While guest appearing on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Caserio made it clear once again that Stroud will not be traded this offseason. Caserio also claimed that due to Stroud’s poor play in the playoffs, he and the franchise felt they needed to address potential trade rumors.

“Honestly, you try not to pay too much attention to [trade rumors], but you feel you have to address something,” said Caserio. “Felt like that was the appropriate thing to do. I mean, [Stroud is] our quarterback. He’s played a lot of good football for us, to your point. He’s had some good games, he’s had some games, like all of us, there’s some ups and downs you have to deal with. Glad he’s our quarterback and glad he’s gonna be here for next season. We want him here.”

"I'm sorry to disappoint everybody but we're not trading CJ Stroud..

He's our quarterback and he's played a lot of good football for us" ~ Nick Caserio #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/RTLp9qSgr9

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 26, 2026

CJ Stroud, who is 24 years old, had one of the best rookie seasons in league history back in the 2023-24 campaign. However, since then, his numbers have dwindled a bit. The 2025-26 season was a bit of a struggle, and the Texans’ season came to an ugly end after losing to the New England Patriots 28-16 in the playoffs.

Despite playing in 14 games out of 17 due to a concussion, the former first-round pick still managed to surpass 3,000 yards on the season. Although he recorded career lows in yards (3,041) and passing touchdowns (19), while owning a career high 64.5% completion percentage.

Use code CLUTCHPOINTS to get $5 of free coins when you sign up at Novig, America’s #1 Sports Prediction market.

The post Texans GM Nick Caserio doubles down on his odd CJ Stroud trade comments appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Texans are looking to switch things up in the offseason, and they recently parted ways with one of Stroud’s coaches, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“Texans and QB Jerrod Johnson have parted ways, per sources,” Schefter wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Johnson had been the quarterbacks coach for the Texans since 2023, when DeMeco Ryans became the head coach. His role was to help guide Stroud, and it made things better since he had known the quarterback since he was a junior in high school. Unfortunately, it looks like both sides seemed to think it was time to part ways, and it will be interesting to see who fills the position now.

The hope is that someone can come in and continue to help Stroud, because his performance against the Patriots led people to believe that he could be on the trading block. The front office immediately shut down those rumors, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2

“Texans general manager Nick Caserio on C.J. Stroud called trade speculation ‘moronic’ and emphasized ‘We’re not trading C.J. We’re glad he’s our quarterback,'” Wilson wrote on X.

There’s no surprise that Stroud is not on the trading block. He’s still a young quarterback and has shown more good than bad throughout his time in the league. The Texans are going to put the best team around him to succeed, and the hope is that they can find themselves in the playoffs once again next season after making the necessary moves in the coming months.

The post Texans fire C.J. Stroud coach after disastrous playoff performance appeared first on ClutchPoints.

KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson explained during a recent livestream that the Texans should be players in the running back market during free agency.

“I expect the Texans to explore this running back market,” Wilson said on Tuesday, per Cole Thompson of Texans Wire. “I’m told that they will. Just like the year that they made a very legitimate run at Saquon Barkley and came up a couple million shy…”

Wilson also reported that the Texans are interested in Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III.

“The Texans, I expect, will look into Kenneth Walker III. I’m hearing the Texans will have interest in him,” Wilson added.

Houston has as huge need at the running back position, so it is no surprise that they’re eyeing the Super Bowl MVP.

Veteran Joe Mixon did not play during the 2025 season because of a foot injury. Houston is expected to release Mixon, which would save $8 million of cap space in 2026.

Houston is also set to let Nick Chubb and Dare Ogunbowale walk in free agency. That leaves only Woody Marks on the roster at running back.

Walker rebounded in a big way in 2025 after a disappointing 2024 campaign. He logged 221 carries for 1,027 rushing yards and five touchdowns during the regular season.

But if the Texans want to sign Walker, they have a lot of work to do first.

Houston is $4.91 million over the 2026 salary cap just weeks before free agency. Getting back into the positive should be easy, as simply cutting Mixon gets them there.

However, Houston may need to do some extra work to free up enough budget to land a premium free agent like Walker.

The post NFL rumors: Joe Mixon’s injury has Texans eyeing Kenneth Walker III theft from Seahawks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reported on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Texans general manager Nick Caserio confirmed Mixon had surgery but did not provide additional clarity on his status.

“No clarity on #Texans injured running back Joe Mixon status, general manager Nick Caserio said former Pro Bowl selection had surgery this offseason @KPRC2,” Wilson wrote.

Mixon, 29, did not appear in a game during the 2025 season as the Texans navigated what Caserio previously described as an unusual or “freak” foot injury. The exact nature of the injury remained unclear throughout the year, and the team offered limited updates while placing Mixon on injured reserve.

Texans face uncertainty after Joe Mixon undergoes offseason surgery

Despite Mixon’s absence, Houston finished 12-5 and advanced to the Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs before losing to the eventual conference champion New England Patriots.

Mixon joined the Texans ahead of the 2024 season following a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals. In his first year with Houston, he rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns on 245 carries, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt across 14 games. He also contributed in the passing game with 36 receptions for 309 yards and a touchdown.

A former Pro Bowl selection, Mixon has been a key piece in Houston’s offensive plans when healthy. His recovery timeline remains uncertain as the Texans prepare for the 2026 season and evaluate their backfield depth heading into training camp.

The post Texans RB Joe Mixon had surgery for ‘freak’ foot injury that was a mystery all season appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In that game, Texans quarterback CJ Stroud put up one of the worst performances in NFL playoff history, throwing four interceptions in the first half alone. The disastrous game has led some to wonder if the Texans might consider trading Stroud this offseason, but now, that speculation has been shut down by the team’s front office.

“…“he’s not going anywhere,” said Houston general manager Nick Caserio, per DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN on X, formerly Twitter.

Meanwhile, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reported on X that “general manager Nick Caserio on C.J. Stroud called trade speculation ‘moronic’ and emphasized ‘We’re not trading C.J. We’re glad he’s our quarterback.'”

Stroud was drafted in the first round by the Texans three years ago and raced out to an elite rookie season, quickly establishing himself as a young quarterback on the rise in the NFL landscape.

However, Stroud has regressed in a major way since the heights he reached in 2023, with injuries playing a role as well, and now, fans are wondering if the team might pivot in a new direction instead of committing huge money to him.

Still, at least for now, Stroud clearly has the backing of the team’s front office heading into the 2026 NFL season.

The post ‘Moronic’ C.J. Stroud trade speculation shut down in strongest terms by Texans GM Nick Caserio appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Houston has star power at the premium positions. They have a defensive identity. They have a quarterback in CJ Stroud who operates with poise beyond his years. What they don’t have yet is interior stability that guarantees their offense hums when the lights are brightest. To fix that, one free agent stands above the rest.

Blueprint works

The Texans’ 2025 campaign was a resilient tale of two seasons that solidified their status as an AFC powerhouse. After sitting at 3-5 through Week 9, DeMeco Ryans’ squad flipped a switch. They rattled off a nine-game winning streak to finish 12-5. The Texans narrowly missing the AFC South crown to a 13-win Jaguars team.

Houston entered the postseason as a dangerous Wild Card and delivered the franchise’s first-ever road playoff victory. Their run ultimately ended in a 28-16 Divisional Round loss to the eventual AFC champion New England Patriots. However, the season validated the franchise’s trajectory.

Stroud provided steady, mature quarterback play. The defense powered by All-Pros Will Anderson Jr and Derek Stingley Jr finished second in the league in points allowed. The culture Ryans has built is real. Now the focus to ensuring they stay.

Houston’s biggest flaw

By 2026, Stroud will be entering his prime. The Texans already boast elite weapons in Nico Collins and Tank Dell. Their edge rush duo of Anderson and Danielle Hunter gives them championship-caliber bite on defense. Yet their most persistent Achilles’ heel has been interior offensive line consistency, specifically at center.

The center position is the nerve center of any offense. It dictates protections and anchors communication. It absorbs immediate interior pressure that can derail even the most talented quarterbacks. In 2025, Houston experienced stretches where interior breakdowns forced Stroud off his spot too quickly. You can survive inconsistent tackle play. You cannot survive consistent A-gap leakage. To become a perennial Super Bowl favorite, Houston needs a “set it and forget it” anchor in the middle.

Tight but workable

The Texans enter the 2026 offseason in a tight but manageable cap position. Early projections have them roughly $8 million over the cap. That places them in the bottom third of the league in immediate spending power. Still, this is more of a puzzle than a crisis.

General manager Nick Caserio has multiple lever pulls available. Releasing veteran running back Joe Mixon would free approximately $8 million. Moving on from rotational contributors like Mario Edwards Jr and Jarrett Patterson could unlock an additional $8 million in space. With Stroud still on his rookie deal, Houston has one final opportunity to aggressively restructure veteran contracts to create room for a splash addition.

The selection: Tyler Linderbaum

If Houston is serious about eliminating its biggest flaw, the answer is Tyler Linderbaum. Linderbaum ranks as the No. 3 free agent on the board for 2026, and for good reason. At just 25 years old, he would enter the market coming off his third consecutive Pro Bowl caliber season. He is widely regarded as the best pure technician at the center position. Accolades aren’t the selling point, though. Fit is.

Houston operates a Shanahan-style zone-blocking scheme that demands athleticism. Linderbaum is arguably the most mobile and technically refined center in the NFL. His skill set would immediately enhance Houston’s run game efficiency. Screens, split-zone looks, and play-action concepts all benefit from a center who can move fluidly in space.

Then there’s the Stroud factor. Elite quarterbacks thrive when the A-gap is clean. Pressure up the middle is the quickest way to disrupt timing and mechanics. Linderbaum’s pass protection is elite. His anchor against bull rushes is strong despite not being the heaviest interior lineman in the league. He gives quarterbacks the confidence to step up rather than drift laterally.

For Stroud, that matters enormously. With a secure interior pocket, Stroud can operate vertically and punish blitz-heavy defenses. Linderbaum doesn’t just block defenders but expands the playbook.

True contender status

Houston’s roster is already balanced. The defense is championship-caliber. The skill positions are dynamic. Their coaching staff has established an identity built on discipline and adaptability.

What separates Super Bowl participants from Divisional Round exits is reliability in high-leverage moments. When third-and-seven in January arrives, the pocket must hold. Linderbaum provides that certainty.

He aligns perfectly with Houston’s competitive timeline. At 25, he would grow alongside Stroud rather than age out during the quarterback’s prime. He stabilizes communication along the offensive line and enhances both run and pass efficiency. Most importantly, he removes the one lingering vulnerability opponents can exploit.

The AFC is unforgiving. Denver, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and even Cleveland all possess interior disruptors capable of wrecking games from the middle. Neutralizing that threat is strategic necessity. The Texans don’t need to reinvent themselves in 2026. They need to fortify their foundation.

With that, Tyler Linderbaum isn’t just a luxury signing. He’s the final structural beam in Houston’s championship blueprint.

The post 1 free agent who would fix Texans’ biggest flaw heading into 2026 season appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Unfortunately, that could be difficult because of their salary cap situation.

The Texans are currently $4.91 million over the 2026 salary cap at this point during the offseason. They should already be thinking about which moves they will make to get back in compliance with the salary cap.

Houston will need to go even further if they want enough cap space to add new players in free agency this spring.

But which roster moves could Houston make to create cap space? And is it worth shedding players to increase their budget?

Below we will explore five roster moves the Texans need to make to clear up cap space during the 2026 NFL offseason.

The Texans need to cut Joe Mixon, Tank Dell amid injury concerns

Let’s start with two easy cuts.

Joe Mixon did not play during the 2025 season because of a foot injury.

The veteran running back will turn 30 years old this summer. He is also on the final year of his current contract. Those two factors combined make it very easy to move on this offseason.

Houston can gain $8 million in cap space by cutting Mixon.

The Texans should still add bodies at the position this offseason to add depth behind Woody Marks.

Next there’s Tank Dell.

Dell suffered an absolutely brutal knee injury towards the end of the 2024 NFL season. He did not play during the 2025 season as he recovered from reconstructive surgery on his knee. In total, Dell tore his ACL, LCL, and MCL. That made the road to recovery quite long for Dell.

At this point, Dell is on schedule to be able to return for the 2026 season. But I wouldn’t fault the Texans for being a bit skeptical about what they can get from Dell this fall.

Houston does not have as big of a need at wide receiver as it did when Dell was healthy.

The Texans have Nico Collins as their WR1 of the future. They also added both Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel during the 2025 NFL Draft.

Houston would save $3.61 million in cap space by cutting Dell.

Personally, I would love to see Dell return to the NFL and continue his career after his reconstructive surgery. I just don’t think he makes sense for the Texans anymore.

I don’t think Houston can pass up the opportunity to clear ~$12 million in cap space by making these two moves.

Houston could create cap space by restructuring Derek Stingley Jr.’s contract

Houston could also try restructuring some contracts to create some cap space.

The Texans could use the bonus conversion method to lower Derek Stingley Jr.’s cap hit in 2026. According to the CBA, NFL teams can perform this type of contract restructuring without consulting a player. It is as simple as making the choice.

Essentially, Houston can convert some of Stingley’s base salary, roster bonus, and workout bonus into a signing bonus. When a player receives a signing bonus, it is spread out over the remaining years of the contract. That’s how Houston can create new cap space this year without paying Stingley a different amount of money.

So much much could the Texans save by restructuring Stingley’s contract?

The 25-year-old cornerback has a $21.60 million base salary in 2026. His minimum salary is $1.17 million and he has a $500,000 roster bonus. When you crunch the numbers, the maximum amount Houston could restructure is roughly $20 million. That could create a maximum of ~$15 million of cap relief in 2026.

I like the idea of Houston restructuring Stingley’s contract because he is firmly a part of the team’s long-term plans.

The Texans have a whopping $183.08 million in cap space next offseason. They should be perfectly comfortable eating into that with a restructure.

There’s also the possibility that restructuring Stingley’s contract now could make it easier to extend edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. this offseason.

Sounds like a great decision to me.

Texans should attempt to trade veterans Jimmie Ward, Dalton Schultz

Finally, there’s always the trade market.

Ward and Schultz are two players on expiring contracts who I think Houston could land something for in a trade.

Ward is a veteran safety who keeps playing well into his mid 30s. He logged 32 tackles, 16 assists, and two interceptions (including one pick-six) during the 2025 season.

Trading Ward would net $2.75 million in salary cap relief in 2026 with no dead money.

Meanwhile, Schultz strikes me as a “sell high” kind of player. Schultz will turn 30 years old before the 2026 season and had a career year in 2025. He hauled in 82 receptions for 777 receiving yards and three touchdowns. That is the most receptions of his entire career.

Perhaps the Texans should attempt to get something back for Schultz while he still has a market.

The Texans could save $5.65 million in cap space by trading Schultz. But they would have to eat some dead money in the process.

Ultimately, these are two players who I believe Houston should attempt to get something back for (ideally a draft pick or picks) in a trade.

Keeping either player is a reasonable course of action too. But when thinking about the future, now is the time to bail on both players.

The post 5 moves Texans must make to clear salary cap space in 2026 NFL offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Texans’ turnaround

The Texans’ 2025 season was a resilient journey under Ryans. Despite a sluggish 0-3 start to the year, the team engineered a spectacular turnaround. It was headlined by a nine-game winning streak that propelled them to a 12-5 regular-season record. Sure, they ultimately finished second in the AFC South behind the Jaguars. However, Houston secured their first-ever road playoff victory in franchise history with a dominant 30-6 Wild Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The defense led the way. Will Anderson Jr and Danielle Hunter combining for 27 sacks and earned All-Pro honors. Still, the campaign eventually ended in the Divisional Round with a 28-16 loss to the New England Patriots.

That finish reinforced Houston’s arrival. At the same time, it accelerated the financial timeline of keeping the roster intact.

Extension pressure

The Texans now find themselves in a complex cap crunch as they need to pay their superstars. CJ Stroud and Anderson are both eligible for massive contract extensions that will likely reset their respective markets. As such, the primary roster needs center on finding high-value, cost-controlled efficiency. Offensively, the priority is reinforcing the interior offensive line. They need to seek a long-term solution at right guard to protect Stroud and revitalize a run game that ranked near the bottom of the league in yards per carry.

Defensively, the Texans must address a revolving door at safety and find a disruptive interior defensive lineman. This is especially urgent with veterans like Sheldon Rankins hitting the open market. Ultimately, the front office must balance these gaps with a limited budget. They have to focus on surgical depth additions than splashy, high-priced signings.

That fiscal reality places several familiar names squarely on the chopping block.

WR Christian Kirk

When Houston acquired Christian Kirk in 2025, the vision was clear. They added a polished veteran route-runner to stabilize a young receiver room and give Stroud a dependable intermediate separator. Of coursse, flashes of that version appeared. However, the week-to-week consistency never fully materialized.

Kirk’s production settled into that of a complementary WR2 rather than a featured weapon. Within Houston’s financial landscape, it becomes a luxury expenditure.

The Texans’ receiver pipeline has quietly shifted toward youth and cost control. Jaylin Noel’s emergence injected vertical explosiveness. Meanwhile, Tank Dell’s return in 2026 should restore one of Stroud’s most trusted chemistry targets. Nico Collins remains the boundary alpha. That trio reduces Kirk’s functional necessity.

Market dynamics further complicate retention. Even in a down year, Kirk’s resume positions him for mid-tier veteran receiver money. That’s precisely the type of deal Houston must now avoid. Allocating that cap space toward offensive line reinforcements provides exponentially greater roster impact.

Letting Kirk walk is about reallocating resources toward structural needs rather than positional redundancy.

DL Denico Autry

Denico Autry has been the quintessential DeMeco Ryans defender. His ability to slide across the defensive front made him invaluable during Houston’s ascent from rebuilding afterthought to playoff threat. That said, roster timelines matter.

Autry enters the 2026 season at 35 years old. He carries the wear typical of trench warfare veterans. Availability has already become less predictable. Even suspensions have impacted his snap share over the past two seasons. While his leadership remains unquestioned, the Texans must evaluate sustainability over sentiment.

Houston’s defensive identity hinges on wave-based pass-rush pressure. With Anderson anchoring the future and Hunter still producing at a high level, the organization must prioritize finding the next long-term edge partner. That’s instead of extending a short-term rotational veteran.

Re-signing Autry would represent the safe choice. Letting him walk represents the forward-thinking move. That would open snaps for younger pass rushers and preserve cap room for interior reinforcements.

WR Braxton Berrios

Braxton Berrios’ signing was rooted in situational value. Houston sought a return-game spark and a reliable underneath outlet. On paper, the fit made sense. In practice, however, the role proved replaceable.

Berrios spent stretches of 2025 as a healthy scratch. He was squeezed out by deeper receiver rotations and special teams experimentation. His offensive usage never reached the threshold necessary to justify a dedicated roster slot.

That reality becomes magnified under cap strain. With Stroud’s looming megadeal, every marginal roster expenditure comes under scrutiny. Specialists, particularly those offering limited offensive snaps, become expendable first.

Strategic restraint

Letting Christian Kirk, Denico Autry, and Braxton Berrios walk would not weaken Houston’s contender trajectory but protect it. Each decision aligns with a broader pivot towards roster optimization. The Texans are here to manage sustainability, after all.

