced off against the Houston Texans in a preseason Week 2 matchup on August 17, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Texans dominated the game, securing a decisive 28-10 victory over the Giants. This game marked the return of Giants quarterback Daniel Jones to game action after a season-ending ACL injury in 2023, but his performance was overshadowed by Houston’s explosive offense and defensive plays. Below, we dive into the player stats, key moments, and highlights from this NFL preseason clash, optimized for fans to find detailed insights into the Giants vs Texans 2024 player stats.
Match Overview
- Sport: American Football
- League: NFL (National Football League)
- Game Type: Preseason – Week 2
- Date: August 17, 2024
- Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
- Matchup: New York Giants vs Houston Texans Match Player Stats
- Final Score: Houston Texans 28 – New York Giants 10
- Winner: Houston Texans
Game Overview: Giants vs Texans
The Houston Texans (1-1 in the preseason) outplayed the New York Giants (1-1) in a game that showcased Houston’s offensive depth and defensive opportunism. The Giants, playing their starters for the first time in the preseason, struggled with turnovers and failed to match the Texans’ intensity, resulting in a 28-10 final score. Fans can revisit the action through highlights on NFL.com, ESPN, or YouTube, where top plays from the game are available.
Below, we break down the player stats and pivotal moments that defined this matchup.
Key Player Stats: New York Giants
The Giants entered the game with high expectations for their starters, particularly Daniel Jones, who was making his first appearance since tearing his ACL on November 5, 2023. However, the team’s performance was marred by turnovers and offensive struggles:
- Daniel Jones (QB): Jones completed 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards but threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Texans safety Jalen Pitre (Pick 6). His highlight was a pinpoint deep pass to Darius Slayton, but a critical error in the end zone, where he held the ball too long and forced a throw under pressure, proved costly.
- Devin Singletary (RB): The former Texan, now with the Giants, scored the team’s lone touchdown on a 1-yard run in the first half. Singletary’s rushing stats were modest, but his leap into the end zone was a highlight against his former team.
- Darius Slayton (WR): Slayton was a bright spot, catching a deep pass from Jones for a significant gain, finishing with 3 receptions for approximately 40 yards. His connection with Jones showed promise for the regular season.
- Graham Gano (K): Gano contributed 3 points with a field goal in the first half, assisted by holder Jamie Gillan. The kick was one of the Giants’ few scoring plays.
- Dexter Lawrence (DT): On defense, Lawrence made an impact by knocking down a pass from Texans QB C.J. Stroud, forcing a turnover on downs. His presence in the defensive front was notable, though exact tackle stats were not detailed.
The Giants’ offensive line, featuring Jermaine Eluemunor and John Michael Schmitz (who was recovering from a shoulder tweak), provided decent protection but couldn’t prevent pressure that led to Jones’ costly interception. Rookie Malik Nabers (WR) was expected to play despite an ankle issue, but specific stats for him were not highlighted in the box score.
Key Player Stats: Houston Texans
The Texans, coming off a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, showcased their offensive firepower and defensive playmaking, even with limited action from their starters:
- C.J. Stroud (QB): The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year played sparingly but was effective, completing 7 of 10 passes for 88 yards. His poise was evident before he was replaced by backups, setting up the Texans’ early lead.
- Dameon Pierce (RB): Pierce, looking to rebound from a tough 2023, had a limited but improved performance, with approximately 10 yards on 4 carries. His reps were overshadowed by other backs, but he showed flashes of potential.
- Jalen Pitre (S): Pitre was the defensive star, intercepting Daniel Jones in the end zone and returning it for a Pick 6 touchdown, a turning point in the game. His read on the play was textbook.
- Tank Dell (WR) and Nico Collins (WR): The Texans’ passing game, featuring these explosive receivers, stretched the Giants’ secondary. While exact stats for this game weren’t detailed, their presence forced New York’s corners (Tae Banks and Nick McCloud) into tough coverage situations.
- John Metchie III (WR): Metchie, fighting for a roster spot, had a quiet game with 2 receptions for approximately 20 yards, needing a stronger showing to secure his place among Houston’s crowded receiver room.
