Tag: davis mills

Texans stuck at No. 32 in Touchdown Wire NFL power rankings

The Houston Texans cannot get off the mat as they are stuck at No. 32 in the latest Touchdown Wire NFL power rankings.

For the sixth straight week, the Houston Texans are the worst team in the football.

According to Mark Lane from the Touchdown Wire, the Texans could not make a convincing enough case to rise higher than No. 32 in the latest power rankings. The 27-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns hurt the Texans’ chances as far as being a more respected team with five games to go in the 2022 season.

Things are bad in Houston when the fans are clamoring for the second-year quarterback who led the team to a 1-8-1. However, that is the consequence when Kyle Allen posts an 0-2 start and the team doesn’t even look competitive. The Texans allegedly turned to Allen to provide a spark on offense, but there has been nothing doing. Wake Houston fans up when it’s draft season.

The silver lining is the Texans have a comfortable lead on the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. The Texans could win a game down the stretch and still be ahead of the three-win Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears and not have it impact their draft positioning.

Houston may find another win at some point as the club has placed second-year quarterback Davis Mills back into the lineup. The third-rounder from Stanford gets his welcome-back against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Across the rest of the AFC South, the Indianapolis Colts fell to No. 28 after the Cowboys dismantled them on Sunday Night Football in Week 13. The Jacksonville Jaguars slid to No. 22 after their loss to the Detroit Lions. The Tennessee Titans stayed put at No. 10 despite losing 35-10 to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Texans riding QB carousel to nowhere as Davis Mills returns

What will the last five games show Houston Texans need to see from Davis Mills that they haven’t seen in the previous 10 games?

HOUSTON — As a child, one ride I despised at the amusement park was the carousel. I was not too fond of a ride that continuously took you round and round in a circle.

What was the purpose of a ride that had no destination or purpose but to see the same scenery for three minutes? Oh, and to make your parents act like every time you pass them is more exciting than the last time.

Most Texans fans feel like they are on those plastic horses within the last three weeks, as the constant change at the quarterback position has been like a carousel ride.

On Wednesday, Texans head coach Lovie Smith announced that the Texans would replace Kyle Allen with Davis Mills at quarterback.

Mills was demoted to the second unit two weeks ago as Smith and offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton wanted to see if the change would help jump-start an inept offense that has produced a losing record of 1-8-1.

When describing Allen replacing Mills, Coach Smith used a baseball analogy about a relief pitcher coming into a baseball game. Given the current baseball situation in the city where over a million Astros fans packed downtown two months ago to celebrate a World Series Championship, Smith may want to find a better analogy.

Heading into this Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, the Texans’ current record is 1-10-1. So, as you can see, the only thing that changed at the quarterback position was a jersey number.

The perplexing issue that has most reporters scratching their heads is the change back to Mills. Especially against a team that will exploit his inability to move around the pocket to escape pressure and his lack of awareness when it comes to going through his progressions.

Dallas has one of the top-rated defenses in the NFL and is coming off one of its most impressive performances of the season by forcing future Hall of Fame and current Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan to throw three interceptions. Ryan was under constant pressure from the Cowboys’ defensive front seven as defensive coordinator Dan Quinn called an excellent game that kept him off balance for most of the game.

By inserting Mills back into the starting lineup, most would expect that he would have the same results as Ryan, given that he has thrown 11 interceptions this season and his ineffectiveness in the passing game is what had him replaced.

How much more do Smith, Hamilton, and general manager Nick Caserio need to evaluate when it comes to Mills? What will these last five games show the trio they haven’t seen in the previous ten games they watched this season? Three of those next five opponents in Dallas, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tennessee Titans are preparing to make a strong push at the end of the season for better playoff seedings.

“We were real about why we made the move and the reasons why,” said Smith when asked about Mills’ confidence as he returns. “We don’t give out permanent jobs. It’s about how you play each week, and we put a lot into your last performance. Davis (Mills) moved into a different role. He continued to be our captain and do all the things that he was doing before. I think the second time around, you kind of appreciate the position you’re in a little bit better. I know that’s the case.”

Mills is on borrowed time, as the 2023 NFL Draft will be here sooner than later. The Texans are in a prime position to have the first overall selection, and if they choose a quarterback, then the carousel ride for Mills will be over.

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Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy praises Texans offense for being ‘quarterback friendly’

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy says the Houston Texans’ offense is “the most quarterback friendly offense in this league.”

Fans may not be ready to accept it, but other NFL coaches understand what the Houston Texans’ offense is trying to achieve.

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy remarked that the Texans’ offense is one of the best in the NFL at helping quarterbacks out.

