RSS Texans Team Notes

[Houston Texans]

NFL Early Games Open Thread

*BEEP*

Hello, you have reached the voicemail of Patrick.H and the Battle Red Blog masthead. We can’t come to the phone right now because your Houston Texans are off this week. So I’m kicking back, sipping pina coladas*, laying in a hammock on the beach**, and contemplating how the Texans will do in week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks.

But we’re not leaving y’all completely in the lurch this week. It would be incredibly rude of me not to share with you what games will be on in the greater Houston area as well as the rest of the Texan diaspora (hi!).

Let’s look at the maps from 506 Sports to see who’s playing and where.

*guzzling corn liquor (do not attempt, this is a joke)
**passed out on the back deck

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CBS EARLY GAMES

Red: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (Announcers: Ian Eagle, J.J. Watt; Referee: Ron Torbert)
Blue: Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins (Announcers: Andrew Catalon, Charles Davis, Jason McCourty; Referee: Bill Vinovich)
Green: New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints (Announcers: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta; Referee: Adrian Hill)

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FOX SINGLE GAMES

Red: Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens (Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady; Referee: Alex Kemp)
Blue: Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers (Announcers: Adam Amin, Greg Olsen; Referee: John Hussey)
Yellow: Seattle Seahawks at Jacksonville Jaguars (Announcers: Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth; Referee: Clay Martin)
Orange: Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts (Announcers: Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston; Referee: Shawn Hochuli)
Green: LATE GAME

Don’t worry, we still have you covered for the afternoon games. Stay tuned to this batchannel.

Enjoy the games, y’all.

Go Texans!

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/non-texans-game-threads/71799/nfl-early-games-open-thread

 

[Houston Texans]

Monday Night Football Double Feature Open Thread

Tonight for your viewing pleasure the mouse network has provided televised coverage of not one but TWO Monday Night Football games. How nice, right?! So let’s get right to the games and…and…oh.

Well, it’s still football.

THE UNDERCARD

Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen to/stream tonight’s game:

Who: Buffalo Bills (4-1) at Atlanta Falcons (2-2)

What: Monday Night Football

Where: Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

When: Monday, October 13, 6:15 p.m. CDT

Why: Because football is cruel and impersonal.

TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes

Radio: Westwood One

Streaming: ESPN*, Fubo*, Hulu + Live TV*, NFL+*, SlingTV*, YouTubeTV* (*subscription required)

THE MAIN EVENT?

Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen to/stream tonight’s game:

Who: Chicago Bears (2-2) at Washington Commanders (3-2)

What: Monday Night Football

Where: Northwest Stadium, Andover, MD

When: Monday, October 13, 7:15 p.m. CDT

Why: Because, admit it, you need to complete the set.

TV: ABC

Radio: Westwood One

Streaming: ESPN*, Fubo*, Hulu + Live TV*, NFL+*, SlingTV*, YouTubeTV* (*subscription required)

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/general/71830/monday-night-football-double-feature-open-thread

 

[Houston Texans]

The Day After the Day After: The Houston Texans and the Bye Week

The Day After the Day After…when the raw, immediate emotions from the aftermath of a game diminish into the realm of clarity and the proverbial (or literal) hangover no longer haunts the mind. With that, some thoughts about the Week 6 Bye:

Is the early bye a good thing, or a bad one? Both the Texans and Vikings got an early bye this season. After this, the Texans get no breaks until either their season ends or they can snag a first round bye. It won’t be easy for Houston, as they have brutal looking back-half of the season. As of now, the only remaining teams with a losing record on the schedule are Tennessee (Week 11), Arizona (Week 15) and Las Vegas (Week 16). Some things might change as the season evolves, like Kansas City (3-3) likely being over .500 by the time they face Houston. Still, if the Texans can overcome their 0-3 start and get back to the playoffs, they’ll have earned it. Of course, with no more designated rest times, Houston could run the risk of entering the playoffs on a lower tank of gas vs. last season with the late bye. The impact from injuries will only grow from here on out, as missed time will mean missed games and talent impacts.

O-line stability: A big challenge for Houston has been getting the right combination of players for the right level of performance from the offensive line. Early in the season, you saw a lot of mixing and matching of players to try to find something that could a) protect CJ Stroud and b) get the running game going. Since the Titans game, it appears that Houston has found some stability at the key position. Ersery seems to have locked down the LT spot, as Houston cut bait on the failed Cam Robinson experiment. Tytus Howard appeared locked down at the RT spot, even after being called yet again to man a guard slot earlier in the season. Ed Ingram and Jake Andrews get the RG and C spots respectively, building off their preseason successes at those spots, and returning from early season injuries. LG has been the revolving door, but it seems that 2023 2nd rounder Juice Scruggs has won that spot. Likely this is what Houston will take up to Seattle, which leads into the next point of the article…

Should get a quick answer to the question about the Texans and their offense. Houston entered the bye on a two-game winning streak, outscoring the Titans and Ravens by a combined 70-10. Granted, both the Ravens and the Titans are a collective 2-10, with the Titans a real mess, even with some solid defensive pieces, and the Ravens demonstrating some historically bad defense. Against everyone else on the schedule so far (Rams, Bucs, Jags), the Texans were outscored 38-51. Those three teams sit a collective 13-5. Houston opens the post-bye part of their schedule with a trip to Seattle, facing their 6th ranked scoring defense. Right after Seattle, Houston faces off against San Francisco. Denver and Jacksonville. 4 teams with winning records, and in the cases of Denver and Jacksonville, top-tier defenses. By the end of this stretch, before Houston gets to play a team with a losing record like the Titans, we’ll know if the offense has truly improved, or if it was just taking advantage of weakened squads.

Trade bait? Over the next couple of weeks, expect talk to increase about who, if anyone, Houston might consider for trades. Of the main players on the roster, RB Dameon Pierce and LB Christian Harris seem the most likely candidates. Pierce has seen little game action this year, buried on the depth chart with Chubb and Marks getting most of the carries. Pierce is not even the primary on kickoff returns. With this rookie contract expiring, Houston might be open to sending the one-time rookie phenom out for some sort of draft return. Harris has fought injuries a good bit of his career, but as of late has been a healthy scratch from the line-up. EJ Speed appears to have taken his spot in the base 4-3 LB set up, and when Houston shifts to a nickel, Harris is not among the LB considerations for the 2 spots. A bit disappointing after what seemed like a breakout 2023. Perhaps there are some behind-the-scenes actions that are playing into the decisions, but if one or either of these two get shipped out, would you be surprised?

Actually, another trade option for Houston might be someone you wouldn’t expect. According to sources, the Bengals, after losing Joe Burrow and suffering through a failed run from Jake Browning, actually inquired about Davis Mills. At the time, Houston said no, and the Bengals went with Joe Flacco. However, as more QBs go down with injuries before November, perhaps Caserio gets more calls about their backup signal caller. Not that Houston should really trade Mills, but if someone actually dangles a high Day 1 pick, or multiple Day 2 picks for the one-time 3rd round pick, perhaps Caserio gives it more than a cursory dismissal.

Houston might have already played the League MVP: When Houston lost on a last-second TD to Tampa Bay, the story was of how Houston’s offense struggled mightly in the Red Zone and how the defense couldn’t hold on to a TD-lead. However, that win might have also jump-started the MVP campaign for one Baker Mayfield. Since that Houston game, Mayfield’s team has gone 3-1 and now holds the best record in the NFC. Mayfield’s arm and legs are playing a major role for Tampa Bay in this effort. Not bad for the QB that Cleveland ditched to get Deshaun Watson. Think Cleveland has a few regrets? Sure, if To’oto’o hadn’t taken a bad angle on that 4th down blitz, we might be talking about both Houston and Tampa Bay differently. If these teams did somehow end up with a rematch, which would be in the Super Bowl…that could be super fun.

FUN WITH NUMBERS:

3.6. How many points a game fewer Houston surrenders than the next team. Sure, they’ve played only 5 games to this point, but the Texans still lead the NFL in points surrendered. This is after playing teams like the Bucs, Ravens and Rams, who can put up a lot of points (Yes, Houston didn’t have to face Lamar Jackson, but no one expected Baltimore’s offense to crater that badly without him). The defense might have to step up its game, as they will be facing off against the number 6 scoring defense (Seattle) and the number 2 scoring defense (Denver) in the next three weeks.

