latest misses led to the addition of Barnes, a small

HOUSTON -- Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler is feeling a lot better about the offense hes running after putting it on display in front of the home crowd for the first time.Osweiler threw a touchdown pass and led the starting offense to three first-half scores in a 16-9 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Saturday night.New Orleans had a chance to send the game to overtime with an untimed down from the 12-yard line, but third-string quarterback Garrett Grayson threw an interception to cornerback Robert Nelson in the end zone to end the game.The Texans (2-0) shut out the Saints until late in the third quarter as both the first and second-team units handled New Orleans porous pass protection and forced two turnovers.Obviously, its a frustrating game in some regards with how we played offensively, Saints coach Sean Payton said. I thought it was as bad as weve been in a while. Defensively, I thought there were some things that were encouraging.After Osweiler and the starters struggled some in their preseason debut win over San Francisco, coach Bill OBrien left most of the starters in for five drives.Osweiler found rookie receiver Will Fuller for a 19-yard touchdown pass and frequently targeted the speedy pass-catcher as the Saints secondary turned heavy attention to DeAndre Hopkins, who was held to just an 8-yard catch.I think were just trying to lull defenses to sleep for the regular season and make people think we forgot about him, Osweiler said of Hopkins lack of attention.As far as his targets in the preseason, thats just how it goes sometimes, but I can promise you that DeAndre is in our thoughts every single play.With four Texans starters on the offensive line out, Houstons running game struggled for most of the game to get past the Saints tough front.Nick Fairley had an active game for New Orleans (0-2), keeping starting running back Lamar Miller in check for just 16 yards on six carries.The Texans were without left tackle Duane Brown -- who has missed the offseason rehabbing a torn quad, but hopes to be ready for Week 1 -- right guard Jeff Allen, who missed the game because of a death in the family, rookie center Nick Martin (high ankle sprain) and right tackle Derek Newton (strained hamstring).The one Houston offensive line starter who played in the game -- left guard Xavier Sua-Filo -- was beaten by Fairley, who sacked Osweiler.For the most part, however, Houstons slew of backups on the line gave Osweiler and backup quarterback Tom Savage ample passing time, allowing just one sack.New Orleans pass protection, on the other hand, kept Drew Brees and backup quarterback Luke McCown on the run for much of the game. Brees was sacked by Jadeveon Clowney for a 14-yard loss in the second quarter. Houstons pressure came without J.J. Watt, who is still recovering from back surgery, but hopes to return near the start of the season.We need him -- we need him back, Clowney said of Watt. Hes doing his best to get healthy and get back out there for the team.With Saints receivers Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead sitting out the game for unspecified reasons, receiver Brandon Coleman received plenty of attention, drawing 10 targets, six catches and 47 yards. Running backs Mark Ingram (seven carries, 11 yards) and C.J. Spiller (one carry, 3 yards) had quiet games, but rarely found much running room.The good thing is I know we can fix all of those things, Brees said. The unfortunate thing is that it showed up in three consecutive possessions tonight. So were not very happy about it.ROOKIE WATCHSaints: WR Michael Thomas, a second-round pick, received scarce playing time in the first half, receiving just one target in limited snaps. FS Vonn Bell, another second-round pick, was active in the New Orleans secondary, making good reads and forcing players out of bounds. Bell is pushing for a starting job.Texans: WR Will Fuller, the 21st overall pick, was a frequent target of both starter Brock Osweiler and backup Tom Savage. Fuller was targeted eight times in the first half, catching four passes for 73 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown.QB COMPARISONSaints: Drew Brees was 5 for 8 for 29 yards and an interception. Backup Luke McCown was 12 of 16 for 101 yards.Texans: Brock Osweiler was 12 of 19 for 124 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Backup Tom Savage was 7 of 12 for 75 yards.POSITION BATTLESSaints: Veteran DT C.J. Wilson had a sack in the fourth quarter on third-string QB Brandon Weeden as he pushes for a roster spot with the injury loss of Sheldon Rankins, who could miss the season. ... Kai Forbath converted both of his field-goal attempts, from 33 and 37 yards, while Connor Barth converted his only attempt from 33 yards as they both push for the job.Texans: K Nick Novak converted all three of his field-goal attempts, from 49, 46 and 36 yards, and hit his only extra-point attempt as he fends off competition from rookie Kaimi Fairbairn.INJURY UPDATESaints: In addition to WRs Cooks and Snead, DT John Jenkins, LB Stephone Anthony, FB Austin Johnson and TE Garrett Griffin were on the sideline and not in full pads, all with minor injuries. Saints coach Sean Payton reported no injuries suffered during the game.Texans: K Nick Novak was slow to get up after a collision on the final kickoff of the game. A trainer met him halfway as he slowly walked off the field, but the injury did not appear serious. Texans coach Bill OBrien reported no injuries suffered during the game.QUOTABLESaints: When we put that tape on tomorrow, there werent a lot of good things, Payton said.Texans: This was his coming-out game, getting that first touchdown. He has definitely improved and it showed today, Hopkins on rookie WR Will Fuller.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap MLB Jerseys . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. NFL Jerseys China . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. http://www.wholesalenfljerseyscheapauthentic.com/ .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Cheap Baseball Jerseys China . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. Stitched Jerseys Online . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki has signed his contract with Dallas, and a person with knowledge of the deal says its worth more than the original agreement.The 38-year-old star who has spent all 18 of his seasons with the Mavericks signed a two-year, $50 million contract on Wednesday -- $10 million more than the deal struck before contracts could be signed. The person with knowledge of the contract provided terms to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they werent released.After playing for two years on a hometown discount at roughly $8 million per season, Nowitzki will be the highest-paid Dallas player at $25 million in 2016-17. Free agent addition Harrison Barnes, who signed a four-year, $94 million contract, will make about $22 million next season.Nowitzki has said he would like to play 20 seasons. There is a team option in the second year of the deal, but that decision will be driven by the 7-foot German and whether he feels he has another season in him.The day after last season ended with yet another first-round playoff exit, Nowitzki said he believed he could contribute for at least two more years. And he showed it, leading the team in scoring in the regular season and the five-game loss to Oklahoma City.The Mavericks havent won a playoff series since Nowitzki led them to the franchises only championship in 2011. Theyve spent the past five offseasons trying to put marquee free agents around their aging star, but havent landed the biggest names.ddddddddddddThe latest misses led to the addition of Barnes, a small forward who became expendable in Golden State when the 2015 champions lured Kevin Durant away from the Thunder. The Mavericks also got center Andrew Bogut from the Warriors in a salary cap-driven trade after Durants decision.Those two additions assured the return of Nowitzki, who said the only way he would consider leaving Dallas was if the franchise chose not to pursue veterans for another run at the postseason.Dallas is bringing back point guard Deron Williams on a second straight one-year deal. Williams had a solid debut with his hometown team after Brooklyn bought out his contract.The other starter is Wesley Matthews, a shooting guard who stuck with Dallas and got a max contract last summer after center DeAndre Jordan wrecked the Mavericks free agency plans by agreeing to join them before changing his mind and staying with the Los Angeles Clippers.The Mavericks signed two undrafted free agents Wednesday in former LSU guard Keith Hornsby, the son of Grammy Award winner Bruce Hornsby, and Stony Brooks Jameel Warney. ' ' '