Tag: texans

Dec 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans coaches against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Texans intent on halting skid in finale vs. Titans

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Houston Texans plan to use their healthy players despite having nothing to gain from Sunday’s regular-season finale at the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn.

After all, the Texans, who have lost two games in a row, are locked into the fourth seed for the AFC playoffs. But second-year coach DeMeco Ryans would like to build momentum going into their first-round matchup.

“Everybody will be out there playing, and we’ll see how the game goes,” he said. “But for us, right now, we’ve got to go play better. And our last outing on the field was not good enough, not representative of who we are.

“Defensively, offensively, it’s not a good representation of our team entirely. So we’ve got to go out and we’ve got to play better football.”

It would be harder for Houston (9-7) to play much worse than it did for most of a 31-2 rout at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day. The Texans’ offense couldn’t get on the board, and the defense was overrun by big plays during the first three quarters.

The performance reinforces the notion that the Texans can’t beat the NFL’s top teams. They fell to 1-5 against teams with winning records, scraping out only a 23-20 win over Buffalo on Oct. 6 after Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed just 9 of 30 passes for 131 yard and Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 59-yard field goal as time expired.

Second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud has been hampered by inconsistent protection from the offensive line and season-ending injuries to top receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell. Stroud won’t be 100 percent but will start on Sunday. He absorbed five sacks and 10 hits against the Ravens.

“That’s NFL football this time of year,” Ryans said of the injuries. “Everybody is banged up. A lot of guys are fighting through a lot of things.”

While Houston looks for momentum, Tennessee (3-13) will either get a season sweep of the Texans or perhaps the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL draft. The Titans currently sit at the No. 3 overall pick behind the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns.

Tennessee is assured of finishing last in the AFC South after a 20-13 loss last week at Jacksonville, the Titans’ fifth straight setback.

First-year coach Brian Callahan said he would play both Mason Rudolph and Will Levis at quarterback. Rudolph has started the last two games after Levis struggled with turnovers during a 37-27 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 15.

Levis is eager to get back on the field.

“I only focus on what I can control and focus on the week,” he said. “But I know that there’s a heckuva lot more tape that they have to look at. This is just a small portion of it.”

Levis, who showed promise as a rookie last year, has regressed to an extent this year. He’s thrown 12 interceptions in 11 games. He and Rudolph have combined to throw 21 picks, tying Cleveland for the most in the NFL.

Tennessee running back Tyjae Spears (concussion), wide receiver Tyler Boyd (foot), kicker Nick Folk (abdomen), safety Amani Hooker (shoulder) and linebackers Arden Key (hand) and Otis Reese (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday.

For the Texans, defensive tackles Denico Autry (knee) and Foley Fatukasi (ankle), cornerback Kamari Lassiter (quad) and guard Shaq Mason (knee) did not practice on Wednesday.

The Titans own a 24-21 lead in the all-time series as a result of their 32-27 victory on Nov. 24, when Levis threw for 278 yards and two scores.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (left) and tight end Travis Kelce (right) open their Netflix Christmas GameDay cake after the Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

NFL Christmas games on Netflix set streaming records

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Despite blowouts in both Christmas Day games, Netflix drew a record audience of nearly 65 million total streaming viewers in the United States for the Kansas City Chiefs-Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans matchups, according to Nielsen on Thursday.

The early-afternoon matchup, featuring the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs rolling to a 29-10 victory at the Steelers, drew an average of 24.1 million viewers, per Nielsen, while the late-afternoon showdown between the Ravens and Texans — a 31-2 Ravens rout — topped the earlier stream with 24.3 million viewers.

Per Nielsen, they were the two most streamed NFL games in U.S. history, with Ravens-Texans peaking at more than 27 million for Beyonce’s halftime performance.

Compared to last year’s Christmas Day tripleheader broadcast with CBS, ABC and Fox each showing one game, this year’s doubleheader didn’t experience a noteworthy decline. In the first of a three-season Christmas Day partnership with the NFL, Netflix drew an average of 24.2 million viewers, compared to 28.68 million viewers in 2023.

Among viewers ages 18-34, Ravens-Texans was the most-watched Christmas Day game on record with 5.1 million viewers in the U.S.

“Bringing our members this record-breaking day of two NFL games was the best Christmas gift we could have delivered,” Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria said in a statement. “We’re thankful for our partnership with the NFL, all of our wonderful on-air talent, and let’s please not forget the electrifying Beyonce and the brilliant Mariah Carey.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) scrambles with the ball during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Lamar Jackson, Ravens run all over Texans

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Lamar Jackson set an NFL record, Derrick Henry achieved a single-season franchise mark and the visiting Baltimore Ravens moved into first place in the AFC North with a 31-2 rout of the Houston Texans on Wednesday.

