Tag: Houston Texans

Texans QB Deshaun Watson won’t discount ‘big game’ against the Colts

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson knows that Thursday’s matchup with the Indianapolis Colts is a big one with AFC South and playoff ties.

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It’s Colts week.

The Houston Texans, the NFL’s youngest franchise, don’t have many rivals. But, they do have some, chief among them the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts, who will face the Texans at NRG Stadium Thursday, tend to be a thorn on his Houston’s side. They lead the all-time series between the two 28-8 while winning five of the last six. The two, in the 2010s, have traded off the crown of the AFC South eight times (Texans five, Colts three).

Thursday night’s game is yet another chapter in the story of the Texans-Colts’ rivalry. It also has playoff implications, as both, at 6-4, are tied for the top of the AFC South, with Indianapolis possessing the tie-breaker.

“It’s a big game,” said quarterback Deshaun Watson on Tuesday. “It’s a divisional game that… can be a big deciding point in the future, but we’ve got to just focus on one drive, focus on one moment at a time. We can’t look at it in that way and try to get carried away and try to panic or try to put too much pressure on ourselves.”

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The Texans’ divisional tilt with the Colts on Thursday doesn’t carry just playoff and rivalry implications. It’s a chance for Houston to redeem themselves on a national stage after being curb-stomped by the Baltimore Ravens 41-7 on Sunday.

“We’ve just got to go out there and play Texans football and take it one play at a time, one moment at a time and play 60 minutes and see how the outcome comes,” said Watson.

In many aspects, the Texans’ brawl with the Colts on Thursday may be their most important game of the season to date. It’s a chance for redemption; to regain the division; to put on a show for a national audience; to re-enter the contender discussion heading into December.

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Colts DE Justin Houston has the Texans’ attention

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Justin Houston has the attention of the Houston Texans offense before Week 12 matchup.

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Four days after allowing seven sacks to the Baltimore Ravens, the Houston Texans offensive line must protect against another defense capable of getting to the passer.

The Indianapolis Colts defense, coached by coordinator Matt Eberflus, has amassed 25 sacks in 10 games. Defensive end Justin Houston counts for eight of those sacks, a team-leading digit, nearly triple of second-place.

Houston, 30, is a known commodity. Before landing in Indianapolis in 2019, he spent eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. In the process, he recorded four Pro-Bowl appearances and one first-team All-Pro nod — given in 2014 for tallying the second-most sacks in any NFL season (22).

“He’s a dynamic pass rusher. He’s strong. He’s had a lot of years production in this league,” said Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly on Tuesday. “He definitely has a wide arsenal of pass rush moves and he isn’t afraid to use them. So, our guys, both tackles are going to see him and it’s a big challenge for them.”

The last time Houston faced the Texans — Week 7 — he amassed two sacks, four quarterback hits and a pair of tackles for loss. He has 3.5 sacks on Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in two games played against him.  Houston has never lost to the Texans.

Watson is all too aware of what type of talent Houston is to deal with.

“He’s a veteran guy that’s played a lot of football and understands different skillsets and different techniques to use in different situations,” said Watson on Tuesday. “He’s definitely a guy that you have to respect, and we definitely do that. He’s a great football player.”

The Texans offensive line is looking for a rebound game after Sunday’s atrocious performance. To do so, they must keep their eyes peeled for Houston, No. 99. Or else, he will — as he’s done throughout his nine-year career (86.5 sacks) — get to the passer.

Texans 100: Facts and Figures for Colts on Thursday night, No. 1-25

The Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts complete the season series on Thursday to kickoff Week 12. Here are series and Deshaun Watson facts.

The Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts finish up their season series Thursday night at NRG Stadium. As we kickoff our 100 facts, we first take a look at some series facts before moving into Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

series facts

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

1. The Texans are 6-4 for the second time in franchise history. The last time, 2016, made the playoffs and won the AFC South.

2. Since 1990, when playoff formats were last tinkered with, teams that started 6-5 made the playoffs 59/127 times with 23/59 of those clubs having won the division.

