Dalton has TD pass on one drive as Saints fall to Texans

HOUSTON (AP) — Andy Dalton threw a touchdown pass on his only possession in his debut with New Orleans, but the Saints fell to the Houston Texans 17-13 Saturday night after a touchdown in the final minute.

Dalton, who joined the Saints after spending last season with the Bears, started with Jameis Winston out after he injured his foot in practice Monday.

Dalton was a perfect 5 for 5 for 51 yards. He threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Washington to put New Orleans up 7-0 early.

Houston quarterback Davis Mills was 3 for 3 for 14 yards in two drives where the team failed to get a first down.

The Texans are sticking with Mills as their starter this season despite a subpar rookie campaign when he played 13 games in the team’s dreadful 4-13 season.

Both teams featured the debut of new head coaches with Dennis Allen taking over for Sean Payton in New Orleans and Lovie Smith replacing David Culley for the Texans. Both Allen and Smith moved into the top job after working last season as their team’s defensive coordinator.

Jeff Driskel threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to rookie Johnny Johnson III in the final minute to lift Houston to the win.

The Texans cut the lead to 7-3 on a 49-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn late in the first quarter.

Houston took a 10-7 lead when Driskel connected with Jalen Camp on a 4-yard touchdown pass early in the second. That score came after Obo Okoronkwo recovered a fumble by quarterback Ian Book.

Camp had a 49-yard reception on Houston's final drive to help set up the score.

The Saints tied it about two minutes before halftime on a 23-yard field goal by Will Lutz.

A 36-yard field goal by John Parker Romo put New Orleans up 13-10 early in the fourth quarter.

Receiver Chris Olave,