Cap space must funnel toward franchise cornerstones, trench reinforcements, and defensive longevity. Depth must be younger, cheaper, and scheme-flexible. Veterans who once stabilized the rebuild now become financial obstacles to the next leap. That’s a painful reality but reality nonetheless.

The better a team becomes, the harder its roster decisions grow. For Houston, preserving a championship window around CJ Stroud and Will Anderson Jr means mastering the art of letting go.

The post 3 players Texans must let walk in free agency during NFL offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Stroud has now regressed significantly in two straight seasons following his breakout rookie campaign in 2023, leading some to wonder if the Texans might consider other options at the quarterback position moving forward.

However, one person who believes that the Texans will be keeping Stroud around through this offseason is team beat reporter John McClain, who recently reiterated that belief with a wild post on X, formerly Twitter.

“If CJ Stroud is traded I’ll walk naked down Kirby Drive at rush hour! Is anyone else willing to do it if he’s NOT traded? Didn’t think so!” wrote McClain.

Indeed, it would appear unlikely at the current juncture that the Texans consider anything as drastic as moving on from Stroud this offseason. It’s also unclear how much the team would even be able to get in return for the former first round draft pick, considering his struggles as of late.

Stroud missed some time this year due to a concussion, and backup quarterback Davis Mills mostly did a solid job of holding down the fort in his absence.

However, despite the Texans’ defense being among the best units in recent NFL history, Stroud and the offense performed horribly in the team’s two playoff games, which was not helped by the fact that Nico Collins went down with an injury in their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Still, hopefully, for the sake of everyone on Kirby Drive, the Texans will keep Stroud around for at least one more year before seriously considering a change.

The post Texans beat reporter makes daring wager over CJ Stroud trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After a 12-5 regular season and a playoff win over the Steelers, the Texans watched quarterback CJ Stroud suffer a meltdown against the Patriots in the Divisional Round.

So what direction will DeMeco Ryans and the Texans take in the draft with the No. 28 overall selection?

Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Tim Crean, ClutchPoints

Yes, spot on. The Texans must improve that offensive line. They don’t want Stroud’s bad playoff game turn into a 2026 regression. And the best prevention is a better offensive line.

“Bringing in Caleb Lomu allows the team to shuffle the players they have around and likely cut ties with free agent Trent Brown,” Crean wrote. “Lomu is still a little raw, but he has a lot of upside and could create an excellent bookend situation with Aireontae Ersery.”

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Cynthia Frelund, NFL.com; Joel Klatt, CBS Sports; Todd McShay, McShay Report

Yes, a tackle. But which one? The Clemson product offers an interesting possibility. Frelund said he ascends above Lomu.

“My model really likes Miller, who projects as a right tackle at the next level,” Frelund wrote. “The math favored him even more than Caleb Lomu when evaluating through a position-agnostic lens. His waist-bender projections are second-lowest in the class among both tackles and guards.”

Klatt said the Texans must address their biggest need.

“Houston’s defense is elite, so it needs to keep building on the offensive side of the ball,” Klatt wrote. “The Texans’ offensive line was better this past season, but it can still improve. Miller started all 54 games in his career and is reliable.”

McShay said he likes Miller’s physical makeup.

“I could see Miller, who’s big and long and has plus mobility for a right tackle, being the pick,” McShay wrote. “He’s a highly intelligent offensive lineman with great experience (54 starts). He’s known as Mr. Reliable at Clemson, and he’s a force multiplier in the OL room. It’s exactly the makeup that Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans are looking for.”

Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com

Are you seeing the issue here? Yes, an offensive tackle is the right call for the Texans. But when there is no consensus, there’s a chance of whiffing on this pick. All of these guys are unlikely to hit as a rookie. Maybe one of them will. Jeremiah likes Freeling.

“The Texans did a nice job of maneuvering to land Aireontae Ersery in last year’s draft,” Jeremiah wrote. “Now they get another young tackle to pair with him. Freeling is just scratching the surface of his potential.”

Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report

Not so fast, Sobleski said. Maybe the Texans will turn their heads away from the offense and strengthen their already strong defense.

“The automatic assumption is that the Houston Texans will start building around quarterback C.J. Stroud instead of investing in what’s already a top-notch defense,” Sobleski wrote. “Lee Hunter played as well as anyone not named Fernando Mendoza during the recent College Football Playoff. He’s not a traditional space-eater. Instead, the 320-pound defensive tackle can be a disruptive force as part of a defensive front that already unleashes hell on opposing backfields.”

The Texans could get hit in free agency. And that’s why Bleacher Report says the defensive line is the first-round direction.

“While the Texans featured a strong defensive line this past season, starting defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Tim Settle are about to hit free agency,” Matt Holder said. “This pick maintains the Texans’ defensive dominance.

“With Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter working the edges and Hunter up the middle, no team will be running on Houston’s defense for the foreseeable future.”

The overall roundup analysis

The Bleacher Report idea is intriguing. However, unless they get a game-changer, it’s hard to imagine them passing on offensive line help. And how many times is a game-changer available this late in the first round?

Take the safe route. Grab the best offensive lineman. And give the offense a chance to keep up with the defense.

The post Texans’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft roundup post-Super Bowl as draft season ramps up appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Houston is now left with several puzzling questions to answer. That includes how they went from a dominant team in the second half of the season to getting blown out in the playoffs.

The Texans enter the offseason just barely over the 2026 salary cap by roughly $1.50 million. That means Houston will be forced to make some difficult decisions, including a few roster cuts, to get their salary cap in order.

Houston certainly has the ability to create some space. However, they likely will not be big spenders in free agency because of their limited budget.

But that doesn’t mean the Texans can’t find a few hidden gems who will make a big impact.

Which players might the Texans target during free agency? And could they help get Houston back to the playoffs next season?

Below we will explore three sneaky good free agents who the Texans should consider signing later this spring.

Isiah Pacheco could be a good addition to Houston’s backfield

Houston’s running game struggled mightily during the 2025 season. It was an especially big problem in the playoffs, as Houston only managed 48 rushing yards as a team against New England.

There are multiple reasons why the Texans couldn’t establish a consistent running attack.

Part of the problem is their offensive line, which was hurt badly at the end of the season. But even at their height, Houston’s o-line left plenty to be desired.

The Texans also lacked talent at running back in 2025. Joe Mixon never made his debut in 2025 because of a foot injury. Veteran Nick Chubb contributed from time to time, but he is in the twilight years of his career.

That left rookie Woody Marks to carry a lot of responsibility during his inaugural season.

Let’s give the Texans a solid running back like Pacheco and see what happens.

Pacheco could be a great value addition for the Texans. His stock is at a low point after suffering a significant leg injury in 2024 and struggling to bounce back during the 2025 season. He only managed 462 rushing yards and one touchdown off 118 attempts.

In fairness, Pacheco looked a little better on tape later in the season. But once Patrick Mahomes suffered his season-ending injury, it became almost impossible to judge the individual talent of Kansas City’s offensive players.

Spotrac lists Pacheco’s market value at roughly $4.3 million per season. That is a nice bargain on a running back who could bring some consistency to Houston’s rotation in 2026.

I’m not sure I can advice a long-term contract for Pacheco at this point. But perhaps he could increase his stock with a breakout 2026 season before heading back to free agency for another payday.

Should the Texans invest in a talented guard like Daniel Faalele?

Of course, the offensive line is also a huge reason why Houston couldn’t run the ball well.

The Texans have some big roles to fill this offseason, including multiple spots on the interior of the offensive line. I could see that being one area where Houston could be tempted to make a big investment.

That’s where Daniel Faalele comes in.

The former fourth-round pick is an excellent pass blocker who can maul defensive players in the running game. He would be an immediate starter, likely at right guard.

But price could be an issue with Faalele more than anyone else on this list.

The Texans would have to be comfortable making a splash if they want to sign Faalele. I was surprised to learn that his Spotrac market value is listed at $10.5 million per season.

Perhaps a multi-year contract, with a void year attached on the end, could help Houston afford a player like Faalele.

Texans need to add Roy Lopez to beef up their defensive line

The Texans also need some reinforcements on the defensive line, especially on the interior.

Houston entered the 2025 season already pretty old at defensive tackle. That situation looks even worse now after the season.

The Texans only have Tommy Togiai and veteran Mario Edwards Jr. as their top defensive tackles heading into free agency. Not only do they need to add bodies at the position, but the Texans also just need to get younger.

This is not a problem that Houston can easily solve in free agency. But I do see a few bargain players who could have a transformative effect.

Lions defensive tackle Roy Lopez quietly had a great 2025 season. Lopez logged 19 tackles with three sacks and 13 total pressures during the regular season. He only played 425 total snaps and was mostly a rotational player.

However, Lopez put a lot of good tape out there. He displayed that he still has enough burst to get into the backfield, allowing him to disrupt running plays before they even start. Lopez can also push the pocket at an adequate level on passing downs.

The Texans should be interested in Lopez because he is only 28 years old (turns 29 in August). Lopez has a few good years left in him, which could make a three-year contract reasonable for both sides.

It will all come down to price.

Spotrac lists Lopez with a market value of $6.4 million per season. That’s rich on a one-year contract, but the Texans could make it work on a three-year deal.

Houston would gain a good player, and some year-to-year consistency, by adding Lopez in free agency.

The post 3 sneaky good NFL free agents Texans must sign in 2026 offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints.

During a guest appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” Simms admitted that between the two, he would rather extend Young to a new contract over Stroud. However, Simms also claimed that he wouldn’t feel all that comfortable with the Panthers’ quarterback under center for the longterm. Either way, he was a bit skeptical of both quarterbacks.

“I would have gone, no-brainer, CJ Stroud, before the playoffs or the end of the regular season,” said Simms. “It was questionable towards the end of the regular season. I’ve had people go, ‘They think his concussion in the middle part of the year was still affecting him.’ He has been in some different offensive systems. But man, [Stroud] really lost his way towards the end of the year…

“I sit here now, I guess, giving the edge to Bryce Young – but don’t feel necessarily great about that,” continued Simms. “I mean, I know Carolina went into the year going, ‘Hey, we like Young, but we don’t have our quarterback yet. We don’t really know. We don’t think we got the guy.’ He played better, definitely. How do [the Panthers] feel about that? I’m sure they feel better, but I wouldn’t sit here and just go, ‘Oh, we’re just golden at quarterback.'”

"I sit here now, I guess, giving the edge to Bryce Young – but don't feel necessarily great about that."

– @CSimmsQB weighs in on the Bryce Young vs C.J. Stroud debate. pic.twitter.com/ViqjYfwTSb

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) February 12, 2026

Bryce Young, who is 24 years old, has shown steady progress throughout his career in the league so far. The 2025-26 campaign was the best season he’s had, after recording career highs in passing yards (3,011), touchdowns (23), and completion percentage (63.6%). He also added two rushing touchdowns for the Panthers.

Meanwhile, it’s been the exact opposite experience for CJ Stroud. The 24-year-old quarterback ended last season with 3,041 passing yards and 19 touchdown passes while completing 64.5% of his pass attempts. His yards and touchdowns are career-lows, while his completion percentage is a career-high.

With both quarterbacks entering their fourth season, the Panthers and Texans will have tough choices to make soon regarding their respective contracts. Young and Stroud are both eligible for a fifth-year option.

The post Chris Simms picks Panthers QB Bryce Young over Texans’ CJ Stroud, but there’s a catch appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With extensions looming and cap flexibility tightening, General Manager Nick Caserio must identify contracts that no longer align with Houston’s competitive arc. The Texans are firmly in their Super Bowl window, but staying there requires difficult veteran decisions.

Here are three prime cut candidates entering a defining 2026 offseason.

Resilience and midyear ignition

The Texans’ 2025 campaign was a masterclass in resilience. It was defined by a historic turnaround that saw the team transform from an 0-3 cellar-dweller into a legitimate AFC powerhouse.

After a sluggish start that raised questions about their “Super Bowl or bust’ billing, DeMeco Ryans’ squad flipped the narrative emphatically. Houston ripped off a nine-game winning streak. They finished 12-5 and reestablished themselves as one of the conference’s most complete teams.

Although they narrowly missed the AFC South crown to the surging Jacksonville Jaguars, the Texans secured a Wild Card berth. Their true statement came in the postseason.

Houston dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 on the road, delivering the franchise’s first-ever road playoff victory. It was a tone-setting performance that showcased the Texans’ defensive ferocity and playoff readiness.

Playoff promise halted

The season’s emotional peak, however, was followed by a sobering exit. In the Divisional Round, Houston fell 28-16 to the New England Patriots in a game shaped heavily by offensive limitations. Star receiver Nico Collins was sidelined due to a concussion sustained in the Wild Card win. His absence proved pivotal.

Without their primary vertical threat, the Texans struggled to generate explosive plays. Stroud posted a statistically leaner outing as New England compressed the field. Still, the season reinforced Houston’s legitimacy.

First-Team All-Pros Will Anderson Jr and Derek Stingley Jr anchored a defense that ranked second in points allowed. Their dominance symbolized a roster built not just to compete-but to contend annually.

The next step? Financial calibration.

Free agency priorities

Houston’s 2026 shopping list begins where playoff games are most often won and lost: the offensive line.

The unit ranked near the bottom of the league in protection metrics. That left Stroud under consistent duress. With Ed Ingram entering free agency and the run game posting one of the NFL’s weakest EPA-per-rush figures, interior reinforcements are mandatory.

Beyond protection, the Texans must modernize their skill positions. Joe Mixon’s advancing age and declining explosiveness leave Houston seeking a more dynamic backfield weapon. At receiver, Collins needs a more consistent running mate after underwhelming output from veterans like Christian Kirk.

Defensively, Ryans would benefit from a disruptive interior tackle to stabilize run defense in January football. All of these upgrades require cap room. That brings us to the looming departures.

RB Joe Mixon

This is all about production vs. explosiveness. Mixon entered 2025 as Houston’s workhorse, but the efficiency never matched the volume. Sure, he remains dependable in pass protection and short-yardage situations. However, the Texans’ ground game ranked near the league’s bottom in explosive run rate. Houston increasingly leaned on Stroud’s arm as the season progressed.

A pre-June 1 release saves approximately $8 million while leaving only $2 million in dead cap. That would be clean, immediate relief for a cap-conscious contender. Houston has also been linked to a deep 2026 running back market. Younger, more explosive options are potentially available via free agency or the draft.

Moving on from a 29-year-old back aligns with the Texans’ timeline: faster, cheaper, and more dynamic offensive support for Stroud.

TE Dalton Schultz

Schultz has been exactly what Houston signed him to be: reliable, assignment-sound, and quarterback-friendly. Reliability, though, comes at a steep price entering 2026.

Schultz carries a $15.9 million cap hit in the final year of his deal. A post-June 1 cut or trade would generate roughly $11.5 million in savings. Those are significant funds for roster reallocation.

The emergence of Cade Stover complicates Schultz’s future. With a younger, cheaper tight end capable of absorbing snaps, Houston may see diminishing returns in maintaining a premium veteran contract at the position.

With looming mega-extensions and defensive reinforcements needed, allocating nearly $16 million to a non-elite tight end becomes difficult to justify.

DL Mario Edwards Jr

Edwards has been a valuable rotational lineman. He offers versatility across the defensive front. That said, Houston’s defensive identity hinges on dominance not adequacy up the middle. Releasing Edwards frees approximately $4.4 million with minimal dead money. Sure, that’s modest compared to other cuts. Still, the savings contribute to cumulative flexibility.

Houston’s edge rush, anchored by Anderson and Danielle Hunter, remained elite. However, interior disruption lagged, particularly against playoff-caliber run games. Upgrading defensive tackle becomes easier if the Texans redirect Edwards’ cap space toward a more impactful presence.

Championship windows, ruthless timing

Houston’s rise has been deliberate, physical, and sustainable. Sustainability, though, requires financial foresight. This is why cutting Joe Mixon, Dalton Schultz, and Mario Edwards Jr makes sense. It wouldn’t signal regression but evolution.

The Texans are entering the expensive phase of contention. This is where franchise quarterbacks and All-Pro defenders command market-resetting deals. Every dollar saved now fuels the roster’s long-term viability. At this point, Houston doesn’t need a roster overhaul. They just need precision trimming to keep their Super Bowl trajectory intact. That reality makes these three veterans the most vulnerable names entering the 2026 offseason.

The post 3 Texans cut candidates entering 2026 offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Schaub, 44, last played for the Falcons in 2020 and returned to the team as an analyst for one season in 2023. He is now receiving interest around the league as a potential quarterbacks coach, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

Schaub has been actively looking to remain within the game since his retirement in 2020. After his lone season as an analyst for the Falcons, he returned to his alma mater, Virginia, where he joined the Cavaliers’ radio broadcasts as a color commentator.

Schaub has also made multiple attempts to rejoin the NFL Players’ Association. He twice entered his name in the running to become the association’s executive director, most recently in 2025, though neither attempt was successful.

Schaub was a starter in seven of his 17 years in the NFL. His career started and ended with the Falcons, but the majority of his success came during his seven-year stint with the Texans from 2007 to 2013. Schaub officially broke out in 2009, when he led the league with 4,770 passing yards to earn his first Pro Bowl nod.

Before rejoining the Falcons in 2016, Schaub also spent time as a backup with the Oakland Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens. He spent the final five seasons of his career backing up Matt Ryan in Atlanta.

Coincidentally, Ryan also recently returned to the Falcons, who hired him as the organization’s president of football. Ryan has been a CBS Sports analyst since he announced his retirement in 2022.

The post NFL rumors: Ex-Texans, Falcons QB looking to break into coaching ranks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The cut was done by his longtime personal barber, Kase McGee (KaseKuttz), whom Stroud famously relocated from Ohio to Houston to keep his “uniform” sharp, and with some help from Houston-based hairstylist Ashley Means.

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud will look a little different when he takes his helmet off next year…Thanks to @HoustonWigQueen and Stroud’s personal barber KaseKuttz @KATCH_A_KASE #Texans #Sarge #BigSargeMedia pic.twitter.com/SK3CfQR0co

— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) February 3, 2026

The timing hasn’t gone unnoticed. For many, the transformation feels symbolic. Stroud has previously said that a haircut can reset confidence. Now, he has shed five-plus years of hair growth. It reads like a visual declaration of focus. Around the league, and especially in Houston, the early consensus is that the quarterback is “locked in” for a redemption push.

Social media, predictably, had its fun. Jokes about “choking so bad in the Playoffs he went and cut all his hair off ” followed. However, most reactions from the Texans’ fanbase leaned supportive. The prevailing belief: a streamlined look for a quarterback intent on leaving a frustrating playoff exit behind.

That Divisional Round loss capped a compelling 2025 Texans season. After an 0-3 start, DeMeco Ryans’ team rallied to a 12-5 finish. They earned a Wild Card berth and delivered the franchise’s first-ever road playoff win by dismantling Pittsburgh. A cold loss in Foxborough ended the run, but Houston emerged as a clear AFC contender.

Individually, Stroud’s 2025 campaign reflected growth and adversity. Despite missing time with a shoulder strain, he threw for 3,041 yards with 19 touchdowns. Of course, he led Houston back to the Divisional Round. The four-interception finale against New England stung. Still, judging by the new look, it also lit a fire.

