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[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

 

[Houston Texans]

Houston Texans vs. San Francisco 49ers NFL Week 8 opponent preview

The players may be combatants on the field, but we are one big happy family here at SBNation. My favorite feature every week is the five questions feature because it allows me to get behind enemy lines to see what is going on with that week’s opponent. Nicholas McGee of Niners Nation was kind enough to join me for five questions in advance of this week’s game

Battle Red Blog: The 49ers gave Brock Purdy a huge pay day, but he has been hurt much of the year and Mac Jones has been the quarterback for much of the season. Is there a quarterback controversy in San Francisco or is Purdy still the man when he is healthy?

Nicholas McGee: It’s still Purdy’s team, for as much as Jones has been extremely impressive. Jones simply doesn’t have the same ability Purdy does to make plays outside of the structure of the offense and, when healthy, that gives Purdy a much greater upside.

The problem is that Purdy’s turf toe is proving extremely troublesome. It’s not on the scale of Joe Burrow’s injury clearly, but it could still be a couple more weeks before we see Purdy. It will almost certainly be Jones under center in Houston.

BRB: The 49ers have been as ravaged by injuries as any team in the league. Which one is the most impactful in your opinion on offense and defense?

NM: It’s too early to know how impactful the Fred Warner injury will be. It will likely prove hugely significant, but right now the most impactful blow on defense is definitely the loss of Nick Bosa. While the defensive line stepped up in a big way against Atlanta, for the most part the pass rush just hasn’t been the same since Bosa went down. Expect the 49ers to make a trade to address the deficiency and give Bryce Huff a running mate off the edge for the second half of the season.

On offense, the most impactful injury was the hamstring injury sustained by George Kittle in Week 1. The running game was lifeless without him, but exploded back into gear last Sunday upon his return. With everything he can do in the passing game on top of his run blocking, the offense should continue to improve in the coming weeks.

BRB: We usually don’t get to watch the 49ers here in Houston, but we do see them occasionally. Who are some players on offense and defense we may not have heard about but will be impactful on Sunday?

NM: Given the strength of the Texans’ D-Line, it feels right to spotlight an offensive lineman for the 49ers. Trent Williams is a future Hall of Famer, but across from him the 49ers have seen significant strides from Colton McKivitz at right tackle, who has been their most consistent player up front. The 49ers recently handed him a contract extension, and that move is looking very smart with how he’s played this season.

There’s a couple on defense. Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott has made huge improvements on his play of 2024, while Sam Okuayinonu was outstanding at defensive end against the Falcons last week. He can rush inside and out and, with Bryce Huff sidelined a couple weeks, is probably going to be the 49ers’ main rush threat off the edge on Sunday.

BRB: The NFC West is perhaps the most competitive and interesting division in football. Which team do you see as the 49ers biggest competition for the division crown? Which NFC West team do 49ers fans enjoy beating the most?

NM: I still view the Rams as the most complete team in the division, despite how good the Seahawks have been on both sides of the ball. If the 49ers want to seriously contend for the division, they’ll need to find a way to stop Matthew Stafford and complete the sweep of the Rams. That said, I still think Seattle is the team 49ers fans enjoy beating the most. The recent string of road wins in Seattle have been very fun.

BRB: The 49ers are 1.5 point underdogs according to Fanduel. How do you see the game going? Are there any prop bets you feel comfortable recommending?

NM: This is a really tough one to call as the 49ers’ injuries continue to pile up. However, I think the 49ers find enough ways to move the ball through Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle to win a close, low-scoring game.

---

We want to thank Nicholas for taking the time to answer our questions. We also want to remind you to go to our sister site, Niners Nation, for all of your news and commentary needs on the San Francisco 49ers. We want to wish the 49ers and Nicholas the best of luck for the remainder of the season. As per usual, we hope that luck begins on Monday morning.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houst...rancisco-49ers-nfl-week-8-preview-predictions

 

[Houston Texans]

Houston Texans vs. San Francisco 49ers: Offensive Answers?

Saying the Houston Texans have been a mess on offense would be an understatement. It feels like the coaching staff is getting worse as the weeks go on, and while it might not be something that gets fixed overnight, the Texans still have some talent on the roster to get things moving in the right direction.

The offensive scheme has been criticized by just about anyone who’s watched this team, and rightfully so. It doesn’t feel like they’re putting players in positions to succeed. The best weapon Houston has on offense is wide receiver Nico Collins, and his talent is undeniable. Yet, he hasn’t been featured nearly as much as he should be — and that falls directly on offensive coordinator Nick Caley.

