Many players contributed to Auburn’s most dominant win of the season.
Following a tough loss to USC on Sunday, the No. 24 Auburn Tigers traveled to Seattle in hopes to get back in the win column and to carry momentum into the SEC opener next Wednesday.
Four Tigers reached double-figures in the win, with [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag] leading the way with 18 points each, followed by [autotag]Chris Moore[/autotag] and [autotag]Wendell Green Jr.[/autotag], who scored 12 and 11 points respectively.
Not only did Broome and Williams lead the team in scoring, but the duo dominated the boards as well. Both pulled down eight rebounds in the game, with 14 of those combined rebounds coming on the defensive side of the ball.
Were their performances enough to earn a vote for the “Tiger of the Game” award?
Here is a look at who writers Taylor Jones, J.D. McCarthy, and River Wells voted for as their “Tigers of the Game” following Auburn’s win over Washington.
Four starters reached double-figures in Auburn’s big win over Washington.
The No. 24 Auburn Tigers ended the nonconference slate on a high note by earning a convincing win over the Washington Huskies on Wednesday night.
Following a strong end to the first half which saw them go on an 18-11 run over the final eight minutes, Auburn shot 73% from the field in the second half to run away with the 84-61 win over the Huskies at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle.
Washington cut Auburn’s lead to 39-33 at the 16:12 mark in the second half on a layup by Koren Johnson, which would be the closest deficit of the half. That sparked another Auburn run that would not see their lead dip below ten for the remainder of the game. With 7:48 remaining in the game, Jaylin Williams nailed a jumper to put Auburn up by 20, 63-43. The largest lead of the night was courtesy of a made free throw by [autotag]Wendell Green Jr.[/autotag], which put Auburn up by 27 points with 3:09 left in the game.
Four Tigers reached double-figures, led by Williams and Johni Broome’s 18-point night. Chris Moore ended with 12, while Green scored 11.
Despite a slow start offensively, Auburn took control of the first half. Following a three-pointer by Washington’s Keion Brooks that cut Auburn’s lead to 13-12 with 8:55 remaining in the opening half, the Tigers went on an 18-11 run to end the half with a 31-23 lead.
Two layups by [autotag]Chris Moore[/autotag] and [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag], as well as a three-pointer by [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag], extended Auburn’s lead to eight points in just under two minutes following the three-point shot by Brooks. Auburn would lead by as many as 15 points during the stretch. The Huskies went on a 5-2 run over the final 1:39 to trim Auburn’s halftime lead to eight points.
Moore got the Tigers on the board early, by scoring the game’s first five points. He made a fast break layup one minute into the game and connected on a three-pointer that would give Auburn the 5-2 lead at the first media timeout.
Auburn began to spread the wealth more over the next five minutes. Following two successful free throw attempts by Williams, Broome joined the party by scoring four fast-break points to move Auburn ahead, 11-7 at the halfway point of the first half.
The Tigers ended the first half by shooting 40% from the field and limited the Huskies to just 21%. Auburn also outrebounded Washington, 27-19, and outscored them in the paint, 18-8.
Auburn Basketball will now take a few days off to celebrate the holiday season. They will return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 28 when they host Florida at Neville Arena.
Take a look at the four Houston Texans who earned off-field awards, including the 2022 Ed Block Courage Award.
The Houston Texans announced more off-field award winners for 2022.
The team announced cornerback Tavierre Thomas as the Ed Block Courage Award winner. Receiver Chris Moore, running back Dare Ogunbowale, and rookie defensive lineman Adedayo Odeleye won various awards on the Texans IMPACT Team.
Even the Texans’ sports performance staff was awarded an IMPACT Award to recognize their efforts in the community. The sports performance staff’s biggest contribution was the blood drive in support of rookie receiver John Metchie, who is currently battling leukemia.
The staff also supported local organizations by sponsoring a Halloween party for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and fulfilled holiday wish lists for local YMCA kids.
Here are the details of the Texans’ award winners.
Quarterback Davis Mills did his part to keep the Houston Texans competitive against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite playing at home, the Houston Texans entered Sunday’s contest against the Kansas City Chiefs as a 14-point underdog to the AFC West’s best team. Similar to last week against the Dallas Cowboys, coach Lovie Smith’s team once again came well prepared and caught a heavy favorite off-guard.
The Texans took the Chiefs all the way to overtime and even stopped start quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Kansas City’s first possession of the period before ultimately falling 30-24. The effort wouldn’t have been possible without a surprisingly strong outing from Houston’s two quarterback system and the combined play of Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel.
