Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones caught the first two touchdowns of his career on Sunday.
HOUSTON – The crowds used to be smaller, the lights not quite as bright.
Ricky Seals-Jones is no stranger to impressive performances in this part of Texas, but those came in high school, when he was a star wide receiver in nearby Sealy.
It was another thing entirely when he did it on Sunday, hauling in three catches for 54 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Cardinals' 31-21 loss to the Texans. The rookie tight end didn't have a catch in his NFL career previously, so his family got an up-close view at his breakout performance.
"It was very special, honestly," Seals-Jones said. "Emotions flying, going out there and being home. Having my mom and dad and my brother in the stadium watching me – it feels really good to make the last name on my pads proud."
Seals-Jones went undrafted out of Texas A&M in April and converted from wide receiver to tight end to increase his chances of making a roster. The Cardinals liked what they saw in training camp, and an injury to Ifeanyi Momah last week paved the way for Seals-Jones' increased workload this week.
"Ricky has really been impressive in practice against our defense," coach Bruce Arians said. "Just put some plays in for him, and he responded really well."
It helped that Seals-Jones developed a rapport with Blaine Gabbert, who had been the third-string quarterback for the Cardinals until injuries to Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton vaulted him into a starting role against Houston.
"We've had the chance to get a lot of work in since the rookies got here this summer, going with (the third team) in camp and preseason games, going on scout team," Gabbert said. "The way we treated those reps on the scout team I think translated to this game. "
Seals-Jones was asked postgame what the performance said about him.
"A kid from Sealy can play with the big boys," Seals-Jones said.
PETERSON-HOPKINS SHOWDOWN DOESN'T DISAPPOINT
As expected, star cornerback Patrick Peterson had a busy day in his matchup with Texans star receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Each player had their shining moments, which wasn't a surprise considering the talent on either side.
Peterson didn't allow a catch in the first half and had a one-handed interception on a deflected pass in the second quarter. Hopkins had a pair of long catches in the third quarter, one of which went for a 28-yard touchdown.
Peterson nearly had a second interception in the fourth quarter, while Hopkins finished with four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown on nine targets.
"It was a great matchup," Peterson said. "Might have to call it a draw because we both made plays all day. He scored, I got a pick. The balls he didn't catch I was knocking down. I got a couple PBUs, so I just got to continue grinding."
The appreciation was mutual.
"I think he's one of the best defensive backs in the game," Hopkins said. "If I could play against him every Sunday, I would."
RECEIVER SHAKEUP ON THE HORIZON
Arians said there could be some changes at wide receiver moving forward. The team has had some inconsistency with drops the past two games beyond star Larry Fitzgerald.
"Balls hit them right in the face and they dropped them," Arians said, without getting into specific names. "Like I said, it's time to look somewhere else."
Third-round pick Chad Williams was inactive on Sunday but could be an option to get more playing time.
FOSTER REPLACES ELLINGTON AS THIRD-DOWN BACK
Running back Andre Ellington, who has been the main third down option since the team traded for Adrian Peterson, was a healthy inactive. D.J. Foster replaced him as the running back on third-down passing situations.
Foster finished with two catches for 26 yards.
Images from the Cardinals' Week 11 game in Houston
![WR Larry Fitzgerald is congratulated after his touchdown reception](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/vagwusw8dqcodrnrjlfe.jpg)
WR Larry Fitzgerald is congratulated after his touchdown reception
![WR Larry Fitzgerald catches a touchdown pass](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/pjlvf7w58ixxtbfiozqn.jpg)
WR Larry Fitzgerald catches a touchdown pass
![WR Larry Fitzgerald](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/pkqbdoyiqpgejkdlaert.jpg)
WR Larry Fitzgerald
![RB Adrian Peterson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/dfkolgxsjkkn7llgu1am.jpg)
RB Adrian Peterson
![QB Blaine Gabbert before the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/dnueiepoovkvadax9ia5.jpg)
QB Blaine Gabbert before the game
![Bill O'Brien (right) and Bruce Arians before the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/fxb5pyipicmmmoygj5xh.jpg)
Bill O'Brien (right) and Bruce Arians before the game
![S Tyrann Mathieu makes a tackle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/tdvowcevongxobk6osvn.jpg)
S Tyrann Mathieu makes a tackle
![Cardinals fans in Houston](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/fjyusu3m7wnltmjiif2s.jpg)
Cardinals fans in Houston
![QB Blaine Gabbert](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/xgwt1m49towbewspydxe.jpg)
QB Blaine Gabbert
![WR Larry Fitzgerald](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/hvwvo8cxrztroxvk1cag.jpg)
WR Larry Fitzgerald
![Safety Tyrann Mathieu before the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/gfllcirzvepdirjnq8eh.jpg)
Safety Tyrann Mathieu before the game
![WR Larry Fitzgerald (right) with former Texans star Andre Johnson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/mezteyxvbio65byluwlj.jpg)
WR Larry Fitzgerald (right) with former Texans star Andre Johnson
![Texans RB D'Onta Foreman fumbles the ball](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/yznv76b9bmviexkfnalh.jpg)
Texans RB D'Onta Foreman fumbles the ball
