Tag: AFC Wild-Card

Instant analysis: Texans QB Deshaun Watson’s legend grew against the Bills

Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson helped his legend grow against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wild-card with a 22-19 overtime win.

Last year in Houston, Deshaun Watson’s postseason legend began as most do.

It was a paltry, ordinary showing where the protagonist was simply outmatched. The Texans sputtered their way to seven points and were thoroughly dominated by the AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts.

Watson threw for a pedestrian 246 yards with an interception and a touchdown. The former 2017 first-round pick failed to generate the postseason magic he’d become notorious for at Clemson.

On Saturday, against the Buffalo Bills, that narrative appeared to be solidifying.

The franchise signal caller for Houston looked overwhelmed, sacked seven times while frequently holding onto the ball far too long and failing to identify an open receiver.

The Texans were down 16-0 at one point in the third quarter with only 68 yards from their franchise quarterback. The game appeared to be en route to another January disappointment as the first connection between Watson and All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins was fumbled. It was another Bill O’Brien game plan that was simply over matched against a good wild-card team that would probably peter out the next week in the divisional playoffs.

However, this is where the story changed. Specifically, Watson changed the narrative, salvaging the Texans’ from the ‘post-season choker’ label they seemed all but destined for. No. 4 finished completing 80% of his passes, 20/25, for 247 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, Watson added 55 yards on the ground, 20 of which came on the Texans first score of the game when trailing by 16.

This was Watson at his absolute best on Saturday. The Texans seemingly cannot be counted out in any contest where he is available. In addition to some second half adjustments, Watson consistently extended plays, found the open man and ultimately did everything necessary to close the gap against a fundamentally-sound Buffalo Bills team.

Deandre Hopkins, with only one reception for five yards and a fumble, would explode for five catches and 85 yards. Running backs Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson ran inspired. The spark was lit and the Texans scored 19 unanswered. Everything was in their favor.

Following a rather questionable quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1 with under two minutes that allowed Buffalo an additional drive and to the tie the game, the game went to overtime.

NFL overtime is where legends are made.

Following a quick Texans’ three-and-out to open the extra period, the next team to score would win. In response to this magnitude, the young quarterback showed poise many fans have simply come to expect. Watson calmly led a 9-play 73-yard drive.

Specifically, it was on second-and-6 on the Buffalo 44, where it appeared all but certain Buffalo had secured a drive-killing sack, that Watson wrote his legend.

He slipped two would-be sacks, scrambled to the right, and flipped the ball to unlikely candidate Taiwan Jones. The play went for 34 yards and all but ensured a Texans’ victory on the next play. The Houston Houdini stamped his mark.

This was a performance that reminded Texans’ fans that despite any defensive deficiency, qualms with O’Brien or any other problem in Houston: With Watson, they can win. It’s possible the slow start afforded by Buffalo, however, may not be available against the likes of Kansas City or Baltimore.

Will O’Brien be able to assemble such a game plan? Who knows?

However, today Houston should celebrate. Watson showed everyone why the front office considers him the franchise.

On to the divisional round with more story left to be written.

Deshaun Watson delivers in Texans’ 22-19 overtime win versus the Bills in the AFC wild-card

QB Deshaun Watson was sensational in leading the Houston Texans 22-19 over the Buffalo Bills in overtime of the AFC wild-card Saturday.

Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 28-yard field goal to lift the Houston Texans over the Buffalo Bills in overtime of the AFC wild-card Saturday evening at NRG Stadium.

Quarterback Deshuan Watson setup the game-winning field goal after scrambling away from a sack and hitting running back Taiwan Jones for a 34-yard reception down to the Bills’ 10-yard line.

Watson threw for a touchdown and rushed for another along with converting a pair of two-point conversions. The two-time Pro Bowler completed

The two-time Pro Bowler completed 20-of-25 for 247 yards after completing 6-of-8 for 49 yards and being limited to three carries for 13 yards in the first half.

Facing a second-and-goal from the 5-yard line with 4:42 to go in the game, Watson threw a touchdown pass to running back Carlos Hyde to take the lead. A two-point throw to receiver DeAndre Hopkins on slant gave Houston the lead 19-16.

On the ensuing drive, on fourth-and-27 from the Texans’ 42-yard line, outside linebacker Jacob Martin dropped Bills quarterback Josh Allen for a 19-yard loss. The second-year quarterback finished with 24-of-46 for 264 yards.

However, the Bills’ comeback attempt wasn’t squelched. After stopping Watson for no gain on a fourth-and-1, the Bills got the ball back at their own 30-yard line. Allen led the offense on a 41-yard drive that setup kicker Stephen Hauschka for a game-tying 47-yard field goal.

The Bills got the scoring started when receiver John Brown threw a receiver option pass to Allen for a 16-yard touchdown with 11:41 to go in the first quarter.