Collins is now set to miss his first game of the season due to a concussion suffered against the Seahawks. With him sidelined, Houston will need to rely on their young receivers to step up. The Texans drafted two playmakers in the 2025 NFL Draft — Jayden Higgins in the second round and Jaylin Noel in the third, both out of Iowa State. Through six games, both have struggled to see consistent involvement, but that should change this week with Collins and Christian Kirk both out.

Another rookie that Texans fans have been begging for more of, is running back Woody Marks. Marks may not be fully better than veteran Nick Chubb yet, but it is close. The physical talent is there, but the real difference is experience, and that can only come with time and more opportunities.

On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Matt Burke has his unit firing on all cylinders. The Texans currently have the top-ranked defense in the league, and it still feels like they haven’t hit their full stride yet. The only concern is that if the offense continues to stall, the defense will eventually wear down.

To win games in this league, you need complementary football — and that simply hasn’t happened so far in Houston, but the key is to get your rookies more involved, and protect your franchise quarterback in C.J. Stroud.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/general/72088/houston-texans-vs-san-francisco-49ers-offensive-answers

 

[Houston Texans]

NFL Late Games Open Thread

Just because the Texans are done playing (after winning 26-15) doesn’t mean football’s done for the day. We still got games on CBS and Fox, as prophesized by the folks at 506 Sports.

Anyway, the maps.

CBS LATE GAMES

View Link

Red: Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos (Announcers: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo; Referee: Carl Cheffers)
Blue: Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (Announcers: Andrew Catalon, Charles Davis, Jason McCourty; Referee: Land Clark)

FOX SINGLE GAMES

View Link

Red: EARLY GAME
Blue: EARLY GAME
Orange: EARLY GAME
Yellow: EARLY GAME
Green: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints (Announcers: Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma; Referee: Ron Torbert

Sunday Night thread to come. Stay tuned.

Enjoy the games, y’all.

Go Texans!

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/non-texans-game-threads/72079/nfl-late-games-open-thread

 

[Houston Texans]

Packers at Steelers Discussion Thread; a rematch of Super Bowl XLV

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

So, I wanted to warn y’all about something. This is going to be a rematch of Super Bowl XLV. I say this to you because you need to be prepared for Mike Tirico and (I suspect) especially Cris Collinsworth to bring this factoid up at least six or seven times every segment. I do not know much about much, but I know they love those low-hanging fruit facts.

But this is about the football.

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

Who: Green Bay Packers (4-1-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)

What: Sunday Night Football

Where: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

When: Sunday, October 26, 7:20 p.m. CDT

Why: Because it’s a rematch of Super Bowl XLV. BOOM! You weren’t expecting that were you? You need to be.

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...discussion-thread-a-rematch-of-super-bowl-xlv

 

[Houston Texans]

Houston Texans vs. San Francisco 49ers analysis: Player stats, results

It’s another week and another surprising result in a rollercoaster season for the Houston Texans. Your Texans defeated the San Francisco 49ers 26-15, but the performance was more dominating than that on both ends of the game. The numbers will likely tell us as much, but we look anyway for the cumulative effect. The more often we look the more often we see patterns. Those patterns help tell us why the Texans are successful or not over the long haul.

The numbers​

• Total Yards: Texans 75/475, 49ers 44/223
• Rushing Yards: Texans 36/157, 49ers 10/48
• Passing Yards: Texans 39/318, 49ers 34/175
• Sacks: Texans 2, 49ers 0
• Turnovers: Texans 1, 49ers 1
• Penalties: Texans 8/55, 49ers 4/30
• Third Down Conversion: Texans 9/16, 49ers 3/9
• Time of Possession: Texans 41:22, 49ers 18:38

The time of possession and total plays numbers tell the whole story. When you run 30 more plays than your opponent you are going to do well. When you possess twice as long as they do you are going to do well. We can go into more of that in the great, good, and bad. Unlike most weeks this year, there was no ugly. We might even struggle to come up with a bad.

The Great​

The pundits and fans alike will focus more on the offense because they have been in the crosshairs for much of the season. That is completely understandable. Following play today, the Texans have given up only 103 points this season. My crack math skills tell me that is a shade under 15 points per game. The Rams are in second place with fourteen more points surrendered. Before anyone says anything, they are currently in their bye week. The Kansas City Chiefs are third and they have surrendered 21 more points before they play their eighth game of the season.

I cannot emphasize how huge this is. They don’t lead the NFL in sacks. They don’t lead the NFL in takeaways. They just make things miserable for opposing quarterbacks and skill position guys. They hit hard and they hit often. They hit late a few times too many for many of us, but that is a part of being aggressive. No one likes to play the Texans even when they win. One of the hallmark of DeMeco Ryan defenses in San Francisco was the paltry won-loss record of teams in the game after they played the 49ers. I haven’t done the research, but I imagine he has a similar effect as the Texans head coach.