3. Since 1990, when playoff formats were last tinkered with, teams that started 7-4 made the playoffs 94/135 with 39/94 having won the division.

4. The Colts are 6-4 for the 10th time in franchise history. 6/9 of those teams made the playoffs with three of those teams having won the division.

5. The Colts have swept the Texans 10 times in series history. Here is how that compares to the rest of the Texans’ divisional opponents:

Colts: 10

Titans: 5

Jaguars: 4

 

6. The Texans are 8-28 against the Colts, including playoffs, with a 5-13 record at home. Here is home record compares to the rest of the division:

Jaguars: 13-5

Titans: 10-7

Colts: 5-13

 

 

7. The Texans are 5-13 against the Colts at home. Here is the breakdown by naming rights:

Reliant Stadium: 4-9

NRG Stadium: 1-4

 

8. The Texans are 0-8 in November against the Colts with an 0-3 record at home.

9. The Texans are 30-38 in November with a 15-18 record at home.

10. The Colts are 149-124-3 in November with a 70-64-1 record on the road.

11. The Texans are 97-115 in early afternoon games with a 62-53 record at home.

12. Since 1970, the Colts are 227-206 in early afternoon games with a 112-128 record on the road.

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Texans vs Colts: Point spread, over/under for Week 12

Odds-makers give the Houston Texans the slight advantage against the Indianapolis Colts Thursday night at NRG Stadium for Week 12.

The Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts face off for a Thursday night encounter at NRG Stadium to kickoff Week 12 in the NFL. With an abbreviated week of preparation for both teams, the Texans are hoping to come away with a win to neutralize the Colts’ head-to-head tiebreaker and prevent Indianapolis from getting their 11th series sweep.

Odds-makers are giving the Texans the advantage at -3.5, according to BetMGM, and those odds are tied with the 49ers, Titans, and Lions for the fourth-slimmest odds of Week 12. Only the Eagles (-1.5), Raiders (-2.5), and Ravens (-3.0) have closer odds.

The point total for the game is 46.5, which is tied with Oakland-NY Jets, Carolina-New Orleans, Dallas-New England, Green Bay-San Francisco, and Baltimore-LA Rams for the third-highest point total of Week 12. In the Week 7 matchup between the Colts and Texans, both teams combined for 53 points.

For more information on the rest of the NFL and college football, please check out our sister site, the Sportsbook Wire.

Special New Jersey BetMGM Prop Bet! Bet $1, WIN $100 in free bets if Houston QB Deshaun Watson rushes for at least one yard against Indianapolis on Thursday Night Football. Place your bet now!
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Texans start Week 12 at No. 12 in USA TODAY NFL power rankings

The Houston Texans dropped four spots in the latest USA TODAY NFL power rankings for Week 12.

The Houston Texans dropped four slots in the latest USA TODAY NFL power rankings for Week 12.

After taking it on the chin 41-7 to the Baltimore Ravens Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium, the former first place squad in the AFC South dropped from No. 8 in the power rankings down to No. 12 overall.

Key three-game homestand opens with visits from division-leading Colts, Patriots. Overmatched in Baltimore, Houston must step up vs. big boys now.

Falling out of the top-10 seems fair. After all, the Ravens held the No. 2 seed, if the AFC playoffs were to start in Week 11, and they are presumably going to win the AFC North and be in the postseason. It was a measuring stick game of sorts, and the Texans didn’t measure up as a 41-yard touchdown run from running back Carlos Hyde was all that prevented Houston from suffering its third ever regular season shutout.

The Indianapolis Colts, the Texans’ opponent on Thursday night to kickoff Week 12, came in at No. 10 overall. Their 33-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars was good enough to propel them four spots into the top-10.

The Tennessee Titans rose two spots up to No. 16. The loss to the Colts knocked the Jacksonville Jaguars down two spots to No. 22 overall.

If the Texans are able to come away with a win against the Colts, it probably won’t elevate them too far into the top-10, possibly anywhere from eight to 10 overall.

