Tag: Wild-card round

George Pickens wins award despite Steelers Wild-Card loss to Ravens

Steelers WR George Pickens made headlines for the right reasons this time, earning the NFL Way to Play Award for his Wild-Card performance.

George Pickens has made headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2024, but this time is different, as the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver has won an award for his performance against the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs.

Pickens has won the NFL Way to Play Award for his 36-yard touchdown in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ losing effort this past Wild-Card weekend.

The NFL Way to Play Award is given to the top player of the week who exemplifies outstanding playing technique, and Pickens certainly showcased that as he caught an incredible touchdown despite being double covered.

One of the greatest perks of winning the award is that the recipient receives a $5,000 USA Football equipment grant to donate to any youth or high school football program of their choice.

Although Pickens has a lot of growing up to do, he is no stranger to making elite plays on a routine basis. The Pittsburgh Steelers undoubtedly have a huge decision to make regarding his future with the organization, but congratulations are in order for Pickens on being selected for the award.

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Updated 2025 NFL draft order after Wild Card Round

With the wild-card round officially in the books, here’s the latest draft order heading into the divisional round matchups.

The Houston Texans have another game to worry about before the offseason hits.

The same can’t be said for six teams following the past three days of playoff football.

With the wild-card round officially over, the first 24 picks of the 2025 NFL draft order have been finalized.

Eighteen picks were set entering wild-card weekend but with the Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings all falling short, the order has expanded entering the final eight showdowns.

The Texans worsened their draft stock but bettered their odds of winning a Super Bowl after besting the Chargers in the wild-card round matchup at home. Initially, Houston was projected to select No. 19 overall.

Now, the Texans will pick no earlier than No. 25. Should they win and lose in the conference championship, the earliest they’ll pick is No. 29.

Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans are now on the clock following a nine-point loss to Houston while donning the Oilers uniforms.

Here’s an updated look at the 2025 NFL draft order following wild-card weekend action, courtesy of the folks at Tankathon:

WATCH: Derek Stingley Jr. gives Justin Herbert a hat trick of turnovers

The Houston Texans might have sealed their fate for a chance to play in the next round of the playoffs.

Throw your ballcaps on the field, Houston Texans fans.

Justin Herbert has a hat trick.

During the fourth quarter of the AFC Wild Card round, Herbert tried to find tight end Will Dissley for a first down. Instead, he tossed his third interception of the afternoon, this one into the arms of All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.

Stingley now leads the Texans with six interceptions, including five during the regular season. After a 67-yard return, the Texans had to settle for a 30-yard field goal from Ka’imi Fairbairn.

The Texans lead 25-12 over the Los Angeles Chargers entering the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. With a win, Houston would improve to 6-2 on wild-card weekend.

WATCH: Eric Murray secures pick-six vs. Chargers in wild-card round

Eric Murray might have just sent the Houston Texans to the AFC Divisional Round!

Eric Murray is taking the Houston Texans to the next round.

On an overthrown ball from Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, Murray picked off the pass for a 38-yard touchdown return, extending the Texans lead by 14.

Here’s a look at the play below.

Entering the fourth quarter, the Texans have the momentum and could be in line for another win in the AFC Wild Card Round. Houston would move to 6-2 all-time on Saturday afternoon games.

WATCH: Texans CB Kamari Lassiter intercepts Justin Herbert in wild-card round

Kamari Lassiter living up to his shutdown persona against the Los Angeles Chargers.

A turnover for a turnover?

Great, now no more.

One play after Houston Texans C.J. Stroud was intercepted by Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Deane Leonard, Justin Herbert gave the ball right back to the good guys at home.

Kamari Lassiter recorded his fourth career interception as Herbert tried to connect with wide receiver Quentin Johnston on a deep pass.

If the ball was overthrown, rookie safety Calen Bullock would have made the play. Either way, the Texans get the ball back with the intent to score.

Houston, which trails 6-0, will receive the ball to begin the second half.

WATCH: Will Anderson hammers Chargers QB Justin Herbert

Will Anderson Jr. is stepping up for the Texans defense against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers

That’s a way to respond on defense.

Following a fumble against Houston Texans receiver John Metchie III, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. helped out his Alabama teammate by wrapping up Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert for a loss of nine yards.

The stop ended up becoming critical to the drive since it forced Los Angeles to try and connect on a third-and-9. The Chargers were stalled, leading to a 39-yard field goal from kicker Cameron Dicker.

The Texans (10-7) currently trail 6-0. They will start the second half on offense.

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 CB Derek Stingley Jr. named to the NFLPA All-Pro team

Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is garnering high praise from his peers entering wild-card round weekend.

Derek Stingley Jr.’s breakout season is being noticed among his peers.

