Tag: texans playoffs

Is Robert Woods playing today? Injury update for Texans WR

Texans wide receiver Robert Woods is dealing with a hip injury. Here are the latest updates.

While the Houston Texans are headed to the AFC Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, one of their star players could be limited in Saturday’s showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Wide receiver Robert Woods dealt with a hip issue throughout the week of practice and could be limited at Arrowhead. He did not practice all three days leading up to Thursday’s final walkthrough.

Given the injuries at wide receiver to Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs, Woods has seen an expanded role over the final few games. He’s been with the starting lineup and doubled his rep count win Week 17’s loss against the Baltimore Ravens.

Right now, the Texans are being cautious with Woods’ status. And while there is cause for concern, it would be fairly surprising if the pass-catcher was sidelined in a winner-take-all showdown.

Here’s the latest on Woods ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Kansas City.

Robert Woods injury update

Woods is officially listed as questionable with an ankle injury for Saturday’s contest against Kansas City.

Despite being on the injury report multiple times this season, Woods has been a constant No. 4 target in the passing game behind Nico Collins, Diggs and Dell. Last week against the Chargers, he caught two passes for 22 yards, including a 13-yard first-down.

NFL Playoff picks: Unlock exclusive data-driven predictions

Texans WR depth chart

Here’s a look at the Texans’ running back options should Mixon be sidelined or limited for Saturday’s showdown:

  • Nico Collins
  • John Metchie III
  • Xavier Hutchinson
  • Jared Wayne

Robert Woods stats

Woods remains a focal point of the Texans’ passing game. In 15 games, he’s totaled 20 catches for 203 yards and averaged 10.1 yards per catch.

Here’s why the Texans waived WR Diontae Johnson after two games

Dionate Johnson’s time with the Houston Texans was short-lived, here’s why.

Diontae Johnson wanted to help the Houston Texans win a Super Bowl.

Instead, he’ll be looking for fifth fifth team within 13 months.

In a surprise move, the Texans waived the veteran wide receiver just three weeks after claiming him off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens. He’s an impending free agent after the year, so only a team remaining in the playoffs could claim him for a run to New Orleans.

Johnson played in only two games with the Texans, including Saturday’s AFC wild-card playoff win against the Chargers, after joining the team right before Week 17’s Christmas Day matchup against his former team.

He finished with three catches for 24 yards and played in roughly 15 total snaps.

But why did the Texans waive the Pro Bowl receiver? Multiple reasons factored in, but one likely outweighed the rest.

Following Houston’s 32-12 win over Los Angeles, Johnson was seen visibly upset in the locker room after presumably rarely being involved in the offense personnel. Meanwhile, everyone else was celebrating the double-digit victory to expand the season by another week.

Several teammates, including Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, were seen trying to talk to him with media present for interviews.

When Johnson was claimed off waivers, there were rumors that Johnson’s attitude hindered his success with the Ravens, leading to his suspension and eventual release. He refused to play in a game with Baltimore against the Eagles because of his lack of involvement in the offense earlier in the game.

According to the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander, that was a problem with the Carolina Panthers, too. Reportedly, Johnson “couldn’t get out of his own way” during his seven games with the Panthers to begin 2024.

The Texans now have two open spots on their roster ahead of the matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round. They’ll likely bring up tight end Teagan Quitoriano, who returned from the injured reserve but hasn’t been added to the 53-man roster, for one of the spots.

The other spot remains a mystery.

The Texans liked the potential of Johnson and needed a veteran receiver to pair with Nico Collins after Tank Dell suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 16. The hope was for Johnson to create separation and better the passing game.

Instead, Houston is back to trusting John Metchie III, Robert Woods and Xavier Hutchinson for Saturday’s matchup against Kansas City at Arrowhead.

As for Johnson, who knows what the future holds, but there’s no love lost in Houston.

Texans now know opponent for AFC Divisional Round

The Houston Texans are heading back to Arrowhead Stadium.

It’s a rematch from Week 16.

The Houston Texans, who rolled past the Los Angeles Chargers in a 32-12 victory at NRG Stadium on Saturday, will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the AFC Playoffs.

The game will be either Jan. 18 or 19 but has not yet been scheduled.

Buffalo’s 31-7 victory over Denver on Sunday sent Houston to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the top-seeded Chiefs. The Texans, which picked off Chargers Justin Herbert four times, were the No. 4 seed after winning the AFC South, making them the lowest seed remaining.