No real game balls or awards for idiocy for the Texans this bye week. How you view the Titans’ firing of Brian Callahan depends on whether you agree that he wasn’t even close to getting it done for Tennessee or upset that his firing deprives teams of a near-surefire win.

The Texans actually get a bit more time-off on the bye, as they don’t return to the field until Monday Night against the Seahawks in Seattle. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. CDT, so if you plan to watch, maybe get a nap in beforehand, or be ready for a sleep-deprived Tuesday. Coverage on ESPN.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/analy...day-after-the-houston-texans-and-the-bye-week

 

[Houston Texans]

Texans vs. Seahawks Opening Odds

We return to football this week after the Houston Texans enjoyed an early bye week. The Seattle Seahawks are coming off of a brilliant win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Needless to say, both teams are coming in hot, so that will impact a game that is likely to end after everyone’s bed time. As per usual, we are looking at three key bets in the early odds feature. We look at the spread, over/under, and money line. Since this is the first one of these I have done this year and since this might be the first one of these you are reading, we should start with a quick tutorial on what all three mean.

The spread is the one most people are familiar with. The underdog is given a number of points to make the contest level. We get all of our bets from Fanduel I am looking at these as of Monday evening before this runs on Tuesday morning. Odds always change throughout the week because Vegas makes money off the juice. Their goal is to get an equal amount of money wagered on each side. Like with the spread, the over/under is a 50/50 proposition that simply tallies the total number of points scored by both teams.

The money line weights the payout based on who is the favorite to win. That team will pay out less money than the underdog. That is based purely on who will win the game. Win by one or by 50 and it is treated the same. The totals tell you how much you will win if you were to wager 100 dollars. By sheer definition, it will only be a 50/50 proposition if it is a pick em’ game.

The Spread: Seattle Seahawks -3.5​

This is a team coming off of a victory over a 4-1 team and they are playing at home. Furthermore, this is a team coming off of a performance where they sacked Trevor Lawrence seven times. That doesn’t bode well for a Houston Texans team that has had trouble with pressure against good defenses. The Seahawks have 20 sacks on the season, so that performance wasn’t a one off. The Texans have not shown an ability to run the ball consistently for more than three seasons now, so they will have to rely on C.J. Stroud and his arm to carry them. That is concerning when you consider the struggles of the offensive line overall.

Over/Under: Under 40.5​

The Texans have played only one game where the over was achieved. That alone is worth this bet. They have not given up more than 20 points on the season. If those two things (the spread and defense) continue then you are looking at a 20-17 type of game. Turnovers and defensive scores always create the possibility of an easy over situation, but the under feels like the better bet in this one. Past performance is never a guarantee of future results, but it seems like a reasonable bet to make.

The Money Line: Seahawks -176​

This means that it would take 176 bucks in order to win 100. Still, if you pick the Seahawks to cover the spread then it only makes sense to pick them to win the game. There is always the possibility of splitting your bets to guarantee that you can break even on the exchange, but that isn’t real gambling. The Texans have played three good opponents and they are either 4-2 or 5-1 so far on the season. The Seahawks are also 4-2 and playing at home. The Texans need to prove they can beat a good team before we pick them here.

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Again, we fully recommend Fanduel for your betting pleasure. Naturally, all picks should be considered for entertainment purposes only and please do not gamble anything more than you can afford to lose. Millions of Americans enjoy having a little action on the game and you can be one of them. Feel free to go to Fanduel and get that started.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houston-texans-odds/71847/texans-vs-seahawks-opening-odds

 

[Houston Texans]

Houston Texans: Top 5 Trade Deadline Targets

If you were to take a quick gander at Houston’s upcoming slate of games, you’ll quickly realize that they’re currently at the base of a terrifying mountain of opponents. Seahawks, 49ers, and Broncos, oh my! If the Texans have their eye on a surging towards a winning record, then they will have to steel themselves for the turbulence that lies ahead.

Though, that isn’t to say their star quarterback, CJ Stroud, hasn’t earned the luxury of confidence after his recent performance. He and new offensive coordinator Nick Caley have plenty to be proud of after their dismantling of the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens, outscoring the two opponents 70-10. But, better defenses like those residing in Seattle and San Francisco will certainly put Stroud’s positive momentum to the test. It looks like the new lineup of Texans receivers are starting to gel with their signal caller, but none have the experience to dominate top-end defenses.

So, as the crucial midseason slate approaches, what can general manager Nick Caserio do to shift the odds towards his quarterback’s favor? Well, as I’m sure he would agree, it’s about time to consult the trade market for available players! While the trade-deadline frenzy of activity holds no candle to the sheer mania Caserio engages in during free agency or the draft, this period before the November 4th deadline can suffice as a final tuneup for the Texans. Every year, there are several offensive and defensive starters available on the trade block in the middle of the season, creating a unique contest of resource management between GMs. As one team searches for that final piece to an all-star cast, another team hunts for a new body to replace their injured starter. Some teams look for the overlooked players who could contribute intermittently during a playoff run, and other teams – like the Cleveland Browns this year – become the dealers of the bunch.

So, who’s available? Well, after filing through several depth charts, here are my top five players the Houston Texans should target before the trade deadline:

5. RB Breece Hall​

You can look in the mirror and tell yourself that Nick Chubb and Woody Marks are good enough running backs to get your team through a successful season on the ground, or you can avoid the question altogether by trading for current New York Jets running back Breece Hall. While Chubb has been a pleasant surprise and my adoration of Woody Marks knows no bounds, I still wouldn’t mind another starting-caliber back on the roster that can take the lion’s share of carries in the event of emergency or desperation.

Houston’s previous star back, Joe Mixon, still remains shrouded in mystery for the most part, with general manager Nick Caserio only recent statement on the matter being, ‘”[Mixon’s] making progress, so we wouldn’t put a particular timetable on it. I think over the next three or four weeks we’ll probably get more information here, kind of see how he’s progressing.” Caserio is hoping that the team will know if Mixon is playing this season at all sometime in the next three or four weeks, so…if he’s playing at all, it won’t be for very long. Whatever this foot/leg/turf toe injury really is, it’s enough to have tainted the optimism I formerly had for Mixon and set my mind on finding who will be his heir apparent. Woody Marks very well could be RB1 in the future, but until that future arrives, Breece Hall remains a perfect remedy to Houston’s rushing difficulties.

Breece Hall looks like 2022 Breece pic.twitter.com/IaSb2Y9cOT

— NYJ MIKE (@NyjMike) September 8, 2025

Since his achilles tear that ended a remarkable 2022 rookie campaign, Hall has been virtually indestructible for the Jets. He compiled back-to-back seasons of 1,300+ yards from scrimmage and 8+ touchdowns, and he’s already up to 500 this season so far. He may not have the elusiveness of Saquon Barkely or the sheer power of Joe Mixon, but Hall has the juice to be an integral piece to a playoff-caliber offense based in Houston. On top of that, Hall’s recent cryptic instagram post may be alluding to his availability on the trade block:

Breece Hall on Instagram: “#Free20” pic.twitter.com/Vuw9XN7Bac

— SleeperJets (@SleeperJets) October 13, 2025

4. WR Tre Tucker​

Another wide receiver may seem like the last thing this offense needs, especially with the gradual ascension of rookie Iowa State Cyclones Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel…but hear me out! Don’t you think there’s always room for more speed? More 4.40s sprinters catching photogenic passes from CJ Stroud? More stretching of the defenses? I sure do, and Tre Tucker will add plenty more of that!

Tucker may not get Texans fans leaping out of their seat if he were to join the team, but his recent chemistry with Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith has made me wonder what he’d be capable of with CJ Stroud, instead. Just check out these plays:

Sheesh Tre Tucker that man has a family! pic.twitter.com/1vRjvCNREo

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 9, 2025

Career highs across the board for Tre Tucker in Week 3:

8 catches
145 yards
3 TDs@1SilkySmooth | @Raiders pic.twitter.com/Ux87bdQJtB

— NFL (@NFL) September 23, 2025

Current Texans receivers Christian Kirk and Jaylin Noel are capable of filling this “speedster” role, and the eventual return of Tank Dell will give Stroud the chance to throw to one of his favorite targets in 2023. But, why stop there? Why not trade for Tre Tucker and add even more explosive ammunition to the team? The Texans have had a history of seeing their offenses decline when the vertical threat is removed from the equation (see: Will Fuller in 2018-2019, Tank Dell in 2024), so in a season as supposedly important as this one, why not add some insurance to the position? An offense like Nick Caley’s thrives on mismatch opportunities, and Tucker’s speed and recent development as a route runner could amount to many easy completions for Stroud as the season wears on.