Driskel attempted only four passes but was used in spades to try to create different running looks for the offense and open things up for the passing game. Meanwhile Mills delivered one of his more memorable performances of the season in the near upset bid.
Mills finished 12 of 24 for 121 yards and two touchdowns while engineering key plays during most of Houston’s scoring drives. The offensive line provided ample time in the pocket and Mills was able to find tight ends Jordan Akins and Teagan Quitoriano for touchdowns while also delivering an impressive deep strike to Chris Moore.
Can we nominate Davis Mills for Comeback Player of the Year after playing like a different QB post-benching lmao pic.twitter.com/kDO4LvxRz8
Unfortunately for Mills, the good will earned in the performance was ultimately overshadowed by his performance in the overtime period. While scrambling to try to gain a first down, the second-year quarterback fumbled the ball in what was ultimately the last play for Houston’s offense before Kansas City’s Jerick McKinnon rushed for the game winner.
Overall, the performance was a reminder of Mills’ strong talent base but also of why Houston is likely to spend the first overall selection this upcoming April on a potential franchise quarterback. Similar to earlier games against Indianapolis, Denver and Chicago, the Texans signal caller crumbled during the game’s most important period.
Even if Mills is destined to be a backup at the NFL level, he’s done enough to show he belongs on the roster and can be an asset to general manager Nick Caserio moving forward.
To be clear, I think Nick Caserio 'hit' on the Davis Mills pick in 2021. He has nice physical tools, plays relatively turnover-free football, and shows signs that he'll be successful in better infrastructure.
It's still not enough to pass on Bryce Young this April. #WeAreTexans
The loss leaves Houston at 1-12-1 and in prime position to select Alabama’s Bryce Young or Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud first overall during the 2023 NFL draft.
Until then, offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton can continue his two quarterback rampage and fans will have to wonder if there are any wins left on the roster with Tennessee, a surging Jacksonville squad, and Indianapolis left to play on the year.
Houston Texans special teams coach Frank Ross says he enjoys it when one of his players is having success on offense or defense.
Frank Ross has a limited amount of players on the 53-man roster he can work with to form his special teams units which cover kickoffs, punts, returns, and field goal tries and blocks.
Typical Ross is working with reserves on the Houston Texans roster. When injuries hit, those reserves are tapped, as was the case in Week 14 when cornerback Tremon Smith was called upon due to cornerbacks Derek Stingley and Steven Nelson being out. Same went for receiver Chris Moore as Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins missed the game.
When the reserves start to have big games on offense and defense, as Moore and Smith did, it should worry Ross about losing two of his best special teamers. However, the Texans’ special teams coach is simply thrilled “his guys” are starting to make an impact in other phases of the game.
“We’re excited for any Texans making big plays, of course,” Ross told reporters Dec. 15. “It definitely has a special place for you, especially as a special teams coach when those guys are getting their chances and making the most of their opportunities. You know, I try to stay level-headed and just give them a high five or a pat on the helmet because I want him to go out there and keep playing ball. But man, I was raving.”
Smith had a big game in the 27-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys as he picked off quarterback Dak Prescott twice.
“I would say the only thing is my dry sense of humor, I walked up to him and said, ‘Don’t forget about us now. Please come back and play on special teams and stay hungry with that Texans special teams attitude,'” Ross said.
Ross was also impressed with Moore’s game. The 6-1, 200-pound wideout caught 10 passes for 124 yards on offense, but was pivotal in downing punter Cam Johnston’s punt inside the 1-yard line with 8:01 to go and Houston leading 23-20. The poor field position for Dallas led to Prescott throwing his second interception to Smith, and giving the Texans first-and-goal at the Dallas 4-yard line.
Said Ross: “Anytime guys like that go make plays, great, they are coming back. Like Chris Moore. How about that game on offense? Coming back, gloves off, put him right in the mud going running down on what ended up being a critical downing of a punt. Need to continue to have that throughout the entire core unit.”
The Texans will need to rely on Smith and Moore to have big games in special teams and the other phases again as the injury situation remains the same for Houston heading into Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Check out these starts and sits for Week 15 of fantasy football.
For most fantasy football managers, the playoffs begin in Week 15 and officially commenced with the Thursday night game between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.
While there are fantasy managers on the outside looking in, we still can use these start/sits as a way to find an edge in DFS or prop betting during the final month of the season.
Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.
Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.
Houston Texans receiver Chris Moore says the offense was simply executing regardless of who was the quarterback in Week 14.
The Houston Texans went with an unconventional style in their Week 14 tilt with the Dallas Cowboys.
Although second-year signal caller Davis Mills was named the starting quarterback leading up to the matchup, Houston mixed in backup Jeff Driskel, who was called up from the practice squad, to help move the ball in the 27-23 loss at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Sunday.
Mills had one of his more efficient games of the season as he completed 16 passes on 21 attempts for 175 yards. His lone interception was the result of a Hail Mary attempt on the game’s final play.
According to receiver Chris Moore, who talked with reporters Tuesday, the difference in Mills’ efficient play was simply execution on the offense’s part.
“I think it was just executing our plays and taking advantage of the opportunities we were given to be honest,” said Moore, who had a career-high 10 catches for 124 yards. “I don’t think there was anything too much different than that. It’s just another game where we executed better than we have been in the past. Like I said, we took advantage of the opportunities that were given to us. In the past, we haven’t been doing that as much. I feel like that’s just the biggest difference.”
Driskel had 13 snaps for the Texans. The former San Francisco 49ers 2016 sixth-round pick rushed seven times for 36 yards and also went 4-of-6 for 38 yards and a touchdown.
Moore says it didn’t matter who was under center; the offense was doing its job.
Said Moore: “I think it’s just us on the field executing. I think if Davis or Jeff were out there (the entire time), we would have still executed the same way.”
The Texans could go with the dual quarterback offense as Houston hosts the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at NRG Stadium.
Houston Texans wideout Chris Moore says that he went about preparing for Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys the same he does every week.
Chris Moore had a career game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Houston Texans’ receiver led the team with 10 catches for 124 yards in the 27-23 loss in Week 14.
“I don’t think I’ve had that many catches in a football game ever, so, that was awesome to be that much involved,” Moore told reporters Tuesday.
The previous career-high for catches was five against the New England Patriots on Oct. 10, 2021, which is also the same game Moore had his previous high for yards with 109.
“It was nice to be a part of the game plan and make some plays,” Moore said.
What was particularly interesting about Moore’s prolific receiving day was the fact the Texans’ top two receivers in Nico Collins and Brandin Cooks were out. The passing game was relying on Moore and Phillip Dorsett to carry the load on the outside.
The way Houston prepared for Dallas with Collins and Cooks’ availability looking bleak was comparable to Week 9 in the 29-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football.
Said Moore: “It was the same way — I’m pretty sure it was the Eagles week, where those two were down and me and Phil (Phillip Dorsett) knew were going to have to step up and be a big part of this offense. We became the top two receivers.”
With Cooks and Collins slated to be out again, Moore didn’t do anything special; he prepared for Week 14 the same as he would any other game week.
“You just prepare like any other week,” said Moore. “You just got to get ready to go out there and make plays to help this team win.”
The Texans may get Cooks or Collins back for their Week 15 tilt with the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at NRG Stadium. Nevertheless Moore will be ready to go regardless of who starts for Houston.
Houston Texans receivers say that they experience no disruptions working with QBs Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Houston Texans took a unique approach to moving the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.
After going 0-2 with Kyle Allen, and producing eight total turnovers in that span, the Texans went back to Davis Mills as the starter. However, the Texans gave backup Jeff Driskel significant snaps throughout the game.
The signal caller, who was elevated the day before from the practice squad, complete 4-6 for 38 yards and a touchdown while also contributing seven carries for 36 yards.
The offense generated 327 total yards, the most since Week 10.
While most of the Texans’ receiving corps had never played with quarterbacks splitting snaps throughout a 60-minute game, the experience was not jarring in terms of keeping them out of rhythm.
“As a receiver, you just get open and if the ball is around you, you’ve just got to catch it,” said wideout Amari Rodgers, who had a career-high four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. “To me, it doesn’t matter who’s out there at quarterback. I’ve got to do my job and get open. If the ball comes my way, I’ll make the play.”
Rodgers caught a 28-yard touchdown pass late in the first half that wasn’t even supposed to go his way, but Driskel saw Rodgers could make a play on the ball against safety Donovan Wilson.
“They both did a great job today, Driskel and Davis, they did a great job handling the game management and keeping the offense rolling,” said Rodgers. “They did a great job. Maybe we will keep rolling with that because they did a great job.”
