Tag: davis mills

Texans remain a strong No. 32 in latest Touchdown Wire NFL power rankings

The Houston Texans are still No. 32 in the Touchdown Wire NFL power rankings, but displayed some strength in Week 15.

The Houston Texans are still stuck at the bottom of the power rankings, but it isn’t as despondent as it has been in recent weeks.

According to Mark Lane from the Touchdown Wire, the Texans continued to show their fight from their Week 14 encounter with the Dallas Cowboys, which indicates the Texans aren’t as terrible as their No. 32 ranking indicates.

It isn’t the same type of 32 that the Texans have displayed for several weeks. Houston has some fight and has taken serious playoff contenders down to the wire in consecutive weeks. The problem is the team ahead of them each week has also done a decent enough job to keep their place in the power rankings. If the Texans could ever get a win, they wouldn’t be the worst team in the power rankings. All they have to do is put it together for four quarters — or five periods — and it seems they are precipitously close.

What has helped Houston look like more than a 1-12-1 team is their improved quarterback play. While Davis Mills isn’t approaching 300-yard games, he is making smarter decisions with the football along with getting the ball in the end zone. The fumble in overtime was the pock mark on the face of an otherwise great game from Mills, who threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another in the 30-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Across the rest of the AFC South, the Indianapolis Colts dropped to No. 31 following their blown 33-0 halftime lead against the Minnesota Vikings — the largest blown lead in NFL history. The Tennessee Titans dropped to No. 12 after their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Jacksonville Jaguars, who are in second place in the division, were ahead of the Titans in the power rankings at No. 11 thanks to their win over the Cowboys.

QB Davis Mills explains fumble on Texans’ final offensive series against the Chiefs

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills walks through what happened on the costly overtime fumble against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Houston Texans had the entire game in their hands.

The defense had forced the Kansas City Chiefs to punt on the opening possession of overtime, tied 24-24. The next score would win the game at NRG Stadium in Week 15.

Facing a first-and-10 at the Houston 13-yard line, quarterback Davis Mills scrambled to the left side for a pickup of a couple yards. However, defensive end Frank Clark punched the ball out from behind, defensive back Willie Gay recovered, and the Chiefs scored the game-winning touchdown on the very next play.

“Yeah, it was tough,” Mills said after the 30-24 loss Sunday. “Just caught a quick gain. They covered it pretty well. Just zone dropped into the windows, and I figured I could pick up a couple of yards with my legs. Defender made a really good play, punched it out and it was a fumble.”

Mills had been safe through the air completing 12 passes on 24 attempts for 121 yards and two touchdowns. The second-year signal caller also scored a 17-yard touchdown earlier in the game. If not for Mills’ big plays, Houston wouldn’t be in a position to take Kansas City down to the wire.

Nevertheless Mills acknowledged an eternal truth about football.

“Obviously got to protect the football there,” said Mills. “Very critical situation in the game when all you need is a field goal down in overtime and after the defense made a big-time stop to get them off the field and get us the ball back.”

While Mills admitted that he was “disappointed” with the outcome, he was complimentary of how the rest of the team played against the Chiefs.

Said Mills: “I thought our guys fought hard and put us in the situation to win the game, offense, defense and special teams. We just have to find a way to finish it.”

Houston drops to 1-12-1 on the year and is on target to finish with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Davis Mills kept the Texans competitive against the Chiefs

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.

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.

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.

Texans QB Jeff Driskel says one play doesn’t define how Davis Mills played against the Chiefs

Houston Texans quarterback Jeff Driskel says that Davis Mills’ fumble in overtime doesn’t define his Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Quarterback Davis Mills was doing his part as the Houston Texans were holding their own 24-24 against the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime at NRG Stadium.

Mills completed 12 passes on 24 attempts for 121 yards and two touchdowns as the 1-11-1 Texans were gridlocked with the 10-3 Chiefs, who couldn’t afford to take a loss as they endeavor to lock up home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs.

“Davis did a really good job,” backup quarterback Jeff Driskel said via Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV. “Really productive on third down, I thought. He was pretty efficient throughout the day.”

However, it wasn’t a pass play that did Mills and the Texans in. On first-and-10 from the Texans’ 13-yard line, the very first play in overtime for Houston with 5:34 to go in the extra period, Mills lost the ball. Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark chased Mills down from behind for the strip-sack, and defensive back Willie Gay recovered and returned the takeaway two yards to the 26-yard line.

Yeah, that was a tough play there at the end,” said Driskel. “They did a good job retracing on their rush and they got the ball.”