The post Texans’ CJ Stroud is nearly unrecognizable after cutting his hair appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Confirming Houston’s rise

The Texans’ 2025 regular season was a statement. Finishing 12-5 and winning the AFC South, Houston validated its ascent from promising upstart to legitimate powerhouse. CJ Stroud operated with poise and precision in an offense that ranked among the league’s most efficient. The supporting cast functioned exactly as Ryans envisioned. They were explosive on offense, disciplined on defense, and ruthless when playing with a lead. Houston’s ability to close games became a defining trait. It was fueled by a pass rush that consistently collapsed pockets and a secondary that punished mistakes.

That momentum carried into the Wild Card round. That’s where the Texans dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers in a performance that felt like a changing-of-the-guard moment. Everything worked. Stroud was surgical, the defense was suffocating, and the game was never truly in doubt. For a week, Houston looked like a team destined to make a deep January run.

Familiar frustration

Then came Foxborough. In freezing rain against the New England Patriots, the Texans unraveled in the Divisional Round. They lost, 28-16, in a game that spiraled quickly. Stroud, normally unflappable, threw a career-high four interceptions. Sadly, the offense never recovered. Sure, Ryans’ defense battled admirably and kept the score within reach for stretches. However, the turnovers proved fatal. The loss was jarring because it came from self-inflicted wounds.

Still, perspective matters. One bad afternoon does not erase a 12-win season or the reality that the Texans are now annual contenders. The challenge heading into 2026 is refinement. The Texans need to tighten the margins, preserve chemistry, and ensure that key contributors who fit Ryans’ identity remain in place.

Houston’s offseason priorities

Houston’s roster-building approach under Ryans has leaned heavily on targeted free-agent additions. That success now creates its own pressure. Several contributors are set to hit the open market, including offensive linemen, linebackers, and multiple defensive front players. The Texans are projected to have roughly $13.3 million in cap space. That figure could shrink quickly if early extensions for Stroud or Will Anderson Jr are prioritized.

The silver lining is flexibility. None of Houston’s free agents are guaranteed to command top-of-market deals. Many can be classified as replaceable depth. Of course, a few players provide value that goes beyond raw production. These are players whose skill sets, leadership, and schematic fit are difficult to replicate. Those are the contracts Houston must prioritize.

DE/DT Denico Autry

Key stats: 3.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback hits.

Autry continues to be a problem-solver on Houston’s defensive front. That’s even if he is nolonger among this team’s marquee sack artists. Ryans deployed him as an edge on early downs and interior rusher in passing situations. Autry delivered consistent disruption. His ability to slide across the line kept protections guessing. This also ensured that Will Anderson Jr and Danielle Hunter rarely faced constant double-teams.

Don’t let his numbers fool you. Autry’s value lies in versatility and leadership. With multiple interior linemen also approaching free agency, letting Autry walk would strip the defense of both its tactical flexibility. Ryans’ system thrives on interchangeable fronts. Autry is the glue that makes that possible.

P Tommy Townsend

Key stats: 47.6 net punting average, 30 punts inside the 20.

Townsend was more than a specialist. He was a true weapon. In close games, his ability to flip field position consistently forced opposing offenses into long fields against one of the league’s toughest defenses. That advantage quietly fueled multiple wins during Houston’s campaign.

Playoff football magnifies special teams. Houston felt that reality in Foxborough. Townsend fits the Texans’ complementary-football philosophy perfectly. Replacing him would risk undoing a subtle but critical advantage.

LB Christian Harris

Key stats: 11 total tackles, 1 pass defensed.

Much like Autry, the numbers don’t do Harris justice. Obejctively speaking, he remains a dynamic linebacker even after his injury. His range and coverage ability allowed Houston to defend the middle of the field against modern AFC offenses.

At 25, Harris can still be part of the future of the Texans’ second level. His speed and versatility are foundational traits in Ryans’ defense. With other linebackers aging toward their 30s, losing Harris would create a long-term problem disguised as a short-term savings.

Keep the window open

The Texans don’t need to overhaul their roster to take the next step. They just need continuity in the right places. Re-signing Denico Autry, Tommy Townsend, and Christian Harris wouldn’t break the bank. This would also preserve the structural integrity of a team built to win now and later. In a league where contention is fleeting, Houston’s smartest move this offseason is simple: protect what already works.

The post 3 players Texans must re-sign this offseason after flaming out of playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Stroud was unable to overcome the challenges of the Patriots’ defense in the AFC Divisional Round. He only completed 20 passes out of 47 attempts for 212 yards and one touchdown and the aforementioned interceptions.

It marked another year of disappointment on the offensive side of the ball. The Texans have showed Super Bowl potential with how they perform on defense but haven’t been able to say the same for their offense.

General manager Nick Caserio reflected on the 2025 campaign during an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio. He maintained his support for Stroud, enjoying how the quarterback has kept the team stable as playoff contenders.

“I think the big thing about DeMeco, we believe in our players, and you want to instill confidence in them, understanding there’s going to be some ups and downs that you’re going to have to endure. Every player goes through that. CJ went through that during the course of season, and that game was a microcosm of some of the things early in the year, but it’s going to happen,” Caserio said.

“So how do you bounce back? How do you handle those things? And hopefully you learn from them. And then you get to the offseason, what are some things that you can correct? So that’s where the focus is going to be. But he’s played a lot of good football for us for three years now, and excited for where we are heading into year four.”

.@HoustonTexans GM Nick Caserio discussed the support they have for QB C.J. Stroud.

https://t.co/ROaoooLr1I#Texans | #HTownMade pic.twitter.com/K3nDAVSqWN

— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) January 29, 2026

What lies ahead for CJ Stroud, Texans

It’s clear that the Texans aren’t giving up on CJ Stroud despite his playoff woes. However, it will take a lot for him to make significant strides in his skillset at quarterback.

Throughout 14 games in 2025, Stroud completed 273 passes for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions while adding 48 rushes for 209 yards and a touchdown. In the postseason, he completed 41 passes for 462 yards and two touchdowns and five interceptions.

The Texans have plenty of questions to answer throughout the offseason. Not only will they pursue needs in the upcoming draft and free agency, but they also have decisions to make regarding their top players and coaching staff.

The post Texans GM defends CJ Stroud as franchise QB despite playoff failure appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Early draft picks are good for the Texans, who pick twice in Round 2, and two more in Round 4. Their pick in the first round is No. 28 overall.

Positions of need for the Texans are running back, center, guard, and defensive interior.

Round 1, Pick 18: DI Christen Miller, Georgia

This would be an interesting pick. The Texans have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Adding a piece that makes them tougher against the run could lift the unit to a new level.

However, it ignores the obvious needs on offense. Specifically, it passes up on much-needed help in the center of the offensive line.

Guard Olaivavega Ioane of Penn State remained on the board at the time of this mock selection. That was the correct pick here.

But let’s see what the Texans get in Miller, according to Pro Football Network. He has good size at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds.

“Christen Miller isn’t quite the caliber of DT prospect we’ve seen from Georgia in years past, but he’s still a very real early-round candidate with an NFL-translatable superpower that underpins his game,” PFN wrote. “At 6’4″, 315 pounds, with high-end natural leveraging, burst, and length, Miller has an eye-popping power profile that enables him to routinely reset the line in the run game. With sledgehammer hands, he can collapse blockers 1-on-1, and he has the raw power and strength to violently stack-and-shed.

“Miller is still developing as a pass-rusher beyond quick swims and raw power, as evidenced by his lacking production. But down the stretch in 2025, he flashed promise as a pass-rusher with his short-area quickness and heavy hand torque.”

Round 2, Pick 38: Edge Gabe Jacas, Illinois
Round 2, Pick 59: C Connor Lew, Auburn

At least the Texans addressed their big need with the second of their second-round picks. But the first selection turned out to be a head-scratcher.

Again, they passed on a big-time guard prospect in Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon. That would have softened the blow of the first-round decision.

And selecting Jacas doesn’t seem that big of a “get” for the defensive unit that was already strong at the edge rusher position. And Jacas isn’t even all that ready for the NFL game, according to NFL Draft Buzz.

“There’s genuine NFL-caliber ability in Jacas’ game, though teams will need to carefully evaluate what they’re getting versus what they hope he can become,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote. “His wrestling background creates a foundation that translates beautifully to the trenches. The hand placement, leverage, and body control are already well ahead of most prospects his age.

“That physicality shows up most prominently as a pass rusher, where his power and initial burst can overwhelm tackles. But his lack of a refined pass-rushing plan beyond bull rushing creates obvious limitations against seasoned NFL tackles.”

As for the second pick, the Texans made an important pick. The center position had a gap after Lew, so the Texans had to act fast.

And there’s a lot to like about Lew, according to NFL Draft Buzz.

“What jumps off the screen is a center with exceptional movement skills who can execute in space,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote. “The athleticism shows up consistently on pulls, screens, and climbing blocks. The wrestling background translates directly to his leverage understanding and hand usage. Yet while his lateral quickness excels, he’ll encounter problems against powerful NFL nose tackles who can overwhelm his average frame with pure strength.”

Round 3, Pick 69: TE Michael Trigg, Baylor

This would give the Texans some added depth to go along with Dalton Schultz. He bounced around in college, but found his way onto the NFL draft radar, according to Pro Football Network.

“At 6-3 and 250 pounds, with over 34″ arms and 11′ hands, Trigg has a spidery frame built for snatching high-difficulty receptions,” PFN wrote. “And he’s made a habit of producing acrobatic and one-handed grabs with the Bears. He doesn’t provide much at all as a blocking presence.”

Round 4, Pick 106: HB Kaytron Allen, Penn State

Round 4, Pick 125: TE Josh Cuevas, Alabama

This could be a sleeper pick for the Texans.

“For teams in search of physical volume backs with ingrained running instincts, Allen is the favorable selection,” PFN wrote. “The 5’10”, 220-pound Allen is built with a thick midsection and thicker quads, and he possesses surprising cutting flexibility and angle freedom for his build. More than that, he’s a swift processor who can work off angle fluctuations early in reps, navigate congestion, and finish downhill.”

The second pick seems off after taking Trigg in Round 3. There was no point in picking another tight at this point. Perhaps the simulator had a glitch.

Instead, the Texans should have taken linebacker Trey Moore of Texas.

Still, Cuevas is an exceptional route runner, which helps because he doesn’t possess impressive speed.

Round 5, Pick 106: HB Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma

It’s not a bad idea to double up on running backs in the draft. But once again, the Texans passed on a tackle. And Earenst Greene III of Georgia remained on the board.

Ott is a home-run threat, but is susceptible to negative plays.

Round 6, Pick 208: WR Josh Cameron, Baylor

Maybe the home-state guys will play out well for the Texans. He does have the ability, according to The Draft Network.

“Josh Cameron is a powerful, versatile receiver who can be utilized in run-after-catch situations and develop into a reliable possession receiver for an offense,” TDN wrote.

Round 7, Pick 243: HB Jam Miller, Alabama

Round 7, Pick 244: HB Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech

These picks make it look like a kid got hold of the PFF simulator and kept choosing running backs for fun. It’s hard to imagine any NFL team needing to pick four of them in one draft.

The post Texans’ 7-round 2026 NFL Draft according to PFF mock draft simulator appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The dreadful performance was a continuation of a concerning trend for Stroud, who threw two interceptions and fumbled five times the week before in the Wild Card Round against the Steelers. The former No. 2 overall pick took the league by storm with a stellar rookie season in 2023, but he seems to have regressed a bit in the two seasons since despite the Texans still reaching the Divisional Round.

Stroud will almost certainly be back as the starter in Houston next season, but he will take the field with plenty of questions surrounding him. Wide receiver Tank Dell, who missed the entire 2025 season with an injury, is sure that he is going to bounce back.

Tank Dell said people can say what they want about C.J. Stroud, but when they get back out there together on the field he said “It’s going to be special.” pic.twitter.com/xoHQBumgXO

— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) January 28, 2026

“People can say what they want about 7, they’re sitting on the couch typing on their computers and typing on their phones,” Dell said, via Jonathan Alexander of The Houston Chronicle. “Everybody knows who 7 is, especially in the facility. We know who he is. When we get back out there with him, it’s gonna be special.”

Stroud clearly has the talent to be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, but he has struggled over the last two seasons as a result of bad offensive line play and zero running game to support him. As a result, his play has deteriorated, and that was on full display in the playoffs. Maybe playing with Dell, one of his top targets in 2024 before the injury, will help him get back to his rookie year level.

Houston has built a Super Bowl-caliber defense over the last couple of seasons, but DeMeco Ryans and company need the quarterback to be playing at a high level to get them over that hump. Dell is 100% confident that Stroud is going to get back to that point where he looks like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

The post Texans’ Tank Dell promises ‘special’ CJ Stroud bounce-back after playoff meltdown appeared first on ClutchPoints.

But what he really wants is another opportunity to compete in the Super Bowl. Mixon was feeling nostalgic after the AFC Championship Game and expressed his desires to return to greatness, h/t Texans Commenter.

“Can’t wait to get back,” Mixon’s post on Instagram read. It was accompanied with the purple devil emoji.

Joe Mixon on IG: pic.twitter.com/3l8g7yHFfM

— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) January 26, 2026

Mixon got his Super Bowl opportunity back in 2021 with the Cincinnati Bengals. Coming up short in that contest, the running back is still searching for his first ring. When on the field though, Mixon has proven to be a valuable offensive weapon.

The running back was named to his second career Pro Bowl in his debut with the Texans in 2024. He turned 245 carries into 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns. Mixon added another 36 receptions for 309 yards and a touchdown.

Overall though, the running back is much more well known for his time with the Bengals. Over seven seasons, Mixon ran for 6,412 yards and 49 touchdowns. He also caught 283 passes for 2,139 yards and 14 touchdowns.

While his injury came under worrying circumstances, Mixon seems committed to making his way back onto the gridiron. He has had all year to rehab and will now get another offseason. Still, under the running back is cleared his status is a bit of a question mark.

Another question will be if Mixon plays for the Texans in 2026. While he is under contract, Houston could choose to cut bait after his last season.

Regardless of where he is playing though. Mixon is determined to make it back to the top. After holding the AFC Championship once, the running back wants to hoist the Lombardi Trophy before his career is over.

The post Texans’ Joe Mixon gets nostalgic after AFC Championship, vows to ‘get back’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After the game, Stroud was subject to a chorus of mockery from the social media world, including ESPN NFL insider Dan Orlovsky, who took to “Get Up” on Thursday to apologize for a remark he made in the aftermath of the game.

“I went on and said Houston wins that game with 31 other quarterbacks. I want to publicly apologize to CJ Stroud. I crossed the line. I don’t ever want to do that in this role… I’ve been called out on it. Accountability, full stop, shouldn’t have done it… that wasn’t cool of me. That was wrong of me. Different way for me to communicate that,” said Orlovsky, per his account on X, formerly Twitter.

Indeed, Orlovsky might have gone a tad hyperbolic with his assessment of Stroud’s performance against the Patriots, but his comments were far from the most brutal insults that were hurled at the quarterback as he suffered through one of the worst playoff performances in recent NFL history.

In fairness to Stroud, the Texans were playing without wide receiver Nico Collins and also saw tight end Dalton Schultz go down with injury, and they were also battling some brutal weather conditions that heavily impacted the Patriots’ ability to protect the football as well.

Still, Stroud’s performances against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Patriots in these playoffs, as well as his overall concerning regression since his rookie season, will certainly raise questions as to whether the Texans can feel comfortable with him as their franchise quarterback moving forward.

The post Dan Orlovsky apologizes to Texans’ CJ Stroud for brutal insult appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The running back remained out with what was classified as a foot injury for the entire season. However, Mixon’s situation is a bit more bizarre than the usual injury, via Jonathan M Alexander of the Houston Chronicle.

“He didn’t jump off of a building,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “He wasn’t doing anything irresponsible. It was a freak thing.”

While Caserio’s statement doesn’t fully reveal what Mixon was dealing with, it at least shows that the situation was out of both the player and team’s hands. Both sides needed to remain cautious as Mixon dealt with a serious ailment.

The running back’s foot will continue to be monitored throughout the offseason. He had an entire year to work his way back, but Mixon’s injury has kept him on the sidelines long-term. How he recovers from the “freak” injury will determine the running back’s 2026 status.

Whether or not that comes with the Texans is yet to be seen. He is under team control through the 2026 season. However, Houston can release Mixon while taking on just $2 million in dead cap, via Spotrac. After seeing the emergence of Woody Marks in 2025, the Texans could continue to ride that wave moving forward.

Houston will be evaluating all aspects of their roster as they look to go even further in 2026. It isn’t Mixon’s fault that his injury eliminated his 2025 season. But there’s a chance it could end his Texans tenure as well.

The post Texans RB Joe Mixon’s ‘freak’ medical condition kept him off field in 2025 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Steelers beat writer Mike DeFabo thinks that the Houston Texans could be a good destination for Rodgers.

“In Houston, Rodgers would have a much more complete defense providing a stable floor. That unit carried C.J. Stroud at times this year — and the third-year quarterback let them down in the playoffs,” DeFabo wrote for The Athletic. “Signing Rodgers would put the franchise in a precarious position with Stroud, who has shown flashes but hasn’t built on his early-career momentum. But if the Texans feel like they have the defense to win it all and want a more veteran passer to make a run right now, maybe they’d be intrigued.”

Houston defeated Pittsburgh in the AFC Wild Card round. The Texans whipped the Steelers 30-6, which could have been Rodgers’ final NFL game. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down from the job after the loss.

Criticism mounted about the Texans’ current starting quarterback, C.J. Stroud, after Stroud struggled in the team’s playoff loss to the New England Patriots.

The Steelers could still bring back Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers admitted before the 2025 season that playing for Tomlin was a huge reason why he chose to sign with Pittsburgh. He had played for two seasons with the New York Jets, before heading to the Steel City.

Rodgers and the Steelers won 10 games together, and also took the AFC North division in 2025. There was hope that Pittsburgh could finally make another run to a championship. It clearly didn’t work out, as the Steelers fell apart in their playoff game.

While many estimate Rodgers won’t come back to Pittsburgh, Steelers president Art Rooney II has left the door open in recent remarks.

The post NFL rumors: Steelers insider suggests Texans as possible Aaron Rodgers destination appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Houston belongs

The 2025 Texans were not supposed to look like this. After stumbling out of the gate with an 0-3 start, Houston recalibrated and never looked back. They finished 12-5 and second in the AFC South. Head coach DeMeco Ryans oversaw one of the league’s most impressive midseason turnarounds. This was fueled by a suffocating defense that ranked second in yards allowed and third in defensive EPA.

That defense was built around stars. Will Anderson Jr continued his ascent as one of the NFL’s most disruptive edge defenders. Meanwhile, Derek Stingley Jr erased top receivers weekly. The Texans rode that identity to the postseason and delivered a franchise milestone in the Wild Card round. They dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30–6 for their first-ever road playoff victory.

The final flaw

The dream stopped in Foxborough, though. On Sunday, Houston’s season unraveled in a 28–16 Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots. It was a game defined by snow, turnovers, and trench warfare. CJ Stroud threw four first-half interceptions. One of those was returned for a touchdown. Houston finished with five turnovers as a unit.