Should the Texans pull off the upset over Patrick Mahomes and the top-seeded Chiefs, they’ll travel to take on the winner of Buffalo and Baltimore in two weeks for a shot at the Super Bowl.

It is the same final four for the AFC as last season, though Kansas City played Buffalo while the Ravens hosted the Texans. This also marks the first time a repeat of the team since 2011-12 when it was the Patriots, Ravens, Broncos, and Texans.

Houston will have a chance to avenge a 27-19 loss and honor a fallen teammate. Wide receiver Tank Dell was lost for the season after being carted off during the third quarter with a knee injury.

And let’s not forget what happened the last time the Texans played Kansas City in the postseason. The Texans took a 24-0 lead only to allow the Chiefs 28 points in the second quarter, resulting in a 51-31 eventual victory.

Texans-Chargers Wild Card Round: Offense, defense and special teams snap counts

The Houston Texans extended their season by another week with a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on wild-card weekend.

While Rex Ryan is eating crow, the Houston Texans are eating playoff wins.

Behind a four-turnover afternoon from the defense, the Texans secured a 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round at NRG Stadium.

The Texans, who improved to 6-2 all-time on wild-card round weekend, await the outcome of Sunday’s matchup between the Bills and Broncos to determine where they’ll head in the divisional round.

“Our defense, they dominated today,” Texans coach DeMeco  Ryans said. “That’s who we want to be. They played our brand of football. They stopped the run first. That’s what I’m most proud of is how we stop the run. And when we stop the run, you make a team one-dimensional, and that’s when our defensive line just causes havoc.”

The defense did deliver in all three phases. Outside of Ladd McConkey, the Chargers’ offense was dormant for four quarters. Justin Herbert never could build a rapport with his other playmakers, thus leading to forced passes at ill-advised times.

Herbert’s first interception landed in the arms of Kamari Lassiter on a deep shot in the red zone. His second turnover resulted in a 36-yard return for a touchdown from Eric Murray.

The final two picks landed in the hands of All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who spent most of his afternoon defending the Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.

On one of the few plays he didn’t guard him, McConkey went off for an 87-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.

Herbert was also sacked four times, including twice from Will Anderson Jr.

“We were just being tight with our rush,” Anderson said. “They were sticky in coverage, and we were just able to make some plays, get some turnovers and take the ball away.”

Here are the snap counts from both teams.

Offensive Snaps: 73

Defensive Snaps: 56

Special Teams Snaps: 19

If the Broncos win, the Texans head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens. Should the Bills win, Houston returns to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

History on Texans side in wild-card round because of kickoff time

Believe it or not, the Houston Texans should be thankful for the early wild-card kickoff time vs. the Chargers.

Some might view an early kickoff time in the playoffs as an insult.

For the Houston Texans, it feels natural heading into Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. kick against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Texans return to the postseason for the eighth time in franchise history. For the eighth time, they’ll be the first game of the afternoon, airing this season on CBS and Paramount+.

That’s not a negative when looking at the team’s success on Saturdays. While the Texans are still trying to advance to their first-ever conference championship, they’re 5-2 all-time on wild-card round week and are currently riding a three.

Fresh off a 23-14 win over the Tennessee Titans, Houston has regained a much-welcomed spark. Expectations from the outside are quite dim, but internally, players still see a path to New Orleans and potentially a Super Bowl title.

“We’re going to bring our style of football, our brand of football on Saturday regardless of what any one of those talking heads’ opinion is about us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “It really doesn’t drive or change our approach.”

Second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud, who’s struggled to regain the pedigree of his rookie season, said he’s embracing being counted out before a whistle has even blown.

“I kind of like being the underdog,” Stroud said. “I’ve been the underdog a lot of my life and my career, so it’s actually comfortable for me.”

With a win, the Texans would improve to 6-7 all-time in postseason games. Barring an upset, Houston would return to Arrowhead for a redemption arc tale against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Texans ranked among bottom-dwelling playoff teams in NFL power rankings

The Houston Texans aren’t viewed as a favorite to win the Super Bowl, but they’re not the worst entering wild-card weekend.

It feels like few national pundits are giving the Houston Texans a chance to advance past the wild-card round.

