Tag: AFC Playoff 2024

NFL fine against Texans RB Joe Mixon reissued, this time for his actual rcomments

Instead of just admitting they were wrong, the NFL still plans on going after Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon for dumb comments.

The NFL still plans to fine Houston Texans Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon for his comments following Saturday’s 24-13 loss in the divisional round against the Kansas City Chiefs.

This time, the league office is actually going to fine him for his comments and not that of former Cincinnati Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Following the loss, Mixon mentioned the officiating in the locker room after the loss and how two plays against Patrick Mahomes factored into the outcome.

“Everybody knows how it is playing up here,” Mixon said. “You can never leave it into the refs’ hands. The whole world sees what it is, bro, but it is what it is.”

The NFL fined the Texans’ top rusher $25,000 for tweeting postgame, “Why play the game if every 50/50 call goes with Chiefs? These officials are trash and bias.”

Here’s the problem: Mixon never tweeted that. Houshmandzadeh had tweeted it during the game while Mixon and Houston were trying to mount a comeback. 

After Mixon called out the league for the wrongful error, the league reissued the $25,000 fine for his actual comments made in the locker room. Right after the fine was released, Mixon hopped back on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling it a “cold world.”

“So, let me get this straight. NFL fines me 25k for something I didn’t even say. Call them out for it, and (their) response was fine me AGAIN for something that’s not even a violation without even rescinding the first one,” Mixon tweeted. “Where’s the accountability? Just respect the players.” 

Peter Schaffer, Mixon’s agent, told ESPN they were already planning to appeal the fine and will still appeal it under the new issue.

“We will defend Joe and have appealed the fine and will explore all other legal avenues to rectify this situation,” Schaffer said. “This has to stop.” 

Will the Texans rest starters in Week 18’s regular-season finale?

DeMeco Ryans makes it clear about starters playing on Sunday when the Houston Texans take the field against the Tennessee Titans.

Is C.J. Stroud playing in Week 18’s finale against the Tennessee Titans?

What about Nico Collins, who’s only 32 yards away from reaching 1,000 yards?

Will Joe Mixon be on the sidelines resting, knowing he’s seven yards from being the first Texans running back since Carlos Hyde?

The answer is the same for each: yes. Houston does not plan on resting players for the regular-season finale at Nissan Stadium, regardless of playoff implications in the wild-card round.

“I mentioned to all our guys that everybody has to be ready to go,” Ryans said. “Everybody will be out there playing and then we’ll see how the game goes.”

Sunday’s matchup won’t change much for Houston. They’ve already clinched the AFC South and can’t improve their playoff positioning. Following a  31-2 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas, the Texans secured the No. 4 seed in the postseason and will host the top wild card seed come January 11 or 12.

But Ryans is about ending the season on a high note. With a win, Houston would secure its second double-dight victory campaign and back-to-back 10-win seasons since 2019.

After last week’s loss at home to the Ravens on Christmas, starters also need a chance to improve their persona.

“Our last outing on the field was not good enough. It was not representative of who we are,” Ryans said. “Defensively, offensively, just not a good representation of our team entirely. So we’ve got to go out and play better football.”

Just because starters take the field on Sunday afternoon doesn’t mean they’ll play four quarters. Houston’s an injury away from knocking itself out of the playoffs before the game even begins.

Ryans isn’t planning on running his players rampant before an elimination game, but morale must improve heading into the postseason. There must be a spark to bring back belief.

“For us right now, I think it’s a feel for where your team is at this point of the season,” Ryans said. “For me right now, our team needs to be playing better before we head into the postseason.”

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT. The game will be locally televised on CBS.