Context matters, of course. Stroud played without Nico Collins and lost Dalton Schultz mid-game. Still, the deeper issue wasn’t the quarterback. Despite forcing four fumbles from Drake Maye, Houston couldn’t control the interior. New England leaned on physical run concepts, shortened the game, and forced Houston to play uphill. Once again, the Texans fell to 0–7 all-time in the Divisional Round.

Cap reality

Houston doesn’t have the luxury of swinging wildly this offseason. The Texans are projected to have roughly $13.3 million in cap space. They must also already consider early extensions for Stroud and Anderson. Caserio can manufacture room—post-June 1 savings from a Schultz or a Joe Mixon release. Those are very real options. Even then, though, Houston won’t be a top-of-market buyer.

That reality forces discipline. The Texans’ most pressing needs are in the trenches. That is particularly true along the interior defensive line. Unfortunately, quality interior defenders almost never hit free agency. Trading premium assets for star veterans would undermine Houston’s long-term flexibility. The solution must be cheaper, younger, and targeted.

Fixing the middle

That’s where New York Jets defensive tackle Mazi Smith enters the picture.

To finally break their Divisional Round curse, the Texans must fortify the one area that failed them in January. That is interior run defense. Trading for Smith is the rare move that aligns need, value, and cap reality.

Smith is a former first-round pick. He is built for exactly what Houston lacks. At 6-foot-3 and 337 pounds, he’s a true space-eater who can absorb double-teams and prevent interior linemen from climbing to the second level. With Anderson and Danielle Hunter already terrorizing edges, Houston doesn’t need another penetrator. It needs an anchor.

Fitting Houston perfectly

Smith’s value isn’t measured in sacks. It’s measured in how clean he keeps everyone else. His presence would allow linebackers to flow downhill instead of fighting through trash. It would prevent playoff opponents from leaning on ground-and-pound scripts that shorten games and neutralize Houston’s speed.

Just as importantly, Smith fits the Texans’ financial reality. He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal. He also carries a manageable, fully guaranteed salary that won’t interfere with future extensions. For a team preparing to invest heavily in its core, that matters.

Smith is also a complementary piece, not a disruptive one. Houston wouldn’t need to redesign its defense around him at all. They just need to reinforce it.

Price makes sense

The Jets’ side of the equation makes this trade realistic. Since being included as a throw-in at the 2025 trade deadline during the Quinnen Williams blockbuster, Smith has barely seen the field. He has appeared in just three games and failed to record a solo tackle. New York is widely expected to decline his fifth-year option and could release him outright.

That reality crushes his market value.

A fifth-round pick or even a conditional sixth would be enough to acquire Smith before he hits waivers. For Houston, that’s a low-risk flyer on a former first-round talent with high-level physical traits. For the Jets, it’s recouping draft capital for a player unlikely to be part of their rebuild.

Proposed trade terms:

Texans receive: DT Mazi Smith
Jets receive: 2026 fifth-round pick

Contender or champion

Houston doesn’t need fireworks this offseason. It needs answers. The Texans already have their quarterback, coach, and defensive identity. What they lack is the interior muscle to survive January football.

Mazi Smith isn’t a headline grabber by any stretch. He’s something far more valuable, though. He is the kind of move that prevents seasons from ending the same way twice.

The post Perfect offseason trade Texans must make after losing in Divisional Round once again appeared first on ClutchPoints.

To start the weekend off, the Broncos escaped the Bills at Mile High 33-30 in overtime thanks to five Buffalo turnovers. The game had plenty of lasting ramifications, as Bo Nix was knocked out for the rest of the playoffs due to an ankle injury and the Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott after missing another opportunity to get to the Super Bowl.

Late on Saturday night, Rashid Shaheed started Seahawks-49ers with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the way to a 41-6 Seattle victory before the Patriots and Rams punched their tickets to championship weekend with wins on Sunday.

Who were the big winners and losers from Divisional weekend? Let’s get into the list.

Winner: The Seahawks are the team to beat

The Seahawks came into the weekend as the biggest favorite on the board, in part because they are a rested and ready No. 1 seed and in part because the 49ers came into the game with a historically long list of injuries. In Week 18, with the top seed and the NFC West on the line, Seattle stifled this same Niners team 13-3 in Santa Clara.

On Saturday night, it quickly became clear that things were going to get worse before they got better for Kyle Shanahan and company. Shaheed’s kickoff return got the Seahawks in front right off the bat, and the 49ers’ first two series ended with a turnover on downs and a fumble.

Kenneth Walker went over 100 yards and scored three touchdowns, Sam Darnold appeared no worse for wear despite his mysterious oblique injury, and Seattle’s defense ran it up to eight consecutive quarters keeping this explosive San Francisco offense out of the end zone in a 41-6 win.

Seattle will get to stay home again in the NFC Championship Game, and it’s going to take a heck of an effort to take Mike Macdonald and company down.

Loser: The Bears run out of miracles

The Bears have made magic all season to capture the NFC North title and the No. 2 seed in Ben Johnson’s first season as head coach, and they pulled off their best Houdini act yet in the Wild Card Round to beat the Packers after trailing 21-3.

On Sunday, after a surprisingly low-scoring game against the Rams in the cold at Soldier Field, the Bears needed one more miracle to keep their season alive on fourth-and-4 with less than a minute to go. Caleb Williams, as he has done all season, came up with the goods and tossed one of the best touchdown passes you’ll ever see to Cole Kmet to tie the game.

OH MY, CALEB WILLIAMS LAUNCHES IT ON FOURTH DOWN pic.twitter.com/J8FWTHegHh

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 19, 2026

Ben Johnson chose to kick the extra point and head to overtime instead of going for two and the win, and the Bears unfortunately ran out of miracles in overtime. After the defense got one more stop, a miscommunication between Williams and DJ Moore resulted in an interception, and the Rams drove down and won on a Harrison Mevis field goal late in overtime.

Chicago still has plenty to feel good about coming out of this season heading into year two of Johnson and year three of Williams, but this is a tough loss to take in the moment considering the opportunities they created to advance.

Winner: The Broncos find a way again

The Broncos, in similar fashion to the Bears, have also squeaked out win after win at the end of games all season, finishing as the No. 1 seed in the AFC and earning a home game in the Divisional Round. Still, Denver came into the day as an underdog against the No. 6-seeded Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen.

Allen had plenty of moments, both good and bad, in this game, and the Bills ran the ball well throughout the day. However, Sean Payton put together some good drives early on, Bo Nix put together a clutch drive at the end of the fourth quarter, and the Broncos picked up five turnovers throughout the day to squeak out a 33-30 win in overtime.

The last of those five takeaways was the play of the game. After a Broncos punt on the first possession of overtime, Buffalo only needed a field goal to advance. Allen took a deep shot to Brandin Cooks that would have gotten Buffalo in range for the winning kick, but Ja’Quan McMillian ripped it out of his hands for an interception that decided the outcome.

Unfortunately, the Broncos will need to get two wins out of backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham after Nix suffered a fractured ankle on the final drive of the game. The Broncos will have the chance to lean on a very good defense and an elite offensive line as they try to get their hands on a championship.

Loser: CJ Stroud’s unraveling hits rock bottom

The Houston Texans felt like a dangerous team coming into these playoffs because of one of the best defenses in the NFL and an offense that could be explosive, in theory, with CJ Stroud at quarterback. In the Wild Card Round, that ferocious defense was on full display in a 30-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Stroud was sloppy in that first-round win, fumbling the ball five times and throwing an ugly red-zone interception. However, if he could clean things up, surely the Texans would be able to compete with the Patriots in the Divisional Round, right?

The Houston defense shut down Drake Maye and the Patriots’ offense for most of the game, but Stroud continued to spiral from the week before with a four-interception first half. That string of turnovers included a very ugly pick-six to Marcus Jones, and Houston was playing catch-up for much of the second half as a result.

Questions about Stroud’s future seem a bit reactionary coming off of two bad games, even if they were really bad. But this meltdown in Foxborough will be remembered the next time he steps into a playoff setting for a Texans team that has still never advanced to a conference championship game.

Winner: The newly well-rounded Patriots

On the other side of Patriots-Texans, New England is showing that it has more ways to win games outside of having Drake Maye outscore opposing offenses. With Milton Williams and Christian Barmore back healthy in the middle of the defensive line, it’s very difficult to run the ball on the Pats and will be for Denver, which doesn’t have an elite run game.

On the outside, Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis form one of the best cornerback duos left in the playoffs, and both of them were on fire on Sunday. Gonzalez and Davis were all over a Texans receiving core that didn’t have Nico Collins in this game, and they were a big reason why Stroud struggled so much.

On offense, the Pats struggled to move the ball against arguably the best defense in the NFL, but Maye made a couple of big throws and Kayshon Boutte reeled in an insane one-handed catch for a touchdown to essentially put the game away in the fourth quarter.

Now, the Pats have to go to Denver and play a backup quarterback in Jarrett Stidham to go to the Super Bowl in year one under Mike Vrabel. In classic Vrabel fashion, this Pats team is rounding into form and elevating its play in the trenches as the playoffs roll on.

Loser: The Bills blow it again

In the 2020s, the Bills have been the team on the wrong end of the most gut-wrenching playoff losses out of anyone. Whether it’s the 13 seconds game, the Damar Hamlin fake punt game, the snow game against Joe Burrow, or last year’s crushing AFC Championship Game loss, Josh Allen and the Bills have been through it recently.

But this was Buffalo’s year. The AFC playoffs felt a little different this year, as the Chiefs and Ravens both sat on the sidelines and watched. There was no Patrick Mahomes and no Lamar Jackson in the way of Buffalo’s Super Bowl path. After getting through a tough game against Jacksonville, surely Bo Nix wouldn’t be the man to slow down this Buffalo run, right?

Instead, the Bills went into Denver, Allen turned the ball over five times and Nix hung 33 points in an overtime win for the Broncos. Allen and the Bills have now lost in the Divisional Round in four of the last six seasons, losing in the AFC Championship Game on both occasions which they reached it.

Sean McDermott was fired as a result of the loss, which means the Bills will have a new face leading them in 2026 for the first time since Allen has been the quarterback. Will that be enough to finally get them over the hump?

The post NFL Divisional Round Winners and Losers: Seahawks dominate, Bears run out of miracles appeared first on ClutchPoints.

A miserable turnover-fest sent the Texans packing in a 28-16 loss to the Patriots. Stroud turned in an awful performance with four first-half interceptions.

But the Texans must ride forward with Stroud, who has helped them make the playoffs in all three of his NFL seasons. And DeMeco Ryans’ Texans have won a playoff game each year.

However, other needs include running back, center, guard, and interior defense.

Texans must improve the offensive line

That makes their first-round pick a no-brainer in terms of position. The Texans must grab the best-available offensive lineman. It’s best if the player is a center or guard, but even a stout tackle would help. Then they could move pieces around.

One player that should be available is Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. Pro Football Focus tagged him as the most-often selected in its draft simulator.

“Mauigoa is a strong and sturdy offensive tackle prospect with a lot to like,” Gordon McGuinness wrote. “He doesn’t shy away from taking the fight to pass-rushers and dictating contact to throw them off their timing. (And) he keeps his weight on his inside foot when kick sliding to neutralize inside moves. (Mauigoa) plays with a good motor through the whistle. He appears to have adequate arm length to stick at tackle.

“With his thick lower body, he can be a people mover in the run game. His weight can be a bit too heavily on his toes, and an imbalance moving forward seems to be the root of many of his negatively graded plays. Mauigoa possesses the size and skills to be a starting offensive tackle in a man- or gap-blocking scheme.”

Another direction the Texans could go is defensive interior standout Christen Miller of Georgia, according to Pro Football Network.

“The Houston Texans have arguably the best edge-rushing duo in the NFL in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter,” Jacob Infante wrote. “As good as their defense has been this season, their interior defensive line is arguably the unit’s biggest weakness. They could use a massive space-eater to complement their stars rushing off the edge.

“There were always tools with Christen Miller, but he put it all together in a bigger role for Georgia in 2025. He’s a powerful run defender with a low center of gravity, good hand usage, and great gap awareness working off of blocks. Miller demonstrates some upside as a pass rusher with his first-step acceleration off the ball, too.”

While it makes sense to add the next little piece to the defense, ignoring the offensive line with the first pick doesn’t seem to make sense. The Texans didn’t lose to the Patriots because their defense didn’t stand up. They lost because Stoud turned into a rookie-like mess without his top receiving threat and a shaky offensive line.

The Texans would still be in the Super Bowl picture if their offensive line had played better.

Texans have flexibility with second-round targets

This is where the Texans will make or break their 2026 season. They need to make the right selections with their two second-round picks. The highest came from the Commanders in the Laremy Tunsil trade. It lands at pick No. 38 overall.

And this is the best spot for the Texans to grab a guard. One of the better second-round bets would be Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon. He’s 6-foot-5 and 318 pounds and has tools, according to NFL Draft Buzz. The main thing is, Pregnon is NFL-ready.

“Pregnon’s tape screams day-one contributor with the blend of power, hand technique, and consistent performance that franchises covet when constructing their interior offensive line for championship runs,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote. “Teams running gap or inside zone schemes will love his ability to generate movement and create running lanes, while his pass protection reliability provides the foundation to step into a starting role without needing the developmental patience most rookies require before seeing significant snaps.

“The adjustment to NFL speed and the power-finesse combination that league defensive tackles bring every down will test him early. But his anchor handles pure power beautifully. And his hand usage provides legitimate counters when defenders try to speed rush his edges.”

The Texans need to be stronger at this position to protect surge rushes up the middle. But Pregnon could also give the team a boost in the run game. Houston missed injured Joe Mixon more this season than perhaps anyone could have imagined. In fact, Mixon might have been the missing piece to get to the Super Bowl.

And that’s why their second pick in the second round should be at that position.

Texans should target Jadarian Price of Notre Dame

If he’s still available at this point, pick No. 59 overall, the Texans need to grab him without overthinking it.

Mel Kiper lists him as the second-best running back on the board, behind teammate Jeremiyah Love. He’s not the perfect running back specimen, but there’s a lot to like, according to draftnation.com.

“Jadarian Price projects as a high-upside, scheme-versatile running back whose explosiveness and receiving ability make him a valuable asset in today’s NFL,” Draft Nation wrote. “His ability to score from anywhere on the field and contribute in multiple phases of the offense gives him a clear role at the next level, particularly in systems that prioritize speed and space.

“With further development in pass protection and continued production, Price has the tools to become a dynamic NFL contributor and a matchup problem for opposing defenses.”

The post Texans’ top 3 NFL Draft targets after playoff defeat against Patriots appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“DeMeco Ryans on whether he expects a future with Joe Mixon: “As of right now I don’t know that.”

Mixon missed the entire 2025 season with a foot injury. He totaled 1,325 yards for the Texans in the 2024 season, scoring 12 total touchdowns.

Texans RB Joe Mixon might need to find another team

The Texans rolled with Woody Marks and Nick Chubb during 2025. Neither player had any kind of flashy statistics. Marks rushed for 703 yards with a pair of scores. Chubb totaled 506 yards and three scores.

Marks managed 208 yards receiving and three more scores, proving to be at least an in-the-neighborhood replacement for Mixon.

But will the Texans be content to run it back with Marks and Chubb? Will they give Mixon another look?

The money part of the issue would seem to favor letting Mixon go, according to chron.com.

“The Texans signed Mixon to a two-year contract extension after acquiring him in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024, keeping him in Houston through 2026,” Michael Shapiro wrote. “The final year of that deal, however, is largely non-guaranteed. Houston would have to pay just $2 million in 2026 if (it) releases him this spring, compared to $10.5 million if he remains on the roster.”

Mixon will turn 30 years old before his next NFL snap. And he’s coming off a year-long injury. Mixon may have to sign a one-year deal for limited money, just to get back on the field for a running back-needy NFL team.

Watch the draft as well. If Mixon is still with the Texans and they draft a running back, that’s a strong sign the relationship won’t continue.

Mixon is a two-time Pro Bowl performer. He got that honor in 2021 with the Bengals, and last year with the Texans.

The post Joe Mixon’s Texans future gets uncertain DeMeco Ryans response appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On the field, the Texans bowed out with a 28–16 defeat. It was abrupt. It was heavy. Entering the postseason, Houston rode a nine-game winning streak and real belief. Just one week earlier, the Texans looked dominant, dismantling the Pittsburgh Steelers 30–6 in the Wild Card. Momentum felt real. Confidence felt earned. Under the lights, however, the run stopped.

Inside New England, the night turned fast. First, the Patriots struck. Then, Houston answered. But suddenly, it snapped. A pick-six changed everything. Before halftime, New England scored again. 21–10. From there, the Texans never recovered.

When the Texans’ season ends, reality hits hard

Now, the Patriots move on to the Conference Championships to face the Denver Broncos. Meanwhile, the Texans move into silence, reflection, and a flight that would not land. That detail matters. It fits the night. Everything felt delayed. Everything felt unfinished.

Still, the Texans core matters. This team grew fast. Along the way, it learned how to win together. It also learned how fragile January can be. The Divisional Round does not forgive mistakes. Instead, it magnifies them. The Patriots understood that and the Texans felt it.

Make no mistake, travel problems are not excuses. Rather, they are symbols. The season ended, yet the journey home dragged on. That is how playoff exits linger. The Texans were flying. They were grounded. They were done.

The NFL Playoffs run was real. The ending hurt. Now, the question waits, as it always does after a long night like this. How do the Texans turn this feeling into fuel for what comes next?

The post Texans’ brutal flight issues make playoff loss to Patriots even worse appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Season recap

Houston’s 2025 campaign was a testament to resolve. After stumbling out of the gate at 0-3 and sitting at 3-5 through Week 9, the Texans looked closer to regression than contention. Instead, they authored one of the most impressive turnarounds in the league. Houston ripped off nine consecutive wins to finish 12-5 and secure a third straight playoff berth.

That surge was driven by an elite defense anchored by first-team All-Pros Will Anderson Jr and Derek Stingley Jr. That unit consistently dictated terms and masked offensive inconsistencies. The Texans punctuated their rise with the franchise’s first-ever road playoff win. They booked a dominant 30-6 dismantling of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round that felt like a symbolic breakthrough.

History, however, proved stubborn. Houston’s season ended in familiar fashion with a 28-16 Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots at a snow-covered Gillette Stadium on Sunday. Five turnovers, which included four first-half interceptions by CJ Stroud, proved fatal. The defeat dropped Houston to 0-7 all-time in Divisional Round appearances. It was clear that while the Texans have a solid foundation, the ceiling remains unbroken.

Draft needs

The playoff loss clarified Houston’s priorities. The Texans need reinforcements in the trenches and more balance offensively.

Interior offensive line play tops the list. Stroud was pressured far too often against New England. Sure, Houston’s tackle situation is solid. Still, guard and center remain areas of concern. Strengthening the interior is essential if Stroud is going to thrive against elite playoff defenses.

Running back is another quiet but important need. Woody Marks and Nick Chubb gave Houston reliable production. That said, adding a younger, more explosive option would diversify the offense. It would also reduce the burden on Stroud in high-leverage situations.