The Texans’ defensive front, including Derek Barnett, pressured Jones effectively, while their offensive line held up against the Giants’ formidable trio of Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Game Highlights and Key Moments
- Texans’ Early Lead: Houston jumped ahead with a balanced attack, capitalizing on Stroud’s efficient passing and a rushing touchdown from a backup running back (specific player not detailed). The Texans led 14-3 at halftime.
- Pick 6 by Pitre: The game’s defining moment came when Jalen Pitre intercepted Daniel Jones in the end zone and returned it for a touchdown, extending Houston’s lead to 21-3. This play shifted momentum decisively.
- Singletary’s Touchdown: The Giants’ only touchdown came from Devin Singletary, who leaped into the end zone for a 1-yard score, providing a brief spark for New York.
- Giants’ Turnover Woes: Jones’ two interceptions, including the Pick 6, were critical errors that prevented any comeback. The Giants’ offense struggled to sustain drives, managing only 10 points.
- Defensive Standout: Dexter Lawrence’s pass deflection against Stroud forced a turnover on downs, giving the Giants a chance to stay in the game early.
Fans can watch video highlights, including Pitre’s Pick 6 and Singletary’s touchdown, on NFL.com, FOX Sports, or the Giants’ official website.
Head-to-Head Context
Historically, the Giants hold a 4-1 edge over the Texans in regular-season matchups, with their last meeting on November 13, 2022, ending in a 24-16 Giants victory. However, the Texans flipped the script in this preseason game, improving their record to 1-5 against New York all-time. The largest Texans win over the Giants was a 2-point victory (16-14) on November 24, 2002.
Notable past performances include:
- 2018: Giants’ Eli Manning threw for 297 yards and 2 TDs, outdueling Texans’ Deshaun Watson (385 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT). Saquon Barkley ran for 82 yards and 1 TD.
- 2014: Giants’ Rashad Jennings rushed for 176 yards and 1 TD, overpowering Houston’s Arian Foster.
Why This Game Matters
For the Giants, this game was a critical test for Daniel Jones, who showed flashes of his potential but struggled with decision-making under pressure. The team’s new-look offense, featuring Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, and Wan’Dale Robinson, showed promise but needs refinement before the regular season. Defensively, the trio of Lawrence, Burns, and Thibodeaux held up, but the secondary struggled against Houston’s receivers.
The Texans, meanwhile, used this game to fine-tune their offense around C.J. Stroud and evaluate depth players like John Metchie III and Dameon Pierce. Their defensive playmaking, led by Jalen Pitre, signals a unit ready to make an impact in 2024.
Where to Find More Stats and Highlights
For detailed box scores, play-by-play updates, and video highlights, fans can visit:
- ESPN.com for complete team and player stats.
- NFL.com for game-day coverage and highlights.
- FOXSports.com for box scores and top plays.
- Giants.com for exclusive photos and recaps.
- USA TODAY Sports for live stats and post-game analysis.
Predictions and Betting Insights
Pre-game predictions leaned toward the Texans, with a -3.5 spread in their favor due to their home-field advantage and offensive firepower. Key prop bets included C.J. Stroud over 150 passing yards (missed, as he played sparingly) and Daniel Jones under 1.5 TD passes (hit, due to his interceptions). The Texans covering the spread and the game staying under 38.5 total points were popular outcomes.
Conclusion
The Houston Texans vs New York Giants preseason matchup on August 17, 2024, was a tale of Houston’s dominance and New York’s struggles. The Texans’ 28-10 victory was powered by Jalen Pitre’s Pick 6 and an efficient offense led by C.J. Stroud, while the Giants’ Daniel Jones showed rust in his return from injury. Standout performances from Devin Singletary and Dexter Lawrence gave Giants fans something to cheer for, but Houston’s depth proved too much.
For the latest Giants vs Texans player stats, highlights, and analysis, check out ESPN, NFL.com, or FOX Sports. The Giants now look ahead to their preseason finale against the Jets, while the Texans build momentum for the 2024 regular season.