![QB Blaine Gabbert](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/uyyharbfappewhtt9hq5.jpg)
QB Blaine Gabbert
![S Budda Baker (left) and CB Justin Bethel keep a punt from rolling in the end zone](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/pnxkrnscrml5scnxqggq.jpg)
S Budda Baker (left) and CB Justin Bethel keep a punt from rolling in the end zone
![WR John Brown before the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/aobqgnjfykz54ivdh2cj.jpg)
WR John Brown before the game
![Coach Bruce Arians speaks with former Texans star Andre Johnson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/hnyzvwrvfzyaemebnuxb.jpg)
Coach Bruce Arians speaks with former Texans star Andre Johnson
![QB Blaine Gabbert](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/eqr10vo5s0s6srkrvdkh.jpg)
QB Blaine Gabbert
![Texans QB Tom Savage](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/bvmxaaenbg7cexeldvpq.jpg)
Texans QB Tom Savage
![Larry Fitzgerald makes the touchdown grab](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/gvawtyi3hok5jmp8exqs.jpg)
Larry Fitzgerald makes the touchdown grab
![RB Adrian Peterson on the carry](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/diutspz6bkwz5v7jxpod.jpg)
RB Adrian Peterson on the carry
![Head coach Bruce Arians pleads with the official](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/fwnwkzfnahzgbrgyso38.jpg)
Head coach Bruce Arians pleads with the official
![The ball pops out during a run from Texans RB D'Onta Foreman](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/hnxgvoef8esyxmlaova6.jpg)
The ball pops out during a run from Texans RB D'Onta Foreman
![Texans attempt to wrap up WR Larry Fitzgerald](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/lh6lexmbjsql2kanyl7c.jpg)
Texans attempt to wrap up WR Larry Fitzgerald
![S Budda Baker pressures Houston QB Tom Savage](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/cv8je060uhk66oo2qlxq.jpg)
S Budda Baker pressures Houston QB Tom Savage
![S Budda Baker forces the strip sack on Houston QB Tom Savage](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/qz2hyudedossk86ugnie.jpg)
S Budda Baker forces the strip sack on Houston QB Tom Savage
![Larry Fitzgerald makes the touchdown grab](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/fp2zklsjt67jys1u0ffc.jpg)
Larry Fitzgerald makes the touchdown grab
![Budda Baker sacks Texans QB Tom Savage and forces a fumble](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/vmsy8cvi82cm80x7bcqg.jpg)
Budda Baker sacks Texans QB Tom Savage and forces a fumble
![Cardinals S Antoine Bethea breaks up a pass intended for Houston WR DeAndre Hopkins](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/x9tdq8qfknma3dyx32eb.jpg)
Cardinals S Antoine Bethea breaks up a pass intended for Houston WR DeAndre Hopkins
![Houston DE Jadeveon Clowney pressures Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/vk5xg4waqysqgl7ioj0c.jpg)
Houston DE Jadeveon Clowney pressures Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert
![LB Chandler Jones (right) congratulates Budda Baker (left) after recovering a fumble](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/lmgtu3czta1svjeowtcf.jpg)
LB Chandler Jones (right) congratulates Budda Baker (left) after recovering a fumble
![Cardinals TE Troy Niklas (left) congratulates WR Larry Fitzgerald (right) on his touchdown reception](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/p6hoxy0xqay5dqf7xobw.jpg)
Cardinals TE Troy Niklas (left) congratulates WR Larry Fitzgerald (right) on his touchdown reception
![Cardinals TE Ricky Seals-Jones with the touchdown](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ogibeay5xlaaqxvur2ik.jpg)
Cardinals TE Ricky Seals-Jones with the touchdown
![Houston QB Tom Savage with the pass](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/qbprvumgn8xaehxeo2dd.jpg)
Houston QB Tom Savage with the pass
![Blaine Gabbert hands off the rock to RB Adrian Peterson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/kvbb1r3c1jewl2okbulo.jpg)
Blaine Gabbert hands off the rock to RB Adrian Peterson
![TE Ricky Seals-Jones celebrates his second touchdown](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/tv2rdpihoqoaq6tgvffu.jpg)
TE Ricky Seals-Jones celebrates his second touchdown
![Cardinals CB Tramon Williams on the tackle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/g7ezp7wcvp5dj4d7luen.jpg)
Cardinals CB Tramon Williams on the tackle
![Gabbert on a scramble](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/c9onyggajqsi8tbl1qyc.jpg)
Gabbert on a scramble
![Cardinals TE Ricky Seals-Jones goes up for the catch](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/idkoowhpyupw6tbnn70c.jpg)
Cardinals TE Ricky Seals-Jones goes up for the catch
![Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins makes a catch over Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/dybz5hicfxt8sucwg2xw.jpg)
Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins makes a catch over Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson
![The Texans stuff Cardinals RB Adrian Peterson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/vdugy53mjbjew2qew2f3.jpg)
The Texans stuff Cardinals RB Adrian Peterson
![TE Ricky Seals-Jones goes into the endzone for his second touchdown of the day](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/slfzygano24ql3lfj5il.jpg)
TE Ricky Seals-Jones goes into the endzone for his second touchdown of the day
![Patrick Peterson breaks up a pass intended for Houston WR DeAndre Hopkins](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/dekzmobfwpojatn7akxt.jpg)
Patrick Peterson breaks up a pass intended for Houston WR DeAndre Hopkins
![S Andre Hal intercepts a pass from Blaine Gabbert late in the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/gx5kv7wwrvy7yjhztpev.jpg)
S Andre Hal intercepts a pass from Blaine Gabbert late in the game