Jackson rushed for 87 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, to give him 6,110 rushing yards for his career. That’s one more than Michael Vick, making Jackson the all-time leader in career rushing yards by a quarterback. Henry rushed for 147 yards and a score on 27 carries, giving him 16 touchdowns for the year, the most for a single season in team history.

His performance helped Baltimore (11-5) take a one-game lead on Pittsburgh with one week left in the season. The Ravens can clinch the AFC North title next week with a home win over Cleveland.

Jackson completed 10 of 15 passes for 168 yards with two touchdowns and another 87 yards on the ground with the score as Baltimore earned a 432-211 advantage in total yardage. The Ravens collected five sacks and came up with a goal-line stand in the second quarter with the game still up for grabs.

C.J. Stroud hit 17 of 31 attempts for 185 yards with an interception for Houston (9-7), which lost its second straight game and is now locked into the No. 4 spot for the AFC playoffs.

Henry initiated the scoring at the 10:08 mark of the first quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run, capping a 75-yard drive. Baltimore made it 10-0 the next time it touched the ball as Justin Tucker drilled a 52-yard field goal with 2:47 to go in the first.

The Texans got their only points with 10:09 left in the first half when Kamari Lassiter tackled Henry in the end zone for a 4-yard loss and a safety. Houston had a chance to score a touchdown on the ensuing possession but Joe Mixon was stopped at the 1 on a fourth-and-goal pass.

Baltimore sailed 99 yards down the field on its next possession, with Jackson throwing a 9-yard strike to Isaiah Likely with 1:51 remaining for a 17-2 halftime lead.

The Ravens made it a rout in the third quarter on Jackson’s long scoring run and his 1-yard touchdown pass to Mark Andrews at the 5:50 mark.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) carries the ball against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Report: Ravens’ Zay Flowers in, Texans’ Diontae Johnson out

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is expected to play in Wednesday’s game at Houston, NFL Network reported.

Flowers is officially listed as questionable for the Ravens (10-5) with a shoulder injury sustained in last Saturday’s 34-17 victory over Pittsburgh.

Flowers, 24, leads Baltimore in receptions (71) and receiving yards (1,016) with four touchdowns in 15 games (13 starts) this season.

On the other side, newly acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson will not make his debut for the Texans (9-6) on Christmas Day, per the report.

Johnson was claimed off waivers from the Ravens on Monday and is not expected to suit up for Houston until its Week 18 contest at Tennessee.

Johnson, 28, caught one pass in four games (one start) with Baltimore after being acquired in an Oct. 29 trade with Carolina. He had 30 catches for 357 yards and three TDs in seven starts with the Panthers.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) reacts after an injury to wide receiver Tank Dell (not pictured) during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Banged-up Texans, high-flying Ravens clash on Christmas

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First, it was Stefon Diggs. Now, it’s Tank Dell.

Who’s C.J. Stroud going to throw to for the rest of the Houston Texans’ season?

If Stroud and Houston can’t figure it out, starting with Wednesday’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens, then its postseason stay might be shorter than a lot of people thought back in September.

Already short-handed at wide receiver after Diggs tore his ACL in Week 8, the AFC South champs suffered a major loss in Saturday’s 27-19 defeat at Kansas City when Dell dislocated his knee and tore his ACL on a 30-yard touchdown catch.

Stroud’s remaining options behind No. 1 receiver Nico Collins (60 catches, 909 yards, six TDs) are John Metchie III (17 catches) and veteran Robert Woods (16). With Dell and Diggs’ combined 98 receptions on the shelf for the season’s remainder, the team’s second- and third-leading receivers are tight end Dalton Schultz (48) and running back Joe Mixon (33).

“It’s not easy to see your brother go down like that after just dealing with a (season-ending) injury last year,” Stroud said of Dell.

Houston (9-6) acted quickly to beef up its withering receiving corps by turning to the waiver wire and claiming Diontae Johnson, who’s caught 31 passes for 363 yards this year while playing for Carolina and Baltimore.

Johnson was acquired by the Ravens on Oct. 29 and then waived after refusing to enter a 24-19 loss to Philadelphia Dec. 1. Johnson caught only one pass in four games with the Ravens.

The Texans have other injury concerns, too. Safety Jimmie Ward is done for the year with a sprained foot and guard Shaq Mason (knee) is a week-to-week proposition. The quick turnaround from Saturday’s game could make it tougher for Mason to suit up and play. Defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi (ankle) and O-lineman Juice Scruggs (foot) did not practice Sunday and Monday.

While Houston tries to pick up the pieces, Baltimore (10-5) aims to gain the edge on Pittsburgh, also 10-5, in the AFC North race. It will hope for help from Kansas City, which plays the Steelers in the first game of Netflix’s Christmas Day doubleheader.