No one is giving the back-to-back AFC South champions a legitimate chance to blow past everyone in the AFC and hoist up a Lombardi Trophy next month in New Orleans, including USA Today.

Following their 23-14 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 18, the Texans ranked 12th in Nate Davis’ NFL playoffs power rankings for USA TODAY Sports. Davis has Houston ranked slightly above the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh, who have tougher paths toward Super Bowl LIX in the AFC.

A group that appeared to be on a steep ascent toward a championship level – something that H-Town hasn’t enjoyed since the Oilers were an AFL powerhouse in the 1960s – has decidedly plateaued after what seemed a promising breakthrough in 2023. Offensive injuries and a too-often disjointed attack – one often undermined by a shaky line – have led to something of a regression by QB C.J. Stroud, last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. The defense has been slightly more dependable overall yet has also surrendered at least 26 points in four of Houston’s last eight games.

The home game conferred by the AFC South crown could help, as might a wild-card matchup against a Chargers team that also doesn’t have much collective experience in these situations. But hard to envisage a best-case scenario for the Texans beyond a second consecutive trip to the divisional round. – Nate Davis

Elsewhere in the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs are ranked No. 1. The Los Angeles Chargers, who head to Houston for the wild-card round, are ranked No. 10.

Houston hopes to prove the doubters wrong this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on CBS and Parmount+. All-time in the wild-card round, the Texans are 5-2, including last year’s 45-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Texans know opponent in the AFC Wild Card Round

The Houston Texans have a playoff date with one of the AFC’s best from the west.

The Houston Texans’ path to a Super Bowl starts against a coach who won a national title the last time he stepped into the NRG Stadium.

The Texans welcome Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round following Week 18’s madness to end the regular season.

Houston (10-7) secured a 23-14 win over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.

Los Angeles (11-6) defeated the Las Vegas Raiders at Alliegent Stadium behind a two-touchdown performance from Justin Herbert in a 34-20 victory.

Houston was locked into the No. 4 seed regardless of Sunday’s outcome in Nashville. After losing on Christmas Day to the Baltimore Ravens, Houston couldn’t improve over either AFC North franchise.

But the opponent that would travel down south remained a mystery entering Saturday afternoon. With a Pittsburgh Steelers victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, they would have clinched the No. 5 seed.

If Los Angeles would have lost in the AFC West showdown, Pittsburgh would have clinched the No. 5 seed since it won the head-to-head matchup against the Chargers earlier in the season.

The Chargers head to Houston with the No. 1 scoring defense, holding opponents to 17.7 points per game. They also feature a formidable pass-rushing duo in Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack while excelling in coverage behind All-Pro safety Derwin James.

Then, there’s Herbert. Under the new regime, the Pro Bowler has been a model of consistency in 2024. He’ll finish the regular season just shy of 4,000 passing yards with 23 touchdowns against three turnovers.

The Texans will have their hands full between a strong run game headlined by J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, plus an underrated receiver room. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey is fresh off a 1,000-yard season after hauling in over 80 passes from Herbert and seven touchdowns.

Former TCU star Quentin Johnston leads the team with eight touchdowns. Josh Palmer is the top weapon in yards per catch, averaging 15.5 yards a play.

A date and kickoff times have yet to be determined.

AFC playoff picture: There are now 2 possible opponents for Texans in wild card round

The Texans know they’re either hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round.

The Houston Texans are locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC Playoffs regardless of Sunday’s outcome against the Tennessee Titans.

Their opponent? It rests in the hands of Justin Herbert.

The Texans’ options for next week’s wild-card round are down to the Los Angeles Chargers or Pittsburgh Steelers. Since Pittsburgh lost at home to the Cincinnati Bengals, the fate of the No. 5 seed belongs to the Bolts.

If Los Angeles (10-6) beats Las Vegas on Sunday, it will lock up the fifth seed and travel to NRG Stadium to play the Texans in the wild-card round. With a loss, Pittsburgh (10-7) heads south for a winner-take-all showdown in what perhaps will be the Amazon Prime game of the weekend.

Pittsburgh would earn the No. 5 seed because of its head-to-head win over Los Angeles back in September.

The team that nabs the No. 6 seed is in for trouble. The Baltimore Ravens, who bested the Texans in a 31-2 Christmas chaotic outing, clinched the AFC North and the No. 3 seed with a dominant victory over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday afternoon.