Defensively, the Texans are already elite. Sustaining dominance, though, requires depth. Adding a high-motor interior defensive lineman would help maintain their front-four rotation. It would also ensure Houston remains stout against the league’s best rushing attacks deep into January.

Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Texans’ 3-round mock draft based on the PFF 2026 NFL mock draft simulator.

Round 1, pick 28: OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Houston’s first-round selection is about protecting its most valuable asset. Kadyn Proctor brings overwhelming size and raw power. Those should immediately translate to NFL trench play. Sure, he entered college as a tackle. However, his shorter arm length and difficulty handling cross-face moves suggest his long-term future may be inside at guard.

That projection works perfectly for Houston. Proctor’s strength and mass make him a natural fit in a gap-based run scheme. His anchor ability would go a long way toward stabilizing the pocket. Sliding him inside could unlock his best traits while addressing Houston’s most glaring postseason weakness.

Round 2, pick 38: EDGE LT Overton, Alabama

Houston doubles down on trench warfare early in Round 2. LT Overton is not a finesse rusher. He is, however, disruptive, physical, and assignment-sound. That’s exactly the type of player defensive coordinators trust in January.

Overton’s speed-to-power conversion allows him to set the edge and collapse running lanes. That makes him a strong fit as a rotational defensive end in either a 3–4 or 4–3 look. Yes, he may never be a high-sack artist. That said, his ability to muddy pockets and play disciplined run defense would complement Anderson beautifully.

Round 2, pick 59: DL Domonique Orange, Iowa State

Few prospects in this class bring raw power like Domonique Orange. At over 330 pounds with elite strength numbers, Orange offers immediate utility as a space-eater who commands double teams.

His game isn’t polished, though. Hand speed and disengagement remain areas for growth. Still, his first-step explosiveness for a player of his size creates real disruption. In Houston’s scheme, Orange would be a valuable early-down presence. He would allow the Texans to rotate bodies up front without sacrificing physicality.

Round 3, pick 69: EDGE Anthony Lucas, USC

Houston rounds out its draft by adding another versatile defensive piece. Anthony Lucas isn’t a speed rusher. That said, his length, strength, and relentless effort give him a clear path as a rotational edge defender.

Lucas profiles as a developmental player who can contribute on special teams. He can also grow into situational snaps. For a team that wants to stay fresh up front throughout the season, players like Lucas matter more than they often get credit for.

Final thoughts

This mock draft won’t dominate social media. It won’t sell jerseys either. However, it does something far more important. This will address exactly why Houston’s season ended.

By reinforcing the offensive line, adding physicality to the defensive front, and building sustainable depth, the Texans aren’t chasing flash. They’re chasing durability, balance, and control. Those will define teams that still stand come late January.

For Houston, contention is no longer a target but an expectation. The 2026 draft is about answering the harder question: how do you finally break through?

The post Texans’ 3-round 2026 NFL Draft according to PFF mock draft simulator after brutal playoff loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Watt, now a football analyst and one of the most influential players in Texans history, took to social media shortly after the loss. His words reflected both frustration and realism about what went wrong.

“Tough. Just put ourselves in a hole too many times to climb out of. What an incredible turnaround Vrabel and the Patriots have accomplished this year. Thoroughly impressive.” Legendary Texans defender JJ Watt shared on X, formerly Twitter, after Houston’s another playoff exit.

The comments came after Houston squandered an encouraging start. The Texans led 10-7 early, but the game unraveled quickly due to a string of costly turnovers that flipped momentum entirely in New England’s favor.

C.J. Stroud endured the toughest performance of his young career, committing five total turnovers, four interceptions, and one lost fumble, many of which gave the Patriots short fields. New England capitalized, turning Houston’s mistakes into a 21-10 halftime advantage.

Despite defensive resistance that kept the Texans within reach, the offense never recovered. Houston managed only two second-half field goals, while Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye delivered the decisive blow with a 32-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Stroud finished 20-of-47 for 212 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions, a stark contrast to his breakout rookie campaign. Meanwhile, Maye posted 179 yards and three touchdowns, guiding New England to the AFC Championship Game under head coach Mike Vrabel, a coach Watt knows well from his Houston days.

That connection made Watt’s praise for Vrabel especially notable. While his former team struggled to escape its mistakes, the Patriots continued a rapid resurgence that few predicted entering the season.

For Houston, the loss marks a third straight Divisional Round exit under DeMeco Ryans and raises difficult questions heading into 2026. The Texans have talent, defensive strength, and a young QB still viewed as the franchise cornerstone, but Watt’s “tough” assessment underscores a familiar reality. Until Houston proves it can avoid self-inflicted wounds in January, promising seasons may continue to end the same way.

The post Texans legend JJ Watt has ‘tough’ comment on Houston’s playoff downfall appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Houston’s real growth

The Texans finished the regular season 12-5. It was an impressive achievement given their disastrous 0-3 start. Ryans steadied the ship after a brutal opening month, and the team caught fire following its Week 9 bye. They ripped off a historic nine-game winning streak to secure second place in the AFC South. The backbone of the run was an elite defense that ranked second in yards allowed and third in defensive EPA. Houston saw dominant seasons from Will Anderson Jr and Derek Stingley Jr. They didn’t just win but overwhelmed opponents with speed, discipline, and physicality.

That defensive edge translated into postseason success in the Wild Card round. The Texans demolished the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 on the road. It was the franchise’s first road playoff win, a milestone that felt like confirmation the rebuild had officially arrived. Confidence was high heading into the Divisional Round, with Houston believing its defense could travel anywhere.

Snowy end

Everything unraveled in Foxborough, though. The Texans fell 28-16 to the New England Patriots in a game defined by offensive collapse. Stroud endured the one of the worst performances of his career. He threw four interceptions in the first half alone. That included a pick-six that buried Houston early. Injuries compounded the damage: Nico Collins was already sidelined with a concussion, but Dalton Schultz exited mid-game with a calf injury. With that, the offense never recovered.

Ironically, the defense did enough to keep the game within reach. They forced four fumbles from Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. That said, five total turnovers proved insurmountable. The loss dropped Houston to 0–7 all-time in Divisional Round appearances. It’s an ugly statistic that underscores how narrow the margin is between ‘ascending’ and ‘elite.’

Houston’s offseason approach

Houston enters the 2026 offseason with limited flexibility. They are projected to have just $13.3 million in cap space. General manager Nick Caserio must also think ahead. Both Stroud and Anderson become eligible for early extensions once the new league year begins. Any major free-agent splash will require creativity and/or sacrifice.

There are levers to pull, of course. Moving on from Schultz with a post–June 1 designation would free up $11.5 million. Still, it would open a hole at tight end. Cutting Joe Mixon, who missed the entire season with a foot injury, could generate another $8.5 million. Even with those moves, Houston is unlikely to chase blockbuster trades or mega-contracts. Instead, Caserio will prioritize players who fill specific needs without disrupting the long-term plan.

The biggest gaps remain along both lines of scrimmage, plus depth at linebacker and a more reliable run game. Fortunately, the 2026 free-agent class offers options that fit Houston’s timeline.

George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys

The Divisional Round loss exposed Houston’s thin margin for error at wide receiver. Without Collins, the offense stalled. George Pickens would solve that problem immediately. Fresh off a 1,400-yard season in Dallas, Pickens is a classic ‘X’ receiver. He is physical, explosive, and fearless at the catch point. Combining him with Collins and eventually Tank Dell would give Stroud a rare combination of size and aggression on the perimeter. That would also force defenses to pick their poison and raise Houston’s offensive ceiling overnight.

Alontae Taylor, CB, New Orleans Saints

Stingley is already one of the league’s best corners. However, the opposite side remains a rotating question mark. Alontae Taylor brings versatility and edge. He recorded 14 pass breakups in 2025 and can play inside or outside. He fits perfectly into Ryans’ aggressive, matchup-driven scheme. Adding Taylor would reduce explosive plays. That was a critical flaw exposed in past playoff losses.

Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

The Texans flashed potential in the run game, but lacked a true closer. Zamir White fills that role. A physical, downhill runner who averaged 4.3 yards per carry, White thrives in short-yardage and late-game situations. His presence would ease the burden on Stroud and give Houston a more balanced playoff offense. That’s something they sorely lacked in Foxborough.

Braden Smith, OL, Indianapolis Colts

Offensive line consistency remains a quiet concern. Braden Smith comes with risk, of course. He’s missed time in each of the last three seasons. Smith also turns 30 soon. When healthy, though, he’s one of the NFL’s best right tackles. In a weak free agent line market, Smith represents a calculated gamble that could pay off immediately by keeping Stroud upright against elite pass rushes.

Open window

The Texans are no longer rebuilding but contending. Of course, the Patriots loss proved that talent alone isn’t enough in January. Smart, targeted additions instead of flashy overhauls are the path forward. If Houston nails this offseason, the next step won’t just be another playoff appearance. It’ll be breaking through the ceiling that’s haunted the franchise for far too long.

The post Texans’ top 4 free agent targets after Divisional Round loss to Patriots appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Earlier in the postseason, Al-Shaair was reportedly fined $11,593 for wearing eye black with the words “Stop the Genocide” during Houston’s Wild Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The fine stemmed from a violation of the NFL’s uniform policy, which prohibits personal messages on game-day equipment. While the punishment didn’t catch him off guard, the linebacker made it clear he fully understood the consequences before taking the field.

“I knew that that was a fine. I understood what I was doing,” he said after the loss, via ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime. “But I was told that if I wore that in the game, would pull out the game, I understood it was being fined.”

What unsettled Al-Shaair more was what followed. According to the veteran defender, he was informed ahead of Houston’s matchup with New England that continuing to wear the message could result in him being barred from participating entirely. Despite that warning, Al-Shaair doubled down on why he felt compelled to speak out.

“At the end of the day, it’s bigger than me. The things that are going through makes people uncomfortable, imagine how those people feel?” Al-Shaair added. “That’s the biggest thing. I have no affiliation, no connection, to these people – other than the fact that I am a human being. If you have a heart and you’re a human being, and you see what’s going on in this world, you check yourself real quick. I’m sitting here crying about football when there’s people dying every single day.”

#Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair on getting fined for wearing “stop the genocide” on his eye black last week against the Steelers: “It’s bigger than me,” and “it makes people uncomfortable..” https://t.co/hbSBRO0rx7 pic.twitter.com/QqKdGD0Gel

— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) January 19, 2026

Al-Shaair again wore the message during Houston’s Divisional Round appearance, even while delivering a pregame speech to teammates, fully aware that discipline could follow. The message referenced ongoing global humanitarian concerns, which the NFL has maintained fall outside permitted uniform expression.

While the fine and controversy added another layer to a difficult playoff exit, Al-Shaair’s stance underscored the personal convictions he believes transcend the game itself. As Houston turns the page toward the offseason, the linebacker’s words suggest his voice on and off the field won’t be quiet anytime soon.

The post Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair reacts to huge fine for eye black vs. Steelers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Stroud was unable to overcome the challenges of the Patriots’ defense. He only completed 20 passes out of 47 attempts for 212 yards and one touchdown and the aforementioned interceptions.

His struggles prompted Aikman to call out the quarterback on the ESPN broadcast. The NFL legend pointed out how Stroud has been unable to build on the success he had in his rookie campaign, emphasizing the regression in his overall skillset.

“C.J. Stroud has been chasing his rookie success for the last two years. He’s not been the same player. We’ve not seen the development from him. There’s a reason for that, and it has to be addressed,” Aikman said.

Troy Aikman: “C.J. Stroud has been chasing his rookie success for the last two years. He’s not been the same player. We’ve not seen the development from him. There’s a reason for that, and it has to be addressed.” #NFL #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/nmAgXfxItQ

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 18, 2026

How CJ Stroud, Texans played against Patriots

Stroud’s rookie campaign was incredible, completing 319 passes for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns en route to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Those numbers are ones he hasn’t surpassed since then, showing the need for him improve in Year 4 next season.

Stroud couldn’t stop turning the ball over, throwing four interceptions in the first half alone. This resulted in a poor display as they trailed 21-10, which allowed New England to control the momentum for the remainder of the game.

New England shut down Houston’s rushing attack, holding them to 48 yards on 22 carries. Jayden Higgens was the brightest spot in the offense, making six catches for 59 yards. Meanwhile, Christian Kirk caught two passes for 20 yards and a touchdown.

The Texans have plenty of questions to answer throughout the offseason. Not only will they pursue needs in the upcoming draft and free agency, but they also have decisions to make regarding their top players and coaching staff.

The post Troy Aikman’s scathing analysis of Texans QB CJ Stroud’s career after Patriots loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Texans had their chances to win this game. After giving up a touchdown to the Patriots on their second drive of the game, Houston answered with a field goal. CJ Stroud would throw an interception on their next drive, but after forcing a fumble on the ensuing Patriots drive, Houston scored a touchdown. From there, the game began to get away from them. The Texans would be down 21-10 going into the halftime break. They did make it a five-point game in the third quarter, but could not make the comeback.

The defense did its job in this game. They held the Patriots to just 248 yards of offense, while forcing three turnovers. Regardless, the season ends without a berth in the AFC Championship for a third straight season.

The offensive line was dreadful

The offensive line was horrible for the Texans. Injuries were an issue. Tytus Howard had to play right tackle, even though he is traditionally a guard. That was due to Trent Brown being inactive in the game because of injury. Howard also missed time during the game with an injury. Further, the injury to tight end Dalton Schultz also hurt the offensive line. Regardless of the injuries, the line was horrid.

In the running game, backs were consistently met in the backfield with pressure from the Patriots. Woody Marks ran the ball 14 times, but managed just 17 yards, good for only 1.2 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Nick Chubb ran for just 14 yards on four carries. The most success in the running game came from Stroud, who ran for 11 yards on two carries, but this was also because he needed to scramble. Overall, the Texans managed to run for just 48 yards on 22 carries, good for only 2.2 yards per carry. Without the running of Stroud, that drops to 1.85 yards per carry.

Meanwhile, Stroud was under constant pressure when passing. He was pressured on 21 drop-backs in the game. On two of the drop-backs, he was able to scramble for positive yards. He was sacked three times in the game. He got the pass off on the other 16 attempts. Stroud was just 2-16 with three interceptions when passing under pressure. The offensive line was a major issue for the team, and something that needs to be addressed for the future.

CJ Stroud had an ugly game

While the Texans quarterback was under pressure in the game, he played poorly as well. Stroud threw four interceptions in the first half alone. This was not just a product of pressure. Stroud often held onto the ball too long, missed wide-open targets, and, when pressured, decided to force the ball into tight windows. Included in the four interceptions was a pick-six to Marcus Jones, which flipped the game. Yes, he was missing Nico Collins and Shultz, but the Texans still have weapons to hit. This does not mean forcing the ball to Christian Kirk and leading to a turnover.

He finished the game completing just 20 of 47 passes for 212 yards, a touchdown, and four interceptions. This led to him having just a 28.0 quarterback rating. This could be a situation of the pressure and expectations just being too much. He finished the playoffs completing just 42 of 79 passes, for 462 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions. He also lost two fumbles.

In his career, he has now thrown six touchdowns and six interceptions in the playoffs over three seasons. Further, in the Divisional Round, he has just one touchdown pass over three seasons. Stroud has shown he is a quality quarterback who can get the Texans to this point, but he may not be the man to get them over the hump and make a run at a Super Bowl.

DeMeco Ryans gets some blame

Stroud clearly was in over his head. He had already struggled in the first round of the playoffs against the Steelers, and in 10 quarters of football in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, he had thrown as many touchdowns to the other team as he had his own. Still, DeMeco Ryans did not think about making a change.

“This team has his back. The first half is over,” Ryans told ESPN as the team returned to the field for the second half.

The game was still within reach, and while a change to Davis Mills may not have been the best solution, the lack of consideration shows the stubbornness that aided the loss for the Texans. The offense did not change much from the first half to the second. As Stroud was under constant pressure and the running game was going nowhere, there was no change to the scheme or playcalling. That falls squarely on Ryans and is a major reason the Texans couldn’t make a comeback.

Meanwhile, with 4:17 left in the game, the Texans had just seen Stroud sacked for a third time. This led to a 4th and 18 from their own 21-yard line. The Texans were down 11 points. The likelihood of converting a 4th and 18 is slim. Regardless, the Texans had just one timeout left, and the Patriots were going to be able to drain the clock some. There was no reason not to go for it. If they miss, the game is likely over. Still, if they punt, there is not going to be enough time to overcome an 11-point deficit without some major plays. While Ryans said he believed in Stroud, he did not believe in him enough there, choosing to punt the ball.

The Patritos were able to drain 2:18 off the clock, meaning the Texans were left with 1:45 and no timeouts to try to come back from 11 points down. It was multiple horrible decisions from Ryans that cost him a third straight Divisional Round game.

The post Texans most to blame for brutal Divisional Round loss to Patriots appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Texans trailed 28-16 with five minutes remaining in the game. Houston had a chance to cut it to a one-score game, but New England stopped them in their tracks. On fourth down, Ryans chose to punt the ball away instead of taking the risk to convert it for a first down and keep the drive alive.

It didn’t take long for fans to criticize Ryans for the decision, understanding it due to the offense’s struggles but not happy with him waving the white flag. Here are some of their reactions.

“DeMeco Ryans just punted on the game. Apparently he’s seen enough of his offense,” NFL insider Jeremy Fowler wrote.

“Anyone would punt with how atrocious that QB is. Guy looked scared all game. Just throwing and praying. Horrific,” one fan remarked.

“Yeah not sure why he’d do that the way NE has been able to control the clock the last ten minutes…,” one commented.

“Better chance the defense scores than the offense right now,” one replied.

“Yeah Ryans is going to clean the offense out QB Coach gone, OC gone, WR Coach gone, RB Coach gone,” a fan said.

How DeMeco Ryans, Texans performed against Patriots

DeMeco Ryans and the Texans’ offense had it rough, committing costly turnovers against the Patriots as it ended their playoff run.

CJ Stroud couldn’t stop turning the ball over, throwing four interceptions in the first half alone. This resulted in a poor display as they trailed 21-10, which allowed New England to control the momentum for the remainder of the game.

Stroud was unable to overcome the challenges of the Patriots’ defense. He only completed 20 passes out of 47 attempts for 212 yards and one touchdown and the aforementioned interceptions.

New England shut down Houston’s rushing attack, holding them to 48 yards on 22 carries. Jayden Higgens was the brightest spot in the offense, making six catches for 59 yards. Meanwhile, Christian Kirk caught two passes for 20 yards and a touchdown.

The Texans have plenty of questions to answer throughout the offseason. Not only will they pursue needs in the upcoming draft and free agency, but they also have decisions to make regarding their top players and coaching staff.

The post Fans roast Texans HC DeMeco Ryans for sad surrender punt to end Patriots game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Ryans, who is 41 years old, claims he never once considered benching Stroud in favor of Davis Mills on Sunday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. He also stated that he believes in and supports the third-year pro and thought Stroud would turn things around in the second half.

“DeMeco Ryans said he never considered benching CJ Stroud after the 4 INts. He added he believes in his QB and fully believed [he] would turn it around.”

Additionally, Ryans informed the 24-year-old quarterback to remain positive after the loss, per Alexander. He seemingly made sure to focus on the positives when it came to Stroud immediately after Sunday’s game.