The Chiefs scored on the very next play as running back Jerick McKinnon galloped 26 yards to edge the Texans 30-24, dropping Houston to 1-12-1 and improving the Chiefs to 11-3 on the season.

According to Driskel, the locker room rallied to let the second-year signal caller know he had still gave it a heck of an effort.

Said Driskel: “Everybody in here was patting him on the back, saying, hey, one play doesn’t how he played and how he’s played the last few weeks.”

Mills and the Texans go on the road to take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 16 at Nissan Stadium. If Houston plays the Titans as closely as they did the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14 and the Chiefs in Week 15, Tennessee could be in for a struggle.

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WATCH: Texans QB Davis Mills throws TD pass to TE Jordan Akins against the Chiefs

Quarterback Davis Mills threw a touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Akins to help the Houston Texans take the lead over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Maybe Davis Mills needs to sit more.

The second-year quarterback has been a more effective version of himself after having say Weeks 12-13 behind Kyle Allen. The Houston Texans signal caller threw his second touchdown pass of the game as he connected with tight end Jordan Akins on a third-and-goal from the 12-yard line Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.

The touchdown pass from Mills to Akins helped push the Texans ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs 21-16 with 1:30 to go in the third quarter. The touchdown was also the result of the second Texans takeaway of the afternoon following a JuJu Smith-Schuster fumble.

WATCH: Texans QB Davis Mills scrambles for a TD against the Chiefs

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills rushed for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15.

The Houston Texans are holding their own against the Kansas City Chiefs.

With 9:28 to go in the second quarter in a 7-7 ballgame, quarterback Davis Mills rushed for a 17-yard touchdown on second-and-10.

Mills was responsible for Houston taking an early lead in the game late in the first quarter with an 8-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Teagan Quitoriano, who recorded his second touchdown reception of the season.

With the rushing touchdown, Mills becomes the first Texans quarterback to throw for double-digit touchdowns and rush for multiple touchdowns since 2020. As of 7:38 to go in the second quarter of Week 15, Mills has 12 touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns.

WATCH: Texans QB Davis Mills throws TD pass to TE Teagan Quitoriano against the Chiefs

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills threw a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Teagan Quitoriano against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills has done better since getting the starting job back.

The second-year signal caller from Stanford threw an 8-yard touchdown pass for tight end Teagan Quitoriano Sunday during Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium.

The score, which came on a second-and-goal with 1:04 to go in the first quarter, allowed the Texans to take an early 7-0 lead over the Chiefs.

For Quitoriano, the scoring grab was his second of the season. The Texans drafted Quitoriano with a fifth-round pick from Oregon State.

Mills’ touchdown pass is his 12th on the season and his first since returning to the lineup in Week 14.

Texans vs. Chiefs live blog: 30-24 Kansas City, FINAL

The Houston Texans take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Follow along for all of the live updates from NRG Stadium.

The Houston Texans take on the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time for Week 15 from NRG Stadium. Follow along for all of the live updates.

First quarter

15:00 — Houston gets the ball first.

13:22 — On a third-and-7 from the Houston 39-yard line, QB Davis Mills can’t connect with WR Amari Rodgers. The Texans are forced to punt.

10:02 — On third-and-5 from the Kansas 48-yard line, QB Patrick Mahomes throws an incomplete pass looking for WR Marquez Valdez-Scantling.

9:06 — The Texans go three-and-out after being pinned at their own 15-yard line.

8:24 — LB Christian Kirksey sacks Mahomes for an 11-yard loss on first down from the Kansas City 40-yard line.

7:03 — Mahomes fails to complete a pass on third-and-14 from the Kansas City 36-yard line.

1:04 — Mills throws an 8-yard touchdown pass to rookie TE Teagan Quitoriano. Extra point is good. 7-0, Texans

 

Second quarter

12:33 — Mahomes throws a 20-yard touchdown pass to RB Jerick McKinnon. Extra point is good. 7-7

9:37 — DE Mario Addison strips RB Isiah Pacheco and CB Desmond King recovers at the Kansas City 17-yard line.

