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.

[jwplayer AdgeiI2B-z6KDnl0B]

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

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