“They’re a traditional West Coast offense with [offensive coordinator] Pep Hamilton there and you see the multiple personnel groups every play and just what you’re trying to get done with that,” McCarthy said. “Just having history in that offense. It’s clearly, in my view, it’s the most quarterback friendly offense in this league. So, you know, we’ll definitely be challenged there.”

The results have been far from encouraging. The Texans have started two different quarterbacks, both due to poor performance, and Houston ranks 27th in the NFL in passing yards. In a passing league and the Texans having such struggles on offense, it is no surprise that they have generated a 1-10-1 record and are on pace to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Houston faces Dallas Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time from AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

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Cowboys liked Texans QB Davis Mills during 2021 NFL draft process

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy says the team was keen on QB Davis Mills, who went to the Houston Texans in the 2021 NFL draft.

Davis Mills’ 1-8-1 record as the Houston Texans’ starter in 2022, along with his 3-17-1 record for his career, has buried how well thought of the Stanford product was when he entered the 2021 NFL draft.

Some of the opinions on Mills were that he would have been a first-round pick had he stayed one more season with the Cardinal under coach David Shaw.

On Dec. 7 during his presser, Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy brought back some of the pre-draft positivity that surrounded Mills.

“He’s obviously someone we really liked coming out of Stanford,” McCarthy said. “He’s got good tape. There’s a lot of good things.”

At the time, the Cowboys were evaluating franchise quarterback Dak Prescott’s leg as he recovered from a season-ending fracture. Their quarterback room was crowded with Cooper Rush, Garrett Gilbert, and Ben DiNucci, who the Cowboys drafted in the seventh round in 2020. Nevertheless they did their homework on Mills.

The Texans drafted Mills with the No. 67 overall pick in Round 3, the first selection of the Nick Caserio era. Dallas went with defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa at No. 76.

Houston takes on Dallas Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time from AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Texans coach Lovie Smith is not worried about Davis Mills’ confidence

Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith is not concerned with quarterback Davis Mills’ confidence as he returns to the starting lineup.

The Houston Texans yanked Davis Mills after a 1-8-1 start and a 78.1 passer rating.

Certainly Mills had to have known his play wasn’t good enough for Houston to win ballgames, and the result of being taken out of the starting lineup could deescalate any motivation the second-year quarterback had.

However, coach Lovie Smith told reporters Wednesday that the Texans aren’t too worried about Mills’ confidence after he sat the past two games behind Kyle Allen.

“We were real about why we made the move and the reasons why,” Smith said.

The Texans weren’t getting anything helpful from Allen during his two starts. Houston couldn’t win a game and committed eight turnovers in that span. Going back to Mills’ previous starts, one would have to go back through the past four of Mills’ starts to find as many turnovers.

Smith emphasized that the starting jobs are based on meritocracy.

“We don’t give out permanent jobs,” said Smith. “It’s about how you play each week, and we put a lot into your last performance. Davis moved into a different role. He continued to be our captain and do all the things that he was doing before.”

As Mills prepares for Week 14 at the Dallas Cowboys, Smith believes that Mills will have a better understanding of the position.

“I think the second time around, you kind of appreciate the position you’re in a little bit better,” said Smith. “I know that’s the case.”

Houston kicks off at 12:00 p.m. Central Time against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Texans coach Lovie Smith believes benching QB Davis Mills should help

Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith believes that Davis Mills sitting behind Kyle Allen the past two games should help in his return as starting QB.

The Houston Texans were struggling on offense with Davis Mills as the starting quarterback.

Houston went 1-8-1 with Mills through the first 10 games and his last outing was an atrocious 23-10 loss to Washington that featured 147 yards of total offense inside the climate-controlled setting of NRG Stadium.

The Texans went with Kyle Allen as the starter for the next two games, but sometimes the cure can be worse than the illness. The Texans offense committed eight turnovers in that span.

Houston decided to go back with Mills as the starter. The second-year field general will lead the Texans against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Mills was similarly benched in his rookie year after an 0-6 start, which was due to an injury to starter Tyrod Taylor in Week 2. When Taylor returned, the offense sputtered, and then-coach David Culley went back to Mills for the final five games with the passing game coming alive.

Coach Lovie Smith, who was defensive coordinator on the 2021 staff, believes Mills can benefit from his two-game benching the way he did from his four-game benching as a rookie.

“When you’ve had an opportunity to play, sit back and then come back, we’re hoping that’s the case,” Smith told reporters Wednesday. “When he came back the next time last year, the second time, he played a lot better. If you’re a competitor, when you’re not playing your best ball, I keep going back to the baseball comparison, sometimes you don’t have it, and you need to just take a step back.”

Mills has provided Houston with a 78.1 passer rating, but Smith hopes the Texans will get even better production from the 2021 third-rounder from Stanford.

“I know most of the time when guys come back, we’re going to get their best,” said Smith. “That’s what we need right now. It’s just not about the quarterback position, but there’s something, starting off with ball security. We’re losing too many games just based on giving them the ball. It starts with that position.”

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Report: Texans to start QB Davis Mills against the Cowboys

The Houston Texans will go back to second-year signal caller Davis Mills as their starting quarterback against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Houston Texans are going back to a familiar field general.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC, the Texans will start Davis Mills against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Mills compiled a 1-8-1 record with a 78.1 passer rating, prompting the Texans to turn to Kyle Allen to provide a spark. With Houston going 0-2 and generating seven turnovers — which were as many as the offense compiled in the previous four games leading to Mills’ ouster — the change was made to see what else Mills has to offer.

Houston kicks off at 12:00 p.m. Central Time against the Cowboys, who hold a 3-2 advantage over the Texans in the regular season series.

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Texans coach Lovie Smith won’t commit to going back to QB Davis Mills

Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith won’t say one way or the other if the team is going to return to Davis Mills as the starting quarterback.

The Houston Texans didn’t get much production from their starting quarterback.

In fact, Kyle Allen was as ineffective as the Cleveland Browns’ starter, who posted a 53.4 passer rating in the 27-14 victory over Houston at NRG Stadium. Allen had a 53.5 rating, but he also was the cause of two defensive scores that ended up being the difference in the game.

“We didn’t get anything done offensively, so, it’s pretty hard to talk about many of the good things that anybody on that side of the ball did,” coach Lovie Smith told reporters Monday. “Kyle is a part of that, and as we go forward, I’ve seen the video of course a few times, and the play at the quarterback position wasn’t good enough yesterday.”

Allen went 20-of-39 for 201 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. What can’t be reflected in a passer rating is how he fumbled the ball on a quarterback sneak near the Texans’ own goal line that the Browns returned for a 4-yard touchdown.

The Texans went to Allen over the past two games to provide a spark for the offense, which was floundering under Davis Mills. In Week 11 against Washington at NRG Stadium, the Texans generated a season-low 148 yards total offense. That 23-10 loss was the last start for Mills to date.

Smith would not commit in either direction as to whether the Texans would put Mills back in the lineup for Week 14 at the Dallas Cowboys.

Said Smith: “Guys, you kind of know how we do it right now. On a Monday afterwards, we can talk about that play right there. Things get out a little bit quick around here, so if there’s a change that we’re going to make at any position, you guys will know it right away.”

Mills is 1-8-1 as a starter in 2022 with a 78.1 passer rating.

Halftime analysis of Texans’ Week 13 matchup vs. Browns

Our thoughts on the #Texans’ first-half performance against the #Browns in Week 13

The Houston Texans put together an impressive first half against the Cleveland Browns, who are starting their former quarterback for the first time in the 2022 season. The 1-9-1 Texans came into this game as heavy underdogs, and have managed to keep the momentum in their favor through two quarters.

It will take a solid effort in the second half to close out this game and come away with their second win of the season, and Houston has adjustments to make at halftime.

Here are our thoughts on the Texans’ Week 13 performance through the first two quarters:

Texans QB Kyle Allen says Davis Mills is a ‘super talented player’ who has ‘got it all’

Houston Texans quarterback Kyle Allen believes Davis Mills has all of the tools to succeed in the NFL at a high level.

One of the biggest cheerleaders for Davis Mills is actually the guy who is taking away his starting job.

Quarterback Kyle Allen will lead the Houston Texans against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13, marking the second straight week the former 2021 third-rounder from Stanford will sit on the bench behind Allen.

Even though the Texans appear content to stay with Allen as the starter for the foreseeable future — such to the point they kept him in the game despite falling 30-0 at halftime to the Miami Dolphins the week prior — the former Texas A&M and Houston Cougar believes in Mills.

“We’ve had conversations,” Allen told reporters Wednesday. “Like I’ve told you guys, Davis is super talented player. He’s got it all. It’s just that he’s young, been thrusted into a tough situation. It’s a great opportunity for him, and he’s going to be back on that field at some point.”

Whether Mills reenters the lineup for the Texans in their final six games remains to be seen. As a rookie, the Texans went back to Mills in the last five games after Tyrod Taylor failed to provide a spark after replacing Mills following the rookie’s 0-6 start.

Allen believes that Mills, who has a 3-17-1 record with an 84.0 passer rating, is too quality of a signal caller to not wind up back on the gridiron.

Said Allen: “He’s too good of a player to not be back out there. I think everyone in their career is going to face some type of adversity. Sometimes you’ve got to go through it to come out that other side better, and I think he’s definitely going to come out the other side better.”

Mills saw his first NFL action last year in Week 2 at the Browns. Taylor strained his hamstring shortly before halftime, and Mills took over and couldn’t overcome a 31-21 loss.