Jaylin Noel, Jamal Hill make impact for Texans’ special teams in win over Cardinals: ‘Set the tone’

HOUSTON – Jamal Hill had been waiting for weeks, months, really, to make an impact, anticipating the feeling of delivering the big hit.

The Texans’ reserve linebacker missed three games with a strained hamstring, and he was determined to make his presence felt in his return.

Hill did, as did the Texans’ special teams, in a 40-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at NRG Stadium.

Hill crashed into Cardinals returner Jamal Brooks, forcing a fumble that popped into the air and the hands of Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale. That set the stage for a Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal and a 10-0 lead three minutes into the game.

“It was a great feeling,” Hill said. “First game back, who gonna pop it off. Just blessed that God gave me the strength, the focus, to make the play and execute it.

“I just wanted to set the tone, pop it off early, let them know it’s gonna be a long day for me. I’m just glad I was able to give the team some momentum to pop the game off.”

Between Hill taking the football away and Texans rookie returner and Pro Bowl candidate Jaylin Noel along with four field goals from kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, it was a stellar day from the special teams.

Noel had a career-long 69-yard kickoff return that set up another Fairbairn field goal, jolting the Cardinals’ kickoff team.

“I do want to compliment our special teams,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Thought for Jamal Hill, the way he came out on kickoff and really set the tone for our special teams unit, that’s what we needed. We needed that big play.

“Allowing J. Noel to hit some explosive returns, something we been missing a lot in our return game. We’ve been one guy away. We have an explosive returner that can flip the field for us.”

Noel also had a 13-yard punt return.

The third-round draft pick from Iowa State, a former Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year, is averaging 29.1 yards per kickoff return and 11.3 yards per punt return.

There was a seam in the Cardinals’ kickoff coverage, and Noel found it and accelerated in a hurry.

“Honestly, it was a great job by everybody else on the return team,” Noel said. “Everybody held their blocks and gave me opportunities to scurry up the sideline. I took the opportunity, so kudos to those guys. I appreciate them for making those blocks.

“Our same mentality as any game we’re going into is to go hunt. We know our defense is going to do their thing and the offense controls the ball, take care of the ball. So, going out there with a mindset to dominate and not look at them as any different from any other team.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com