3. LB Jordyn Brooks​

Offense is clearly the focus of this list, especially considering the state of disparity between it and the Texans’ defense. The defense has been nothing short of masterful thus far in the 2025 season, leading the league in points and fourth in yards. There isn’t a whole lot of room for improvement on this team, but if you held me down and forced a name out of me, I’d squeak out in a broken voice, “LB Henry To’oTo’o…”

To’oTo’o was one of my very favorite players of 2024. Unassumingly stepping into a starting role for an injured Christian Harris, To’oTo’o practically picked up where Harris left off and became the leading tackler on one of the very best defenses in the NFL. He was a drive-killer for many games in 2024, but in 2025, his struggles in tackling have returned in a big way. What was thought to have been exercised in 2024 returns once again, and despite my belief that To’oTo’o will get back on track, I think the Texans would be remiss not to hit the market in search of a better tackling linebacker.

Enter Jordyn Brooks, one of the best tacklers in the NFL. Brooks a similar size overall to To’oTo’o, but has excelled more in the NFL thanks to possessing a level of athleticism and inertia that would make To’oTo’o blush. Brooks was a speeding cannon ball while in college, blasting towards any ball carrier silly enough to get in his way. In the NFL, Brooks’ speed and brutality have been nullified a bit thanks to the increased speed of the professional league, but his career has enjoyed a bit a of renaissance in Miami. Considering the Dolphins are 1-5, I wouldn’t put it past them to just go full reset and trade one of their best defenders. This would be luxury spending in Nick Caerio’s eyes, but if the Texans decided to trade for Jordyn Brooks, they may end up with the best defense in the NFL.

Miami Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks!!!

Jordyn Brooks has been BALLIN all season this year! He is currently leading the NFL in tackles! pic.twitter.com/kHXT6mrm8x

— Linebackers University™ (@Linebackers_U) October 9, 2025

2. G/T Teven Jenkins​

This was still one of the most head scratching free agency events of the 2025 offseason. Teven Jenkins played at a near pro-bowl level with the Chicago Bears in 2024, and not only did they let him walk into free agency, but he went untouched by all NFL teams until late March when the Cleveland Browns pick him up on just a 1-year, $3.05 million deal. He was widely expected to get a starting-caliber contract from a guard-hungry team in free agency, and instead became a backup on a team that doesn’t need more guards. Now, if a talented, young player like Jenkins sitting with an undervalued contract like that doesn’t get Nick Caserio’s attention, I don’t know what will!

It may sound odd pining for a backup and once injured guard to be a trade target for your team. It may sound especially weird considering that Cleveland’s two starters at that position, Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio, are reportedly available on the trade block, according to Adam Schefter.

Adam Schefter lists the players who could be traded by the NFL deadline pic.twitter.com/nEOrXaoiu2

— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) October 12, 2025

Teller and Bitonio make up one of the best guard duos in the NFL right now, but Bitonio’s age and Teller’s recent declining performance egg me towards preferring Jenkins in Battle Red the most of all. He’s young, on a very affordable one-year contract, and has NFL experience at both guard positions and at left tackle. Based on his performance in 2024, I think Jenkins would make the perfect backup lineman for the Houston Texans, capable of filling in at multiple positions and playing at a high level.

1. TE David Njoku​

At this juncture of the regular season, it is my assessment that Houston’s weakest position group is tight end. Dalton Schultz has absorbed a heavy load on this Nick Caley offense, and to his credit, has performed admirably. But, he won’t be able to bear that weight all season long. Currently, his backups are Harrison Bryant and Brenden Bates. Houston traded for Bryant during the postseason, released him just one week later, then re-signed him after Cade Stover broke his foot in week one, and Bates only amounted to 41 snaps split between the Jets and Browns as a rookie last year. Good luck finding anyone that is satisfied with this current tight end’s room, because to me, this team is in desperate need of a tight end like David Njoku.

David Njoku, that's outrageous pic.twitter.com/4N33utjBv8

— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) October 5, 2025

Njoku has been the Browns’ starting tight end since they drafted him 29th overall in 2017. He’s been a rock for an otherwise turbulent franchise, averaging over 600 yards a season in his nine years catching passes from one of 17 different Browns quarterbacks. He’s largely a receiving tight end, but his blocking ability is underrated and could be taken advantage of by a coordinator like Caley. Njoku is a big and deadly threat downfield and a veritable mismatch for any would-be tackler after the catch, so a favorite target of Stroud he very much would be. The combination of Njoku and Schultz may not set the world on fire, but to a coordinator like Nick Caley, it would be more than enough to push the quick-pass offense to the next level.

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That’s my list! Really, if you go by Adam Schefter’s list of tradeable players, there are a lot of intriguing options for Nick Caserio and the Texans to deliberate on. And they may need it – not only could the Texans use the extra talent at their weakest position groups, but their shallow depth at certain positions could prove to be their achilles heel at the end of the season. Multiple injuries to the tight end and defensive back positions has already pushed backups into significant roles on the team, so fishing at the trade deadline for extra depth should be just up their alley. If this year really is one where the Super Bowl is within reach, or at the very least a playoff win, then engaging the trade market may be a requirement.

What do you think, though? Should the Texans mortgage their future for an immediate starter, or is Nick Caserio better off saving his draft picks? Do the Texans need another quality tight end, or is their current depth chart good enough until Cade Stover returns? Let us know what you think the Texans should do at the trade deadline down in the comments below!

GO TEXANS!!!

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houst...5/houston-texans-top-5-trade-deadline-targets

 

[Houston Texans]

Houston Texans NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Are the Texans Going Up?

Welcome to the post-bye week power rankings! Since the mild boost up the rankings last week following their win over the Ravens, the Texans had the opportunity to put it in neutral for their bye week. Under normal circumstances, most teams don’t move much at all on the power rankings during the bye week, but the Texans are anything but normal. They are wild, unpredictable, wavy, and of course, a little spunky. Some teams can “win” the bye week, just as others can “lose” it, and it has always been my attestation that the Texans always win their bye week, because simply by existing, the Texans are doing something right.

“I don’t know how the heck he does it, I just feel like he is blessed to do it,” said Texans OL Ed Ingram about the versatility of teammate Tytus Howard and his ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line. #Texans #Sarge #TexansTailgateTalk pic.twitter.com/HFURYJbgUm

— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) October 14, 2025

But, do the pundits agree with me? Are the Houston Texans a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day, or are they a pall hanging over the AFC South throne? Here’s where the Houston Texans are ranked entering Week 7 of the 2025 NFL Season:

NFL.COM:​

20. Houston Texans (2-3) (Last Week: 17)

The Texans’ 2-3 record is still the bottom line, but they seemingly turned the corner offensively prior to their Week 6 bye while maintaining their defensive excellence. They allowed only one TD over the course of back-to-back wins following an 0-3 start and haven’t given up more than 20 points in a game all season. Speaking of that proverbial corner, C.J. Stroud also appeared to round it on a personal level, producing six TDs and no turnovers in those statement victories. The Texans will head to Seattle for an excellent measuring-stick contest that kicks off a very competitive four-game stretch. Houston probably needs to emerge with a record of .500 or better. There is work to be done, but this team might be hitting its stride after the tough beginning to 2025.

– Eric Edholm

ESPN:​

20. Houston Texans (2-3)

Week 6 result: Bye
Week 6 ranking: 18

Lesson learned: The Texans have a premier defense.

They have the No. 1 scoring defense — allowing 12.2 points per game — and it’s not as if they’ve played offensive bottom-feeders. Houston earned that ranking after playing the Buccaneers (sixth in points per game), Rams (16th) and Jaguars (17th). Those teams are a combined 13-5 on the season, so the Texans have faced respectable competition en route to their No. 1 status. They are also third best in the league in pass rush win rate (47.1%), behind the Steelers and Browns.