“DeMeco Ryans said he told CJ Stroud: ‘Keep your head up, I love you.'”

Stroud’s performance against the Patriots might be the worst of his career. He finished the contest with 212 passing yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions while completing 42.5% of his pass attempts. The former first-round pick was also sacked three times.

With the Texans’ season now over, the franchise will move on to the offseason and focus on what moves and acquisitions need to be made. Considering the defense was ranked No. 1 in the league this season, one would think most of the areas of need would be on the offensive side of the ball.

The post DeMeco Ryans’ message to Texans QB CJ Stroud after playoff disaster vs. Patriots appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“This team has his back. The first half is over,” Ryans told ESPN, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Stroud threw four picks on nine possessions in the first half, including a pick-six from Marcus Jones. The Texans survived with Mills at quarterback during the season, going 3-0 in his three starts. Even with some great wins from Stroud during the season, Ryans had to consider changing quarterbacks at halftime.

Stroud finished the half 10-26 for 124 yards, one touchdown, and four picks. The Texans did take the lead on that touchdown pass, which went to Christian Kirk, but everything that happened after that interception was disastrous. They picked up 38 yards on five drives after that touchdown.

Mills has thrown one playoff pass. He was 1-1 for six yards in a 45-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in the 2023 Wild Card Round. But his play in 2025 is a big part of the reason they made the playoffs. Trusting him in this spot would not have been new for this team and coaching staff.

Stroud has had an up-and-down career in both the regular season and the playoffs. After winning Rookie of the Year in 2023 and winning that Browns game, he appeared to be a star in the making. The 2024 season was not as strong, but he did win a playoff game.

If the Texans move on, there could be a conversation all week about who starts the AFC Championship game. With his fifth-year option decision looming this offseason, could a disastrous second half impact Stroud’s future in Houston?

The post Texans’ DeMeco Ryans strongly backs CJ Stroud despite 4-INT half vs. Patriots appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Fourth interception of the first half for CJ Stroud. The record is five by Nathan Peterman. Today’s broadcaster, ESPN’s Troy Aikman, also once had four,” Volin wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Aikman threw four interceptions against Washington, but he was also able to throw five touchdowns to help the Dallas Cowboys get the 41-35 win. The Cowboys scored the last 27 points in the third quarter and overtime after giving up 32 straight following an early 11-point lead.

Aikman finished that game, completing 28 of his 49 passes for 362 yards and five touchdowns.

That could be the same story for the Texans and Stroud, but they’re going to have to come out strong in the second half. The Patriots have shown so far that they’re not going to let up, and they’ve been one of the best defensive groups in the league this season.

Unfortunately for the Texans’ offense, they came in this matchup without Nico Collins, who was not able to clear the concussion protocol. During the game, Dalton Schultz injured his calf and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest, and he was Stroud’s other big target.

At this point, it’s next man up for the Texans, and the hope is that they can continue to fight through the adversity and make it a competitive game. First, Stroud has to clean up the turnovers and make the right plays for his team.

The post Texans’ C.J. Stroud matches Patriots game announcer Troy Aikman with disastrous 4-INT half appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The message was visible on Al-Shaair’s face when he joined the SportsCenter desk after the Texans’ dominant win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He received a fine of $11,593 for violating the NFL rule of having a personal message on his clothing.

Despite that warning, Al-Shaair kept the same heartfelt message on his face for the Texans’ road game against the Patriots in the Divisional Round. The text was seen while he was talking to his teammates pregame, according to ESPN.

Al-Shaair is one of the few Muslim players in the league and sported the message to show support for Palestinian citizens caught in the Israel-Hamas war. The Palestinians have lost thousands of members in Gaza due to Israel-led genocide attacks, which the country denies are racially motivated.

Al-Shaair has shown his support for Palestine on the field before, wearing custom messages on his cleats during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair wearing his “FREE PALESTINE” cleats.

He debuted them last season. pic.twitter.com/F8jTXHf2Lr

— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelV) July 24, 2025

The league can fine him again, but Al-Shaair is clearly fueled by his purpose. The veteran linebacker recovered a fumble early in the second-round matchup to set up the Texans in enemy territory and take a quick lead.

Al-Shaair was tied for third on the team with six tackles in the Texans’ opening-round win over the Steelers. He led the way with 103 tackles in the regular season, during which he added nine pass breakups, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

The 28-year-old defensive captain was recognized with the first Pro Bowl nod of his career in 2025.

The post Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair wears ‘stop the genocide’ message again despite fine appeared first on ClutchPoints.

PLAYOFF PICK SIX @MarcusJonesocho!!

ESPN pic.twitter.com/7doYGSUycj

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026

The Texans got the ball right back after this, and Stroud threw his third interception. The Patriots’ offense has not dominated the first half, but they have a lead because of Stroud’s interception problem. Jones, one of the league’s prolific punt returners, showed off his speed by taking it to the house.

The Texans’ defense has put together a sensational first half, holding the Patriots under 100 total yards on six drives. It was the defense that broke open the Wild Card game, scoring two touchdowns in the second half to pull away from the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Stroud’s turnover problem carrying over to the Divisional Round, they need a massive defensive play to turn the game around.

The Texans will be without Dalton Schultz for the rest of the game due to a calf injury. The one big play Houston’s offense has pulled off was a catch-and-run to Schultz that set up their opening field goal. Running back Woody Marks is questionable to return to the game with a shoulder injury.

Stroud had four fumbles in the first half of the Wild Card game against the Steelers, losing two of them. With a wintry mix falling in Foxborough, the turnover problems have followed him to the Divisional Round. The defense held on for a long time, giving Stroud multiple opportunities to put the turnovers behind him. But they broke toward the end of the half with a Stefon Diggs touchdown, extending New England’s lead.

The Texans need a big second half to make the AFC Championship game.

The post Another dreadful Texans’ C.J. Stroud turnover turns into Patriots pick-6 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Unfortunately, things went from bad to worse early on in this one when tight end Dalton Schultz went back to the locker room, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 on X, formerly Twitter.

The ESPN broadcast of the game then later reported that it was a calf injury for Schultz, with the tight end appearing to visibly hold up on a play earlier in the game and grab at that area of his leg.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network later reported that Schultz was out.

The Texans can ill afford to lose Collins considering that they’re already playing without Collins, and with quarterback CJ Stroud needing as much help as he can get after a tough performance in Pittsburgh. Stroud threw an interception in the first quarter of this one shortly after Schultz’s exit, and very nearly threw another.

In any case, the Texans will certainly hope that Schultz’s injury is nothing serious moving forward. They’ll also hope to have Collins back in the lineup next week if they are able to get by the Patriots and advance to face the Denver Broncos.

The post Texans’ Dalton Schultz out with calf injury vs. Patriots appeared first on ClutchPoints.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport gave a contract update on two of Houston’s most important young players before Sunday’s playoff game.

“Will Anderson Jr., he contract extension eligible starting this offseason,” Rapoport said on Sunday via NFL GameDay Morning. “My understanding is the team is expected to look at that. A deal which would likely make him one the, if not the highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL.”

Anderson and Houston’s terrifying defense have led the team throughout the 2025 season. The third-year player logged 35 total tackles with 12 sacks and four forced fumbles during the regular season.

He could earn a ton of money on a long-term extension. In fact, Over the Cap estimates that Anderson could command $38.67 million per season on his next contract.

Meanwhile, Rapoport also noted that QB C.J. Stroud will also be eligible for an extension this offseason. But he did not sound optimistic that a deal is coming soon.

“C.J. Stroud is also extension eligible,” Rapoport added. “My best guess is that it probably happens next offseason.

Houston is projected to enter the offseason $10.81 million over the salary cap. They will have a lot of work to do to become cap compliant, and that’s before handing out any big contract extensions.

Thankfully, the Texans should have $168.13 million in cap space in 2027. So it would make some sense if Houston waits on an eventual Stroud extension. That could also work in Stroud’s favor too, as he could earn more money by kicking the can down the road.

Stroud and Anderson could both help themselves earn more money by getting a huge win in the Divisional Round.

Texans at Patriots kicks off at 3PM ET on Sunday.

The post Texans rumors: Ian Rapoport’s ‘best guess’ on C.J. Stroud contract extension appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Reports indicate that, despite his last-ditch effort to play, Brown was ruled inactive due to a lingering ankle injury. The Texans are likely to start Blake Fisher in his absence.

“Trent Brown is inactive. He tried to go pregame.”

With Brown and Collins out, the Texans will be without two of their starters on offense. Houston also ruled four other players out for the game against the Patriots, as quarterback Graham Mertz, running back Jawhar Jordan, cornerback Alijah Huzzie, and wide receiver Justin Watson are all inactive.

Injuries have unfortunately been the story for Trent Brown in recent years, as the 32-year-old right tackle has only played 10 games in the past two regular seasons. He played in just three games in the 2024-25 campaign after suffering a torn patellar tendon. That injury forced him to miss some time to begin the 2025-26 campaign, as he only managed to play seven games this year.

The offensive line has been a key issue for the Texans since drafting CJ Stroud in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Houston will need to find a way to protect its star quarterback on Sunday against the Patriots if the club hopes to walk out of the contest with a win.

A victory for the Texans will advance the franchise to its first-ever Conference Championship game. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. EST and will take place in New England.

The post Trent Brown’s last-ditch effort to play for Texans vs. Patriots fails appeared first on ClutchPoints.

From the sounds of it, Drake Maye and the Patriots offense are in for a horror film, as an expert compared the Texans defense to “11 velociraptors with machine guns,” according to Jane Slater of the NFL Network. Houston’s ability to hide the pressure and still hit home is reportedly why the defense was given the scary comparison.

“Get ready for 11 velociraptors with machine guns,” said Slater. “An NFL pundit used the analogy this week, and I loved it… Like a lot of players with helmets on, you don’t necessarily see where the pressure’s coming from. You feel them first. I was talking to [Sheldon] Rankins this week, and he said they look for, quote, ‘Violence around every corner.'”

pic.twitter.com/I6zP2PHzVD

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) January 18, 2026

The Texans finished the 2025-26 regular season with the No. 1-ranked defense in the league. Houston allowed an average of 277.2 yards per game, which is the best in the NFL. The passing defense was sixth-best, allowing 183.5 yards per game, while the rush defense finished fourth-best, allowing just 93.7 yards per contest. Additionally, the club allowed the fifth-lowest amount of touchdowns in the regular season with 35.

In the team’s 30-6 playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Texans’ defense proved to be the difference-maker. Houston only allowed 175 total yards of offense in that contest, while also recording four sacks and forcing two turnovers. One of which was a pick-six that sealed the win for the club over Pittsburgh.

We’ll see this defense in action once again on Sunday. The Texans and Patriots are set to kick off at 3 p.m. EST in New England.

The post NFL expert compares Texans defense to ’11 velociraptors with machine guns’ before playoff game vs. Patriots appeared first on ClutchPoints.

New England rebounded in Mike Vrabel’s debut season after enduring three straight losing campaigns. Bill Belichick went 12-22 in his final two years with the team. Then Jerod Mayo led New England to a 4-13 record in his sole season at the helm. Vrabel was hired in 2025. And the Patriots turned things around by adding key players through the draft and free agency.

The Texans experienced a similar situation, with three straight losing seasons from 2020-2022 before DeMeco Ryans got the program back on track. So when Vrabel was asked how he thought Houston managed to turn things around, his answer was pretty simple. “I mean they got a lot of draft picks. And they signed some good free agents,” Vrabel said, per Houston Stressans.

Patriots face Texans in battle of the rebuilds

The Texans have enjoyed a phenomenal rebuild by creating the team’s core through the draft. Houston selected Derek Stingley in 2022, C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. in 2023, Kamari Lassiter in 2024 and Jayden Higgins joined the team in 2025.

And as Vrabel mentioned, free agents played a big role in the Texans’ turnaround, with additions like Dalton Schultz, Danielle Hunter and Sheldon Rankins making an impact.

The formula was essentially the same for the Patriots. New England signed key players like Milton Williams, Stefon Diggs and Robert Spillane over the offseason. And the Patriots hit on critical draft picks including Maye, Will Campbell and TreVeyon Henderson.

Vrabel began his coaching career in Houston in 2014. He worked his way up to defensive coordinator in 2017 and then left to become head coach of the division rival Tennessee Titans.

Now Vrabel will attempt to lead the Patriots to their first AFC Championship Game since 2018. But he’ll have to get past Ryans’ Texans, who hope to advance beyond the divisional round for the first time in franchise history.

The post Mike Vrabel reveals not-so-secret way Texans rebuild roster appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Collins, who is 26 years old, will not be available against the Patriots as the Texans’ wide receiver is dealing with a concussion. He did not participate in any practices throughout the week leading up to Sunday’s game. Teammate Justin Watson is also ruled out with a concussion of his own.

Houston #Texans Friday Injury Report & Game Status Report for the Divisional Round at the New England Patriots: pic.twitter.com/AUisdJjByT

— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) January 16, 2026

The two-time Pro Bowler initially suffered the concussion during the Texans’ 30-6 routing against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round. Not having Collins in the lineup is a tough blow for Houston, as the offense largely depends on him in the passing game. He’s proven to be the top wideout on the roster after emerging as the No. 1 option in the 2023-24 campaign during CJ Stroud’s rookie year.

With Collins ruled out, the Texans will have to rely on a receiving core consisting of Christian Kirk and Xavier Hutchinson, along with rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Braxton Berriors could also see some extra playing time, especially with Watson also being ruled out. Ultimately, tight end Dalton Schultz could play a bigger role in the passing game to compensate for Collins’ absence.

Nico Collins surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the third consecutive year. He finished the 2025-26 season with 71 receptions, 1,117 yards, and six touchdowns through 15 games played. Collins also had 120 targets thrown his way, which is a career-high for the fifth-year veteran.

The post Texans WR Nico Collins officially out for Patriots playoff clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.

As the final eight teams play on, we say goodbye to the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. And we tip our caps to four of those teams (sorry, Chargers and Steelers) who put up an incredible fight.

This weekend, we welcome the first-place Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks to the NFL playoffs with tough matchups against the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers, respectively. We also look forward to the Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots game, which should be an intense defensive battle, and the Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears game, which is destined to come down to the late fourth quarter.

With no truly great teams this season, the Lombardi Trophy is fully up for grabs in a way we haven’t felt for a long time. That means great games, drama, and two days of intense NFL action.

The NFL Divisional Round schedule brings us two Saturday games at 4:30 pm (Bills at Broncos) and 8:00 pm ET (49ers at Seahawks), two Sunday games with 3:00 pm (Texans at Patriots) and 6:30 pm (Rams at Bears) kicks.

The NFL Playoffs are where the best go to shine, and that’s exactly what we did last week. We went a spotless 6-0 against the spread and 5-1 straight up, with only the Eagles letting us down to win. That helps our overall season record and puts us on track for a perfect postseason. Through 19 weeks of picks, we are now 170-108 when just picking winners and 131-141-6 ATS.

Previous weeks: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11  | Week 12 | Week 13| Week 14| Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17| Week 18 | Wild Card

So, with that, let’s get right into the NFL Divisional Round picks, predictions, and odds.

Courtesy of DraftKings, here are the NFL odds.

Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (-1.5)

This is the only line that has moved since the beginning of the week, and if you like the Bills in this situation, you probably want to wait as long as possible to get your bet in. If this line moves like last week, it could jump to as big as Broncos by -3 or -3.5 just like it did with the Jaguars as the late money pours in.

That late money means the sharps were all over the Jags, which makes sense as the records, home field advantage, and all the underlying numbers and analytics favored Jacksonville. The only problem was that all these professional bettors discounted one thing: Josh Allen.

Allen was beaten, battered, and bruised by the excellent Jaguars defense, but was undeterred. In the biggest moments, this football game came down to the two most important people on the field, Allen and Trevor Lawrence.

When the chips were down, Allen delivered (with a little help from O’Cyrus Torrence, who carried the QB 10 yards on a tush push), and Lawrence did not. It was the most predictable thing ever, if you accept the premise that the Bills QB is the greatest football player on the planet right now…

Which brings us to Saturday, when the Bills take on a Broncos team in Mile High Stadium against the squad with the best record in the AFC. Once again, the Broncos’ record is better, their defense is better, and they have an even bigger home-field advantage than the Jags.

However, when placing your bet for Saturday, ask yourself this. As the game winds down, are you comfortable with placing your hopes (and hard-earned money) on Bo Nix to take you home? Or do you want the best football player on the planet in your corner?

The NFL Divisional Round picks, predictions, and odds. column will take the latter.

Pick: Bills 33-30

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (-7)

We could end the NFC’s side of the 2025 NFL season with back-to-back trilogies if the Rams can get out of the Bears game alive. We’ll get into that soon enough, but first let’s talk 49ers-Seahawks III.

This matchup opened these teams’ season, with the 49ers stealing a 17-13 win at home in Week 1. It also closed the regular season as the Seahawks took their rivals down 13-3 in Week 18. Now, the third installment will officially end one of these teams’ campaigns as well.

The game two weeks ago should be informative, as both teams were going all out to win because the victor got the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the all-important bye. That week off was crucial, too, as the Seahawks got rested and healthier while the 49ers sadly lost superstar tight end George Kittle to a torn Achilles last Sunday.

San Francisco’s injuries have compounded all season, and while they will have offensive tackle Trent Williams and maybe even wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, not having Kittle is terrible. He now joins linebacker Fred Warner and edge rusher Nick Bosa as 49ers stars who will miss this crucial matchup.

On the Seahawks’ side, we once again look to an incredible defense and home-field advantage as two aspects that back the favorite on Sunday. The only real issue here is the heretofore horrific history of Sam Darnold in big games.

If you are a regular reader of the NFL Divisional Round picks, predictions, and odds. column, though, you will know that—starting in Week 16 against the Rams—we’ve jumped on the Darnold bandwagon and now believe he can get the job done no matter the stakes. So, while we’ll take the Seahawks, this is still a divisional game, and you know are feelings on that. This will be loser than a touchdown score.

Pick: Seahawks 20-17

Houston Texans at New England Patriots (-3)

With an over/under of 40.5, you know this game is going to be a defensive slugfest. The Texans’ defense is the best in the league, and what they did to Aaron Rodgers in what could have been his last NFL game is downright mean.

Not to be outdone, the Patriots’ defense confused the Chargers’ offensive line so badly and hit Justin Herbert so hard that Jim Harbaugh should have called “no mas” and stopped the fight.

If the Texans have any hope in this game, C.J. Stroud will have to play much (much, much) better than he did against the Steelers. If he drops five fumbles in front of the Patriots’ D, this game will be over before it gets off the ground.

This will not be an easy game, and the shaky New England offensive line is going to be a problem for the home team. Again, though—and you may be sensing a theme here in the NFL Divisional Round picks, predictions, and odds. column—which quarterback do you trust more?

Drake Maye could be the NFL MVP this season, and despite plenty of Patriots’ flaws, he consistently has found ways to get the job done with Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniel in his corner. On the flip side, while DeMeco Ryans has the defense firing on all cylinders, offensive coordinator Nick Caley hasn’t quite found the formula Bobby Slowik had in Stoud’s rookie season to get unlock his full potential.

