OC Tim Kelly likes the way the Texans offense has finished drives

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly likes the way his unit has taken advantages of drives to score against the opposition.

The Houston Texans offense is 10th in the league in points for (238) and sixth in the NFL in total yards (3,570), which are part of the club’s 6-3 record and first place in the AFC South.

There is plenty with the unit to be pleased with, but first-year offensive coordinator Tim Kelly really likes the way the offense has concluded their drives with quarterback Deshaun Watson at the helm.

“We’ve shown the ability to sustain and finish drives,” Kelly told reporters Thursday. “Deshaun’s doing a good job of really going out there and getting us into good plays, and our guys are going out there and making the plays that are coming their way and they’re able to do it and, like I said, sustain the drives.”

The Texans are averaging 2:59 time of possession per drive, fifth-best in the NFL, and 2.47 points per drive, the fourth-best in the league. The biggest stat that shows the offense is finishing drives is their 65.7% red zone conversion rate, tied with the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday’s opponent, for the fifth-best in the NFL.

Not bad for a unit that last season finished in the bottom-10 in red zone conversion at 50%, the only other playoff team other than the Dallas Cowboys to finish that low in red zone conversions.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a chunk play in order for us to score,” Kelly said. “So, that’s something that we’re continuing to try and get better at, but have shown improvement at.”

The Texans will need to sustain long drives, and finish them off, when they take on the Ravens Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore is the highest-scoring offense in the NFL with 300 points tallied thus far. In order for the Texans to keep the Ravens at bay, Houston will need to out-play them on the scoreboard both proactively and in an indirect manner via time of possession.

LeBron James credits Lakers teammates for NBA assist lead

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James credited his teammates ability to convert opportunities for his NBA lead in assists.

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As a LeBron Wire reader, you may not be surprised to see that LeBron James is leading the NBA in assists. It was the leading preseason prediction for our site heading into the season and James has made good on the play in the preseason, using the arrival of Anthony Davis and improved outside shooting to become the current NBA assist leader.

James has tons of NBA accolades and statistical achievements on his resume. But leading the NBA in assists is something he’s never done before. A big reason is the addition of Davis, who gave James an efficient volume scorer — the likes of which he has never played before.

But James wanted to credit the entire team for his statistical accolades, telling ESPN’s Dave McMenamin:

I’m just trying to play within the system of what we’re trying to do in the game plan, and get my shooters and get my bigs opportunities. I don’t get the assists if my teammates don’t make the shots. That’s what it all boils down to. So they deserve all the credit.

This is nothing new for James, who has taken great pride in creating opportunities for his teammates. Even though James Harden is generally associated most with creating 3-point shots these days, ESPN analyst Kirk Goldsberry found that nobody had assisted on more 3-pointers in the past decade than LeBron.

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Ravens vs. Texans injury report: DT Michael Pierce missed Thursday’s practice

The Baltimore Ravens are pretty healthy for Week 11 against the Houston Texans but are still seeing defensive tackle Michael Pierce out.

The Baltimore Ravens enter Week 11 fairly healthy. After getting their Week 9 bye, Baltimore has managed to see the return of some previously injured players as they look to make a strong second-half run.

While the Ravens had three players miss practice entirely on Thursday, most of the injuries don’t seem to be terribly concerning. Rookie wide receiver Marquise Brown has been a frequent addition to the injury report each week but has played in all but two games this season. Defensive tackle Brandon Williams was held out for non-injury reasons. That leaves just defensive tackle Michael Pierce, who was considered day-to-day this week with an ankle injury.

Take a look at the full injury report below.

Baltimore Ravens injuries:

WR Marquise Brown (ankle) – DNP
DT Michael Pierce (ankle) – DNP
DT Brandon Williams (NIR) – DNP

WR Chris Moore (thumb) – LP

CB Brandon Carr (NIR) – FP
RB Mark Ingram (NIR) – FP
CB Jimmy Smith (NIR) – FP
Earl Thomas (NIR/knee) – FP

Houston Texans injuries:

LB Dylan Cole (Knee) – LP
WR Will Fuller V (Hamstring) – LP
S Tashaun Gipson Sr. (Back/wrist) – LP
G/T Tytus Howard (Knee) – LP
CB Bradley Roby (Hamstring) – LP
T Laremy Tunsil (Shoulder) – LP

14 cities that could possibly get an NBA team

Let’s take a look at 14 cities that might one day become a slam-dunk option for a new NBA franchise.

And now, introducing the starting lineup for your…

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

To have that electrifying pregame announcement capped off with a new NBA franchise’s name is a dream many fans would like to see one day come true. The youngest of the three core leagues—NBA, MLB, NFL—the NBA’s innovative thinking has steadily increased popularity and revenues, with each team now worth over $1 billion. The athletes, who are as much of the brand as the logo itself, add an element of fan connection that other sports—mainly the NFL, which is hidden behind a face mask, can’t provide.

With this popularity, of course, also comes the topic of expansion. In the past few years, there have been several locations that have gone from whispers to actual headlines. And although NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has stated the NBA isn’t engaging in expanding to 32 teams (or beyond), that doesn’t mean it’s a closed case.

So, understanding that even a one-percent chance is still a chance, let’s take a look at 14 cities that might one day become NBA footholds—franchises the current owners would gladly split the revenue pie with because it’s a slam-dunk option!

