We’re looking at ten things to know about the Houston Texans ahead of their AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Baltimore Ravens
The Texans advanced to the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the fifth time in franchise history with a 45-14 win over the Browns in Super Wild Card Weekend.
The playoff success earned Houston a rematch against the Baltimore Ravens, and they’ll return to M&T Bank Stadium hoping to avenge a 25-9 loss in Week 1.
The Texans are a different team since that humble welcome to the NFL moment for C.J. Stroud, and all the former Ohio State star has done is shatter records and lead his team to the postseason as a rookie.
With final preparations for Saturday’s kickoff underway, we’re looking at ten things about the Houston Texans.
In that game, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 28 of 44 passing attempts for 242 yards in his NFL regular-season debut but didn’t lead any touchdown-scoring drives.
Odell Beckham had two catches for 38 yards as he deferred to the rookie Zay Flowers in his debut.
Playing in his first game after a ten-month absence, Lamar Jackson was 17-22 passing for 169 yards and one interception while finishing with a 79.5 rating.
Jackson looked rusty at times but was efficient, had 38 yards rushing, and avoided nasty hits.
This is a different Houston team, and the Texans are flying high after dismantling the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round opener.
Here are five free agents for Saints fans to scout in Saturday afternoon’s Texans-Browns playoff game:
We’re closing in on kickoff of the NFL’s wild-card round, which is a great opportunity for New Orleans Saints fans to scout upcoming free agents while they compete on the biggest stage. And there are plenty of prospects worth watching when the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns match up.
Whether the Saints are looking to get more explosive in the running game or deeper on the defensive side of the ball, here are five players we’re watching closely:
Week 16 means most fantasy team owners are out of the playoffs. But the NFL is still on and there are notable changes coming down the road worth thinking about because players changing teams is where a significant amount of fantasy value lies – there’s no way to know just how a player will produce on a new team and the inclination is to undervalue them.
The 2023 draft class proved to be a disappointment. Bijan Robinson has not been the next generational running back, he hasn’t even been the primary back for his own team in some weeks. Jahmyr Gibbs is the No. 9 fantasy back so far, and has been marginally better than Robinson. De’Von Achane had a few monster games but has been mostly injured. Otherwise, not a lot so far from the class of 2023.
Let’s take a quick look at the pending free agents running backs when the NFL’s 2024 season starts on Wednesday, March 13 at 4 p.m. ET. Some will be signed by their own teams, but most likely head on to new teams. Here are my Top-6 running back free agents. A number of these players were top free agents last year. Many teams are not wanting to commit to any back for more than a year.
1.) Saquon Barkley (NYG, Age 27) – The Giants only signed him for last year, so the process starts all over. Barkley is the face of the franchise and the only reliably productive part of the offense, They’ll do what they can to re-sign him though it probably won’t be more than a two-year deal. Barkley had a great 2023 showing but is only the No. 17 running back this year having missed three games. The fantasy world would love to see him elsewhere, but he’s at least a 50/50 to resign. He’ll never win the Super Bowl there, but he does get to play in an offense designed around him.
2.) Josh Jacobs (LV, Age 26) – The NFL’s best running back in 2022 re-signed with the soon-to-implode Raiders and is only the current No. 14 running back. The Raiders will be going through a purge in the offseason when they hire a new head coach and start the rebuild. Jacobs is no lock to stay around for that. His production is up since Josh McDaniels was fired and he’ll attract attention. He can probably help a new team more than any other free agent running back, if they are willing to sign him to at least a two-year contract.
3.) Derrick Henry (TEN, Age 30) – The Titan’s star becomes a free agent right after what will be his worst season. He’s only averaging 3.8 yards per carry and if he breaks 1,000 rushing yards for the fifth time, it will be thanks to playing a 17-game season. Henry has defied limitations that faced other backs who had a similar workhorse role but he finally broke down in 2021, bounced back nicely, but now has a down year. He’ll end up elsewhere and could fit in nicely for another team looking for the Thunder to match with a Lightning. He’ll drop in fantasy drafts no matter what happens this year, but can still offer a valuable role.
4.) Tony Pollard (DAL, Age 27) – Maybe there is a difference between being the No. 2 guy behind a back that attracts all the attention (Ezekiel Elliott), and being the only running back that a defense focuses on. Pollard dropped to only 4.1 yards per carry and the Cowboys’ backfield has taken a big step backward. Pollard signed a $10 million contract for this year and is the current No. 12 fantasy running back. He hasn’t had the look of a No. 1 running back and the Cowboys won’t be willing to pay as much for him now that his impact fell once he became the primary back. At best, Pollard remains in Dallas and they bring in another back to beef up the backfield.