The key in this one was their ability to force the 49ers into three and outs. They didn’t turn them over or sack them that often, but they bottled up one of the best running backs in the NFL. When you take away the other team’s best player, your chances of winning go way up. No, they didn’t completely shut down Mac Jones and the passing game because shutouts are extremely rare. They are paid to play too. Still, this was as dominating a performance as we have seen in awhile.

The Good​

People will focus on the 150 yards rushing and the over 300 yards passing and rightfully so. One group made that possible and it was the offensive line. The stat of the game was zero sacks. Stroud was hit a few times, but this was as clean as he has ever been throughout a game. Sure, the 49ers were banged up like the Baltimore Ravens before them. We can make all the excuses in the world as to why we should discount this performance, but I’m not going to do it after all the grief we have given this offensive line.

The hat tip isn’t a full tip without celebrating Stroud. The 30 for 39 performance is good by itself and the only interception wouldn’t normally be one. When you consider there was no Nico Collins or Christian Kirk it is a revelation. The 50 yard pass play to Woody Marks is a perfect example of how this offense is supposed to work. Most of the passes were short or intermediate throws, but Marks broke a short dump off into a huge gain. The old Patriots system was designed that way. Give the receivers and backs chances to make big plays.

The Texans are 3-1 in their last four games and the offense has looks between functional and brilliant in three of those four games. The Seattle game is the turd in the punch bowl that makes predicting consistent success difficult at best. I am not making any predictions about what the rest of the season will look like. We are still in the hope and pray stage.

The Bad​

I’ve been a Texans fan since day one and one of the hallmarks for much of this franchise’s history is a penchant for doing things the hard way. It might be on Bill O’brien’s tombstone when he passes from this Earth. “I made easy games look hard.” When you blow your opponent’s doors off as the Texans did most of this game, you should blow them out on the scoreboard. Part of that is settling for four field goals all inside the red zone. Part of that is giving up an easy touchdown before the end of the first half.

The lack of a killer instinct hasn’t been a big issue this season. Heck, they only have two other wins and those were blowout victories. Ryans’ first two seasons were full of these one score type games. Yes, they technically won by 11, but it took a late interception to seal the deal in their own territory. Credit to Kamari Lassiter for securing his third interception of the season, but up until that point the game felt way too close for a game the Texans dominated from first whistle to last whistle.

The margin for error is still very slim. They need to finish 7-3 to win ten games and ten wins is likely the minimum bar to get in. There are some tough games left on the schedule. They will need to beat a very good team or two to get to ten wins. They cannot do that by allowing easy touchdowns or failing to score touchdowns and settling for field goals.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/the-v...lysis-score-results-stats-san-francisco-49ers

 

[Houston Texans]

Commanders at Chiefs Monday Night Football Discussion Thread

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

It’s Monday night, and now that the Texans game is over (we do NOT talk about last week’s MNF in this house) it’s time to settle in for more football. Whether that’s watching Joe Buck and Troy Aikman or the Manning boys, we have you covered for tonight; which will, from what I understand, not have any more Monday night double features for the foreseeable future.

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

Who: Washington Commanders (3-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)

What: Monday Night Football

Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

When: Monday, October 27, 7:15 p.m. CDT

Why: Because the Jaguars are NOT a philosophical zombie football team, despite the vibe they give.

TV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes

Radio: Westwood One

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

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/gener...hiefs-monday-night-football-discussion-thread

 

[Houston Texans]

NFL Trade Deadline 2025: Houston Texans could be buyers or sellers

The NFL trade deadline is fast approaching, closing Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. ET. The 3-4 Houston Texans could be both buyers and sellers, leveraging their roster and supplemental draft picks.

If Houston is looking to add talent, they hold an extra second- and fourth-round pick in next year’s draft—each capable of netting an immediate starter at a position of need. A second-rounder, in particular, could deliver an impact player where the Texans are hurting most, such as along the offensive line.

Trading a second-round pick for a veteran would be a short-term move aimed at salvaging a season tied to the so-called “Super Bowl window” defined by C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr.’s rookie contracts.

Both picks came courtesy of the Washington Commanders, whose Monday loss moved the Texans’ second-round selection into the top 40.

Heading into the deadline, Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler recently listed their top 25 trade candidates. Among interior offensive linemen, the only player mentioned was the New York Giants’ backup guard, Evan Neal.

This feels like an ideal time to deal away Neal, the No. 7 pick in 2022 who has been inactive all season. The Giants’ starting offensive line finally feels settled, which would make parting with Neal easier, even if for just a late-round pick swap. Teams are always looking for offensive line help.

While a washed up, rusty, and backup offensive guard doesn’t move the needle for Houston, it is another rotational piece that Houston can test out as an improvement over either Ed Ingram or Laken Tomlinson. What is beneficial is that Houston wouldn’t have to give up either their second or fourth round picks; Neal would only incur a 6th – 7th round pick.