The rest of the AFC is mostly set entering Sunday’s finale. Kansas City locked up the No. 1 seed at 16-1, while Buffalo is guaranteed the No. 2 seed.
Denver (9-7), Cincinnati (9-8) and Miami (8-8) are alive for the final spot.

With a win over the Chiefs, the Broncos are in at 10-7.

With a win over the New York Jets and a Denver loss, the Dolphins are in.

The Bengals did their job and have a head-to-head win over Denver, but they still need help to secure a postseason bid.

They’ll be pulling for the Chiefs and Jets to upset the Broncos and Dolphins, respectively.

NFL playoff picture: Clinching scenarios for AFC’s Wild Card contenders

Here’s everything to know about the AFC Playoff clinching scenarios entering Week 18.

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

Going into the final week of the 2024 NFL season, three teams are competing for the final and seventh seed in the AFC playoff race.

Three more teams are competing for the fifth overall seed. And if that’s not enough, two more are competing for the AFC North division title, with the loser potentially dropping to the No. 6 spot.

So, what does this mean for the Houston Texans? Honestly, not much. Even in a loss against the Tennessee Titans, Houston would remain locked in as the No. 4 seed.

The Denver Broncos (9-7) currently hold the No. 7 seed. Should they lose to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, either the Miami Dolphins (8-8) or Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) could overtake Bo Nix and company for the final wild-card spot.

The Broncos will host the Chiefs and the Dolphins will face the New York Jets on Sunday. The Bengals will travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.

Here are the playoff-clinching scenarios for all three teams going into Week 18.

NFL playoff picture: AFC Wild Card

  • If the Broncos beat (or tie) the Chiefs, Denver would clinch a playoff berth.
  • If the Broncos lose to the Chiefs and the Dolphins beat the Jets, Miami would clinch a playoff berth.
  • If the Broncos lose to KC and the Dolphins lose to NY and the Bengals beat the Steelers, Cincinnati would clinch a playoff berth.
  • If the Dolphins and Bengals both lose, Denver would clinch a playoff berth even if the Broncos lose to the Chiefs.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are battling for the AFC North division. And the Los Angeles Chargers, who currently own the No. 6 seed, could improve their stock with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Here are the wild-card clinching scenarios for all three teams going into Week 18.

NFL playoff picture: AFC Wild Card

  • If the Ravens beat (or tie) the Browns, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Steelers beat (or tie) the Bengals and the Ravens lose to the Browns, Pittsburgh would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Ravens lose to (or tie) the Browns and Steelers lose to(or tie) the Bengals, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Ravens beat (or tie) the Browns and Steelers beat (or tie) the Bengals, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Ravens lose to (or tie) the Browns and Steelers lose to (or tie) the Bengals, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Chargers win over the Raiders and the Steelers lose to (or tie) the Bengals, Los Angeles would clinch the No. 5 seed.

The Texans would face either the Ravens, Steelers or Chargers based on Saturday and Sunday’s results.

Texans need to have game plan for rookie TE Cade Stover in AFC Playoffs

The Houston Texans could target rookie tight end Cade Stover heading into the postseason.

Last playoff season. C.J. Stroud connected with tight end Brevin Jordan for a 76-yard touchdown in the wild-card round against the Cleveland Browns.

That score wasn’t the deciding factor, but it catapulted the Houston Texans’ run in the second half to a dominant win at NRG Stadium.

In a sense, the Texans must target a tight end not named Dalton Schultz this postseason when the wild-card game commences next week, though Jordan won’t take the field since he’s still recovering from a torn ACL.

Who should be the force? Rookie force and fellow Ohio State Cade Stover might be the top option against either the Pittsburgh Steelers or Los Angeles Chargers if Houston hopes to win.

Getting Stover more involved should benefit all sides. The Texans have struggled to find a consistent weapon over the middle since Stefon Diggs’ season-ending torn ACL. Already emphasizing the role of a 12-personnel,  getting the rookie more targets on early downs.

Still developing into a full-fledge tight end, Stover’s hands remain an asset to his potential. He’s averaging 8.9 yards per reception and has already scored a touchdown in his young career.

Stover’s previous relationship with Stroud from their time together at Ohio State factored into Houston’s trade-up and selection of him last April. It should factor into the game plan for the postseason.

The Texans close out their 2024 regular season on the road against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on Sunday. Kickoff from Nashville is scheduled for noon CT.