This will be a fun game to watch if you like elite defense, and even though it won’t be pretty, we’ll take Maye and the Pats to be kneeling at the end with more than a field goal lead.

Pick: Patriots 16-10

Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) at Chicago Bears

This game will be a dream continuing, no matter how it turns out. Are the Bears simply the team of destiny this season, with last-minute win after last-minute win? Or will Matthew Stafford author a fairytale ending and ride off into the sunset as a champion, just as his high school teammate Clayton Kershaw did just a few months ago?

The Bears have won in ridiculous ways all season, but at the core, they are doing it with an excellent young play caller and an offensive-minded head coach. So, those building blocks create a solid foundation. Yes, the bounces and turnover luck are not repeatable year to year, but as this season rolls on, there is no reason to think it won’t continue.

On the Rams’ side, there are some concerns after the team faltered in the last few weeks of the season. The defense has been the biggest issue, giving up 30.0 points per game in the last five games. Sure, Stafford and company can often best that number, but will they in eight-degree wind chill?

And that ultimately is the deciding factor for the NFL Divisional Round picks, predictions, and odds. column. The Rams are a dome team from Southern California, while the Bears luxuriate in the harsh Windy City conditions. If this becomes an ugly cold-weather—or even snow—game, the Bears should become the favorite.

Pick: Bears 24-23

The post NFL picks, predictions, odds for the NFL Divisional Round: And then there were 8 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

You may think that happens anyway. But you can’t ignore the Jimmies and Joes and bow to the Xs and Os. A case in point is the 49ers. They have a lot of Jimmies and Joes on the sideline. So Kyle Shanahan has less to work with when premium performance is demanded.

Consider this as a framing of how everything would land if the coaches made the most difference under their current roster circumstances. Not just some difference, but THE difference.

And away we go.

Bills at Broncos

This would be the veteran showdown, the only such matchup on the board. It’s interesting to note that McDermott is 8-7 in the postseason while Payton is 9-9. So there’s no real edge there.

However, McDermott is 6-4 since the last year Payton won a playoff game. That’s not recency bias, but rather a comfort zone of knowing how to navigate today’s playoffs. It doesn’t mean Payton doesn’t know how to win anymore, but there’s a stage of proving himself, again, that Payton must pass through.

For example, if the Broncos lose as the No. 1 seed, questions will floruish about whether Payton can get it done. Those questions are basically inward whispers right now. They aren’t “NFL mainstream” right now. But they will be if the Broncos lose.

Therefore, Payton has more pressure.

So, does McDermott coax a win out of his bunch? Yes, he gets the slightest edge, and the Bills advance.

Texans at Patriots

This is perhaps the most interesting coaching matchup. Mike Vrabel would seem to be the veteran with more experience. However, he’s 3-3 overall in the postseason while Ryans is 3-2.

One thing weighing in Vrabel’s favor is the way his team looked in the Wild Card Round. They were ready to rock, especially on defense. Vrabel has the pulse of this team.

However, Ryans’ bunch was totally dominant on the defensive side of the ball. So much so that they overcame the offense.

Again, this is a slight edge, but Ryans gets it.

49ers at Seahawks

There’s no doubt who has the coaching edge here. Kyle Shanahan could be ranked No. 1 as the top head coach in the NFL. Meanwhile, Macdonald is still in the toddler steps of playoff coaching.

However, for this article, we don’t advance Shanahan simply because he’s the better coach. The idea is weighing the coach as the most important thing, not the only thing. And the Seahawks have a big advantage in healthy players.

Still, Shanahan gets the tiny edge as his coaching gap over Macdonald pushes the 49ers to victory.

Rams at Bears

This is the easiest one. Sean McVay is built for this type of coaching matchup. Ben Johnson hasn’t been able to get his team out of the starting blocks many times this season. And yet, here they are, still playing.

However, a slow start won’t work against the Rams. McVay will close up shop if the Rams get a sizable lead. Count on it.

Championship games

49ers at Rams

Wow. What a coaching matchup. McVay versus Shanahan. If only the 49ers had a healthier defense. This might be an epic clash.

But given the advantages and the fact that McVay and Shanahan are probably one-two in the NFL coaching ranks, the edge goes to McVay.

Bills at Texans

Having a championship game in Texas that doesn’t include the Cowboys would be awful for poor Jerry Jones. He would be beside himself. All that Texas-sized attention going to another team? Sorry, had to point that out.

This would be the most difficult coaching matchup to assess. At this point, Ryans would have proven himself as legitimate to get to the Super Bowl. And McDermott would be hounded by the close-but-no-cigar failures.

It would be easy to put this game in McDermott’s bag because of Josh Allen. But that’s not the theme of this article.

And if you put the coaches at the highest level of importance, Ryans gets the nod. Let’s call this an overtime coaching win.

Super Bowl

Texans vs. Rams

Now, this is where previous experience plays a big role. It’s not that Ryans couldn’t break through and get this win. There would be a lot to like about his early postseason coaching success.

But McVay seems to be a cut above. And having gone through the process before, he gets a slim edge.

The post How every 2026 NFL playoff game would play out if coaching set the final margin appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While Houston’s defense has been nails all season long, coming into the playoffs as arguably the best unit in football, the offense has been inconsistent both in the running game and through the air. That was no different on Monday night, when the offense moved the ball pretty well but tripped over its own feet multiple times with mistakes by quarterback CJ Stroud.

Incredibly, Stroud fumbled the ball five different times in the win over the Steelers, losing two of them on strip-sacks in the pocket. He also threw a brutal interception in the red zone on third down that cost the Texans at least three points.

Against an offense like Pittsburgh’s that is helpless against the Houston defense, Stroud’s mistakes didn’t come back to bite the Texans. However, in the Divisional Round, he will need to be much more tidy against a New England Patriots defense that is getting healthy and peaking at the right time.

Texans thrive on turnover margin

This Houston offense isn’t an explosive one like the Patriots have on the other side with Drake Maye at quarterback, so Houston will have to win on the margins in this game. The turnover margin will be one big part of that, which is the first thing Stroud has to clean up.

During the regular season, the Texans had the second-best turnover margin in the NFL at plus-17. Houston was second in the league in least total giveaways (12) and had the third-most takeaways (29), so this had become a strength that DeMeco Ryans had been able to rely on.

With three giveaways on Monday night, and the fact that it could’ve been more, a troubling trend continued for the Texans in some of their biggest games of the season. He also had a pair of interceptions in a big game against the Chargers in Week 17, so he will want to reel in the turnovers on Sunday to get the Texans to the AFC title game.

On the other side, the Patriots have raced out to a 15-3 mark this season despite only being plus-3 in turnover margin during the regular season. The Pats only had 19 takeaways on the season, which ranked near the bottom of the league. New England also may be without one of its best playmakers on defense in this game, as star cornerback Christian Gonzalez is in concussion protocol, though it looks like he is trending towards playing.

Running game won’t be able to hide Stroud’s mistakes against the Patriots

One of the reason why Stroud’s shaky game in the first round didn’t come back to bite the Texans, in addition to the stellar play of the defense, was the running game. Houston has improved slightly on the ground in 2025 from what was a dreadful rushing attack in 2024, but this is still not a very good facet of the offense.

During the regular season, the Texans ranked 31st in the NFL in rushing success rate (35.6%) according to Next Gen Stats, ahead of only the Las Vegas Raiders’ historically bad run game. Houston also finished 29th in EPA per rush at -0.10, so this group struggled to move people on the ground consistently all season.

That was not the case in the Wild Card Round against the Steelers. The Texans ran for 164 yards on 31 attempts, logging a stout 45.2% success rate and a very good +0.13 EPA per rush. As a result, when Stroud wasn’t turning the ball over, the Texans were able to stay ahead of the sticks and move the ball enough to control the game while their defense shut down Aaron Rodgers and company on the other side.

It will be very difficult for the Texans to replicate that performance in this game against a Patriots team that is much more stout on the ground. In New England’s 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round, the Pats held the Chargers to less than four yards per carry and just a 36.4% success rate.

During the regular season, the Patriots finished 11th in the NFL in EPA per rush allowed, tied with an excellent Texans defense on the other side. They did that without star defensive tackle Milton Williams for much of the second half of the season, and now Williams is back and made a huge impact in the opening round.

Based on the success that the Patriots have had this season, it will be tough for the Texans to count on the same level of proficiency running the ball that they had against Pittsburgh. If that does indeed hold true, the Patriots will be able to run away with this one if Stroud continues to make the mistakes that he did on Monday night.

The post CJ Stroud’s playoff carelessness can’t happen again for Texans to upset Patriots in Divisional Round appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Unfortunately, Nico Collins exited this game at one point due to injury and was unable to return, and on Thursday, the team got a rough status update on Collins regarding their upcoming road divisional game against the New England Patriots.

“#Texans WR Nico Collins is not at the portion of practice open to media members as he remains in concussion protocol. Obviously, it’s a long shot he plays Sunday vs. Patriots, considering the steps he must clear,” reported Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle on X, formerly Twitter.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network also confirmed that “The #Texans (are) likely to be without their top WR,” on X.

Collins is a huge part of the Texans’ offense, and playing without him would certainly hurt against a Patriots defense that largely shut down the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.

Christian Kirk stepped up in a big way for the Texans on Monday, establishing himself as the only consistent source of offense on what was otherwise an ugly night for Houston on that side of the ball, and they will need him to replicate that performance and then some in order to knock off the upstart Patriots on the road.

In any case, kickoff between the Patriots and Texans is set for Sunday at 3:30 pm ET from Foxborough, with the winner moving on to the AFC Championship Game and the loser going home. The game will be carried nationally by ESPN and ABC.

The post Nico Collins’ latest Texans practice status a bad sign for Divisional Round appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Patriots had fallen by the wayside in the post-Tom Brady/Bill Belichick era and they are alive and well as they prepare to play the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs. While they escaped with a 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round, the triumph was not an easy one.

The New England offense was not the fluid machine it had been during the regular season. The Patriots were held without a touchdown through the first 3 quarters and that’s not a great sign when preparing for the defensively dominant Texans. Maye was under pressure throughout the game against the Chargers and he was sacked 5 times by Los Angeles.

Additionally, while the Patriots were able to move the ball fairly well throughout the game, they were unable to put the ball into the endzone. New England had a 14-play, 93-yard drive that culminated early in the second quarter and they had to settle for an Andy Borregales 23-yard field goal for the opening points in the game.  Shortly before halftime, they took possession at their own 46 and Maye was able to scramble 37 yards for a first down. They had to settle for another field goal.

Patriots have to slow down Houston’s pass rush

The Chargers have a good defensive team and forced the Patriots to struggle. The Texans have a great defensive team led by defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Both are dynamic pass rushers and the Patriots will not be able to double-team both of them. They brutalized Aaron Rodgers of the Steelers in the Wild Card round, and the rest of the Houston front seven followed suit.

Hunter had 15.0 sacks during the regular season while Anderson added 12.0 of his own. Slowing down this 1-2 punch has to be a priority for the Patriots. The Texans had the No. 1 defense in the league as they allowed just 277.2 yards per game. They were also second in points allowed, giving up 17.4 per game.

If the Patriots fall behind early, the Texans will turn up the pass rush by a notch or two and that will make it that much harder for Maye and the Patriots to survive.

New England may be able to counter with the running game. The Patriots are going to need rookie TreVeyon Henderson and veteran Rhamondre Stevenson to find the creases and give the ground game credibility. They did that during the regular season, but they did not punish the Chargers. Stevenson had 53 yards on 10 carries, while Henderson was held to 27 yards on 9 carries. They will have to be more productive against the Texans.

Of course, the Patriots defense should be able to harass the Texans offense. QB C.J. Stroud was a fumbling machine in Houston’s dominant 30-6 win over the Steelers and Patriots DE Milton Williams (2.0 sacks vs. Chargers) will be hungry to pressure the shaky Texans signal caller

Quick passes may be the key for Maye

The Patriots will be in trouble if offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels asks his offensive line to hold off the pass rush while Maye waits for his receivers to get deep downfield. New England must consider short passes with a quick Maye release if they are going to move the ball through the air.

This will not be easy since cornerbacks Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr. are two of the best cover men in the league. Lassiter registered 17 passes defensed and 4 interceptions during the regular season while Stingley was right behind with 15 and 4. in those same categories.

Kayshon Boutte, Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry are going to have to be sharp to get the best of the Houston secondary. In addition to the short passes, Boutte, Diggs and fellow wideout Efton Chism III may be able to hook the defensive backs on a pump-and-go pattern if the Texans employ tight coverage. By faking an out pattern and streaking upfield, one of the Patriots receivers may be able to shock the Houston defense.

It will be up to Maye to deliver on a play like that. He has been up to the challenge throughout the season and he connected on 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards against the Chargers with 1 TD pass and an interception. It will be a challenge to match or better those figures against the dynamic Texans defense.

The post Patriots’ struggles against Chargers is bad sign before facing Texans’ menacing defense appeared first on ClutchPoints.

As the New England Patriots prepare for their AFC Divisional Round clash, Diggs is advising his young quarterback, Drake Maye, to adjust his game plan accordingly.

Last week, during the Patriots’ 16-3 Wild Card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, Diggs encouraged Maye to “turn into Michael Vick” and use his athleticism to extend plays.

Maye listened, leading the team with 66 rushing yards on 10 carries. But against a Texans unit that features arguably the league’s best pass-rushing duo in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, Diggs believes the “Vick” approach might be dangerous.

“It’s going to be another test for us. They are one of the best defenses, if not the best defense in the league,” Diggs said regarding his former team. “It’s going to be a lot of contested catches and things like that… Make those plays for the quarterback so he can get comfortable back there. Might have to not use his legs too much.”

Stefon Diggs on the Texans defense:

“It’s going to be another test for us. They are one of the best defenses, if not the best defense in the league… it’s going to be a lot of contested catches and things like that… Make those plays for the quarterback so he can get comfortable… pic.twitter.com/f4YxhPiorA

— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) January 14, 2026

The shift in strategy makes sense. Houston’s defense finished the regular season ranked second in points allowed (17.4 per game) and is built on elite sideline-to-sideline speed that can neutralize scrambling quarterbacks. If Maye is forced to stay in the pocket, the burden falls on Diggs and the receiving corps to win 50/50 balls against a secondary anchored by Derek Stingley Jr.

Diggs has been a reliable safety valve for Maye all season, recording 76 catches for 869 yards and three touchdowns in his bounce-back campaign. But Sunday offers a different kind of motivation. It’s not just a chance to send the Patriots to the AFC Championship Game; it’s an opportunity for Diggs to get the last laugh against the team that let him walk.

The post Patriots WR Stefon Diggs hints at plan to help Drake Maye against the Texans defense appeared first on ClutchPoints.

As Houston prepares to face the New England Patriots, Stroud took time to publicly praise former Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who now suits up in Patriots colors and is set for a postseason showdown against his old team. Speaking ahead of the game, Stroud made it clear that Diggs’ impact on him went far beyond the stat sheet.

“Stef[on Diggs] is one of the best teammates I’ve had in my career, my life,” said CJ Stroud, via Houston Stressans. “He’s been amazing to my life, not just on the field but off as well. I think he’s super teammate oriented. He wants to be around the guys, he wants to do stuff for the guys, he wants be one of the captains of the room…Will always be a brother of mine, will always be a friend. Excited to see his career to where it is going. I think, he’s got a great ball ahead of him.”

CJ Stroud on Stefon Diggs:

“Stef is one of the best teammates I’ve had in my career, my life. He’s been amazing to my life, not just on the field but off as well. I think he’s super teammate oriented. Will always be a brother of mine, will always be a friend.” pic.twitter.com/EiL41ROHS9

— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) January 14, 2026

However, Diggs’ return to face Houston sets up a classic playoff revenge narrative. Now with New England, the veteran receiver enters the Divisional Round after recording his seventh 1,000-yard season, even as the Patriots leaned heavily on defense in their 16-3 Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Diggs finished that game with just two catches for 16 yards, but he tied for the team lead in targets, reinforcing his importance within the offense.

Before a torn ACL cut his 2024 season short in Week 8, Diggs showed plenty of production during his time with Houston. In eight games, he posted 47 receptions for 496 yards, added three receiving touchdowns, one rushing score, and averaged 62 yards per game, reminding everyone he still carried elite value.

For Stroud, the matchup also represents another critical checkpoint in his young career. The third-year quarterback has guided the Texans to the Divisional Round for the third straight season, but Houston has yet to break through. Losses to the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs in previous years still linger, making this road test in Foxborough a defining moment.

The Texans enter the game riding momentum from a dominant 30-6 Wild Card win over the  Pittsburgh Steelers, powered by a defense that continues to set the tone under DeMeco Ryans. Meanwhile, New England is chasing its deepest playoff run since the Tom Brady era, adding even more tension to the stage.

The post Texans’ CJ Stroud gives major props to Stefon Diggs before Divisional Round clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Texans vs. Patriots Divisional Round Results According to Madden 26

According to Madden 26, the Houston Texans will defeat the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round 31-21.

The Texans’ defense continues to dominate, helping the team win big games. LB E.J. Speed helped the defense earn their third touchdown in two weeks after picking off Drake Maye and returning it for a 21 Yd score. By the beginning of the second quarter, the team had a 13-0 lead, thanks to Ka’imi Fairbairn’s two field goals.

The Texans went on to take a 20-0 lead after RB Woody Marks ran for an 18 Yd score. But New England quickly responded as RB Rhamondre Stevenson scored on a 1 Yd run the following drive.

However, the Patriots couldn’t build on that success as they went silent again in the third quarter. Houston scored once more as C.J. Stroud found WR Jaylin Noel for a 13 Yd score. The team also converted the two-point conversion to take a 21-point lead.

The Patriots wasted no time going back down the field to score again. This time it was RB TreVeyon Henderson, who caught a 9 Yd touchdown pass from Drake Maye. Unfortunately for them, the Texans managed to waste another six minutes to score a FG and make it 31-14.

Maye ended up scoring once more in garbage time. The Patriots failed to recover the ball on the onside kick attempt, leading to a Houston victory. Despite the team’s solid record and roster, they simply were not prepared for Houston’s tough defense.

With the win, the Texans advance to the Conference Championship game to play against the Buffalo Bills or Denver Broncos.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter:

• HOU – Ka’imi Fairbairn, 34 Yd FG, 8:57 (HOU 3-0)
• HOU – E.J. Speed, returned interception 21 Yds (Ka’imi Fairbairn kick), 6:28 (HOU 10-0)

Second Quarter:

• HOU – Ka’imi Fairbairn, 41 Yd FG, 14:56 (HOU 13-0)
• HOU – Woody Marks, 18 Yd run (Ka’imi Fairbairn kick), 9:36 (HOU 20-0)
• NE – Rhamondre Stevenson, 1 Yd run (Andres Borregales kick), 8:17 (HOU 20-7)

Third Quarter:

• HOU – Jaylin Noel 13 Yd pass from C.J. Stroud (two-point conversion), 0:29 (HOU 28-7)

Fourth Quarter:

• NE – TreVeyon Henderson 9 Yd pass from Drake Maye (Andres Borregales kick), 12:06 (HOU 28-14)
• HOU – Ka’imi Fairbairn, 34 Yd FG, 6:40 (HOU 31-14)
• NE – TreVeyon Henderson 1 Yd pass from Drake Maye (Andres Borregales kick), 1:56 (HOU 31-21)

Overall, that wraps up our Texans vs. Patriots Divisional Round Results according to Madden 26. We hope you enjoyed watching, stay tuned for more simulations in the future.