ESPN lists Evan Neal as a player who could get traded at the deadline (via Matt Bowen):

"Teams could be willing to take a chance on Neal as a reclamation project due to his traits as a top-10 draft pick." pic.twitter.com/tZTKYXZU65

— Big Blue Film Room (@BigBlueFilmRoom) October 22, 2025

Other interior lineman options are Arizona Cardinal’s Evan Brown and Las Vegas Raiders Dylan Parham. Parham is young, 26, and on his rookie contract. and has started at both guard positions.

On the other hand, Houston is on the outside looking in from a playoff perspective. Both the Colts and Jaguars are having marquee seasons and are not showing signs of slowing down. Their easy schedules lend themselves to playoff runs, which would all but shut Houston out of its first three-peat in franchise history.

With an uphill battle ahead of them, Bowen and Fowler listed Texans LB Christian Harris as the 24th most potentially valuable player that could be traded. They list the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers as potential trade partners.

The buzz: Harris is a once-productive starter relegated to a reserve role in Houston’s defense, due in part to injuries. But he is healthy now and still 24 years old. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans is a disciple of the 49ers coaching staff, and San Francisco might need linebacker help after Fred Warner‘s season-ending injury. And Texans general manager Nick Caserio is among the most aggressive dealmakers in the league.

Harris has been sidelined, falling behind Henry To’oTo’o, E.J. Speed, and Azeez Al-Shaair due to inconsistent play. Houston isn’t likely to get much in a trade, but a player-for-player swap for a rotational safety or tight end could make sense. Both positions are thin, especially with Jimmie Ward out and injuries piling up.

Other Texans who could be moved include Davis Mills, Dameon Pierce, and Derek Barnett. Mills has popped up in trade rumors before, but GM Caserio has shown no appetite to part with the backup quarterback. Pierce has been a healthy scratch most of the season and would bring minimal value. Barnett, meanwhile, recorded his first sack of 2025 on Sunday, adding to the five he posted last year in a reserve role. He could be a quick fix for a team like the 49ers, desperate for edge pressure, or even the Eagles, who are painfully thin at defensive end.

At this point, whether Houston is buying, selling, or doing a bit of both, the clock is ticking. A move at the trade deadline could shape what’s left of their 2025 season. The alternative is grim: no action, a narrow miss of the playoffs, and a draft pick that doesn’t carry much weight. After a promising win, the Texans are still trending toward that outcome, facing a steep climb to stay in postseason contention.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houst...neal-evan-brown-dylan-parham-christian-harris

 

[Houston Texans]

Houston Texans NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Moving Up

Magic is real.

This may come as a shocking opening statement to read, but consider just what you saw on Sunday. Was the San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans game what you were expecting? Did the Texans’ offense look like what they had last week? It may sound far fetched, but if this pass to Jaylin Noel taught me anything, it’s that magic is, indeed, real.

First down factory!

: @nflonfox pic.twitter.com/ySfTXfaF4S

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 26, 2025

Everything and everyone (well…except for Vegas) had given up, sold off, and cast away their hopes of a good Texans season as the San Francisco 49ers arrived at NRG Stadium. 2-4, left for dead in a division where the Indianapolis Colts have stolen all of the thunder thanks to Daniel Jones of all people, that floundering Houston team was running out of time to get the show back on the road, and they played like it! Quarterback CJ Stroud, undaunted by the reality of missing two starting wide receivers this game, went on a heater – targeting nine different receivers for a total of 318 passing yards (77% Cmp), two touchdowns, one interception, and a 106.6 passer rating. And, the granddaddy of all stats: Zero sacks!!!!

If you can believe it, the Houston Texans offensive line showed up, pushed the 5-2 49ers around like some loose rag dolls, and propelled Houston’s offense to their best game of the year. A development like this was so spine-chilling to the opposing team that Mac Jones just started hucking the ball downfield in random directions hoping to ignite a fire in his chilled team. This almost worked too…if it wasn’t for Kamari Lassiter coming from the GRAVE:

Yeah, safe to say it was a pleasant surprise of a game. Now, the Texans are still 3-4 and have a mighty stretch of opponents directly in front of them, but as of right now, they’re a spicy team. Looking so ugly against the Seahawks and than pounding Seattle’s sworn rival the very next week will do more than just ruffle some pundits power rankings, it might even make them say something positive about the Texans!

