Texans held scoreless in preseason loss to Saints

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The Texans played as badly as the weather was terrible back in Houston Saturday night, losing 13-0 to the New Orleans Saints with neither Tom Savage nor Deshaun Watson inspiring much fan confidence in the team's ever-worrisome quarterback position as the regular season approaches.

It was just the third time the Texans have been shut out during their 16 preseasons. Coach Bill O'Brien lost his first game at Arizona 32-0 in 2014. The 2011 Texans lost their final preseason tune-up 28-0 at Minnesota.

There's no doubt that Savage will make his third career start against Jacksonville Sept. 10 at NRG Stadium. The good news for him is that Watson showed nothing against the Saints to indicate that's a mistake, struggling at every turn before No. 3 Brandon Weeden was sent out to finish up.

The rookie top draft choice completed 11 of 21 passes – after a 3-for-10 performance against the Patriots in Houston last Saturday night – but was unable to make any magic with his legs as he had against Carolina and New England. He threw an interception – and could easily have suffered three picks – while getting sacked twice.

The fourth-year pro Savage played four first-half possessions. He, too, was thwarted by generally poor protection, erratic run-blocking and a pair of illegal-formation penalties and also had two passes batted down. The Texans were again playing without the services of their only experienced receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, and best lineman, holdout tackle Duane Brown.

The Texans began the game with Kendall Lamm at left tackle and Breno Giacomini at right tackle. The starting receivers were Bruce Ellington and Dres Anderson.

Savage went 10-for-16 for 79 yards. Assuming he won't play against Dallas Thursday night at NRG Stadium – post-Hurricane Harvey conditions permitting – he'll finish the preseason with just two touchdown drives generated in his nine series.

PHOTOS: Saints 13, Texans 0 Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) its pressured by New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha (44) during the second quarter of an NFL pre-season football game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in New Orleans. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) Browse through the photos to see action from the Texans' preseason game on Saturday. less PHOTOS: Saints 13, Texans 0 Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) its pressured by New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha (44) during the second quarter of an NFL pre-season football game ... more Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 89 Caption Close Texans held scoreless in preseason loss to Saints 1 / 89 Back to Gallery

But, again, Watson did nothing to prove he's the better choice, certainly for the short term. He should have had both of his first two series end with interceptions. On the first, Marcus Williams dropped an ill-advised pass, then Manti T'eo obliged him on the second when he was forced to throw under pressure. Watson was finally picked late in the third quarter by Damian Swann.

Coming off his national-championship season at Clemson, when he rallied the Tigers to a dramatic late victory over Alabama, he has gone three-and-out on his first series in each preseason game.

But at least the Texans defense, despite J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney making only cameo appearances, was up to the task that Drew Brees presented, holding the future Hall of Famer to a 26-yard field goal by Wil Lutz, who also kicked a 48-yard fourth-quarter field goal.

Brees did complete 11 of 15 passes for 76 yards over four series as he prepares for his 16th season and 12th in New Orleans.

Both teams managed only eight first-half first downs. The Saints gained 150 yards to the Texans' 149. On the night, the Texans were averaging fewer than four yards per play going into their final possession, which was preceded by a New Orleans turnover at its own 28 with 2:47 left. Eli Ankou recovered Darius Victor's fumble, forced by fellow rookie Rickey Hatley.

But opportunity to avert the shutout ended with a fourth-down sack of Weeden.

Scattered bright spots for the Texans included young outside linebackers Brennan Scarlett and Eric Lee, who sacked Chase Daniels twice, and Hatley also dumped the Saints' third quarterback, Garrett Grayson. Recently signed return man Jordan Todman, a Jets castoff, contributed a 30-yard kickoff return.

The Texans are scheduled to fly back to Houston tonight, but Hurricane Harvey may add to their long evening.