The Ravens tied Pittsburgh atop the division Saturday with a 34-17 win in Baltimore behind another balanced, explosive offensive performance. They rolled up 418 total yards with Lamar Jackson throwing for 207 yards and three touchdowns, while Derrick Henry added 162 yards on the ground.

Baltimore wrapped up a playoff spot on Saturday but would love to go into the postseason with a division title and at least one home game in its hip pocket. With Jackson playing at the peak of his game — he has a team-record 37 touchdown passes — the Ravens reason to believe they can make a long playoff run.

“Ever since I’ve been here with Lamar, it just feels like every year he can be the MVP,” fullback Patrick Ricard said. “That’s just kinda the player he is.”

The addition of Henry has helped Jackson become even more efficient and dangerous. Henry already has the second-best season of his career at 1,636 yards and could reach 2,000 for the second time with a great finish.

Missing practice Sunday and Monday for the Ravens were receivers Zay Flowers (shoulder) and Nelson Agholor (concussion), running back Justice Hill (concussion), guard Daniel Faalele (knee) and cornerbacks Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring) and Tre’Davious White (shoulder). Center Tyler Linderbaum (back) improved from DNP on Sunday to limited on Monday.

The Ravens own a 10-2 record in the teams’ all-time series, which doesn’t include two playoff victories. Houston hasn’t beaten them since 2014.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) celebrates his touchdown scored against the Los Angeles Chargers with wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Report: Texans claim WR Diontae Johnson off waivers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Set to host the Ravens on Christmas Day, the Houston Texans claimed wide receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers on Monday after Baltimore waived him last week, ESPN reported.

Thin at receiver behind star Nico Collins due to season-ending injuries to Stefon Diggs (torn ACL) and Tank Dell (torn ACL, dislocated kneecap), the Texans are hoping Johnson, 28, can provide depth at the position alongside Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie III.

With the Ravens, Johnson reeled in just one catch for 6 yards and received a one-game suspension for what the team said was refusing to enter a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 1. Baltimore waived him on Friday.

An unrestricted free agent after this season, Johnson is joining his fourth team this calendar year after he was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to Carolina in March and then moved from the Panthers to the Ravens in October.

A third-round draft pick in 2019, Johnson had 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games (all starts) for the Panthers earlier this season.

In six career seasons, the 2021 Pro Bowl selection has 422 receptions for 4,726 yards and 28 TDs for the Steelers (2019-23), Panthers and Ravens.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (3) walks off the field after the game against the Miami Dolphins at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Texans detail extent of WR Tank Dell’s knee injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Houston Texans wideout Tank Dell will have surgery to repair a dislocated kneecap, torn ACL and other damage, coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed Monday.

Dell sustained the injury to his left leg while catching a 30-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of Saturday’s 27-19 loss to the Chiefs in Kansas City.

Dell, 25, remained hospitalized on Saturday and Sunday before returning to Houston on Monday.

“We’re still meeting with doctors to see what’s next for him, but it is a significant knee injury,” Ryans said. “Our thoughts and prayers are definitely with Tank at this time.”

As Dell made a diving catch of a C.J. Stroud pass, fellow receiver Jared Wayne tumbled into Dell as both went to the ground. Dell maintained possession of the ball but had to be carted off the field with his leg immobilized in a brace.

The touchdown catch, with 11:40 remaining in the third quarter, brought the Texans to within 17-16 after the extra point failed. Houston (9-6) scored just three points the rest of the way.

Dell finished his second season with 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games (10 starts). He had 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven scores in 11 games (eight starts) as a rookie in 2023.

Ryans also announced that safety Jimmie Ward is out for the year with a mid-foot sprain that will require surgery. Ward left the game on a cart in the first half.

Ward, 33, had 48 tackles and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, in 10 starts this season. He has 549 tackles, 10 picks and 51 passes defensed in 126 games (99 starts) with the San Francisco 49ers (2014-22) and Texans.

Houston, which already has clinched the AFC South division title, hosts the Baltimore Ravens (10-5) on Christmas Day.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (3) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Texans WR Tank Dell suffers knee injury vs. Chiefs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Texans wide receiver Tank Dell sustained a significant left knee injury during his 30-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.

While Dell made a diving catch of a C.J. Stroud pass, Texans receiver Jared Wayne tumbled into Dell as both went to the ground. Dell maintained possession of the ball but was removed from the game by emergency personnel via cart with his leg immobilized in a brace.

Stroud was visibly emotional as Dell departed. Both were selected during the 2023 draft.

Texans safety Jimmie Ward left the game in the first half via cart with a foot injury.

–Field Level Media

Jul 26, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (5) walks down the hill from the locker room to the fields during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Chiefs WR Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown active vs. Texans

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown will make his season debut on Saturday afternoon against the visiting Houston Texans.