Alright, that’s enough fanfare. Here’s where everyone is rankings the spicy Houston Texans entering week nine of the 2025 Regular Season:

NFL.COM​

16. Houston Texans (3-4) (Last Week: 21)

The Texans might have the best defense in football. They’ve allowed more than 20 points only once and have forced eight turnovers in their past three games, holding Christian McCaffrey in check Sunday and winning the battle at the line of scrimmage. Mac Jones was sacked twice and under fire much of the day, but there were even more plays for Houston to make up front. Sweetening the win over the Niners was the 26-point performance by the offense. Even with the INTright before halftime, C.J. Stroud was as sharp as he’s been all season, and he can thank some unexpectedly great pass protection for that. The Texans will win 90 percent of the games in which they pass block and score like that.

– Eric Edholm

ESPN:​

17. Houston Texans (3-4)

Week 8 result: Beat the 49ers 26-15
Week 8 ranking: 21

Best offseason addition: RB Woody Marks

The fourth-round pick has been a nice addition to the offense. Marks is boom or bust at times, but when he booms, he shows explosiveness and dynamic ability in the running and passing games. He has had three catches for over 20 yards this season. The rookie out of USC has been a nice complementary player to Nick Chubb, who is more of a bruiser on early downs. Marks leads the Texans in scrimmage yards with 379.

– DJ Bien-Aime

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:​

17. Houston Texans (3-4)

Last week’s ranking: No. 24
Last week’s result: beat 49ers, 26–15
This week: vs. Broncos

I thought some of C.J. Stroud’s best throws of the day were against pressure. That, after watching Seattle completely undress the Texans’ offensive line and Stroud by association, was the kind of relief that gives me faith in a playoff berth.

– Conor Orr

BLEACHER REPORT:​

17. Houston Texans (3-4)

Last Week: 23

Week 8 Result: Won vs. 49ers 26-15

C.J. Stroud wasn’t sacked a single time by the 49ers. Let that previous sentence sink in for a second. It’s the first game of the season where the quarterback remained mostly untouched. The Niners only hit Stroud on two occasions.

With the injuries San Francisco endured, the 49ers defense isn’t operating at a high level. Instead, the unit became the salve that Stroud and Co. needed to finally get on track, even without the quarterback’s WR1, Nico Collins, absent because of injury.

The Texans threw for 318 yards, with 475 total yards of offense. The confidence-builder was necessary for Houston with the Denver Broncos and their elite defense next on the docket.

– Brent Sobleski

CBS SPORTS:​

14. Texans (3-4) (Last Week: 21)

The offense clicked in a big way against the 49ers, which gives them hope going forward. But now that unit faces a tough test against the Denver defense.

– Pete Prisco

USA TODAY:​

15. Houston Texans (22) (3-4): The passing offense finally came to life Sunday − naturally, the absence of WR1 Nico Collins (concussion) was the missing piece.

– Nate Davis

YAHOO! SPORTS:​

18 (22): Houston Texans (3-4)

Houston’s defense didn’t allow the 49ers a first down until the final minute of the first half. The offense gained 475 yards. The defense isn’t a question; it’s one of the best in the NFL. If the offense improves, there’s still time to jump in the playoff race.

– Frank Schwab

THE ATHLETIC:​

17. Houston Texans (3-4)

Last week: 24

Sunday: Beat the 49ers 26-15

Something scary: The defense

The Texans held Christian McCaffrey to 25 yards on eight carries Sunday, and they lead the league in scoring defense (14.7 ppg allowed), yards allowed per game (266.9) and defensive EPA (11.9 per 100 snaps), according to TruMedia. If C.J. Stroud can keep playing like he did against the 49ers (318 passing yards, two touchdowns), the Texans can get back into the playoff conversation.

Up next: vs. Broncos, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

– Chad Graff and Josh Kendall

PRO FOOTBALL TALK:​

17. Texans (No. 23; 3-4): They still have a lot of work to do to catch the Colts.

– Mike Florio

Average Ranking: 16.44 (Last Week: 22.33)

Everything seems to be coming up Texans, now! I mean, we’re talking about a leap of an average of six spaces! Clearly, nobody is really sure what to make of the Texans after this win, but many were particularly impressed by the offensive line. Now, an injuries 49ers defensive line isn’t the most mighty group in the NFL, but it’s comforting to see Nick Caserio’s vision finally starting to come together. Unfortunately, 16th sounds a lot better than 22nd, but Houston still occupies limbo to most analysts. Hearts are starting to warm on the best team in Texas…but they’re still ready to hit the trap door lever if another big L approaches.

Personally, I like to think last Sunday’s game shows the moment where the 2025 Texans turned a corner. After a demoralizing loss in Seattle, Houston could have shriveled up against San Francisco but instead had their most complete, complementary game this season. They may not be a Super Bowl team, but this game will set the foundation inside the locker room of what they’re capable of.

What do you think, though? Will the Texans ride this win to a midseason resurgence, or are they still a few pieces away from climbing out of limbo? Let us know down in the comments below!

