Tag: Texans passing game

Senior Bowl Notebook: Day 2 observations and confirmed meetings with Texans

Notes from the second day of practice at the Senior Bowl, including a bunch of confirmed prospect meetings for the Texans

The 2024 Senior Bowl raged on during Wednesday’s practice and the upcoming class of NFL draft prospects once again shined with opportunities against their peers.

Texans Wire’s own John Crumpler was on the ground to look at potential future additions for the Houston Texans and these were his notes from practice – with a particular focus on wide receivers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs.

15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023: No. 12 George Fant

Up next in our “15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023” series is George Fant, who played a key role at right tackle.

The Houston Texans had, by all accounts, an extremely successful 2023 campaign.

They cruised to a 10-7 record under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and captured several accolades along the way. They won the AFC South and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2019 season. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud won PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson won PFWA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even Ryans took home hardware with PFWA’s Coach of the Year.

With a revamped team effort that led to dramatic improvements compared to both the 2021 and 2022 Texans, it’s worth examining who created that impact this past season and what their future projects moving forward.

This series has already taken a look at defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and Devin Singletary, and rookie Tank Dell. Today, attention turns towards right tackle George Fant.

15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023: No. 13 Tank Dell

Up next in our “15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023” series is WR Tank Dell, whose promising rookie season was cut short due to injury.

The Houston Texans had an unbelievable year.

After three consecutive, dreadful campaigns in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively, they turned things around in a big way under first year head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

In a season that saw players step up across the board, it’s a fruitful exercise to look at who made the biggest impact on the Texans making such a dramatic leap and if they’re likely to repeat that same type of performance in 2024.

This list is counting through the Top 15 Most Impactful Texans, with Sheldon Rankins and Devin Singletary already receiving well-deserved nods. Now, attention turns to the explosive rookie wide receiver Tank Dell.

4 offseason takeaways after the Texans’ divisional round loss

Before transitioning to the offseason, here are some takeaways from the AFC divisional round that the Texans should remember:

The Houston Texans season is over.

After a storybook run over former player and rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans, including likely Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year performances from first round picks C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson, their momentum came to a screeching halt on Saturday night in a 34-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

The Texans not only looked schematically outclassed but the talent differential between their own roster and the top of the AFC had never been more apparent all season. The few bright spots that Houston had ridden to 10-7 and an AFC South victory were totally focused on and exploited by John Harbaugh and the Ravens veteran staff.

Houston now transitions to a pivotal offseason. They’ll be considered legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2024 and general manager Nick Caserio will be tasked with surrounding Stroud with talent that can compete with teams like Baltimore and Kansas City.

Before transitioning to the offseason, there are four upper-level takeaways from the AFC divisional round that the Texans should remember:

Texans crushed by Baltimore 34-10 in divisional round

The Houston Texans had no answers for Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.

The magic had to end eventually.

In a season where they were predicted to win six games, the Houston Texans under head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud massively outperformed expectations. The team finished 10-7 and captured their first AFC South title since 2019 to make the playoffs. They then took down the Cleveland Browns, 45-14, in the wild-card round to advance to the divisional round – which the franchise had never gotten past.

And then they ran into a brick wall on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens easily handled Houston 34-10 at home. It was a contest where the offense seemingly had no answers and the defense wasn’t able to hold up in the second half against likely 2023 MVP Lamar Jackson.

Stroud finished 19-of-33 for 175 yards passing. Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald was able to commit major resources to the pass and shut down what had been a dynamic element of Houston’s offense through the air under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

Running back Devin Singletary finished with a mere 22 yards on nine carries. Wide receiver Nico Collins had 68 yards on five receptions, and tight end Dalton Schultz had 43 yards on five receptions. Houston could never get the ball moving under constant pressure from the Ravens front and creative coverage schemes on the back end.

Defensively, it was one of DeMeco Ryans’ more impressive schematic showings while it lasted. The Texans defense held the Baltimore offense to just 10 points in the first half and frustrated Jackson with constant blitzing.

However, with the consistent offensive failures, it wasn’t enough in the second half. Baltimore finished with 352 total yards, and Jackson passed for 152 passing yards and two touchdowns in addition to rushing for 100 yards and two scores. It was a true MVP performance.

The game was a tough reminder for Houston fans that the team wasn’t anticipated to be here with their current talent level and will need additional help moving forward. How they learn to run the ball and better support Stroud against prepared, elite defenses will be a question for the offseason.

There will be plenty of spending for the Texans this year with $72 million in salary cap space and a full cast of draft picks. It’s likely they’ll be favored in the AFC South entering 2024.

Stroud, a true franchise quarterback, and Ryans, a phenomenal leader, will have to wait till next year for another shot.

Texans stomp Browns 45-14, advance to divisional round

The Houston Texans pulled way ahead in the second half to beat the Cleveland Browns.

The magic continues for first year head coach DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans after the 45-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in the wild card round.

As recently as Christmas Eve, the Houston Texans were embarrassed by Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco and receiver Amari Cooper in a 36-22 loss during Week 16. After winning the AFC South the last week of the season, they had the opportunity to take advantage.

The Texans certainly capitalized.

Houston beat Cleveland 45-14 in a dominant victory that saw the Texans put together their most complete game of the season on both sides of the ball. They led throughout most of the first half, going to the locker room up, 24-14, and never looked back.

Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud fueled the early lead and he finished with 274 yards and 3 touchdowns against the NFL’s best defense of the 2023 season. His season long connection with receiver Nico Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz was once again on display.

Collins had 6 receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown. Schultz overcame an early drop with a 37-yard touchdown catch before the end of the first half. Joining in the offensive explosion, third-year tight end Brevin Jordan had Houston’s longest offensive play of the season with a 76-yard receiving touchdown on a tight end screen.