– DJ Bien-Aime

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:​

20. Houston Texans (2–3)

Last week’s ranking: No. 18
Last week’s result: idle
This week: at Seahawks

Houston’s get-right campaign saw wins over the now coachless Titans and banged-up Ravens. Now, in a 7 p.m. local start time road game against Seattle on Monday, Houston gets to truly measure itself.

– Conor Orr

BLEACHER REPORT:​

20. Houston Texans (2-3)

Last Week: 21

Week 6 Result: Bye Week

It’ll be interesting to see if the Week 5 bye helps or hinders the Houston Texans.

On one hand, it’ll give Houston an extra week to prepare for a very good Seattle Seahawks team. On the other, it puts a pause on any momentum the Texans picked up during blowout wins over the Titans and Ravens.

Of course, the Titans and Ravens haven’t been good this season. Upcoming games against the Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos will tell us a lot more about where the 2-3 Texans actually stand.

– Kris Knox

CBS SPORTS:​

20. Texans (2-3) (Last Week: 18)

Coming off their bye, they face a tough road game at Seattle. Their offensive line, which has struggled, will be challenged in a big way in that one.

– Pete Prisco

USA TODAY:​

18. Houston Texans (17): How stingy is this defense? It’s allowing a league-low 1.19 points per drive, a figure that, if maintained, might ultimately propel Houston back atop this division.

– Nate Davis

YAHOO! SPORTS:​

20 (18): Houston Texans (2-3)

How good has the Texans’ defense been? Houston is allowing 12.2 points per game. Since the 1970 merger, the only teams at or better than that mark are the 2000 Ravens, 1986 Bears, 2000 Titans and 1978 Steelers. If the offense comes around, the Texans could get on a roll.

– Frank Schwab

THE ATHLETIC:​

20. Houston Texans (2-3)

Last week: 19

Sunday: Bye

Fantasy focus: Nick Chubb

This is just a Chubb appreciation post. His production (130th) is unremarkable and mostly matches his ADP (No. 122), but what he’s doing is remarkable. In his eighth season, Chubb has survived two devastating knee injuries and a broken foot to be the Texans’ most productive back, albeit with a pedestrian 249 yards on 58 carries.

Up next: at Seahawks, Monday, 10 p.m. ET

– Chad Graff and Josh Kendall

PRO FOOTBALL TALK:​

21. Texans (No. 21; 2-3): Can they catch the Jaguars and the Colts?

– Mike Florio

Average Ranking: 19.89 (Last Week: 18.56)

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Okay, well apparently the pundits don’t get the same vibe about the Texans as I do. Instead of remaining stagnant, the Texans have regressed during a week where they did…nothing! In fact, it looks like nearly every pundit is in agreement that the Houston Texans are the…20th best team in the NFL. This is…not exactly where you’d want your supposed playoff team to be…

Are the Texans really that bad? Even after that Ravens victory, they’re still 20th? Maybe this ranking really has more to do with middling teams nabbing some critical victories at the midseason point than it does with the Texans being disappointing, but hopefully Houston will be able to join those on the come up following their week off. It won’t be easy though, as the mean streets of Seattle are coming next. The Jacksonville Jaguars gave up seven sacks to Seattle’s defense, four of which being attributed to the left tackle, Walker Little. Will Aireontae Ersery be up for the task that may lay ahead of him, or will Seattle try and flood their rushers towards Houston’s interior line? Either way, the left side of Houston’s o-line will likely be under siege all game long, so Nick Caley will need to find a counter to the rush that he wasn’t able to against the Buccaneers in week two.

Personally…I’m a little nervous. I trust the Texans defense to keep Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold grounded, but they’ll need a big game from Stroud if they plan on winning in Seattle. What do you think, though? Are the Texans ready to take on one of the NFC’s best defenses, or are they still not prepared to face the league’s elite? Let us know down in the comments below!

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houst...1858/houston-texans-nfl-power-rankings-week-7

 

[Houston Texans]

Thursday Night Football Open Thread – Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

American Hero Case Keenum. | Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Hello, good evening and welcome to week seven of the NFL season.

Tonight, we have a matchup for Thursday Night Football that people are calling “the most thrilling matchup of Thursday Night Football taking place on October 16, 2025 between 7:15 p.m. CDT and roughly 10:00 p.m. CDT.”

It’s a weirdly specific hype line but at least it’s an honest one.

So let’s sit down, open up a beer (or whatever) and embrace the football equivalent of watching old people eat.

At any rate, let’s watch some football here!

Here’s what you need to know to watch tonight’s game:

Who: Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)

What: Thursday Night Football

Where: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

When: Thursday, October 16, 7:15 p.m. CDT

Why: Because Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers were too late for the early bird Salisbury steak dinner at the Sizzler so they decided to play football instead.

How: Amazon Prime Video*, NFL+* (*subscriptions required)

Enjoy the game, y’all.

Go, Texans!

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/gener...ead-pittsburgh-steelers-at-cincinnati-bengals

 

[Houston Texans]

Texans Reacts Survey Week 7: How confident are you?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Texans fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

The Texans are coming off the bye and will take on the Seahawks this week on Monday Night Football. The Texans are sitting at 2-3 and are third in the AFC South at the moment — the Colts seem legit, but the Jaguars are inconsistent, and the Titans are downright bad, so the potential for a postseason bid is very much alive in Houston.

How confident are you in the direction of this team? Take our survey, share your thoughts in the comments, and check back for results later this week!

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houston-texans-schedule/71855/texans-fan-survey-week-7

 

[Houston Texans]

ESPN’s First 2026 Mock Draft Predicts Texans Select a Tackle

The Texans and their 2-3 record currently hold the 11th spot in the 2026 NFL Draft. Given that five of their next six games come against teams with winning records, it wouldn’t be surprising if Houston ends up picking around this same spot in next year’s draft.

In a recent “way too early mock draft” by ESPN, the Texans are forced to go back to the well and draft another high-end offensive lineman to bolster a struggling offensive line. For all their offensive line woes, the Texans have drafted an offensive lineman in the first two rounds each of the last four years. ESPN predicts they will continue that trend next April by drafting a Francis Mauigoa from the University of Miami.

QB C.J. Stroud’s time to throw has decreased each season since taking over in Houston and it’s impacting his confidence and play. Unfortunately, Houston must this dire need and can’t continue to put bandaids over the issue.

Mauigoa is a 6’6”, 315 pound junior from Samoa and plays with a technical savviness that Houston clearly needs. ESPN’s Jordan Reid wrote about the pick in his first mock draft of the year.

Mauigoa is a strong, dependable protector, but there are varying opinions on where he’ll play in the NFL. Some scouts think he’s best suited as a guard, but others peg him as a true right tackle, where his 0.7% pressures allowed ranks seventh in the FBS.

The three-year starter at right tackle was named as a midseason All-American by CBS Sports for his stellar play at right tackle for the Hurricanes. He was also a unanimous freshman All-American.

The Texans biggest need is at left guard where former 2023 second-rounder Juice Scruggs currently resides. If Mauigoa needs a year inside at guard before popping outside to right tackle, he would be well paired with Tytus Howard who can also play both roles.

While offensive line continues to be the most glaring need, Nick Caserio has never addressed the position with the first pick in the class. Instead, he opts for premium positions: wide receiver (Jayden Higgins), cornerback (Kamari Lassiter, Derek Stingley Jr.), and quarterback (C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills).

If Caserio plans to hold true to his draft tendencies, expect the Texans to focus on other areas of concern such as the running back, tight end, safety, or defensive tackle in the first round. A player such as RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame or TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon would dramatically improve the play at their respective position.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houst...26-mock-draft-predicts-texans-select-a-tackle

 

[Houston Texans]

Five good Texans questions with Field gulls

Set your watches and drink your coffee. The Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks will be playing the late game on Monday night. Game time is 9 PM Central standard time. It’s a school night folks. Some of us have work early the next morning. Be that as it may, it promises to be an exciting game between two very accomplished defenses. John Gilbert is joining us from our sister site Field gulls. We may be rivals on the field, but in the press box we try to help each other out as much as we can. Gilbert was kind of enough to answer my questions and I helped him out with his. We started with their change at quarterback.

Battle Red Blog: The Seahawks have switched from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold. How do they differ? Is he the real deal or merely better than Smith?

John Gilbert: There was absolutely no shortage of debate during the offseason on this topic, but through the first six weeks of the season there has been no question the Seahawks made the right move.