Mills completed 16-of-21 for 175 yards and his interception was the result of a Hail Mary attempt on the game’s final play to overcome Dallas’ 27-23 lead.
Receiver Chris Moore, who had 10 catches for 124 yards, called the operation with two quarterbacks “seamless.”
Said Moore: “I feel like we did a good job of practicing that all week and we went out there and executed the game plan pretty well.”
The Texans fall to 1-11-1 with the loss and host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15 at NRG Stadium.
Tunnel Vision – a look back at Sunday for fantasy free agents, injuries and notable performances.
SUNDAY SALUTES
Quarterbacks
Pass-Rush
TD
Trevor Lawrence
368-7
4
Jalen Hurts
217-77
3
Russell Wilson
247-57
3
Jared Goff
330-9
3
Patrick Mahomes
352-(-3)
3
Running Backs
Rush
Receive
TD
Jerick McKinnon
6-22
7-112
2
Christian McCaffrey
14-119
2-34
2
Miles Sanders
17-144
1-11
2
Austin Ekeler
15-45
8-59
1
Tony Pollard
10-42
4-20
2
Wide Receivers
Yards
TD
Jerry Jeudy
8-73
3
Justin Jefferson
11-223
0
Ja’Marr Chase
10-119
1
JuJu Smith-Schuster
9-74
1
Mike Williams
6-116
1
Tight Ends
Yards
TD
Evan Engram
11-162
2
David Njoku
7-59
1
Chigoziem Okonkwo
6-45
1
Dalton Schwartz
6-87
0
Dawson Knox
4-41
1
Placekickers
XP
FG
Ka’imi Fairbairn
2
3
Eddy Pineiro
3
3
Riley Patterson
3
3
Mike Badgley
4
2
Cameron Dicker
2
3
Defense
Sack – TO
TD
Chiefs
6-1
1
49ers
0-3
0
Bills
4-2
0
Jaguars
4-4
0
Ravens
2-3
0
Bumps, Bruises and Bowouts
QB Kenny Pickett (PIT) – Concussion
QB Mike White (NYJ) – Ribs
QB Tyler Huntley (BAL) – Concussion
QB Russell Wilson (DEN) – Concussion
QB Brock Purdy (SF) – Oblique
RB Dameon Pierce (HOU) – Ankle
RB Jeff Wilson (MIA) – Hip
WR Tyreek Hill (MIA) – Ankle
WR Corey Davis (NYJ) – Head
WR Tee Higgins (CIN) – Hamstring
WR Tyler Boyd (CIN) – Finger
WR Deebo Samuel (SF) – Ankle
TE Daniel Bellinger (NYG) – Ribs
Chasing Ambulances
It has been a rough two weeks for quarterbacks.
QB Kenny Pickett – The rookie was slammed down on a sack and was cleared to return after being examined for a concussion. He returned for a series but Mitchell Trubisky took over when they decided to rule him out and place him in the concussion protocol.
QB Mike White – The Jets quarterback absorbed a huge hit to his ribs and left the game. He returned and took an even more brutal shot to his ribs. He was brought to a hospital after the game to be evaluated. If he cannot play against the visiting Lions this week, Joe Flacco will step in for the start.
QB Tyler Huntley – He was already filling in for Lamar Jackson and then was hit hard and had his head snap back in the third quarter. Huntley remained on the ground for a few seconds and was eventually ruled out. Lamar Jackson is still out with a sprained knee, so undrafted free agent rookie quarterback Anthony Brown would draw the start if Huntley doesn’t pass the protocols. HC John Harbaugh suggested that Huntley may be back for this week’s game against the Browns, but he stopped short of guaranteeing it.
QB Russell Wilson – The first time that Wilson finally looks productive, he was concussed. The threw three touchdowns in a comeback bid against the Chiefs that fell short. Wilson looked very woozy and disoriented after the hit, and the severity of the concussion will impact his ability to play against the Cardinals this week. Brett Rypien would replace him if needed, but the timing is cruel given how good he finally looked.
QB Brock Purdy – He injured his oblique at some point in the game and left at the start of the fourth quarter because the game was already well in hand. He wasn’t pulled because of the injury but will be tracked until he practices this week.
RB Dameon Pierce – He was concussed with 11 minutes left to play in the loss to the Cowboys and HC Lovie Smith lamented afterwards that the loss was tied to his absence. The Texans intercepted Dak Prescott at the DAL 4-yard line with 5:45 left to play but four plays couldn’t punch it in and they turned it over on downs. The Cowboys drove 98 yards for the win. Pierce was replaced by Rex Burkhead and Eno Benjamin who combined for five carries for two yards. The Texans probably wouldn’t beat the visiting Chiefs this week, but he’d certainly make it better.