As pointed out, the Texans have a critical three-game homestand upcoming and their true chance to measure up against the best the conference, and frankly the league, has to offer will be next week against the New England Patriots.

Nonetheless, Week 12’s showdown with the Colts is consequential given Indianapolis beat Houston 30-23 in Week 7 and holds the tiebreaker. A sweep would assuredly give the Colts the AFC South.

Texans not counting on Colts WR T.Y. Hilton to miss Thursday night

The Houston Texans expect Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton to play on Thursday night despite being questionable with a calf injury.

While it would seem the Houston Texans are going to get a break Thursday night with Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton questionable with a calf injury, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel isn’t falling for it.

Even before Hilton was given the questionable designation, which came after a full practice on Wednesday, Crennel told reporters Tuesday that he expected the four-time Pro Bowler to play.

“Yes, he’s going to play,” Crennel said. “He’s probably counting on it, and I’m — well not necessarily counting on it or looking forward to it, but you’ve got to prepare for him to play because he’ll show up.”

Hilton has a reputation for being a Texans killer. The former 2012 third-round pick from Florida International was anything but that the Week 7 encounter as he produced just six catches for 74 yards and a touchdown in the 30-23 win at Lucas Oil Stadium. Hilton failed to stack his third consecutive game against Houston with at least 100 yards receiving, which he chalked up to a bad game and not the Texans defense doing anything to stop him.

“He’s a tremendous playmaker and we’ve played him several years, and he’s made plays,” Crennel said. “So, if he is not able to play, some of those big plays that get made, maybe they’re not there to be made. So, that would be the benefit.”

The Texans will get some help with wideout Parris Campbell declared out for the game with a hand injury. Houston will have to make their pass defense more formidable against Indianapolis as they allowed quarterback Jacoby Brissett to throw four touchdown passes against them and take one sack. That with defensive end J.J. Watt in the lineup, now done for the year with a torn pectoral.

Hilton or not, the Texans have to find a way to impact the Colts’ passing game.

Why can’t Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins be stopped on third down?

Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins can’t be stopped on third down, even though the defense knows the ball is going his way.

Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins is the focal point of every third down the offense faces. Regardless of the down and distance, the defense has to account for the two-time All-Pro.

Even so, teams are still having a hard time stopping Hopkins, who has produced 14 third down conversions, tied for seventh-most in the NFL.

Why can’t they guard Hopkins?

“I think one of the things that he does a really good job of, Hop, is that he knows every position,” coach Bill O’Brien told reporters Tuesday. “He know the offense cold, so you’re able to move him around. He’s not always going to be in one spot. He can line up in a lot of different spots, so I think that helps when you’re trying to locate him and double him and things like that.”

Hopkins isn’t perfect. After all, his 16 third down receptions are tied with Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert for the 12th-most in the NFL. Meanwhile the Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp leads the NFL with 24. However, Hopkins’ knowledge of the Texans’ passing offense is what gives Houston a chance to convert every third down, especially with quarterback Deshaun Watson under center.

“Eventually you’re going to find him, but I think him knowing the offense and understanding what we’re trying to do as well as he does helps him a lot, and then obviously it’s his skill set, Deshaun’s ability to get him the ball accurately, his ability to catch the ball in traffic, contested catches,” said O’Brien. “He’s a great player.”

The Texans will need Hopkins to provide one of his better efforts against the Indianapolis Colts Thursday night at NRG Stadium. In the initial encounter from Week 7, Hopkins caught nine passes for 106 yards and a touchdown in Houston’s 30-23 loss to their AFC South rivals at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Texans expect to get Colts RB Jonathan Williams’ best effort on Thursday night

The Houston Texans will have a challenge on their hands with Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Williams Thursday night and expect his best effort.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Williams was a big part of the club’s 33-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium, and the Houston Texans expect Williams to be a big contributor Thursday night.

Williams posted 116 yards on 13 carries and caught a 31-yard pass as part of his big day against the Jaguars. The Texans know they have to find a way to stop Williams, especially since he will the Colts’ lead back now that Marlon Mack is out with a hand injury.

“He did a great job last week,” defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel told reporters Tuesday. “I mean, he really did. He runs hard. I think he’ll be energized and he’ll run hard Thursday night. So, we’re going to have to tackle him and if we tackle him, then that’ll give us the best chance.”

The Texans run defense gives up 4.7 yards per carry, tied with the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers for the seventh-most in the NFL. While they have given up just 1,021 yards, the 12th-fewest overall, and 50 first downs, tied with Seattle for eighth-fewest, the Colts run game has been a challenge for everyone through 10 games. Indianapolis produces 141.1 rushing yards per game, the fourth-best in the NFL, and is tied with Minnesota and Dallas for the seventh-best yards per carry at 4.7.

“Mack is a pretty good runner and has good numbers,” Crennel said. “Now, he’s banged up so the next man up, and Williams is the next man up.”

In Week 7’s matchup between the Colts and Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium, Mack had 18 carries for 44 yards. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett was the driving force behind the Colts’ offense with four touchdown passes and 326 yards passing. A good run game could only help Brissett’s ability to pick apart the Texans’ defense if Williams has a big game.

How great is the Texans’ quarterback situation for the future?

The Houston Texans have a promising situation at quarterback for the future with Deshaun Watson. Where does that compare to the rest of the NFL?

The Houston Texans have a young quarterback in Deshaun Watson that provides the club a chance to win virtually every ballgame. But with the Pro Bowler still on his rookie deal, how exactly does their quarterback situation shape up?

According to Touchdown Wire’s latest rankings of all 32 teams’ future QB rankings, the Texans have the sixth-best situation in the league.

The Texans undoubtedly will exercise Deshaun Watson’s fifth-year option for 2021, but they also will be looking to sign him to a long-term extension. At 24, Watson already has shown he’s a franchise quarterback. This season, he has thrown for 2,601 yards and 18 touchdowns while also rushing for 291 yards and five touchdowns. A.J. McCarron is the backup, but the Texans hope Watson never has to leave the field. “Watson already is approaching elite status,” a panelist said. “In two or three years, he’ll be one of the best in the league.”

Watson was having quite the MVP campaign until he threw for 169 yards and an interception in the Texans’ 41-7 loss at the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11 at M&T Bank Stadium.

What is interesting is that the Atlanta Falcons are a spot ahead of the Texans. Certainly it is reasonable to have the Chiefs No. 1, Seahawks second, Dallas at No. 3, and the Ravens fourth-best. However, the Falcons have an aging quarterback and the team is in the midst of another wasting the efforts of Matt Ryan with a dynamic receiving tandem in Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. While there are cases such as Tom Brady and Drew Brees being able to play into their forties at a high level, there are also cases such as Tony Romo of taking took many injuries in the late thirties and Joe Flacco, who has lost it altogether.

How the Falcons’ situation is better than the Texans andWatson is questionable.

Texans DE J.J. Watt gave out his number to fans, invited them to text him

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt posted his phone number on Twitter, explaining that he wants to connect directly with his fans.

J.J. Watt is cutting out the middle man.

The Houston Texans injured star defensive end is finding a new way to interact with fans: giving his phone number away to directly chat with them.

On Tuesday night, Watt posted a one-minute long video to his Twitter, asking his fans, supporters, critics, whoever to text his phone number, 262-404-3664.

“I thought it was interesting, so I figure I’m going to try it,” said Watt. “I’ve never done it before, I have no experience with it. So you’re going to have to bear with me. I’m not sure if it’s going to be awesome. I’m not sure if I’m going to get to anybody. So I’m going to give it a shot.”

There were fans who were willing to send Watt a message, and many confirms the authenticity of Watt’s response via text.

The mind can only imagine so many things. Those inclined to send the three-time Defensive Player of the Year a message can do so at 262-404-3664. A an auto-generated link from Community.com from Watt will be sent asking folks to submit their name, phone, date of birth, and email.

Given the volume of texts Watt received, don’t hold your breath on getting a response.