5.) Austin Ekeler (LAC, Age 29) –Â Yet another back from 2023 who held out for a contract extension and was a big part of the Great RB Revolt of last summer that didn’t change anything. His problem is that he was a nightmare for defenses in 2021 and 2022, but his performance and usage has dropped off significantly in 2023. His current 3.6 yard average is a career-lowest by far, but in fairness the team around him has also been a disappointment. He still has value and can fit into any backfield, but his age and 2023 performance will work against him.
6.) Devin Singletary (BUF, Age 26) – He left the Bills to become the backup for Dameon Pierce in Houston. Singletary only signed a one-year contract worth $2.75 million and has taken over as the primary back since mid-season. He’s rushed for over 100 yards three times. He may end up re-signing with the Texans but he could go elsewhere by ending on a high note. He still has plenty in the tank and was never over-used in Buffalo in their pass-happy offense.
Other 2023 free agent running backs: Dalvin Cook, Leonard Fournette, Gus Edwards, Ezekiel Elliott, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, D’Andre Swift, D’Onta Foreman.
About Last Night…
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans 22, Los Angeles Rams 30
The Saints scored two touchdowns in the final six minutes to make this look closer than it was. The Rams already led 27-7 entering the fourth quarter and their offense gashed the Saints with both the pass and run. David Carr threw 40 passes out of need, and the Saints run game was nearly non-existent.
Derek Carr threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns between Rashid Shaheed (5-70, TD), Juwan Johnson (4-48, TD), and A.T. Perry (1-35, TD). Chris Olave (9-123) was the star though he failed to score. Alvin Kamara rushed for only 19 yards on nine carries but added five catches for 16 yards.
Matt Stafford threw for 328 yards and two scores between Puka Nacua (9-164, TD) and Demarcus Robinson (6-82, TD). Cooper Kupp led the offense with 12 targets but ended with only six receptions for 52 yards. Kyren Williams rumbled for 104 yards and a score on his 22 runs, Almost anything the Rams tried worked, though they have to settled for three field goals or the score would have been very lopsided.
Here’s what we learned from the Texans’ much-needed win over the Titans on Sunday
The Houston Texans saved their season on Sunday with a gutsy 19-16 win on the road against the Tennessee Titans. The win came despite the absence of C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, George Fant and Will Anderson in what was a statement victory for the coaching staff and the rest of the roster as they rallied around backup quarterback Case Keenum.
Houston now sits at a solid 8-6, far surpassing any pre-season expectations, and control their own destiny with the AFC playoffs within play. Even without some of their stars, Tennessee offered valuable lessons moving forward about how the Texans will have to finish out against the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, and a Tennessee rematch.
Check out these starts and sits for Week 14 in fantasy football.
After watching a surprisingly decent Thursday night game between the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, the focus shifts toward a weekend full of vital decisions for fantasy football lineups.
The majority of bye weeks have passed as only the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders are the only two teams to get the week off. With most leagues finalizing the regular season in Week 14, the start/sit decisions have never been more crucial.
Hopefully, we can help get you into the dance for those trying to make it or help you spoil it for someone else.
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.
Check out these starts and sits in fantasy football for Week 13.
Following a thrilling Thursday night game between the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks, it’s now time to turn our attention to the big start/sit decisions lingering over fantasy football lineups for Week 13.
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.
Will the Jaguars be able to contain C.J. Stroud this time around?
At the beginning of the season, no one would have expected the Houston Texans to be a game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars for the top of the AFC South, but here we are.
Not only is Houston a game away from Jacksonville, but it won the first head-to-head between the teams in dominant fashion Week 3. The Texans traveled to Duval and handed the Jaguars a 37-17 loss.
Now, the Jags have a chance to even the series and strengthen their hold on the top of the AFC South, but they’ll have to go through a feisty Texans team to do so.
Here are five Texans players who could cause problems for the Jaguars in Week 12:
Justin Fields and Jordan Love were the nominees for the FedEx Ground and Air NFL Player of the Week awards.
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields has established himself as a formidable threat on the ground, and earned a nomination for FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week.
Fields led the Bears with 18 carries for 104 yards against the Detroit Lions in Week 11.
Other nominees include Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary. The reigning Ground Player of the Week had 22 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown in the Texans’ 21-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Pittsburgh running back Jaylen Warren had nine carries for 129 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers’ bout with the Cleveland Browns.
Among the Air Player of the Week nominees, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love went 27-of-40 for 322 yards and two touchdowns with a 108.5 passer rating against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed 28 of 39 attempts for 325 yards, two touchdowns, and a 103.0 passer rating in the 20-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
San Francisco 49ers signal caller Brock Purdy went 21-of-25 for 333 yards, three touchdowns, and a perfect 158.3 passer rating in the 27-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Each Air and Ground winner will have a $2,000 donation in their name made to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) all season long.
Fans have the chance to cast their vote through Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Fans can go to NFL.com/FedEx or vote on Twitter via the @NFL published polls and on the NFL Mobile App.