1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4 :: 5 :: 6 :: 7 :: 8 :: 9 :: 10 :: 11 :: 12 :: 13 :: 14

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10, Page 11, Page 12, Page 13, Page 14, Page 15

Tua Tagovailoa Named Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was named one of 16 semifinalists for the Davey O’ Brien Award.

On Thursday, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was named one of 16 semifinalists for the Davey O’ Brien Award, given annually to the nation’s best quarterback. The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award.

Tagovailoa, who underwent ankle surgery less than three weeks ago, has thrown for 2,584 yards, 31 TDs, and 3 INT for the season.

An Alabama quarterback has never won the Davey O’Brien Award but have had three finalists: Jay Barker in 1994, AJ McCarron in 2013, and Tagovailoa in 2018.

Three finalists will be named on Monday, Nov. 25, and then on Thursday, Dec. 12, the winner will be announced.

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Colts injury report: TE Jack Doyle returns limited

A look at Thursday’s injury report.

The Indianapolis Colts (5-4) held their second practice of the week on Thursday as they prepare for the Week 11 divisional matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5) at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts have a long injury report entering this crucial matchup, and their designations for the divisional bout will be released Friday afternoon. It isn’t looking good for a handful of players, but they still have one more day to log a practice.

Here’s a look at the injury report following Thursday’s practice:

DNP: Did not participate / LP: Limited Participant / FP: Full Participant

Name Position Injury Wed. Thurs. Fri. Game
Mo Alie-Cox TE Hip DNP DNP
Parris Campbell WR Hand DNP DNP
Pierre Desir CB Hamstring DNP DNP
Jack Doyle TE Shoulder DNP LP
T.Y. Hilton WR Calf DNP DNP
Jordan Wilkins RB Ankle DNP DNP
Clayton Geathers S Rest LP FULL
Darius Leonard LB Abdomen LP FULL
Jacoby Brissett QB Knee FP FULL
Ashton Dulin WR Neck — DNP
Malik Hooker S Knee — DNP
Jabaal Sheard DE Rest — DNP

Saints-Bucs Injury Report (Nov. 14): G Ali Marpet is a full participant

Check out the latest injury report for both the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of Week 11’s showdown.

After halting their four-game losing-streak by beating the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now ready to exact revenge on the New Orleans Saints in Week 11.

The Saints, who are coming off a shocking loss to the Atlanta Falcons, picked the Bucs’ secondary apart back in Week 5 and started the Bucs on their four-game skid.

With Drew Brees now back in the lineup, the task of taking down one of the best teams in the NFC becomes even more difficult for the Bucs. Hopefully, they’ll get some of the guys listed below back in time for Sunday’s game.

Here’s the latest injury report for both teams.

Buccaneers

CB Carlton Davis (hip) – Limited Participation

T Demar Dotson (not injury related) – Full Participation

G Ali Marpet (ankle) – Full Participation

OLB Carl Nassib (groin) – Limited Participation

OLB Anthony Nelson (hamstring) – Did Not Participate

CB M.J. Stewart (knee) – Did Not Participate

Saints

LB Demario Davis (hamstring) – Limited Participation

WR Deonte Harris (hamstring) – Did Not Participate

CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) – Did Not Participate

FB Zach Line (knee) – Limited Participation

G Andrus Peat (forearm) – Did Not Participate

CB Patrick Robinson (hamstring) – Full Participation

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Texans unsure if CB Vernon Hargreaves will play against the Ravens

The Houston Texans are unsure if newly acquired cornerback Vernon Hargreaves will play against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

The Houston Texans claimed cornerback Vernon Hargreaves off waivers on Wednesday. He walked through the canals of NRG Stadium on Thursday, though, he was not at the media portion of practice.

The Texans are unsure of Hargreaves’ ability to play on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. Being that he found a home in Houston on Wednesday — after his cut by the Buccaneers on Tuesday — he is just beginning to adjust to his new team.

“What’s tough is the acclimation period, because it’s new terminology, it’s new teammates, it’s a new system, it’s new schedules and all of those. So, all of that — that acclimation period, that’s really tough and until he can get acclimated, he’s going to be a little off a little bit,” said defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel on Thursday. “But then once that period is over with, then he kind of falls into step with everybody else.”

Hargreaves’ acclimation to Houston and the Texans’ defensive scheme will depict whether or not he plays on Sunday. His status as a first-round pick in 2016 does not impact the decision to play him or not.

“I know that he was a number one draft choice, but just like anyone new that we bring in, you’ve got to put them out there and you’ve got to see what they can do and get a feel for them, what their personality is and those kind of thing,” Crennel said. “So, we’ll start doing that and then I’ll have a better opinion.”

A former Florida Gator, Hargreaves allowed a 108.6 passer rating in coverage in 2019 before his release. In 35 career games played, 33 starts, he has 19 pass deflections and a pair of interceptions.

It doesn’t matter how talented Hargreaves is, if he doesn’t know the defensive play calls, he is susceptible to looking like a deer in the headlights. Communication is key, not experience in Tampa Bay.

“He’s been a starter and he’s played in the league,” said Crennel. “So, you can take a starter and put him into the game. Now, will he know all the communication that’s necessary and all that?”

Simply put, by Crennel, the Texans are “not sure” if Hargreaves will play on Sunday. If he doesn’t, they will rely on a healthy cornerback group, with Gareon Conley, Johnathan Joseph and Bradley Roby expected to start.