GO TEXANS!!!!

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houst...on-texans-nfl-power-rankings-week-9-moving-up

 

[Houston Texans]

Houston Texans Hold Three Top-45 Picks in 2026 NFL Draft

The final NFL Draft order is a ways away from being finalized, but it’s hard not to recognize the potential that lies in the Texans 2026 draft class. Thanks to the Laremy Tunsil trade with the Washington Commanders, Houston holds an extra second and fourth round pick. Plus, Washington sits at 3–5 amid a rash of injuries and a brutal schedule that still includes the Lions, Seahawks, Broncos, and the Eagles twice… those picks could end up being quite valuable.

Similar to the Texans surprise playoff run in 2023 with rookie QB C.J. Stroud, the Commanders are coming off of a miracle 2024 season. They rode rookie QB Jayden Daniels and resurgent WR Terry McLaurin all the way to a 12-5 record and a trip to the NFC Championship game. While they were the darlings of the 2024 season, their success meant they would face a much harder schedule in 2025.

On top of that grueling schedule, the Commanders have rarely been at full power. Dorance Armstrong, their team leader in sack is on IR, and they’ve lost their lead RB Austin Ekeler to an Achilles tear. Texans fans will also be happy to hear that Tunsil has committed seven penalties thus far. However, he’s been stellar in pass blocking and ranks as one of the top rated tackles on PFF. He is also questionable to play on Sunday with a hamstring injury.

The Commanders woes only means more opportunity and value for the Texans. If Washington’s season falls a part, Houston will have two additional picks in at least the top 115. Given the number of woefully horrific teams in the NFL this year (Saints, Jets, Titans, Browns, and Dolphins), there is only so far the Commanders pick can fall.

Either way, the more the Commanders lose, the more the Texans win.

Right now, Houston’s biggest needs are interior offensive line, running back, safety, and tight end. With four picks in the first three rounds, they can address each need with one of the top players in the class and still have four picks left.

Houston Texans current 2026 draft picks (according to PFF)

Round 1, Pick 14

Round 2, Pick 44 (from WAS)

Round 2, Pick 45

Round 3, Pick 70 (from NYG)

Round 4, Pick 112 (from WAS)

Round 4, Pick 114

Round 5, Pick 153

Round 7, Pick 227

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/nfl-d...ans-hold-three-top-45-picks-in-2026-nfl-draft

 

[Houston Texans]

Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos: Nico Collins Returns to Practice

The Houston Texans are fresh off a dominant victory over the well-coached San Francisco 49ers and are looking to keep that momentum rolling as they return home to face the Denver Broncos.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud took what the 49ers’ defense gave him and operated the offense at an extremely high level — something that hasn’t consistently happened in 2025. That inconsistency hasn’t been entirely on Stroud, as the regression around him has made things difficult.

Houston’s defense continues to set the tone each week. Their dominance is no surprise at this point, and they remain one of the toughest matchups for any team in the league.

DID NOT PARTICIPATE​

-TE Dalton Schultz (Knee/ Shoulder)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION​

-WR Braxton Berrios (Chest)

-RB Woody Marks (Calf)

-DE Dylan Horton (Knee)

-DE Denico Autry (Knee)

FULL PARTICIPATION​

-CB Alijah Huzzie (Knee)

-FB Jakob Johnson (Hamstring)

-S Jalen Pitre (Foot)

-WR Nico Collins (Concussion)

-WR Christian Kirk (Hamstring)

The Texans’ offense was sharp last week despite missing their top two receivers — Nico Collins and Christian Kirk. It turned into the rookie show, led by Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, both of whom stepped up in a big way. Even with Collins and Kirk expected to return, the young playmakers have earned more opportunities moving forward.

If Houston can find a way to beat the Broncos — one of the hottest teams in the league right now — it could go a long way toward turning their season around.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houst...nver-broncos-nico-collins-returns-to-practice

 

[Houston Texans]

Value of Things: “Fixed” Texans offense

One of the things that old-time hard hitting journalists did was stick to a routine until the situation absolutely warranted it. Those situations would be called “special comments.” I am not a hard hitting journalist and barely qualify as a professional one, but I am taking the opportunity to throw out a special comment. DeMeco Ryans got into it with a couple of media members this week during one of the press conferences. I’m not here to criticize Ryans necessarily. He has a right to be irritated and upset. I can’t imagine having my worst day and then having 20 or 30 reporters asking me about it the next day.

All that being said, the media has a job. Their job is to report news and in reporting the news they will need to ask questions. When you are a losing football team and you have the best statistical defense in the NFL by a wide margin then it is only logical that people are going to ask questions about the offense. In particular, they are going to ask questions about the people running the offense. This is only logical.