Geno was aggressive with his decision making, and had no fear when it came to trying to thread the needle on a throw into a tight window. In contrast, Darnold has more often taken what the defense gives so far in 2025. Of course, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba blossoming into an unstoppable, always-open, sure handed receiver, what the defense has given has regularly been long completions to JSN that has allowed the Seattle offense to flourish while the run game and short passing game have struggled relative to intermediate and deep passing attack.

BRB: The Seahawks are among the league leaders in sacks. Where does the strength of their pass rush come from?

JG; Seattle has enough guys who are high end rushers, but not necessarily elite, and combining that group of rushers with Mike Macdonald’s scheme has allowed the pass rush to flourish.

Whether it’s Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu or one of the other front seven defenders, the biggest challenge for opponents is often figuring out exactly where the pressure is coming from.

BRB: The Texans normally don’t see the Seahawks from year to year. Who are some under the radar players on offense we should pay attention to?

JG: Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ken Walker and Cooper Kupp are the names everyone knows, but it’s second year tight end AJ Barner who leads the team in touchdowns through the first six weeks of the season.

He’s unlikely to put up huge numbers in any particular game, but he’s the best blocking tight end on the roster so is almost always on the field, meaning he’s almost forgotten until high leverage situations show up. Whether it’s in the red zone or simply an important third & short, Texans fans shouldn’t be surprised to hear Barner’s name in critical situations.

BRB: The NFC West is one of better and more competitive divisions in the NFL. Who do you see as the Seahawks biggest competition? Which NFC West opponent do Seahawks fans enjoy beating the most?

JG: Over the past few years it seems as though injuries have dictated which NFC West opponent would give the Seahawks the most issues. That said, with the Rams, 49ers and Seahawks are all 4-2 right now, with all three able to point to reasons why they will eventually come out on top.

Of course, the six year anniversary of the last time the Seahawks won a postseason game is quickly approaching, while the Rams and 49ers have combined for three Super Bowl appearances since, so until Seattle shows something in the playoffs, it’s the Rams and 49ers in charge of the division. Who Seahawks fans enjoy beating more is often simply a function of which of those two rivals happens to be on top of the NFC West at the time.

BRB: Fanduel has opened up with the Seahawks as 3.5 point favorites. Are you confident enough to give the points? Do you have any prop bets you feel good about recommending?

JG: When a team from the West Coast faces a team from the Central Time zone or the Eastern Time zone in primetime, I will almost always give the points, especially when the game has an obnoxiously late start. I expect the game to be close early, but the Seahawks should pull away and cover in the second half, and I like the over on second half points for Seattle, which FanDuel currently has at 10.5.

---

We want to thank John for taking the time to answer our questions about the Seahawks. They are engulfed in one of the more entertaining divisional races in the NFL The entire waking world will be tuned in to watch this one until they fall asleep on the east coast. We want to wish John and the Seahawks the best of luck for the remainder of the season. As per usual, we would like that luck to being on Tuesday morning.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/analysis/71938/five-good-texans-questions-with-field-gulls

 

[Houston Texans]

Houston Texans vs. Seattle Seahawks: Starting Wide Receiver Ruled OUT

The Houston Texans are coming off their bye week and will look to extend their two-game win streak as they head to Seattle to take on the Seahawks.

After a slow start to the season, Houston has taken care of business against a couple of weaker opponents, but now they need to prove they can stack wins against the better teams in the league.

DID NOT PARTICIPATE:​

-WR Christian Kirk (Hamstring) OUT

FULL PARTICIPATION:​

-S Jaylen Reed (Knee) QUESTIONABLE

-DT Denico Autry (Knee) QUESTIONABLE

-CB Alijah Huzzie (Knee) OUT

Houston will be without starting wide receiver Christian Kirk this week. This marks the third game he’s missed this season due to a lingering hamstring injury, which isn’t a great sign for his outlook moving forward.

The good news is that the Texans have solid depth behind him with Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins, and Jaylin Noel. The rookies will get another big opportunity to prove themselves under the primetime lights and show they can deliver when called upon.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houst...tle-seahawks-starting-wide-receiver-ruled-out

 

[Houston Texans]

Sunday Night Football Open Thread – Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers

American Hero Case Keenum. | Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Once upon a time there was an NFL that had six divisions. One of which was the NFC West.

To make sense of this division, prior to 2002, was to drive oneself to madness. A division for the western teams of the NFC included, somehow, San Francisco, California (which is as west as this country gets outside of Alaska or Hawaii) and Atlanta, Georgia (which was most definitely not very west. In fact, it’s extremely not west.

So here we are with an old fashioned (pre-2002) divisional matchup.

Here’s what you need to know to watch tonight’s game:

Who: Atlanta Falcons (3-2) at San Francisco 49ers (4-2)

What: Sunday Night Football

Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA

When: Sunday, October 19, 7:20 p.m. CDT

Why: Because time is a dimension that nobody wants to confront. Also, LOL, Penix.

TV: NBC, Universo

Radio: Westwood One

Streaming: Hulu + Live TV*, NBC Sports, NFL+*, Peacock*, SlingTV*, YouTubeTV* (*subscription required)

Enjoy the game, y’all. I’ll be watching the ALCS.

Go, Texans!

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/gener...thread-atlanta-falcons-at-san-francisco-49ers

 

[Houston Texans]

NFL Late Games Open Thread

Hey! You came back after all! Well, hold on, let me get those maps from 506 Sports for you. Just a moment…gotta get the hamster running first.

What? What do you mean he’s tired? GET HIM SOME COFFEE!

Anyway, the maps.

View Link

CBS SINGLE GAMES

Red: EARLY GAME
Yellow: EARLY GAME
Orange: EARLY GAME
Blue: Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Chargers (Announcers: Ian Eagle, J.J. Watt; Referee: Alan Eck)
Green: New York Giants at Denver Broncos (Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Trent Green; Referee: Brad Allen)

View Link

FOX LATE GAMES

Red: Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady; Referee: Alex Kemp)
Blue: Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals (Announcers: Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma; Referee: Alex Moore)

I hope you saved room for dessert, because there’s still one more game on the slate tonight. Stand by.

Enjoy the games, y’all.

Go Texans!

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/non-texans-game-threads/71951/nfl-late-games-open-thread

 

[Houston Texans]

Defense superb, offense abysmal: Texans lose to JSN, Seattle

The city of Houston hasn’t seen a snap of Texans football since their 44-10 manhandling of the Baltimore Ravens way back on October 5. Since then, the Colts have roared to 6-1, the Jaguars are turning into pumpkins and the Titans are.. well, the Titans.

With that said, the national spotlight was on Houston and Seattle tonight, as the two teams battle on Lumen Field as they each look to solidify the respective courses of their season.

For Seattle, this would arguably be the best defense that they’ve played all year. Also, a win would make them 5-2 and keep them tied for first in a hyper competitive NFC West.

For Houston, a win on the road against the Seahawks would make them 3-3 and give them a .500 or better record for the first time since week one. It would also cap off a mammoth three straight games of football where they’ve outscored their last two opponents 70-10, and potentially can take down an NFC playoff contender fresh off a bye. It would then put them only 1/2 game behind other AFC playoff hopefuls in the Jaguars, Chargers, and Chiefs.

The stakes were high and the stage was set. Stroud and the gang know that there was little margin for error. Let’s recap a late one:

Quarter 1 (14-0 Seattle)​

Seattle dominated the Texans for what seemed like the entirety of the first quarter.

After the Texans defense held Seattle to a 3-and out on their first possession, the offense took the field looking to establish a rhythm early.

Nope. None of that here. Actually, C.J. Stroud and the offense put together one of the worst offensive quarters this side of the New York Jets.

For, in their first offensive possession, Stroud looked like he took an 18 yard safety sack after picking up only one first down. But, the officials declared him to be down by forward progress, thus saving the Texans from giving up a free 2 points to start the game.

That didn’t help much though, because after punting the ball to around mid-field, the Seahawks marched 44 yards and scored on a 1-yard Zach Charbonnet touchdown run. 7-0 Seahawks.

The scoring continued for the Seahawks, but not without some typical Texans penalty shenanigans.

Usual suspect, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, drew a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty when he slammed Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold to the ground out of bounds right next to an official. *Whistle* Because, of course.

After, Darnold took advantage of the gift by firing a rocket to receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for an 11-yard score and 14-0 lead.