9:28 — Mills scrambles for a 17-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 14-7, Texans

0:17 — Mahomes throws a 4-yard touchdown pass to Valdez-Scantling. Extra point is no good; wide left. 14-13, Texans

 

Halftime

Stats

TEXANS

Mills: 6/10, 70 yards, TD; 2 carries, 16 yards, TD

Jeff Driskel: 2/3, 8 yards; 3 carries, 9 yards

Royce Freeman: 5 carries, 28 yards

Chris Moore: 4 catches, 42 yards

Quitoriano: 1 catch, 8 yards, TD

 

CHIEFS

Mahomes: 17/22, 164 yards, 2 TD; 2 carries, 12 yards

Pacheco: 6 carries, 35 yards

McKinnon: 2 carries, 11 yards; 5 catches, 60 yards, TD

Kelce: 4 catches, 42 yards

 

Third quarter

9:08 — The Chiefs cap off their opening drive of the second half with a 27-yard field goal from K Harrison Butker. 16-14, Chiefs

8;57 — Mills throws incomplete looking for Burkhead on third-and-10 from the Houston 25. The Texans go three-and-out.

5:39 — Mahomes throws to WR JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 6-yard gain, but CB Tremon Smith hit the receiver, who fumbled, and then LB Jake Hansen recovered at the Houston 36-yard line. Ruling on the field was down by contact and an illegal blindside block against McKinnon. The Texans challenged the ruling on the field and it was overturned. Texans ball at the Kansas City 49-yard line following the penalty enforcement.

1:30 — Mills throws a 12-yard touchdown pass to TE Jordan Akins. Extra point is good. 21-16, Texans

 

Fourth quarter

12:05 — Mahomes rushes for a 5-yard touchdown. On the two-point conversion, Mahomes completes to McKinnon for the conversion. 24-21, Chiefs

5:14 — K Ka’imi Fairbairn hits a 29-yard field goal to tie the game. 24-24

1:54 — On a third-and-4 from the Houston 45-yard line, Mahomes rushes for a first down of 14 yards.

0:12 — Butker’s 51-yard field goal attempt is no good.

 

Overtime

10:00 — Chiefs win the coin toss and take possession.

9:55 — The Chiefs start at their own 9-yard line, but Mahomes gets them off the mat with a 19-yard pass to Smith-Schuster.

6:22 — LB Blake Cashman sacks Mahomes for a 12-yard loss on third-and-4 from the Texans’ 43-yard line.

5:34 — On the first play of the Texans’ possession. DE Frank Clark poked the ball out from Mills, who was scrambling. DB Willie Gay recovers at the 26-yard line. It was Houston’s only turnover of the game.

5:19 — McKinnon rushes for a 26-yard touchdown. Game over. 30-24, Chiefs

Texans Wire Countdown to Chiefs: 10 factors to watch in Week 15

The Houston Texans take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. Here are 10 factors to watch as the game progresses.

WHEN: 12:00 p.m. CT

WHERE: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

FORECAST: Mostly cloudy, 53 degrees, 12 mph winds (roof open)

FOLLOW: @therealmarklane, @bigsargesportz, @johnhcrumpler @thetexanswire

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

WATCH: CBS (Kevin Harlan & Trent Green)

BLUE — Kansas City at Houston

RED — Detroit at NY Jets

GREEN — Pittsburgh at Carolina

Source: 506 Sports

What is Davis Mills’ worst area as the Texans’ starting QB?

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills has given the organization plenty to look at in 2022. What remains as his biggest weakness?

Davis Mills has been anything but great in 2022.

The former 2021 third-round pick has compiled a 78.2 passer rating and a 1-9-1 record as a starter. The Houston Texans have the worst record in the NFL at 1-11-1 and the irony is that Mills’ poor performance will help the club by ensuring they get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, which they will then use to take his successor.

While Mills has had a lackluster season, there is one area where the Stanford product especially struggles.

According to Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders, the one area where Mills has the most trouble is on third downs.

Mills has been horrible passing on third downs, when passing is most important (and most expected by the defense). This year, Mills has a minus-63.4% DVOA on third downs, the second lowest in the league for a quarterback with at least 20 third-down passes.

Mills’ production on third down is so terrible compared to last year’s, according to Pro Football Outsiders’ DVOA rankings.

There is only one other quarterback worse in the DVOA rankings than Mills, and that particular quarterback recently joined the Los Angeles Rams after starting the year with the Carolina Panthers.

Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton praised Mills for his ability to get the ball out quicker in Week 14.

“We have to get the ball out on schedule,” said Hamilton. “Get the ball into the pass receivers, the backs, get the ball into their hands in the passing game immediately after they make their breaks and give them a chance to run after catch. Davis did a really good job of doing that this past Sunday.”

Mills went 16-of-21 for 175 yards and an interception. The Texans similarly were 7-15 on third downs and didn’t give up a single sack.