HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans’ defense did what it couldn’t do twice last season against the Kansas City Chiefs, dominating in a 19-12 victory on Sunday.

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Defensive end J.J. Watt, who is playing in his second game back after two offseason surgeries, had his first sack and fumble recovery of the season, finishing with 1.5 sacks, five combined tackles and two quarterback hits.

The whole defense had a strong performance, allowing just three field goals to the Chiefs and forcing three turnovers. The three defensive fumble recoveries in the first half is a franchise record.

"I think everybody is playing well," Watt said. "I think it's a whole team effort. Everybody from the front ... the guys in the back, all the DBs are playing so well, the linebackers. It's really a whole team effort.

"I think it's a lot of fun when you play that way because the ball is flying out, the guys are flying around, tackles are coming from everywhere and it's really kind of a race to make a play, which really makes it fun."

J.J. Watt celebrates his fumble recovery, one of three forced by the Texans in the first half against the Chiefs. Scott Halleran/Getty Images

For the second week in a row, quarterback Brock Osweiler threw an interception in the first quarter. The 25-year-old was looking for rookie receiver Braxton Miller, but Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters jumped in and picked the pass off at the goal line. Osweiler finished the game 19-of-33 for 268 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. His second interception came in the third quarter on a pass intended for DeAndre Hopkins.

Texans coach Bill O'Brien said he isn't concerned with Osweiler's three turnovers in two games.

"I think I have to do a better job of coaching him just on some of the things that we're looking at from a defensive standpoint," O'Brien said. "I know that he's going to work hard not to do that. I'm not concerned about that at all."

The Texans’ only touchdown came midway through the first quarter after the first of their three fumble recoveries. On the first play of the drive, Osweiler found Hopkins, who beat Peters on the play, down the right side of the field for a 27-yard touchdown. Hopkins finished with seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.

"Coach is always talking about complementary football," Osweiler said. "When your defense makes a big play or your special teams make a big play, on offense you need to take that momentum and finish with a touchdown. I think that's exactly what took place in that moment.

"DeAndre did a heck of a job. I think he got walled out of bounds, he kept fighting, he kept playing the play. He got back in bounds, made a heck of a catch and scored a touchdown."

Hopkins said he loves to go against cornerbacks who are as good as Peters.

"Peters is a great football player," Hopkins said. "I love going up against him. I look forward to matchups going up against big corners like him. He's a Pro Bowl-caliber DB."

That touchdown gave the Texans the lead for good, as the defense held the Chiefs without a touchdown in the game.

Despite the 2-0 start, the Texans have a few things to address during their short week and before Thursday night's game against the New England Patriots.

"We have a lot to work on," Hopkins said. "We have a short week, short turn around, a lot of young guys on this team."

After the Texans’ Week 1 victory over the Bears, Osweiler had said he was focused on improving the production in the red zone and not settling for field goals. On Sunday, the team was 0-for-4 with an interception and three field goals in the red zone. O'Brien said the Texans' biggest problems inside the 20 came because of the penalties they have committed.

"I think we've had holding penalties on three or four drives that have been in the red area," O'Brien said. "Holding calls, false starts, offensive pass interference. I really think it's penalties. If we can really make our players understand, 'Look, if we can just avoid the penalties, we're going to get in situations where we can be a lot better in the red area.' We definitely have to improve down there."

The Texans also struggled on special teams. O'Brien called the unit "inconsistent," and said the team has to "shore up some things in the special teams game."

In last season's playoff game against the Chiefs, running back Knile Davis put the Chiefs up for good just 11 seconds into the game by returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The Texans didn’t allow a special-teams touchdown on Sunday, but they struggled to contain the Chiefs on kickoff and punt returns. On four punt returns, receiver Tyreek Hill had 63 yards, including a 32-yard return. On kickoffs, the Texans gave up 158 yards on six returns.

But, although the Texans know they have a lot of work to do before Thursday, O'Brien said he thought Sunday's victory was "a good team win."

"It's not necessarily where we want it to be, but it's a good team win," O'Brien said. "A really good team win."