RB Jeff Wilson – He was carted to the locker room with a hip injury in the second period and never returned. His status will be determined during the week. Raheem Mostert would see more work if Wilson remains out and Salvon Ahmed or Myles Gaskin could also be involved.
WR Tyreek Hill – He injured his ankle at the end of the first half but returned in the second half while still limping and icing the ankle between series. The Dolphins play at the Bills this week so Hill will probably play even if he has to hop on one leg down the field. Even if he doesn’t practice, he won’t be ruled out until the last minute since he is such a critical part of the offense.
WR Deebo Samuel – The 49ers’ dual threat was bent backward awkwardly with his leg trapped under him. He was carted from the field and did not return. HC Kyle Shanahan later said that there were no broken bones but that the team wasn’t certain of the extent of the injury. He said, “If it’s a high ankle, that’s usually some time.”More should be known after test results are known but initially it throws doubt onto him playing at Seattle this week at the least.
WR Tee Higgins – He tweaked his hamstring in pregame warmups and wanted to play but the coaches would not allow him. He will get an MRI to determine how severe the injury is and an update should be known by the Wednesday injury report. Trenton Irwin replaced Higgins and caught two passes for 58 yards and a 45-yard touchdown.
WR Tyler Boyd – He dislocated his finger in the win over the Browns and the initial prognosis is that he’ll likely miss several weeks but not the season. Trent Taylor is his backup and he caught a 34-yard pass on his four targets in the game.
Free Agents, Flops and Other Notables
QB Baker Mayfield (LAR) – His comeback in the final three minutes of the win over the Raiders was impressive and unexpected. But he still only ended up with 230 passing yards and one score. Granted, he will get to learn plays now but the problem is more about the receiver talent that he has to use.
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (CLE) – Facing one of the top secondaries in the league, DPJ was the main target for Deshaun Watson when he turned 12 targets into eight catches for 114 yards. Amari Cooper was limited to two catches for 42 yards despite his seven targets.
RB Joe Mixon (CIN) – He was injured in Week 11 and remained out until yesterday. Samaje Perine was a fantasy gold mine for those three weeks but once Mixon returned, the workload reverted to the previous sharing. Mixon ran 14 times for 96 yards while Perine only rushed four times for 22 yards but did get the touchdown. Mixon caught two passes while Perine only caught. Perine is now just touchdown-dependent for any fantasy value.
WR Chris Moore (HOU) – With both Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins out, Moore stepped up against the Cowboys with ten catches for 124 yards and is the replacement for Collins. Amari Rodgers is the starting slot receiver and caught four passes for 57 yards and a touchdown in his first playing time as a Texan.
WR DJ Chark (DET) – He’s finally caught fire in Detroit with over 90 yards in each of his last two games. He logged six catches for 94 yards and a touchdown as the lead receiver in the win over the Vikings on Sunday.
WR Jameson Williams (DET) – The rookie that debuted last week with no catches, had his first NFL reception against the Vikings when he was wide open and scored a 41-yard touchdown on his only catch in the game.
RB J.K. Dobbins (BAL) – He was on injured reserve since Week 6 with a knee injury and returned on Sunday against the Steelers. The backfield remains a committee, but his first game back produced 15 runs for 120 yards and a touchdown. Gus Edwards gained 66 yards on his 13 carries, so Dobbins wasn’t given a full load. But he did more in that game than his four previous starts combined.
RB Jerick McKinnon (KC) – The Chiefs’ third-down back produced a season-high seven catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns at the Broncos and added 22 yards on six carries. Isiah Pacheco still ran 13 times for 70 yards and caught three passes for 23 yards. But McKinnon was the weapon that kept the Chiefs in the game. It was reminiscent of his impact during the playoffs last year when he averaged 16 fantasy points in those three games.
Huddle player of the week
Jacksonville Jaguars At Tennessee Titans
Evan Engram – The Jaguars tight end never met expectations in New York after lodging a big rookie year and then far less in any other season. On Sunday at the Titans, he turned in a career-game with 11 receptions for 162 yards and two touchdowns as the highest-scoring fantasy player for the week.
Salute!
Drama 101 – Somebody has to laugh, somebody has to cry