Quarter 2 (14-6 Seattle)​

The second quarter started off in much of the same way offensively for Houston. But, at least Seattle finally joined them in offensive futility. Both teams exchanged punts for the first three possessions collectively.

Then, a glimmer of day break shined through, as Seattle got a little cute on a WR pass trick-play in the red zone and it led to an interception by Texans safety Calen Bullock.

Houston then capitalized by going 12 plays for 50 yards and a 36-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn to make it 14-3.

The Texans then followed that up by a blocking a Seattle field goal attempt with roughly 20 seconds left to give them a chance to possibly make things tighter before the end of the first half.

They were successful, as Stroud completed a clutch 29-yard pass to receiver Jaylin Noel deep down field, which then led to Fairbairn drilling a 46-yard field goal to make it 14-6 an end the half.

Quarter 3 (27-12 Seattle)​

Stroud started off the 3rd quarter by throwing an interception to Seattle LB Ernest Jones. Although, it is worth noting that the ball was thrown with a Seattle defender wrapped around his waist.

The defense limited the damage to a 26-yard field goal to increase the deficit again to 17-6.

THEN! A sack-and-score of Darnold in the Seattle endzone by Will Anderson gave the Texans their first touchdown of the game and shrunk the lead to 17-12. The Texans then missed on a Stroud 2-point conversion pass to Dalton Schultz.

Unfortunately, Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued to barbecue the Texans ‘secondary by catching a 26-yard dime by Darnold to set up K Jason Myers for 47-yard field to increase their lead to 20-12. (Note: Seattle’s 20 points tonight are the most scored against the Texans’ defense since Tampa Bay’s 20 in week 2)

Texans OC Nick Caley will have some explaining to do, because the Texans got stuffed twice in a row at their 40 yard line after only needing a yard or so to convert. Turnover on downs. The worst of it was the fact that Caley and Co. decided to try two ill advised Woody Marks runs up the middle to no avail.

Again, Seattle is the 2nd or 3rd best run stopping defense in the NFL, so anything short of something truly innovative or effective would be more risk than reward.

This led to another short yardage Seattle score by Charbonnet to make it 27-12.

Quarter 4 (27-19 Seattle)​

The Texans defense struck again! This time, Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter stripped Seattle tight end Elijah Arroyo after a 6-yard catch for a fumble recovery by the defense.

It proved to be meaningless, as Seattle forced a turnover on downs after only seven plays and yet another Texans penalty for 15-yards for an illegal blindside block.

Derek Stingley then woke up by intercepting Darnold on a pass over the middle of the field. This was the 4th takeaway on the day for the Texans defense. (Of course, there was another penalty called on Houston due to unnecessary roughness call on Stingley out of bounds. That was their 7th for 81 total yards.)

Again, the defense’s effort was not rewarded. This time, a repeat of the goal line disaster from week 2 against Tampa Bay reared it’s repugnant head as Houston had multiple opportunities to score from the 1 yard line and was unsuccessful.

Mainly, it was due to yet more questionable play calling decisions when they decided go pass, pass, TO, false start, TO again and finally pass. What???

Yet, somehow later the Texans were able to score a touchdown with about 2:05 left in the game when Stroud extended a pass play and found Marks at the front of the endzone to make it 27-19.

Sadly, there would be no Denver Broncos-like comeback, as the Seahawks benefitted yet again from another Texans penalty on a Tim Settle unnecessary roughness call on 3rd down to give Seattle the first and end the game.

Final score: Texans 19, Seattle 27 (Texans had 10 penalties for 105 yards, were 2/15 on 3rd down and 1/4 on 4th down)

This was certainly one of the worst offensive games that Houston has ever put on tape since Demeco Ryans took the reigns as head coach in 2023.

Nick Caley has a lot of questions to answer, as does the team as a whole between their offensive line issues and inability to field any kind of effective rushing attack.

The Texans fall to 2-4 on the season and dig themselves an even deeper hole to climb out of for their last 11 games.

Next up, a four-game homestand starting this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

BOX SCORE

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/gener...rb-offense-abysmal-texans-lose-to-jsn-seattle

 

[Houston Texans]

Value of things: By the numbers

I’ve been writing for this site for going on five years now. I have been watching Houston Texans football since they beat Dallas 19-7. I have been watching Houston NFL football since the late 1970s. At no point did it ever feel like work. Last night did. A lot of it was a quick turnaround from a 9 PM Central start to a 6:30 AM start at school the next morning. The rest of it was the fact that I knew I had to watch because I needed to be able to report everything back to you.

Bill James once said that good statistics take on the properties of language. I’ve always preferred the art motif. They can paint a really good picture for you. The numbers in this case would paint stick figures. Some of the numbers will paint the picture of one of those stick figures holding a knife, but most will simply indicate that it was a fairly close game or that the Texans should have been winning it. The fact that it was never particularly close is an indictment.

The Numbers​

• Total Yards: Houston Texans 254, Seattle Seahawks 316
• Rushing Yards: Texans 17/56, Seahawks 32/118
• Passing Yards: Texans 52/198, Seahawks 35/198
• Sacks: Texans 2, Seahawks 3
• Turnovers: Texans 1, Seahawks 4
• Third Down: Texans 2/15. Seahawks 2/14
• Penalties: Texans 10/105, Seahawks 12/93
• Time of Possession: Texans 27:43, Seahawks 32:17

I bolded the turnovers because this was the third time in 23 games that the Texans have been +3 or better in the turnover ratio and lost the football game. This one felt different than the other two. The Texans lost to the Lions and Packers last season doing the same thing. They frittered away a lead in the Lions game and they were in it until the very end against the Packers. In spite of all of the numbers and the final score, the Texans never really had a chance in this football game and that is a huge indictment.

The Good​

The final score will say the defense gave up 27 points. Some will point out that individual players did not play their best football last night. I couldn’t agree more. In spite of his interception, Derek Stingley had one of his worst games as a Texan. Kamari Lassiter also added a pick, but it wasn’t a good game for him either. The fact that each could have a pick on a night they would love to have a do over on is a testament to how hard they fought.

The Seahawks got the ball three times in Texans territory and came away with 13 of their 27 points. It should have been a 31-19 Texans shallacking and that would have made the defense look even worse. They did a good job on the running game keeping the Seahawks under four yards a carry. They opportunistically created four turnovers. Yes, JSN had a nice game. The best players always do. Don’t listen to anything DeMeco Ryans tells you about how the defense needs to play better in order to win. They played their tails off.

The Bad​

This game was C.J. Stroud’s worst game of the season so far. It’s hard to imagine that it looked visibly worse than the numbers indicate. The stat sheet will say he was only sacked three times, but all three were back breakers. He has to learn to get rid of the football in those instances. He does that thing where he runs backwards and it always gets him in more trouble. Granted, his receivers dropped a few balls and his offensive line did him absolutely zero favors, but great players have to overcome these things and when your defense gives you four turnovers you have to find a way to win the football game.

Regardless of what comes next (and there will be much more), the players are ultimately responsible for what happens on the field. They have to win their blocks. They have to go out there and make plays. His play caller shot him in the ass tonight and expected him to sit. Stroud has to audible out of those plays. It’s backyard football time in Houston and he needs to grab the sticks and pebbles and design his own plays on the go.

The Ugly​

I’m done. I will have more on this later in the week when we bring back the stages of suck. I am out of the questioning stage on Nick Caley. I would have pulled his headset off in the third quarter and told him to walk his butt back into the locker room. He would have had to buy a plane ticket to get back to Houston. I very rarely ever react that emotionally or rashly to one performance. Maybe it was being up at 11:30 (at the point I made that decision). Maybe it was being burned from the false hope of the last two games.

The goal line offense and the sequences on third and one and fourth and one were criminal. It wasn’t just bad offense. It was criminally negligent offense. For most of the game, he had no answer to the Seahawks pressure. That’s fine. We saw that with Bobby Slowik. We are used to that level of incompetence. This game was an entirely different level. Don’t worry, I’ll have much more to say when we get to the stages of suck later in the week. Those stages of suck are here to stay and they will stay until this situation resolves itself.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/the-value-of-things/71992/value-of-things-by-the-numbers

 

[Houston Texans]

Houston Texans Opening Odds Vs. San Francisco 49ers

Houston has a short week ahead of them after a tough loss on the west coast. They face the San Francisco 49ers, who are coming off a strong victor against the Atlanta Falcons. FanDuel has released their initial odds and they have several interesting options for fans who are interested in placing bets on the Texans game.

