Tag: NFL Week 16

Bengals, Jets winning in Week 15 is momentum Texans want to capture

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson saw the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals get wins in Week 15 against tough teams. Why not Houston?

Week 15 in the NFL had some stunning upsets as the winless New York Jets beat the playoff-hunting Los Angeles Rams on the road and the 2-10-1 Cincinnati Bengals handed the 11-2 Pittsburgh Steelers an L on Monday Night Football.

The Houston Texans haven’t won a game since Thanksgiving, but with two games to go, quarterback Deshaun Watson would like to capture the momentum that the Jets and Bengals have found and end 2020 on a high note.

“Every game you’ve just got to go out there and play,” Watson said. “It’s the NFL. People are trying to take care of their families. People are trying to get wins. People are trying to get in the playoffs. People are just trying to continue to extend their careers.”

The Bengals are bringing their own momentum into NRG Stadium Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT. With getting a key win against the Steelers, who are on pace to win the AFC North, Cincinnati has the building blocks to buy into what second-year coach Zac Taylor has been trying to instill since he took over for Marvin Lewis in 2019. The Texans will have to match that intensity Cincinnati has after a big division win.

“No matter what week you’re playing, each and every week matters, and it counts,” said Watson. “You’ve just got to continue to go out there. If not, you will get exposed.”

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Texans’ Romeo Crennel blames G Max Scharping’s regression on the lack of an offseason

Houston Texans LG Max Scharping lost his grip on the starting job, and interim coach Romeo Crennel cites a lack of an offseason as the problem.

The Houston Texans appeared to have rebuilt their failed state of an offensive line, and it only took the 2019 NFL Draft.

Houston selected right tackle Tytus Howard in Round 1, and then used one of their twin Round 2 picks to take Max Scharping. Howard started eight games, and Scharping, who had tackle and guard experience, anchored left guard with 14 starts in his 16 games played.

In 2020, Scharping has played in 13 games, but has started in just seven as he has been sharing the left guard spot with Senio Kelemete and Brent Qvale. In Week 15’s 27-20 loss at the Indianapolis Colts, Scharping played just four snaps, all on special teams.

Interim coach Romeo Crennel believes Scharping’s regression can be traced to the lack of an offseason caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think that not having an offseason, not having a preseason hurts young players when they are ready to make a move and to improve themselves and they’re not able to have that to continue that progress,” Crennel said. “I think also during the year, like you said, he missed some time during the year and so all of those things set him back a little bit.”

Though Scharping has taken a step back, Crennel is still positive that the former Northern Illinois product can provide some talent along the interior offensive line.

“I still feel like he’s a big body in there,” said Crennel. “He will be able to get some things done, particularly if he’s able to have an offseason this year and a preseason and all of those things that go into educating a football player.”

Scharping may not see significant snaps as the Texans face the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium. However, the 6-6, 327-pound offensive lineman will have the entire offseason to improve and reclaim a starting spot.

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Texans DE J.J. Watt impressed with Bengals QB Ryan Finley against the Steelers

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has studied Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ryan Finley, and respects what he brings under center for Cincy.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has seen plenty of film on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ryan Finley this week.

After all, Finley did play against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have both of Watt’s brothers, on Monday Night Football, leading Cincinnati to a 27-17 win at Paul Brown Stadium.

From what Watt saw of the former 2019 fourth-round quarterback from North Carolina State, he is impressed with Finley.

“I watched the game live on Monday night with my brothers obviously,” Watt said. “He did a very good job going against a very tough defense. Didn’t necessarily pass the ball a whole lot.”

Finley had 13 passes, completing seven of them for 89 yards and a touchdown. In the run game, the 6-4, 207-pound signal caller carried 10 times for 47 yards and a touchdown.

“He did a good job,” said Watt. “He did some good things in the running game as well. The touchdown run that he had, and some of the zone read stuff they’ve done.”

What Finley and the Bengals will bring into NRG Stadium Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT is a boatload of confidence after dropping the Steelers to 11-3 on the season.

“To get a win against a team like that, it was very good for them and they’re playing tough football,” said Watt. “They played a great game so we’re looking forward to the opportunity and a challenge.”

J.J. Watt outlines how Texans can end the season on a high note

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt knows the team has two games left, but they can still end the 2020 campaign on a high note.

The Houston Texans are 4-10 for the fourth time in team history. It is also the third time in defensive end J.J. Watt’s career that the Texans will play a duo of meaningless games as their playoff hopes are shot.

Watt knows what he would like to see from the Texans as they wrap up the 2020 season against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 and the Tennessee Titans are Week 17, both contests at NRG Stadium.

“Just go out there and play football,” Watt said. “Just try and do your best, put your best foot forward. You’re a competitor.  I know for me personally, any time you put the pads on you try to play the best you possibly can. Grateful for the opportunity to play this game. Grateful for the opportunity to try to improve and get better, and you try to do the best you possibly can.”

Watt has provided 46 combined tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, 5.0 sacks, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and an interception returned for a touchdown in his 14 games.

“It doesn’t matter what your record is, you go out there and you put your best foot forward,” said Watt. “If each of us puts our best foot forward, it can be a great result hopefully. We would love to go out there and get a win and finish off with something to smile about for this city.”

The Texans have a chance to make Houston sports fans smile as they face the Bengals to begin a two-game homestand to close out 2020.

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Texans’ Romeo Crennel expects to face a fired up Bengals team in Week 16

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel expects the Cincinnati Bengals to bring energy when they arrive at NRG Stadium in Week 16.