Defensive end J.J. watt tried to provide a spark for the Texans defense with a sack of Allen with 6:08 to go in the third quarter to force a 38-yard Hauschka field goal. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year finished with 1.0 sack, two quarterback hits, and a tackle for loss after being out for the last eight games of the regular season with a torn pectoral muscle.

Watt’s sack gave the Texans a little momentum as they mounted a 75-yard drive after the field goal. Watson rushed for a 20-yard touchdown and the ensuing two-point conversion to give the Texans a chance down 16-8 with 1:33 left in the third quarter.

The Texans defense produced a takeaway as outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus sacked Allen for a 1-yard loss, forced a fumble, and outside linebacker Jacob Martin scooped it up at the 50-yard line. Houston was only able to add three points with a 41-yard Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal, but nonetheless chipped away at Buffalo’s lead, 16-11 early in the fourth quarter.

Summary

The Texans scored 22 second half and overtime points to overcome the Bills’ 13-0 halftime lead to advance to the AFC divisional playoffs.

Turning point

Win: With 6:46 to go in the third quarter, Watt sacked Allen on a third-and-8 to force Buffalo to settle for a 38-yard field goal. All 19 of the Texans’ points were scored thereafter.

Unique stat

Bills: Allen became the third NFL player since 1975 with at least 25 yards passing, 40 yards rushing, and 15 yards receiving in a game. The other two were Marcus Allen (Week 2 of 1982) and Walter Payton (Week 3 of 1983).

Texans: After being shutout 13-0 in the first half, the Texans offense produced all 22 in the second half and overtime

Scoring summary

Buffalo Bills — 7, 6, 3, 3 — 19

Houston Texans — 0, 0, 8, 11, 3 — 22

First quarter

BUF — Allen 16 pass from Brown (Hauschka kick), 11:41

Second quarter

BUF — Hauschka 40 kick, 10:47

BUF — Hauschka 40 kick, 0:04

Third quarter

BUF — Hauschka 38, 6:02

HTX — Watson 20 run (Watson run), 1:33

Fourth quarter

HTX — Fairbairn 41 kick, 10:55

HTX — Hyde 5 pass from Watson (Hopkins pass from Watson), 4:37

BUF — Hauschka 47 kick, 0:05

Overtime

HTX — Fairbairn 28 kick, 3:20

injury report

Bills

  • None

Texans:

  • None

Up Next

The Bills season ends with a 10-7 record and a continuation of their playoff-win drought as their last occurred in the 1995 AFC wild-card against the Miami Dolphins.

The Texans travel to either Baltimore or Kansas City depending on the outcome of the Titans-Patriots game Saturday night.

Texans-Bills live blog: 2019 AFC wild-card

The Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills meet in the AFC wild-card. Can’t catch the game conventionally? We have you covered.

The Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills face off the first game of wild-card weekend, the 2019 AFC wild-card at NRG Stadium.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN/ABC. If you still can’t find the game conventionally, even after allowing our friends from FuboTV to give you some help, then we got you covered. Buckle up.

Have you seen the inactives? Johnathan Joseph and Will Fuller are both out.

Check out the predictions. Who’s the guy that picked the Bills today?

Don’t just hear everyone else’s keys to the game; read the Texans’ own words on how they have to stop the Bills.

Look at how Deshaun Watson and the crew arrived to NRG Stadium Saturday. It will take that confidence and swagger to get that playoff win.

Texans-Bills inactives: Will Fuller, Johnathan Joseph out

The Houston Texans announced their inactives versus the Buffalo Bills and CB Johnathan Joseph and WR Will Fuller were declared inactive.

The Houston Texans announced their inactives ahead of their AFC wild-card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at 3:35 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium.

As reported from the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, receiver Will Fuller is out with a groin injury. Joining Fuller is two-time Pro Bowl Johnathan Joseph (hamstring), TE Jordan Akins (hamstring), NT Eddie Vanderdoes, OT Elijah Nkansah, CB Cornell Armstrong, and WR Steven Mitchell.

For the Bills, RB T.J. Yeldon, WR Robert Foster, TE Tommy Sweeney, G/T Ryan Bates, G/C Ike Boettger, DT Vincent Taylor, and CB Levi Wallace were declared inactive.

WATCH: Texans’ Watson, Hopkins, Watt arrive to stadium ahead of playoff game versus the Bills

Houston Texans superstars Deshaun Watson, J.J. Watt, and DeAndre Hopkins arrived in style ahead of the playoff game versus the Buffalo Bills.

Houston Texans superstars Desahun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, and J.J. Watt arrived to NRG Stadium in style as they prepare to take on the Buffalo Bills at 3:35 p.m. CT.

Watt gave a simple nod for the cameras as he headed to the locker room.

Watson, who was named to the Pro Bowl, had his Beats headphones on and also gave a simple acknowledgement to the cameras before making his way to the locker room.