The Line: Texans -1.5​

his line is surprising, considering the Texans are 2–4 while the San Francisco 49ers lead the NFC West at 5–2. TE George Kittle finally returned from injury; though he didn’t record any catches, he still provided a distinct weapon for their offense. Despite having more Pro Bowlers on injured reserve than some teams carry on their entire rosters, the 49ers’ success hasn’t slowed, unlike Houston’s.

Houston’s best chance lies in the 49ers’ weakened defensive line. With Tarron Jackson and Nick Bosa on IR, and Bryce Huff listed as doubtful, San Francisco’s pass rush is limited. If Houston can’t expose the 49ers’ offensive line, their path to an upset narrows—but if they do, the Texans could have a better shot than expected. Even so, I’d take the 49ers with the points for Sunday’s game.

An interesting note: the 49ers have covered four times this season, winning each of those games. If you project them to win again, taking the line adds extra value.

The Money Line: Texans -118​

FanDuel currently lists this game as a pick’em, with San Francisco at –102, indicating nearly even money on both sides. Surprisingly, the Texans are slightly favored, despite Monday Night’s offensive debacle. While the 49ers boast a stronger roster and more consistent offensive play, Houston enters the game healthier.

The Texans have covered only twice this season. Pulling off an upset against the 49ers would be a notable achievement—and a potential opportunity for Texans fans to capitalize on.

Over/Under: 41.5​

Hammer the under here. The 49ers haven’t scored more than 30 points thus far. They average 20.7 points per game with or without Brock Purdy. The Texans aren’t much better, averaging 21.2 per game, but that drops down to just 16.6 points per game without the blowout against the Ravens.

Houston’s offense is stuck in neutral and the 49ers don’t have the weapons at receiver to threaten big plays. This game has a score of 17-13 written all over it. Neither team is predicated on big plays and has shown they can rack up points fast.

We at Battle Red Blog urge everyone to only wager what they can afford to lose. As you can see by my performance last week, there is nothing guaranteed in the gambling community except for the fact that the Vegas boys always win. However. Fanduel is making it easy to join up and have a little bit of fun while you are watching the games. Have fun out there and always remember to bet responsibly.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houst...on-texans-opening-odds-vs-san-francisco-49ers

 

[Houston Texans]

Houston Texans NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Where are the Texans?

Well, they tried!

Texans offense is hilarious pic.twitter.com/QHPoxdUevT

— Im not a fan of your favorite team (@fsh733) October 21, 2025

Try and try they might, the Houston Texans just couldn’t claw their way to victory in an ugly match against the Seattle Seahawks. They might have picked Sam Darnold off, they might have blocked a field goal, they might have even scored a defensive touchdown thanks to Will Anderson Jr., but this Texans team just couldn’t get it done because their offense (or lack there of) was completely exposed by the Seahawks. Three quarters into the game, the Texans offense had amassed just 127 total yards, 10 first downs (3 coming from penalties), and averaged just 3.1 yards per play. After the game had mercifully ended, Houston had compiled 254 total yards, 18 first downs, a slightly improved 3.7 yards per play, and 2-15 on third down, polishing this turd of a game in garbage time to look every so slightly less terrible.

These may appear as just ugly stats, vapid and meaningless, but experiencing these Texans in action past midnight on a Monday created a unique form of suffering that thrived on suspense. Each yard felt like a mile when the Texans offense was on the field, each first down coming like a drop of water landing on your forehead. That sudden pat of water on your head was nothing special at first, but then you start waiting for the next drop…knowing that it will arrive, but when? When, oh when, will that next first down drop? That dreaded anticipation for the next first down, for the next drive not ruined by a mistake, for the next scoring drive…it will end you. Each offensive possession played out like a slow motion train wreck, as Houston dragged itself like a coffin up a hill, preordained to slide back at every third down.

Nick Caley is in his bag.

— rivers mccown (@riversmccown.bsky.social) 2025-10-21T05:22:39.526Z

Besides their momentary burst of life in the fourth quarter, the Texans were an empty husk of an offense all game long. In hundreds and hundreds of NFL games, four turnovers was enough for a team to win, even handily so. But, for the Texans and unfortunately for their adoring fans, that only means 12 points, and oh yeah, a loss. Similar in timbre to Houston’s heartbreaking loss to the Detroit Lions in 2024, this game was full of highlights on the defense countered by lowlight on the offense. But, this loss to the Seahawks somehow feels worse because of what was done between that Detroit game and last night in order to get the offense back on track. All of the 2025 offseason was built around ensuring the offense could never turtle up like it did in 2024 again, and what do they have to show for it? Seven punts, three turnovers on downs, and an interception on 11 of their 14 possessions – maybe the antithesis of what the Texans were hoping this offense would look like.

But, despite it all, they were still in a one possession game for much of the second half, nabbing their first touchdown with 2:04 left in the game to make it an eight-point contest and technically still be alive. Even though that might not sound like much, considering how high many of the pundits have ranked the Seahawks, it may just prevent Houston from sinking to the point of no return. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what 19 points against the vaunted Seattle defense will get you in this week’s NFL Power Rankings:

NFL.COM:​

21. Houston Texans (2-4) (Last Week: 22)

Coming out of a bye that gave them extra time to prepare for the Seahawks, the Texans looked sloppy and unfocused early on. They settled down and made it a one-score game by halftime, but C.J. Stroud’s pick on the second snap of the third quarter was a killer. A couple drives later, Houston was stuffed on two Woody Marks handoffs on third and fourth downs — the first of three turnovers on downs in the second half. Stroud wasn’t great Monday, and the protection struggled, but you don’t trust your QB to throw it once there? Nick Caley’s play-calling begged a few questions after this one. Houston’s defense is still formidable — Will Anderson Jr.’s strip-sack touchdown gave the road team true life in the third quarter — but defending the deep ball posed problems. Not a crushing loss, but a frustrating-as-heck one — maybe an indication of the Texans’ ceiling and a reminder of the record they still must overcome.

– Eric Edholm

ESPN:​

21. Houston Texans (2-4)

Week 7 result: Lost to the Seahawks 27-19
Week 7 ranking: 18

Unsung nonstarter/role player: RG Ed Ingram

Ingram wasn’t even a starter entering camp. Former left tackle Cam Robinson (now with the Browns) suffered an injury early in camp, leading to a complete shake-up on the unit that led to Ingram stepping in at right guard. He has been the starter since then and has done well to fuel the Texans’ run game. General manager Nick Caserio said, “Ed has done a pretty good job and a change of scenery is good for everybody involved in that situation.”

– DJ Bien-Aime

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:​

24. Houston Texans (2–4)

Last week’s ranking: No. 20
Last week’s result: lost to Seahawks, 27–19
This week: vs. 49ers

Seattle’s defense will make anyone look uncomfortable, but my goodness was Monday night an indictment on the offensive line and C.J. Stroud. Like Lawrence, two things can be true about Stroud as well: He is almost constantly under duress and he handles those situations increasingly poorly. It’s David Carr-ian or Carson Wentz-ian.

– Conor Orr

BLEACHER REPORT:​

23. Houston Texans (2-4)

Last Week: 20

Week 7 Result: Lost vs. Seattle 27-19

Let’s just put it out there. The postseason aspirations the Texans had entering 2025? Their preseason status as the favorites in the AFC South?

Those hopes have evaporated.

Houston’s defense has done its level-best, including four takeaways Monday night in Seattle. But the offense is busted. Mostly because the offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL.

This is a wasted season in Houston—that line was already bad and essentially made worse on purpose because Laremy Tunsil made too much money. Quarterback C.J. Stroud is playing in what’s shaping up to be a lost 2025, and he’s eligible to be extended next year.

There are worse teams than the Texans. Many worse coaches than DeMeco Ryans. But good luck finding a general manager who bungled this year more than Nick Caserio.

– Maurice Davenport

CBS SPORTS:​

21. Houston Texans (2-4) (Last Week: 22)

It’s hard to win when your offensive line stinks. Theirs is awful. They have big-time problems considering the schedule left to play.