It was the best game of the season from offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and the team could seemingly do no wrong. Running back Devin Singletary took 13 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown while pacing the offense before Davis Mills and the backups were able to take over with around 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Of course, there’s no blowout with DeMeco Ryans and his defense playing ravenous football.

If Joe Flacco had been on a Cinderella run, it came crashing back down to earth on Saturday. The third quarter saw Flacco throw consecutive pick-sixes, one to Steven Nelson and the other to linebacker Christian Harris, while facing constant pressure. Flacco finished with 307 yards and a touchdown but couldn’t overcome the two turnovers for scores.

Flacco was pressured on 15 of his drop backs, Will Anderson Jr. had 7 while Derek Barnett had 6. Anderson and Barnett both had sacks while Harris and defensive tackle Kurt Hinish chipped in their own for a total of 4 on the day.

No Browns running back went for more than 30 yards as the defense suffocated Cleveland on the ground and forced them to become one dimensional. Amari Cooper, who had over 200 receptions on the first contest, had just 4 receptions for 59 yards in the rematch as Houston found answers.

It was a dominant victory in what has been an incredible debut season for Ryans and Stroud in turning around the Houston Texans. It’s the kind of win that will inspire major confidence in the divisional round, potentially see coaches like Bobby Slowik have opportunities to become a head coach, and ultimately one that signals the team will a force to consider in Super Bowl conversations for years to come.

The Texans will now await the results of the next 2 AFC playoffs games to see where the playoff road will take them.

5 statistical takeaways from Texans’ Week 18 victory

Here are five reasons why the Houston Texans took down the Indianapolis Colts to secure a playoff spot Saturday.

The Houston Texans secured their spot in the playoffs in a pivotal victory Saturday night 23-19 over the Indianapolis Colts. Later, they won the AFC South when the Jacksonville Jaguars fell on the road to the division rival Tennessee Titans.

As such, it’s created one of the best stories in the NFL. After winning just seven games the past two seasons combined, head coach DeMeco Ryans has won 10 games and gifted the city where he once played their first playoff game (and home playoff game) since 2019. They’ll get a rematch with the Cleveland Browns, who easily dismantled Houston without C.J. Stroud in Week 16.

Even as the team turns its focus towards the playoffs, there are still some important takeaways from the team’s gutsy performance over the Colts in what was essentially a playoff game. Here are five takeaways looking at the advanced metrics from Saturday’s huge victory.

Texans turn to Davis Mills at a crucial crossroads

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills has a chance to truly be the hero for once in a meaningful way.

Davis Mills has been here before.

It was just one year ago that Mills was set to start Houston’s pivotal Week 18 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The game carried a great deal of importance – the opportunity for the Texans to secure the first overall pick in the NFL draft. Rather than fold as a two-win team, Mills led the greatest scoring drive of his young career. His 298 yard, 3 touchdown and 2 interception performance fueled Houston to a thrilling Hail Mary finish and the subsequent two-point conversion to Jordan Akins gave Houston a 32-31 victory and a 3-13-1 record. In the process, they sacrificed the first selection to Chicago.

The series of events altered the course of Houston’s franchise. DeMeco Ryans was hired as coach of the Texans, quarterback C.J. Stroud was selected rather than league favorite Bryce Young, and the rest is history.

Texans’ Davis Mills says he has improved as a quarterback

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills believes that he has shown improvement at the position over the past year.

Davis Mills hasn’t claimed a start for the Houston Texans since Jan. 8, but the third-year quarterback believes he has improved in that span.

Rookie C.J. Stroud has started all 13 games for Houston this season, but Mills may have to relieve the No. 2 overall pick, who remains in concussion protocol following the Texans’ 30-6 loss to the New York Jets in Week 14.

With the 7-6 Texans facing the Tennessee Titans on the road, Mills addressed the curiosity concerning how he has grown as a quarterback in nearly a year.

“I don’t know if you’re looking for specifics, but pretty much all around,” Mills said via Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV. “Try to make myself a complete quarterback, go out there and make plays. That’s pretty much what it boils down to. It’s about efficiency and spreading the ball around to the offense and letting playmakers make plays.”

The last time Mills faced the Titans on the road was Week 16 last season and delivered a 19-14 win. The former third-rounder from Stanford went 17-of-28 for 178 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 tag=46913063]

How much ground are Texans losing with QB Davis Mills?

The Houston Texans are no doubt getting a downgrade at QB in Week 15, but how far is the chasm between C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills?

When an NFL team goes from their starting quarterback to second string, they have to adjust to a stepdown at the position.

Such is the case with the Houston Texans. As rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is stuck in the concussion protocol, the Texans will rely on third-year Davis Mills to guide the offense against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15.

According to Cody Benjamin from CBS Sports, the Texans are going to put the 24th-best quarterback under center at Nissan Stadium for the 12:00 p.m. Central Time kickoff.

C.J. Stroud would represent the Texans in the top 10, but the standout rookie is in concussion protocol after exiting Week 14 against the Jets. Mills, meanwhile, has plenty of starting experience, but he’s been more prone to untimely giveaways.

From top-10 to No. 24 — such is the perception of talent lost between Stroud and Mills.

The former third-rounder from Stanford went 17-of-28 for 178 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in Houston’s 19-14 win over Tennessee last year in Week 16 at Nissan Stadium. Mills has shown the ability to beat the Titans on the road in December once before.

Across the rest of the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence came in at No. 13 with the Tennessee Titans’ Will Levis following directly behind. The Indianapolis Colts’ Gardner Minshew was No. 22.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=1416]