Three-time All-Pro wideout Hopkins looked fly as always.

According to the Texans’ official Twitter account, the wardrobe was furnished by Palais Royal.

If the Texans beat the Bills in the wild-card playoffs, the players will get another chance to wear stylin’ outfits as they head to the divisional round, either in Baltimore or Kansas City. It all depends on what the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots do after the Texans-Bills showdown.

Report: Texans WR Will Fuller out versus Bills in AFC wild-card

Houston Texans receiver Will Fuller is expected to be out when the club takes on the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wild-card Saturday at NRG Stadium.

The Houston Texans passing game has already taken a hit, and it’s not even kickoff.

On Saturday, the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson reported that receiver Will Fuller wouldn’t play against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wild-card at NRG Stadium. According to sources, the groin injury sustained against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16 was too soon and not enough recovery time.

The result is actually in line with what was reported after the 23-20 win over the Buccaneers. At that time, Fuller was expected to be out three weeks with the groin injury. It has been a week since then with two more weeks of recovery remaining.

By these estimates, Fuller might be able to go by the AFC Championship Game, but not a moment sooner.

With Fuller shelved for the sixth time in 2019, a spot on the game day 46 could be available to second-year receiver Keke Coutee.

Kenny Stills is expected to step in for Fuller.

Texans Wire countdown to Bills: 10 factors to watch in the AFC wild-card

The Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills meet up for the AFC wild-card. Here are 10 factors in the playoff game to keep an eye on.

WHEN: 3:35 p.m. CT

WHERE: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

FORECAST: Sunny, 69 degrees, 4 mph winds

FOLLOW: @therealmarklane, @averydduncan, @arwoodnfl, @ChrisNallsNFL, @Get_Crumped, @AYanez_5

LISTEN: Sports Radio 610 [KILT-AM] and 100.3 The Bull [KLOL]

WATCH: ESPN/ABC (Joe Tessitore & Anthony “Booger” McFarland)

(NOAA/NASA via AP)

 

 

10: carlos hyde’s rank for first downs on the ground

The 29-year-old picked up 55 first downs rushing in 2019, tied with Leonard Fournette, Aaron Jones, and Sony Michel for the 10th-most in the NFL. Houston’s key to victory is to fire up the run game and let Hyde churn yards while the offense melts clock.

 

9: josh allen’s rushing touchdowns

Guess who had the most rushing touchdowns among quarterbacks in 2019. It wasn’t Lamar Jackson; it was Josh Allen. The former 2018 first-round pick from Wyoming is a dual threat quarterback, and he will find a way to move the chains even if the throws aren’t downfield. Houston will have to be conscious of Allen’s dual threat abilities inside the red zone.

 

8: houston’s rank on third down conversions

The Texans offense has the eighth-worst third down conversion rate in the league at 43.5%. If the Texans are getting into third-and-longs due to penalties or poor play-calls, the Bills aren’t going to let them off the mat. The key to beating this number is to be more efficient and careful on first and second downs.

 

7: touchdowns deandre hopkins and darren fells hauled in

The three-time All-Pro receiver and the rejuvenated 33-year-old tight end have each collected seven touchdown receptions. The Texans will need their red zone abilities and third down conversion success to make a difference against the Bills.

 

6: deshaun watson’s rank for sacks

The Pro Bowl field general took 44 sacks on the season, the sixth-most in the NFL. Bills may not have a defender with over 10.0 sacks, but they have five guys with at least 4.5 sacks. The Bills pass rush is a wave, and Watson will have to weather the storm to keep the Texans’ passing game effective.

 

5: the texans defense’s sack percentage

Houston’s defense has a 5.0 sack percentage, which is tied with the Atlanta Falcons for the fourth-lowest in the NFL. Among playoff teams, the sack percentage is the second-lowest. Only the Seattle Seahawks’ 4.5% is lower. If the Texans’ pass rush is not getting to Josh Allen, it will be an afternoon chock full of anxiety.

 

4: the buffalo defense’s yards per carry surrendered

The real number is more like 4.3, but rounding down makes it four. Nevertheless, the Bills defense ranks with the Minnesota Vikings as the 14th-worst in the NFL, which is actually middle of the pack. If there is one area where the Bills can be exploited, compared to their dominant pass defense, it’s on the ground. The Texans need to stay extra committed to the ground game against the Bills.

 

3: houston’s rank for tackles for loss

The Texans defense has generated 51 tackles for loss in 2019, the third-fewest in the NFL. Houston’s defense was not as disruptive as they have been in recent seasons. Could it have been the loss of J.J. Watt? His presence on the field against the Bills will be a boost, but the problems may be bigger than that.