– Pete Prisco

USA TODAY:​

22. Houston Texans (18): Now three games behind Indy in the AFC South, at least they get to play their next three games at home … albeit against three teams currently sporting winning records.

– Nate Davis

YAHOO! SPORTS:​

22 (20): Houston Texans (2-4)

We found out Monday night that the improvement the Texans’ offense showed was simply due to facing the Titans and depleted Ravens. What we saw against Seattle was the same bad offense we saw in the first three games. It seems unlikely to get much better.

– Frank Schwab

THE ATHLETIC:​

24. Houston Texans (2-4)

Last week: 20

Monday: Lost to Seahawks 27-19

Reality check: The O-line isn’t giving them a chance

Yes, C.J. Stroud needs to be better. He was off target way too much Monday night. And, yes, DeMeco Ryans’ defense needs to be better. But the Houston offensive line is doing nothing for the running game and is making things difficult for Stroud.

Up next: vs. 49ers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

– Chad Graff and Josh Kendall

PRO FOOTBALL TALK:​

23. Texans (No. 21; 2-4): At least they won’t have to pay C.J. Stroud $60 million per year.

– Mike Florio

Average Ranking: 22.33 (Last Week: 19.89)

---

Frankly, a total of 19 points is what they’ve earned. They were given opportunity after opportunity from the defense, which was able to lock down after giving up a lot of passing yards early. If they can’t score more than 19 points after such a great defensive performance, then they have to be expecting the Power Rankers to annihilate their team in this week’s power rankings.

What a bummer this season has been so far, huh? From Super Bowl dreams to eyeing up the 2026 draft board, Texans fans have experienced the full spectrum of emotions with their favorite team this year. While the season isn’t over yet, a record of 2-4 will be incredibly hard for Houston to dig out of, especially considering their next game will be against the 49ers. Houston should benefit from having Christian Kirk return to the starting lineup, but a good team shouldn’t become a vegetable on offense when one of their receivers goes down. The Texans need to prove they can be a resilient team, capable of counting on their depth to see them through a win. Until they do that, they aren’t going to be winning many games in the NFL.

What do you think, though? Have the Texans bottomed out, or do they still have more sinking to go? Will the Texans find their groove with their rookie receivers, or will the Texans continue to be reliant on Nico Collins and Christian Kirk as the season goes on? Let us know down in the comments below!

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houst...fl-power-rankings-week-8-where-are-the-texans

 

[Houston Texans]

Eye of the Cyclones: Higgins and Noel Week 7 Review (49ers Preview)

Welcome to week 7 of the Cyclone tracker!

This is where we follow our resident weather themed duo in rookie receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, both out of Iowa State (hence, the “Cyclone” twins).

As always, there will be analysis, projections, commentary, and relevant updates that happen in real time.

Week 7 Cyclones Tracker:

————————————-

Name: Jayden Higgins

Position: WR

Projected week 7 storm path: 5 targets, 4.9 receptions, 44.7 yards, 1 TD, 10.4 fantasy points

Actual week 7 path: 3 targets, 0 receptions, 0 yards, 0 TD’s, 0 fantasy pts

Total stats through week 7: 13 targets, 9 receptions, 121 yards (13.4 avg.), 1 TD, 22.3 fantasy pts

Assessment: According to PFF, over the course of the first seven games, Jayden Higgins has been targeted only 13 times out of 103 routes run. That’s a ratio of roughly 1 target for every 7.9 routes run.

In that small sample size, he also averages 13.4 yards per reception and 11.5 yards of depth per reception, with a passer rating of 92.1 when targeted.

Simple translation: Higgins has big play potential but doesn’t see the ball enough to exploit defenses with it.

After another stinker of a loss against the Seahawks on Monday Night Football, Higgins lack of quality inclusion in the offense only becomes a larger talking point as the season goes on.

With receivers Nico Collins and Christian Kirk now both out to due to injuries (concussion, hamstring), one would think that now is the time that offensive coordinator Nick Caley would finally make it a priority to lean on the other 6 ft. 4 in. receiver that was drafted out of Iowa State.

Unfortunately, with the way things are going with play schematics and a perceived stubbornness to utilize more youthful and effective weapons on Caley’s part, optimism for a true breakout game for Higgins is slowly dwindling.

Week 8 Projections: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 23 yards, 0 TD, 9.1 fantasy points

——————————-

Name: Jaylin Noel

Position: WR/PR & KR

Projected week 7 storm path: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 17 yards, 0 TDs

Actual week 7 path: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 77 yards, 0 TD’s, 43 return yards (21.5 yd avg.), 3.6 fantasy pts

Total stats through week 4: 14 targets, 9 receptions, 99 yards (11.0 yd avg.), 287 return yards, 1 TD, 15.5 fantasy pts

Assessment: On Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks, Jaylin Noel had arguably his most impactful game of the season in the 27-19 loss. In it, he accrued four catches (seven targets) for 77 yards (19.3 average yds).

Although he didn’t have a touchdown, this was his most complete display of playmaking ability in OC Nick Caley’s offense. Whether it was deep shots, intermediate or close to the line of scrimmage, Noel showed the some of the game altering ability that this offense has lacked since receiver Tank Dell went down last year against the Chiefs.

This is why so many have been bullish on Noel’s fit in Houston, because he can help turn the tide on nights where nothing else seems to be going right on the offensive side of the ball.

With this type of output now on film, there are no more excuses for why Noel not being a larger part of the playbook come Sunday’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

#Texans WR Jaylin Noel's Targets vs. Seattle

– Used outside and inside
– Targeted in every range
– Two contested catches — one clear trust-throw
– Red zone targets pic.twitter.com/xgHLdhMBOO

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 22, 2025

Week 8 Projections: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 43 yards yards, 1 TD, 10 fantasy points

All stats and projections provided courtesy of ESPN, RotoBaller, FantasyPros and PFF.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/gener...-higgins-and-noel-week-7-review-49ers-preview

 

[Houston Texans]

Thursday Night Football Open Thread – Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers

American Hero Case Keenum. | Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Hello, good evening and welcome to week eight of the NFL season.

Tonight, TNF returns to La La Land for a matchup that folks are calling “…a football game…” Hey, why should Hollywood be the only one that gets to selectively edit reviews?

At any rate, I’m sure it’ll be a tremendously fun time watching Al Michaels sweat buckets when he want to mention the potential gambling options in his game given the news today.

So sit on back and let the awkward times roll, baby.

Here’s what you need to know to watch tonight’s game:

Who: Minnesota Vikings (3-3) at Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)

What: Thursday Night Football

Where: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

When: Thursday, October 23, 7:15 p.m. CDT

Why: Because I can’t wait to see how many gambling site ads we see in tonight’s game.

How: Hulu + Live TV*, Amazon Prime Video*, NFL+*, SlingTV* (*subscriptions required)

Enjoy the game, y’all.

Go, Texans!

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/gener...ead-minnesota-vikings-at-los-angeles-chargers

 

[Houston Texans]

Houston Texans vs. San Francisco 49ers: Wide Receivers Ruled OUT

The Houston Texans are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Seahawks in Seattle and will look to bounce back at home against the 49ers.

Offensive coordinator Nick Caley has been under heavy fire through the first half of the season for his scheme and several questionable coaching decisions on a weekly basis.

The Texans’ defense forced four turnovers — even scoring a touchdown thanks to star edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. — but it still wasn’t enough to overcome the struggles of Houston’s offense.

DID NOT PARTICIPATE​

-WR Nico Collins (Concussion) OUT

-WR Christian Kirk (Hamstring) OUT

-DE Denico Autry (Knee) QUESTIONABLE

FULL PARTICIPATION​

-CB Jaylin Smith (Hamstring) QUESTIONABLE

-CB Alijah Huzzie (Knee) OUT

-DE Darrell Taylor (Illness)

-TE Dalton Schultz (Back / Shoulder)

-DE Derek Barnett (Ankle)

Houston will be without two of their starting wide receivers this week — Nico Collins and Christian Kirk. While Kirk’s production can be replaced by others, Collins is one of the top players in the league and will be heavily missed on Sunday.

With both out, it’s now clear that the Iowa State trio of Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins, and Jaylin Noel will get the start. It’s a massive opportunity for the young group to show what they can do, and could go a long way in their long-term development.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houst...-san-francisco-49ers-wide-receivers-ruled-out