I know that they want us to believe that the 49ers game marks an end to their offensive struggles. Heck. you could even point to the fact that they are 3-1 in their last four games and at least three of those were impressive offensive performances. So, it would seem on the surface that we should just move and assume everything is okay. However, when you look at numbers you might be inclined to think differently.

• Week One: Los Angeles Rams 26 sacks (2nd) 3 sacks
• Week Two: Tampa Bay Bucs 25 sacks (3rd) 3 sacks
• Week Three: Jacksonville Jaguars 8 sacks (32nd) 2 sacks
• Week Four: Tennessee Titans 16 sacks (18th) 2 sacks
• Week Five: Baltimore Ravens 9 sacks (30th) 2 sacks
• Week Seven: Seattle Seahawks 23 sacks (5th) 3 sacks
• Week Eight: San Francisco 49ers 9 sacks (30th) 0 sacks

So, there are a couple of ways to look at this. We can look at the aggregate and say that the Texans have only allowed 15 sacks in seven games. That would be average if we prorated it over eight games. So, let’s say that the Texans have an average offense and an average offensive line. With the exception of the Jaguars game, they looked horrible against good pass rushes and good against bad pass rushes. So, let’s see what happens with the remaining ten games on the schedule.

• Week Nine: Denver Broncos 36 (1st)
• Week Ten: Jacksonville Jaguars 9 (32nd)
• Week Eleven: Tennessee Titans 16 (18th)
• Week Twelve: Buffalo Bills 22 (8th)
• Week Thirteen: Indianapolis Colts 23 (5th)
• Week Fourteen: Kansas City Chiefs 17 (16th)
• Week Fifteen: Arizona Cardinals 12 (27th)
• Week Sixteen: Las Vegas Raiders 15 (22nd)
• Week Seventeen: Los Angeles Chargers 22 (8th)
• Week Eighteen: Indianapolis Coltss 23 (5th)

We could almost predict how these things will turn out based on how the last seven games have turned out. They have five games remaining with teams in the top ten in sacks. They need to win two of those games and that assumes they win every other game. They do have three games against teams that rank in the bottom ten. Those games look like slam dunks now. That gets the team to six wins.

So, the Texans are not a horrible football team. They are not a good football team. They are an average football team. Average football teams win between six and nine wins every season. That is likely where the Texans end up. We could wring our hands and rend our garments, but the average range is where a lot of teams end up. Yet, there is more than one way to look at an average season. It is also plausible to blame the schedule maker. The average number of sacks through week eight for their opponents is 18.3. 18 sacks would rank 14th. 19 sacks ranks 12th.

Another way to look at it is that their 153 points gives them a total of nearly 22 points per game. That would also fall in the average range. Logic would clearly dictate that if you are in the average range offensively and elite defensively then you should be a good football team. You shouldn’t be an average football team. In some instances (say the 2000 Baltimore Ravens) you might even be a great football team.

This brings us full circle to Ryans. When a team clearly does not meet expectations, the head coach and general manager have to answer for that. It’s not an unforgivable sin. Teams underachieve for one reason or another all the time. The other beauty is that the future is unwritten. Past trends do not guarantee future performance. They simply inform us as to what we possibly can expect. The Texans match up against the number one pass rush in the NFL on Sunday. All indications are that this one will be a slog for their offense.

Another rough performance will bring back those same questions that have been asked throughout the first seven weeks of the season. However, hopefully special comments like this one will linger as an explanation. Maybe they aren’t as bad as their worst performances or as good as their best ones. This is Ryans and Nick Caley’s chance to prove these trends wrong. Let’s see how they do.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/the-value-of-things/72177/value-of-things-fixed-texans-offense

 

[Houston Texans]

Broncos at Texans: How to watch, TV schedule, and more

Welcome back my friends to the roller coaster that is Texans fandom (hat tip to the original fearless leader: Tim). This week, the Texans get to stay home again to welcome the Denver Broncos. There’s been some animosity between these two teams in recent years so this could be a really interesting game.

Or it’s going to be a nightmare. There is no other option.

At any rate, at least it’s not in Denver where they do that stupid “incomplete” chant.

But will you be able to watch the game at home on Sunday? The fine folks at 506 Sports can help out.

View Link

FOX SINGLE GAMES

Red: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady; Referee: Clay Martin)
Blue: Denver Broncos at Houston Texans (Announcers: Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston; Referee: Brad Allen)
Green: Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers (Announcers: Adam Amin, Greg Olsen; Referee: Land Clark)
Yellow: LATE GAME
Orange: LATE GAME

Here’s what you need to know to watch the game today:

Who: Denver Broncos at Houston Texans

Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX

When: Sunday, November 2, 12:00 pm CDT

Why: Because there is a chance the Texans might still be good.