 

2: tre’davious white’s rank for opposing passer rating

Among cornerbacks who have started at least 15 games, White’s 44.5 passer rating is the second-lowest in the entire league. Only Stephon Gilmore’s 43.4 is lower. What it indicates is that the Bills secondary features arguably the best cornerback in the game, which is the cherry on top to a sundae of a unit. So much of the battle hinges on how well White can limit receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

 

1: deshaun watson and josh allen’s rank for game-winning drives

The two young field generals have each executed five game-winning drives in 2019, tied with Russell Wilson for the most overall. Allen and Watson have been the catalyst behind their team’s success. Whoever has the ball last may be the one walking off the field with their first career playoff victory.

 

Texans DE J.J. Watt excited little brother T.J. Watt will be able to take in playoff game versus the Bills

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is excited that his little brother, Pittsburgh Steelers OLB T.J. Watt, will see the Buffalo Bills playoff game.

Football is family, and there is no better example of that being true than with the Watt family.

With J.J. as the only Watt in the playoffs as the Houston Texans face the Buffalo Bills Saturday at 3:35 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium, the family is coming to the Bayou City to see Watt make a comeback after tearing his pectoral muscle on Oct. 27 in a seemingly season-ending injury.

Well, most of the family.

“Just T.J.,” J.J. told reporters Wednesday. “Derek has a baby and a dog, so it’s a little harder to travel. T.J. will be here.”

Derek plays fullback for the Los Angeles Chargers while T.J. is an All-Pro outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

For J.J., the excitement of having his youngest brother, who went in the first round to the Steelers in 2017, able to watch him play in the AFC wild-card against the Bills is exciting.

“I’ve been able to watch him all season long since I’ve been out and watch him play at an unbelievably high level,” said Watt. “So, it’s been a joy for me to be able to watch him and Derek, and Derek obviously leading the NFL in special teams tackles, playing good fullback.

“So, it’s been a joy for me to be able to watch both of them play and I’m excited to have T.J. here this weekend to be able to watch me.”

What T.J. and the entire Watt family hopes to see from the oldest son on Saturday is a return to form after recovering from the pectoral injury, which is normally a three-month recovery, in a two-month span. Watt had 4.0 sacks, second-most on the team, prior to his injury, but he did lead the NFL in quarterback hits with 21. Trailing J.J. was none other than his little brother with 17.

Texans are counting on S Jahleel Addae to fill void Tashaun Gipson leaves behind

The Houston Texans secondary is counting on safety Jahleel Addae to step up in the aftermath of safety Tashaun Gipson going on injured reserve.

The Houston Texans secondary took quite the hit on Tuesday when it was announced that safety Tashaun Gipson was going to injured reserve.

The former Pro Bowler sustained a transverse process fracture in his back. Without Gipson starting alongside second-year safety Justin Reid, the Texans will have to rely more on Jahleel Addae to fill the void.

“He’s played quite a bit and done a nice job for us,” defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said of Addae on Wednesday .”We’ve used him in several different spots. So, I like what he brings to the table.”

Addae produced 42 tackles, two interceptions, and three pass breakups in his 16 games with the Texans, three of which he started.

With Gipson out of the lineup, the Texans will have to find a suitable replacement to cover tight ends. Crennel knows that only time will disclose the truth.

“Only time will tell, but he was a starter and he made plays in the game,” said Crennel. “He helped us, so we’ll have to see how that goes. We still have experienced players that can play on the back end and we’ll have to see how they play and if it impacts us positively or negatively.”

Gipson collected 51 tackles, three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and eight pass breakups in his 14 games for Houston, all of which he started.

What Addae does bring to the secondary is playoff experience. With the Chargers franchise, the former 2013 undrafted safety from Central Michigan played in four postseason games, collecting 32 tackles, two for losses, forcing a fumble, and recovering another.

The Texans could use that level of playmaking when they take on the Buffalo Bills at 3:35 p.m. CT on Saturday at NRG Stadium. Houston seeks their first playoff win since Jan. 7, 2017, while the Bills are long-suffering after experiencing their last on Dec. 30, 1995.

In their own words: Texans give 5 keys to beating the Bills in the AFC wild-card

Houston Texans coaches and players explain in their own words what they must do to beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wild-card playoffs.

The Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills meet for an AFC wild-card matchup Saturday at 3:35 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium. While pundits across the media landscape have given their keys to the game, here at the Texans Wire, we present the Texans players and coaches providing the keys to beating the Bills in their own words.

1. bill o’brien: earn every yard

texans-buccaneers-live-blog
(AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)

“You’ve got to earn every yard you make. They’re very disciplined, they’re very good at what they do. You have to be disciplined. You’ve got to do a lot of things that are basic, fundamental football. You’ve got to take care of the football, you’ve got to really just eliminate mistakes, you have to be able to drive the ball. They just do a lot of things well. So, you have to be very disciplined and you’ve got to really got out there and earn everything you get. They’re a top-five defense for a reason.”

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