The third-year Houston Texans cornerback was named a first-team All-Pro cornerback by the NFLPA as part of the third-annual tradition. He joined fellow Defensive Player of the Year candidate Pat Surtain II as the starting cornerback after helping Houston’s defense respond in 2024 en route to a playoff berth.

Stingley, the former No. 3 overall pick, finished the regular season as arguably the league’s top cornerback. In 17 games, he totaled five interceptions, 12 pass deflections and 54 tackles.

His five turnovers were tied for the team lead with rookie defensive back Calen Bullock. Among cornerbacks, Stingley ranked fourth, trailing only Baltimore Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey, Minnesota Vikings’ Byron Murphy and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Donte Jackson.

Listed below is the first-team defense, voted on by players following the conclusion of the regular season:

  • DL Chris Jones – Kansas City Chiefs
  • DL Jalen Carter – Philadelphia Eagles
  • EDGE Trey Hendrickson – Cincinnati Bengals
  • EDGE Myles Garrett – Cleveland Browns
  • NT Dexter Lawrence – New York Giants
  • LB Roquan Smith – Baltimore Ravens
  • LB Fred Warner – San Francisco 49ers
  • S Xavier McKinney – Green Bay Packers
  • S Kyle Hamilton – Baltimore Ravens
  • CB Patrick Surtain II – Denver Broncos
  • CB Derek Stingley Jr. – Houston Texans

NOTE: PLAYERS WHO MISSED 5 OR MORE GAMES AS OF WEEK 15 WERE INELIGIBLE.

The Texans return to NRG Stadium for a showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers on wild-card round weekend this Saturday at NRG Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

The game will be nationally televised on CBS and Parmount+.

Texans embracing underdog mentality after Rex Ryan’s comments

Despite the outside noise, the Houston Texans are only listening to the internal voice headed into the playoffs.

Ryan Ryan thinks the Houston Texans are “basically a bye” for the Los Angeles Chargers on wild-card round weekend.

The Texans would politely disagree. And yes, polite is the right form of context as running back Joe Mixon took a moment to put together the proper words when asked for a comment.

“I’m just here to let my helmets and shoulder pads do the talking,” Mixon said. “I’m not going to comment on that.”

The Texans (10-7) enter Saturday’s contest as a 5-5-point underdog despite playing host to the No. 5 seed Chargers. Los Angeles (11-6) is riding high into the postseason off a three-game win streak, including back-to-back victories by 10-plus points.
It’s why Ryan is confident the Bolts will break the spirit of the Texans first before they ever break a sweat.
“I never realized the Chargers got a bye — that they qualified for a bye,” Ryan said Monday on ESPN’s  “Get Up” morning show. “But they did because they’re playing Houston.”
The former head coach isn’t alone in predicting a blowout could be on the horizon. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport joked during a segment on “The Insiders” about Houston’s chances of securing a second playoff win in as many years.
“The talent for sure is there,” Rapoport said. “It’s a perfect opportunity for the Texans to come out and get a win that absolutely no one expects them to get.”
The Texans haven’t met their internal goals. They’ll be the first to speak of the issues that plagued a chance of a higher seed.
One area that hasn’t died? Internal belief. Players are bought in throughout out a cold week of practice to muster up a game plan worthy of quieting the critics.
“The time is now to strike,” Mixon said. “I just keep trying to have my guys’ eyes on the prize. You’ve got to put everything into perspective. I just keep telling them you win this game (and) the next game, that’s the AFC championship. I’ve been there before. I know what it takes.
Outside hasn’t gotten into the building yet. Even if it did, The players have chosen to ignore it.
“Noise is always going to be there,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “It’s a part of sports. It’s always evident in this sport. They said the same thing about us last year when we played the Browns (in the playoffs).
“I kind of like being the underdog. I’ve been the underdog a lot of my life and my career, so it’s actually comfortable for me.”

Kickoff from NRG Stadium is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT.

Fans urge Steelers to activate Roman Wilson from IR for Wild-Card game

Steelers fans call for drastic changes, hoping to see Roman Wilson debut in the Wild-Card matchup against the Ravens.

It appears Steelers fans, desperate for change, want Pittsburgh to take an even more drastic and bold step: finally give rookie Roman Wilson his big shot during the Steelers’ biggest game of 2024—the Wild-Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

While many may be quick to disparage the move, arguing that Wilson isn’t ready or that he may not fully grasp the playbook—neither did WR George Pickens during the game-changing interception in Week 17 against the Chiefs.

Everyone can agree that this Steelers offense has been truly awful over the past four weeks and is in obvious need of a spark. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith referenced “burning the boats” with QB Justin Fields’ potential usage in preparation for the Wild-Card matchup against the Ravens—why not take the same approach with Wilson?

As fans call for a glimpse of the Russell Wilson-to-Wilson connection making its debut against the Ravens, here are some of their best reactions on social media.

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