The Houston Texans’ seventh loss of the season was a particularly frustrating affair as the team squandered every opportunity to get a win over a highly touted opponent that gave them every chance to make a second-half comeback. A final score of 16-24 in favor of the New York Giants was indicative of how close the Texans came to securing their second win of the season, which could have sparked a shift of momentum in the team’s culture, which has been in the gutter so far this season.
Veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks has been the figurehead of the dysfunction within the organization this year and sat out last week’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles due to a “personal” issue following a social media outburst when Houston failed to move him at the trade deadline.
Cooks has made it clear that he has no desire to play for a losing team, and was stripped of his captainship ahead of the matchup against the Giants on Sunday. Despite the drama, he still found time to praise quarterback Davis Mills for his play.
“I think he came out in that second half and played with poise,” Cooks said. “[He] didn’t try to press anything and was just making plays like we know he can and guys were stepping up and making plays for him. We just have to be able to do that for him collectively from the start.”
Mills was able to throw for more than 300 yards in the effort and even found Cooks open in the end zone on a play that would be called back due to a penalty. The chemistry the duo found earlier in the season seems to have returned, even if only for one week, and with more practice the quarterback and receiver could be back to old form before the season draws to a close.