Brown, who was listed as active for the game, has worked his way back after being placed on injured reserve on Sept. 13 with a sternoclavicular joint injury sustained in the preseason opener.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes also was active for the Chiefs (13-1) against the Texans (9-5). Mahomes was a full participant in practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday despite nursing a high right ankle sprain he suffered during the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s 21-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Brown, 27, signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Chiefs in March after three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens (2019-21) and two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2022-23).

Brown has 313 catches for 3,644 yards and 28 touchdowns in 72 career games (65 starts). He posted a 1,000-yard season with the Ravens in 2021.

The Chiefs opened up a roster spot for Brown earlier this week when they released veteran running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

While Brown will play on Saturday for Kansas City, the team listed the following players as inactive: defensive ends Joshua Uche and Malik Herring, defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu, defensive back Chamarri Conner, offensive tackles D.J. Humphries and Ethan Driskell and offensive lineman C.J. Hanson.

As for the Texans, guard Nick Broeker, defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi, defensive end Jerry Hughes, wide receiver John Metchie, center Juice Scruggs, tight end Cade Stover and inside linebacker Devin White were listed as inactive for Saturday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid talks to quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Chiefs at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes wants to face Texans but might not

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After sustaining a high right ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of a victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes left open the possibility that he could play on Saturday when Kansas City hosts the Houston Texans.

Initially saddled with a recovery period described as week-to-week, Mahomes was listed as a full participant in practice on Tuesday and said he aims to start for the Chiefs (13-1) this weekend. However, backup Carson Wentz fully is in play.

“That’s the reason you play this game is to push to play,” Mahomes said. “So I’ll get the work in practice and try to push it to see where I get to. But at the end of the day, I’m not going to put our team in a bad position. So if I feel that I can play and go out there and win a football game, I’ll play. If I don’t feel that’s the best-case scenario, I’ll let Carson play.

“It’s just about pushing it this week, seeing where I’m at and making the best decision then.”

Mahomes projected optimism despite the injury, noting the progress made with treatment that followed the Sunday victory. With the AFC West title already in the bag and a two-game lead over the Buffalo Bills in the race for the top seed in the AFC, the Chiefs aren’t exactly pressed to insert a hobbled Mahomes into their starting lineup.

Yet he is still willing to give it a shot.

“Obviously we’ve put ourselves in a good position where I wouldn’t say it’s dire that I play,” Mahomes said. “We have a little bit of room to spare, but at the end of the day, we’re trying to win. And I’m a competitor and I want to go out there and play.

“I’ll push myself to get to the best place possible over these next few days and we’ll make a decision then.”

Like Kansas City, the Texans (9-5) already have clinched a playoff berth, securing their second consecutive AFC South crown with their 20-12 home win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

While the Texans could elevate their seeding with a strong closing kick, the likelihood that they remain fourth in the standings seems as plausible as igniting a sudden, late-season surge.

That leaves Houston facing the annual predicament plenty of teams face after locking up a postseason berth while a handful of games remain in the regular season: How will the Texans approach the final three contests in advance of a wild-card tilt once the schedule is complete?

“Even though we’ve clinched the AFC South, it still doesn’t change our approach,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “When we line up and play, we’re still trying to improve as a football team in all areas and try to play our best ball when playoffs time hits. So, we’re trying to still improve, still do our best.”

The first game for the Texans with the playoffs guaranteed will hinge as much on Mahomes’ availability as their effort. Even considering the Chiefs’ overall excellence, Mahomes remains the ultimate game-changer, and the Texans’ odds for success are greater if he rests.

“I have no idea on if he’s playing or not, so I really can’t focus on it or be concerned about it,” Ryans said. “… The light shines on Patrick a lot, but if you watch the Chiefs play, their defense is an outstanding unit.

“Coach (Andy) Reid and the offense, they’re going to find a way no matter who is there, they’ll find a way to move the football. And so, we just have to be on it in all areas of the game whether Patrick is there or not.”

The Texans’ quarterback, C.J. Stroud, threw a combined three touchdown passes and no interceptions over the past two games, but his yardage total in that span (373 combined) wasn’t massive. And Joe Mixon was held to 23 yards on 12 carries against the Dolphins after topping 100 yards in six of the previous eight weeks.

Houston had six players absent from practice on Tuesday: defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (ankle), wide receiver John Metchie III (shoulder), linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (foot), center Juice Scruggs (foot), tight end Cade Stover (illness) and backup quarterback Davis Mills (illness).

Tackle D.J. Humphries (hamstring) and defensive back Chamarri Conner (concussion) missed the Chiefs’ Tuesday practice. Wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, nearing a return from an injured-reserve stint caused by a shoulder ailment, was a full practice participant.

–Field Level Media