TV: Fox (Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston)

Radio: KILT Sports Radio 610 AM

Streaming: Fox One*, Fox Sports, Hulu + Live TV*, NFL+*, SlingTV*, YouTubeTV* (via Sunday Ticket) (*subscriptions required)

Go Texans!

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/houst...s-at-texans-how-to-watch-tv-schedule-and-more

 

[Houston Texans]

Five good Texans questions with Mile High Report

The Denver Broncos are one of the under the radar great stories in the NFL this season. Bo Nix is playing even better this season than he did last season and the Broncos lead the NFL in sacks through week eight of the season. Ian St. Clair of Mile High Report was kind of enough to carve out a few minutes from his busy schedule to answer some of our questions. The game is a huge game for both clubs. The Broncos are trying to hold off the hot Kansas City Chiefs to keep a hold on their lead in the AFC West. The Houston Texans are looking to get back into the AFC Wild Card race with a fourth victory in five games.

Battle Red Blog: Four of the six Broncos wins have been in one score games. Do you feel like this can continue or will their luck even out?

Ian St. Clair: The short answer is, yes. However, context is obviously needed to understand why. The Broncos are learning how to win games. The defense is one of the best in the league, and that’s still true even with Pat Surtain II out with a pectoral injury for the next few weeks. That defense will keep Denver in every game it plays. On top of that, you have Sean Payton, who remains one of the best coaches in the NFL. But the biggest reason is Bo Nix. No matter the situation or how the game unfolds, he plays his best in the fourth quarter. In fact, Nix is one of the best quarterbacks in the league in the fourth quarter. He shares many similarities with John Elway in that regard. No matter what, the Broncos have a chance.

BRB: Bo Nix is in his second season at the helm. How is he developing as a quarterback?

ISC: According to former Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib, Nix is the best quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft class. So if you listen to a former player in the league, Nix is progressing quite well. From a fan’s perspective, you couldn’t ask for more at this point. There are still times when you see he’s a second-year player, but he’s coming into his own, and the game is starting to slow down for him. Add in the fact that he has Payton, and now one of the best running games in the league, and you can see why he’s building on his strong rookie season. What’s exciting as a fan of the Broncos: Nix is just getting started.

BRB: Denver has been known for having a stout defense in recent seasons. What is the key to their success?

ISC: The Broncos have a complete defense. The defensive front and the pass rush are arguably the best in the league, especially the pass rush with Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper. However, the secondary is one of the best and deepest in the NFL as well. Obviously, that will get put to the test with Surtain out, but that’s another reason why the Denver defense is so good. The biggest question mark, or weak link, so to speak, was inside linebacker. Since Dre Greenlaw has played in just one game at this point, that remains the case. However, with Greenlaw back on the field, this defense will become even better. When he’s healthy, few inside linebackers make the impact that Greenlaw does. And then, to top it off, Vance Joseph does a great job calling a defensive game. About the only thing this defense doesn’t do is create turnovers. If the Broncos start doing that, this defense will be scary.

BRB: The AFC West looks like a three team race. Who do you see as the Broncos main competition? Who in the AFC West do Broncos fans enjoy beating the most?

ISC: As much as I hate to say this, the main competition is Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. That franchise has won the AFC West nine straight seasons. In the words of wrestler Ric Flair, “to be the man, you have to beat the man.” Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers will inevitably “Charger.” So that leaves the Chiefs. I’m clearly biased, but this is the year the Broncos knock Kansas City off the perch and win the division. And not just because I had placed a bet on that happening before the season started.

BRB: According to Fanduel, the Broncos are slight undergogs on Sunday. How do you see the game going? Are there any prop bets you feel comfortable recommending?

ISC: I’m actually surprised Denver isn’t a heavier favorite on Sunday. Clearly, the oddsmakers are putting a lot of weight on Surtain’s injury. I think Denver’s pass rush is going to make the day miserable for C.J. Stroud. He’s going to be under constant pressure and won’t have time to think. On the other side of the ball, Nix and the offense will use the running game effectively to set up big plays in the passing game. The Broncos come out of Houston with a big win. In terms of prop bets, I’m going with a Courtland Sutton anytime touchdown at +200 and then J.K. Dobbins’ alt-rushing yards of 70+ at +136.

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We want to thank Ian for the taking the time to answer our questions. Remember, you can go to Mike High Report for all of your Denver Broncos news and analysis. The Broncos are coming in hot and they are looking to keep their commanding lead in the AFC West. We want to wish Ian and the Broncos the best of luck for the remainder of the season. As per usual, we hope that luck begins on Monday morning.

Source: https://www.battleredblog.com/general/72212/five-good-texans-questions-with-mile-high-report