The Houston Texans are coming off another disappointing goal-line loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Their Week 16 opponents, the Cincinnati Bengals, are flying high after vanquishing the 11-2 Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football at Paul Brown Stadium.

Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel knows the energy the Bengals are bringing into NRG Stadium Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT will be a challenge.

“The biggest challenge initially is that the energy and the way they played against the Steelers,” Crennel said. “They were extremely fired up for the game Monday night and they played really good.”

The Bengals held forth beat the Steelers 27-17, even leading as much as 24-10 over Pittsburgh with 6:00 to go in the fourth quarter.

“They played good defense,” said Crennel. “Offensively, they moved the ball. They were able to run it. They were able to throw it. The quarterback was able to make plays with his feet as well as with his arm. They’ve got a couple receivers with speed and size. Offensive line held them out a little bit. The defense was aggressive. They had a good game plan.”

Second-year quarterback Ryan Finley went 7-of-13 for 89 yards and a touchdown while also rushing 10 times for 47 yards and a touchdown. Running back Giovani Bernard provided 25 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Said Crennel: “They took away the things that Pittsburgh liked to do in the passing game. Overall, it was a really good game for them. I think that coming out of that game, they will be on a high and they will be excited about coming in here to play.”

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Ravens vs. Giants injury report: Baltimore shorthanded with 9 out Wednesday

The Baltimore Ravens’ injury report is full this week as the defense once again has key players missing practice Wednesday.

The Baltimore Ravens have officially cleared their Reserve/COVID-19 list of players, ending an outbreak that began a month ago. Unfortunately, Baltimore is staring down quite a lengthy injury report in Week 16 as the wear and tear on the players’ bodies is beginning to get the better of them.

The Ravens were missing nine players from practice, while fullback Patrick Ricard was limited. Once again this week, the defense is the most injured side of the ball. Calais Campbell, Marcus Peters and Jimmy Smith are still dealing with injuries they’ve had since last week or earlier, while Pernell McPhee is a new addition to the list. In addition, wide receiver Dez Bryant is dealing with a thigh injury after scoring his first touchdown reception in over three years last week.

Baltimore will be up against the New York Giants this week. And while New York is 5-9, they are getting healthy and have looked far better than their record at times this season. Just like last week, it’s fair to wonder if the sheer number of injuries the Ravens are dealing with will give them a loss and big setback in the AFC playoff picture.

Texans vs. Bengals Wednesday injury report: 3 cornerbacks limited

The Houston Texans released their first injury report of Week 16 as they prepare to play the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday.

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The Houston Texans released their first injury report of Week 16 as they gear up to play the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.

Running back Duke Johnson did not practice as he is recovering from a neck injury.

The Texans had three cornerbacks limited in John Reid (neck), Cornell Armstrong (hamstring), and Phillip Gaines (knee). Running back C.J. Prosise (ankle), tight end Pharaoh Brown (ankle), and receiver Keke Coutee (foot) were also limited.

Right tackle Tytus Howard was not on the injury report as he was placed on injured reserve Wednesday prior to the release of the report.

For more information on the Bengals’ injury report, check out the Bengals Wire.

Report: Texans to interview Marvin Lewis for coaching vacancy

The Houston Texans will reportedly interview former Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis for their coaching vacancy.

The Houston Texans are looking for consistency and experience when it comes to their new coach.

According to the NFL Network, the Texan are expected to interview former Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis to be their fourth full-time coach in franchise history.

Lewis, 62, is currently the co-defensive coordinator for the Arizona State Sun Devils after having spent 2003-18 as the coach of the Bengals. Cincinnati enjoyed its highest frequency of playoff qualification during Lewis’ tenure as they made the postseason seven times, winning the AFC North four times.

The Bengals and Texans met just one time with Watson under center, Sept. 14, 2017. Lewis was impressed with how well the rookie had played, even though he spelled Tom Savage in relief in a Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“You can tell he’s precise of what he wants to do,” Lewis said on Sept. 12, 2017. “He’s going to try to get rid of the football and if it’s not there, then he’s going to try to extend it with his feet.”

Lewis was 0-7 in the playoffs, failing to lead the Bengals out of the wild-card round.

Texans place RT Tytus Howard on injured reserve, 2020 season is over

The Houston Texans have placed right tackle Tytus Howard on injured reserve, ending his season after 14 games.

The Houston Texans are shutting down one starter with two games to go in the 2020 regular season.

The club placed right tackle Tytus Howard on injured reserve Wednesday, effectively ending his season. Given that there are two games remaining, and a player must remain on injured reserve for three weeks, the former 2019 first-round pick’s season is over.

The 14 games played, all of them starts, is an improvement over his rookie year when he played in just eight games. Howard’s rookie year was compromised by a broken hand that kept him out of the season opener and an MCL sprain in Week 6 that ultimately led to his being placed on injured reserve in Week 13.

With Howard on injured reserve, the Texans will turn to Roderick Johnson as their right tackle. The trickle-down effect could also mean more activations for fourth-round rookie Charlie Heck and allow him to play swing tackle for Houston in the last two games.

Updated Saints vs. Vikings injury report: LG Andrus Peat (ankle) upgraded

The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings updated their Week 16 injury report following Wednesday’s practice, upgrading LG Andrus Peat.

The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings updated their Week 16 injury reports following Wednesday’s practice session, sharing status changes for many players battling through issues. While things didn’t change significantly after the estimates from Tuesday’s walkthrough, it’s still worth noting where everyone stands after actually getting work in. Here’s what you need to know: