Tag: NFL Media

14 coaches ‘better’ than Texans’ Bill O’Brien who are out of the playoffs or got fired

NFL.com released its coaches power rankings in July. Houston Texans’ Bill O’Brien was No. 19. Here are 14 “better” out of the playoffs or got fired.

During the final offseason doldrums before training camp in July 2019, NFL.com writer Elliot Harrison released his coaches power rankings. Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien was No. 19, which was the lowest among any of the playoff-winning coaches on the list. Harrison provided a thought-out explanation:

Bill O’Brien is a good coach. How good of a coach is he? Well, his detractors will say he’s good enough to get ya beat in the playoffs. Then again, O’Brien has helped the Texans post a winning season in four out of his five years with the team. That’s after taking over a squad that went 2-14 the year before he got there. The complaints about O’Brien often center around an inconsistent offense and his in-game management. Of course, much of a head coach’s job performance centers around things fans don’t see. That includes the culture around the team from Monday through Saturday, communication with the players, and the ability to keep a team focused. Without the latter, there is no way Houston wins over 40 games in five years. The struggle for O’Brien this season will be to squeeze better play out of the offensive line, as well as get Deshaun Watson to avoid creating his own pressure by holding the ball for too long.

Three weeks into the 2019 season, there were eight coaches better than O’Brien on the list who had worse records than the Texans. Now, with wild-card weekend in the books, there are 14 coaches who missed the playoffs, got bounced from the playoffs, or were no longer employed by their original team by the end of the season. Here are the 14 coaches:

1. doug marrone

bill-obrien-add-jaguars-doug-marrone-texans
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

There was a rumor heading into Week 17 that the Jacksonville Jaguars could fire Marrone and go in a different direction after the club fired Tom Coughlin as their executive vice president of football operations. Marrone did the best he could with free agent quarterback Nick Foles going down in Week 1 with a collarbone injury and riding Minshew Mania with rookie sixth-rounder Gardner Minshew as far as it could take the Jaguars. Jacksonville finished 6-10 and it appears Marrone will be back in 2020.

Fun fact: since Jacksonville won the AFC South in 2017, O’Brien has beaten Marrone four straight times.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10, Page 11, Page 12, Page 13, Page 14

Texans OT Tytus Howard lands on NFL.com’s 2019 all rookie team

Houston Texans rookie offensive tackle Tytus Howard earned a spot on NFL.com’s 2019 all rookie team.

Houston Texans rookie offensive tackle Tytus Howard’s season may be over after just eight games, but the first-round pick from Alabama State was impressive enough to earn a spot on an all rookie team

According to NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling, Howard and Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Jawaan Taylor were exemplary enough to claim spots on their 2019 all rookie team.

Veteran pass rushers began the season taking advantage of Taylor as a Day 1 starter, but he hasn’t been charged with a sack since Week 6. The second-round pick joins guard Andrew Norwell as the only Jaguars to play every snap this season. Billed as a high-upside project out of Alabama State, Howard ended up solving Houston’s long-standing problem at right tackle before an MCL tear ended his season last week. Fellow first-round picks Andre Dillard and Kaleb McGary have disappointed in Philadelphia and Atlanta, respectively.

What helped Howard was being able to man the right tackle spot after the club traded for Laremy Tunsil on Aug. 31. With a proven veteran protecting quarterback Deshaun Watson’s blindside as opposed to Howard, it allowed the rookie to grow into his role as an edge protector and ease into the pro game.

A knee injury knocked Howard out of the Texans’ 31-24 Week 6 win at the Kansas City Chiefs. The 6-5, 322-pound tackle returned in Week 9 in London as the Texans beat the Jaguars 26-3. Ahead of the Texans’ 28-22 win over the New England Patriots in Week 13 on Sunday Night Football, Houston placed Howard on injured reserve because of that knee injury. Howard has since had knee surgery, and he is expected to be good to go once the Texans commence their nine-week offseason program in April.

WATCH: Texans versus Broncos preview from NFL.com

The Houston Texans and the Denver Broncos take each on in Week 14 NRG Stadium. NFL.com previews the matchup.

The Houston Texans and the Denver Broncos face off for a Week 14 encounter at NRG Stadium Sunday at noon CT in a game that won’t exactly be easy for the home side. Though the Broncos are starting rookie quarterback Drew Lock for the second week in a row, and Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel has a 12-1 record against rookie quarterbacks, playoffs included, there are some things Denver does well that could compromise the Texans.

Get ready for the game with a preview courtesy of NFL.com.

Find out how to watch the game with a handy viewing guide.

Could J.J. Watt return if the Texans make the playoffs?

The Houston Texans could get a monumental boost to their defense if defensive end J.J. Watt is able to return for a playoff run.

If the Houston Texans make the playoffs, could they get a boost from their face of the franchise?

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Texans are saving their last injured reserve/designated to return spot for defensive end J.J. Watt, who tore his pectoral muscle in Week 8’s win over the Oakland Raiders. As soon as that Sunday evening, Watt declared he was done for the year.

If the Texans are able to get back Watt for the playoffs, it would be a big boost for the club emotionally. Houston will need all the help they can get. With a 7-4 record, the Texans are currently slated as the third seed in the AFC. Houston would be a home wild-card team that would have to battle their way as the road team in the divisional round to reach their first AFC championship game and the city’s first since 1979.

Before Watt went down with his presumed season-ending injury, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year collected 24 tackles, 4.0 sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and three pass breakups in eight starts.

Texans DE J.J. Watt named a finalist for NFL 100 All-Time Team

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was named a finalist among the defensive line selections for the NFL 100 All-Time Team.

The NFL released its finalists list for the defensive line for the NFL 100 All-Time Team Monday, and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt made the list.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year was among 33 defensive linemen and edge defenders who were listed as finalists. Watt is the only defensive lineman who is still playing in the NFL.

Watt’s career has been historic since he joined the Texans as a first-round pick in 2011. His three defensive player of the year honors tie Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor for the most in league history. His 96.0 sacks rank 41st all-time, and he has posted 20.5 sacks in two separate seasons, 2012 and 2014. Among the 2011 draft class, only the Denver Broncos’ Von Miller has more sacks than Watt with 104.

To decide the 14 defensive linemen who will ultimately make the team, a 26-person blue-ribbon voting panel has been charged with selecting seven players at both defensive end and defensive tackle.

The NFL 100 All-Time Team airs each Friday at 7:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network through Week 17 with selections by position revealed each week.