Note: We’re looking to improve our simulations in a number of ways in the future. However, despite adjusting CPU and even Player sliders, it seems CPU vs. CPU games don’t adhere to any of those changes. Furthermore, Madden 26’s Rosters are messed up, with multiple players in the wrong positions. Nevertheless, we still want to improve these sims.

Lastly, for more gaming and NFL news, visit ClutchPoints. Furthermore, subscribe to our gaming newsletter for more weekly info.

The post Texans vs. Patriots Divisional round results according to Madden 26 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Steelers have now won a playoff game in each of the last three seasons, and will look to break their ugly divisional round losing streak on Sunday against the New England Patriots.

Recently, former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky had high praise for the way the Texans have been able to rebuild over the last few seasons.

“This is an absolute rocketship when it comes to player acquisition and success,” said Orlovsky, per NFL on ESPN on X, formerly Twitter. “…In the last three years, this team has basically added 20 starters. We only play with 22… now they’re legit Super Bowl contenders. It’s been one of the more impressive rebuilds we’ve seen in the NFL.”

The Texans have indeed had incredible success over the last few NFL Drafts on both sides of the ball, and their defense has been far and away the best unit in the league throughout this season, keeping the team afloat despite their ugly 0-3 start to the campaign.

The Texans will need Stroud and the offense to hold up their end of the bargain on Sunday against a Patriots team that cruised to the divisional round with a comfortable home win over the Los Angeles Chargers last weekend.

In any case, the Steelers and Patriots are set to kick off on Sunday at 3:30 pm ET from Foxborough, with the winner moving on to the AFC Championship Game and the loser going home.

The post NFL Insider dubs Texans ‘one of the more impressive rebuilds we’ve seen in the NFL’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

However, there are concerns about the availability of some key Texans players from both sides of the field for this coming Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round clash against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Star wide receiver Nico Collins did not practice on Wednesday as he remains in the concussion protocol, according to the Texans’ official injury report for the Patriots game. But apart from Collins, other key Houston players with either a limited participation label or DNP (did not practice) tag on Wednesday, including linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, defensive end Denico Autry and cornerback Kamari Lassiter.

There are still chances for those players to practice and prove they’re ready to give it a go in an all-important playoff duel against Drake Maye and the Pats.

Defense has been a key reason behind Houston’s success in the 2025 NFL campaign, and it will have to be in top form in the AFC Divisional Round, especially since New England has a very potent offense led by MVP candidate Maye.

The Texans finished the regular season with the best scoring defense in the league, having allowed just 16.7 points per game. They also topped the NFL with only 273.3 total yards surrendered per contest. Houston has an opportunistic defense that helped the Texans rank third overall with an average of 1.7 takeaways.

The post Key defenders join Nico Collins on injury report for Texans-Patriots game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Houston joined the NFL during the 2002 season and has not made it to the AFC Championship over the last 20+ years. But now the Texans are just one victory away from making that happen. All that stands in their way is the New England Patriots.

Houston is led by a ferocious defense that absolutely devoured Pittsburgh last week. In fact, 14 of those 23 fourth-quarter points came off defensive scores.

That performance had Calen Bullock puffing out his chest after the game.

“Shoot, I think everybody knows we are the best defense,” Bullock told ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime. “The whole world knows that. Every time we go out there we show it, and we went out there and showed it today. I don’t even think they scored a touchdown.”

To be fair, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was also very complimentary of his defense after crushing the Steelers.

“It was an outstanding defensive performance,” Ryans said. “One of the best that I’ve seen versus a really talented offense, a talented quarterback who played at a high level for a long time.”

Will Houston’s incredible defense be able to lead them past New England? Or will Drake Maye pose too big of a challenge for the Texans?

Below we will explore three Texans bold predictions before their huge playoff matchup against the Patriots.

*Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)*

C.J. Stroud has over 250 passing yards, outduels Drake Maye

I feel like the presence of C.J. Stroud in Houston is often overlooked despite being a franchise quarterback.

Stroud burst onto the scene during his rookie season, throwing for over 4,000 passing yards and immediately receiving positive comparisons to Bryce Young. He has failed to live up to that success since, at least from a purely statistical perspective. But Stroud is still playing incredibly well for the Texans.

Stroud was not perfect against the Steelers, but he eventually found his way into some solid play. He went 21-of-32 for 250 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception against Pittsburgh.

But Stroud’s biggest issue against Pittsburgh was turnovers. In addition to that interception, he also lost two fumbles during Monday’s contest.

Houston faces another tough defense this week in New England. That will put some pressure on Stroud to keep the offense humming along at a consistent clip.

If Stroud even has an average performance, I think it could be enough to get Houston the win.

I’m predicting that Stroud will go over 250 passing yards against New England. I also predict that he will have more passing yards and passing touchdowns than Drake Maye.

Texans score more touchdowns on defense than on offense against Patriots

We’ve already mentioned how the Texans dominated the Steelers with their incredible defense. But I feel it bears repeating ahead of this big matchup.

The old saying goes that defense wins championships. The Texans will certainly be putting that to the test against the Patriots.

New England has a solid defense of their own, but they lack the star power that Houston has. Still, I think the Patriots are talented enough to slow down Stroud and the Texans’ offense.

In this game of elite defenses, I think Houston’s unit will steal the show again. They will also generate some much-needed points for the Texans, just like last week.

I’m predicting that Houston’s defense will score more touchdowns than their offense against the Patriots. For context, Houston scored two offensive touchdowns and two defensive touchdowns against Pittsburgh on Monday.

This prediction could easily happen if the Texans end up kicking a lot of field goals on offense and only manage one defensive score.

Houston holds New England under 400 total yards, wins by one score

There’s no question that the matchup to watch in this game is Houston’s defense against New England’s offense.

It is certainly the most entertaining matchup in this game, but I don’t want to make it seem like the Texans will run away with this one.

Let’s not forget that Drake Maye is one of the top MVP candidates in the NFL this season. Maye has taken his game to the next level in 2025 and he alone makes the Patriots a difficult out every single week.

If the Texans can keep Maye in the pocket then I think their defense can cause enough chaos to shut down the Patriots. Or at least slow them down enough to get the win.

I’m predicting that Houston will hold New England under 400 total yards this weekend. For context, the Patriots had 381 total yards against the Chargers last week.

If they can manage this, and force a few turnovers along the way, then I can see the Texans winning by at least one score.

The post Texans bold predictions for Divisional Round clash against Patriots appeared first on ClutchPoints.

49ers tight end George Kittle – torn Achilles tendon

Perhaps the most notable player to get injured last week is San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle. Against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round, Kittle came down with what seemed to be a lower leg injury after making a catch early in the game. The replays showed a worrying sight: a ripple through his calf, usually indicative of a torn Achilles tendon.

The tests unfortunately confirmed that Kittle suffered a torn Achilles tendon. As a result, Kittle will miss the rest of the 49ers’ playoff run, as well as a good part of the 2026 season. It’s a brutal injury to one of the best players in the NFL at his position.

Texans wide receiver Nico Collins – concussion

Another key player to get injured this week is Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins. The star wide receiver was slow to get up after attempting to catch a pass during their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Collins hit his head on the ground pretty hard during the play, leading to him getting ruled out of the game with a head injury.

It was later announced that Collins had entered the concussion protocol after suffering the head injury. His status for the Texans’ Divisional Round game remains uncertain, as it will depend on the wide receiver’s status throughout the week. Should Collins miss the game, it will another blow to a Texans offense that’s already struggled even with the star wide receiver.

Bills wide receivers Tyrell Shaverss, Gabriel Davis – torn ACL

The Bills suffered two massive blows to their already thin wide receiver room. Gabriel Davis, a late-season pickup by the Bills, exited the game with a lower leg injury and never returned. Sophomore wide receiver Tyrell Shavers also suffered a lower body injury in the first half, but he was able to finish the game.

Afterwards, it was announced that both Davis and Shavers suffered torn ACLs during their game against the Jaguars. It’s impressive that Shavers was able to play through a torn ACL, but the injury still is a big hit to the Buffalo offense. The good news for them is that WR Curtis Samuel might be returning soon, but losing two core wide receivers in the same game is a tough pill to swallow.

Bears linebacker TJ Edwards – fractured fibula

The Bears’ already depleted defense lost another man on Sunday night. Linebacker TJ Edwards came down hard after trying to make a play. Edwards was carted off the field, never returning to the game. Chicago has already placed the injured linebacker on IR due to a fractured fibula, ending Edwards’ season.

Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez – concussion

One of the cornerstones of the New England Patriots’ stout defense might miss their upcoming game against the Texans. Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez suffered a head injury against the Los Angeles Chargers and did not return to the game. Gonzalez is now on the concussion protocol, leaving his status against the Texans in doubt.

Other notable injuries this week were Bills QB Josh Allen (listed with foot, finger, and knee injuries this week), Rams QB Matthew Stafford (finger) andBears left tackle Ozzy Trapilo (torn patellar tendon).

The post NFL Wild Card Round injury roundup: George Kittle, Nico Collins and more appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“The Cardinals have requested to interview Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke, per source. Burke, the play caller for the league’s stingiest defense, previously coached Arizona’s defensive line in 2022,” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported on Tuesday.

The Texans have made the Divisional Round in three consecutive seasons on the back of their defense. In 2025, it was Will Anderson Jr and Danielle Hunter combining for 27 sacks off the edge that set the tone. From there, the secondary led by Derek Stingley Jr locked down defenders, leading to a 12-win season.

On Monday, the Texans’ defense dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 30-6 win. Sheldon Rankins ran in a fumble recovery before Calen Bullock took an interception to the house in the fourth quarter. While the offense struggled with turnovers of its own, Burke’s defense helped secure the win in the Wild Card matchup.

The Cardinals also have to fill their quarterback position this offseason, with Kyler Murray’s run likely coming to an end. Would that put them in a position to hire an offensive coordinator with a system and signal caller in mind? Or would they stick with the defensive side of the ball, giving Burke his first chance at running the operation?

The Cardinals have not won a playoff game since 2015, so whatever they try must push them in the right direction. If Burke can recreate the defensive magic he did in Houston, he could help Arizona become a spunky team in the NFC. But is that guaranteed to carry over?

The post Cardinals interviewing Texans defensive coordinator after elite Wild Card performance appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Saturday, Both the Rams and Bears escaped with narrow wins to advance to the NFC Divisional Round, where they will face off against each other. Sunday was highlighted by upset wins for Josh Allen and the Bills and 49ers before the Patriots dismantled the Chargers in prime time. On Monday night, the Texans closed out the weekend with another dominant display from their defense to beat the Steelers on the road.

Who came out of the weekend as the biggest winners and losers from the opening round? Let’s dive into the list.

Winner: The cardiac Bears do it again

All season, the Bears have come up with different ways to win in the fourth quarter, each one crazier than the last. A lot of times, when teams are just scraping by in the regular season even against bad teams, it’s a bad sign for their playoff hopes.

But not for these Bears. Chicago kept its come-from-behind act alive in the Wild Card Round, rebounding from a 21-3 first half deficit against the Green Bay Packers to get an improbable 31-27 win and advance. A lot of things had to go right for the Bears to come back and get the win, including some pretty poor Matt LaFleur clock management, but this is a team that continues to make all the big plays when it needs to.

There is no greater example of that coming out of this game than Caleb Williams. The former No. 1 overall pick was inconsistent in his playoff debut, but he stepped up and made some big throws when it mattered. None were bigger than his dime to Rome Odunze while moving to his left to keep the Bears alive with a 11-point fourth quarter deficit.

The highest-graded play by any QB this weekend:

Caleb Williams fourth down conversion pic.twitter.com/lniH0V76ZH

— PFF (@PFF) January 12, 2026

Williams and the Bears have been underdogs for much of the season, were in this game and will be again against the Rams in the next round. But they have proven that they are hard to put away, and that’s a valuable skill this time of year.

Loser: The Eagles’ freefall finally grounds them

The Eagles were a dominant force going into, and all the way through, the playoffs last season on their way to a Super Bowl ring. Things felt a lot different coming into the playoffs this year, as the Eagles have been struggling on offense for much of the year. That came to a head in the Wild Card Round against an undermanned 49ers team on Sunday, as the Eagles struggled to move the ball for much of the game despite the Niners missing a lot of their best defenders.

Jalen Hurts was out of sync, the running game led by Saquon Barkley was inconsistent, and AJ Brown hurt the offense with a pair of key drops. All of that, plus a defensive performance that was a little below the standard Vic Fangio’s group had set over the back half of the season, has Philly going home early.

The changes have already started for Nick Sirianni and company, as Philadelphia announced it is making a change at offensive coordinator after a frustrating year for Kevin Patullo and his group. If the Eagles nail their next hire at that spot, like they did with Shane Steichen and Kellen Moore, there is plenty of talent on that side of the ball. However, if they don’t, 2026 could be another disaster for this attack.

Winner: Texans’ defense makes Super Bowl statement

The Texans have quietly been on fire over the back half of the season, finishing the regular season with a 12-5 record even after starting the season 0-3. They have been led by arguably the best defense in football, but haven’t gotten a ton of attention as the Jaguars caught fire at the end of the year to win the AFC South.

On Monday night, Houston showed why it deserves some more buzz heading into the Divisional Round. Houston’s defense, for lack of a better term, completely kicked the Steelers’ tail up and down the field in Pittsburgh on its way to a 30-6 win.

After a decent first quarter, the Steelers could do absolutely nothing against this vaunted Houston unit. For the night, Aaron Rodgers finished with a 21.2% dropback success rate and a -0.76 EPA per dropback, both of which rank dead last among 283 playoff games with 20 or more attempts since 2013 according to Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports.

To put the cherry on top, the Texans picked up the slack for CJ Stroud and the offense with a pair of defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Will Anderson Jr. stripped Rodgers on the first before Sheldon Rankins picked it up and scored, and Calen Bullock sealed the deal with a pick-six in the final minutes. Stroud and the offense have a lot of room to grow coming out of this one, but this defense proved that it is good enough to beat anybody.

Loser: Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense… really?

The best quarterback matchup on paper coming into the weekend may have been Drake Maye against Justin Herbert, as the two AFC elites were set to go at it in Foxborough on Sunday night. Herbert has been one of the best quarterbacks in football for the last six years and Maye broke out as an MVP candidate in 2025.

Instead, what the fans got was a defensive battle. Maye had some untimely turnovers in his playoff debut, but he still was able to move the Patriots down the field on a semi-consistent basis. On the other side, Herbert had one of his worst games of the season in a dreadful 16-3 loss.

The Chargers’ offense around Herbert has been a disaster all year; the offensive line is a mess after injuries to both star tackles, the running back room has been beat up, the receivers can’t get consistent separation and offensive coordinator Greg Roman has failed to scheme up a creative offense to help his deficient personnel.

When Herbert is on, he is good enough to drag all of that to 11 wins. When he’s not, like on Sunday, you get a 3-point dud on a national stage that will lead to another offseason full of questions.

Winner: Josh Allen puts on his Superman cape

The Bills are in a bit of an odd spot in these playoffs. They have been a mainstay in the AFC playoffs for years now, but none of the other stalwarts are here with them. Neither the Ravens nor the Chiefs are in the playoffs, leaving Josh Allen as the most experienced playoff signal-caller left in the AFC field.

That puts a lot of pressure on he and the Bills to get the job done, but they don’t really have a roster that warrants that level of expectation. Buffalo will have to win three road games to get to the Super Bowl, and Allen’s heroics will have to cover up for a severe lack of receiving talent and a defense that has a lot of holes.

On Sunday, that was enough to get a 27-24 win on the road over the red-hot Jacksonville Jaguars, who came into the game having won eight in a row to conquer the AFC South. Allen finished the day 28-for-35 with 273 yards and three total touchdowns, and he led a game-winning drive in the final minutes that included an incredible chunk throw to Brandin Cooks for a big gain.

If Allen, who came into the week banged up and was struggling again during the game, can continue that, this Buffalo team can beat anybody. If he has an off day, however, it could get ugly quick for Bills Mafia.

Loser: The Panthers’ near-upset bid

The Panthers got Wild Card Weekend started off on Saturday with a game against the high-powered Los Angeles Rams, a game that many fans and pundits gave them no chance to win. After all, Carolina limped into the playoffs at 8-9 while the Rams came in as one of the Super Bowl favorites, so this was expected to be a rout.

The Rams started the day as a 10.5-point favorite, but they found themselves trailing in the final minutes before Matthew Stafford led them down the field for the game-winning touchdown to Colby Parkinson.

Carolina found a lot of success in the middle part of the game by blitzing Stafford, applying a ton of pressure to the potential MVP and keeping him out of a rhythm. However, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero went away from the pressure-heavy scheme, dropping seven and eight into coverage on the final drive and getting carved up by Stafford.

Overall, this game feels like a but of a moral victory for the Panthers considering the expectations coming in. But given the way the game ended up going, it feels like a bit of a missed opportunity to get a signature win.

The post NFL Wild Card Round Winners and Losers: Bears pull off another miracle, Eagles spiral appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Taking some time away from his Tuesday media session to talk about Tomlin’s incredible tenure in Pittsburgh, Ryans admitted he was “shocked” to hear the news but is happy the long-time head coach was able to leave on his own terms, instead of being fired.

“Part of me is happy he was able to step away on his own terms. One of the toughest jobs. Everyone tries to tell you how to do the job. A lot that goes into it,” Ryans told reporters via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. “The Steelers were the beneficiary of having that success for 19 years. Not another coach I respect more than Mike Tomlin. Glad he was able to go on his terms.”

Initially hired all the way back in 2007, a lot has changed since Tomlin became the Steelers’ head coach. The United States has had three presidential elections, the PlayStation 3 has been replaced by the PS4 and now the PS5, and every other team in the NFL has changed their head coach at least once, with his long-time rival, John Harbaugh, also looking for a new job. In 2007, Ryans was a second-year linebacker for the Texans, but now he’s a head coach, having outlasted Tomlin as he remains committed to his own Super Bowl ambitions, showcasing the circle of life for NFL head coaches.

The post Texans’ DeMeco Ryans drops ‘shocked’ reaction to Mike Tomlin’s Steelers departure appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Shoot, I think everybody knows we are the best defense,” Bullock told ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime when all was said and done. “The whole world knows that. Every time we go out there we show it, and we went out there and showed it today. I don’t even think they scored a touchdown.”

Bullock iced the game in the fourth quarter when he delivered a pick-six that helped put the Texans up 30-6 with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. On the night. Rodgers was only able to complete 17 of 33 passes for 146 yards.

“It was an outstanding defensive performance,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said. “One of the best that I’ve seen versus a really talented offense, a talented quarterback who played at a high level for a long time.”

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud struggled and surrendered three turnovers, but was able to remain poised and do just enough to help his team secure a win.

“I love that. We had some bad plays that happened for C.J. and he didn’t waver,” Ryans said. “You can easily go into the tank, but he didn’t waver. That’s who he is. He’s a resilient young man who’s able to bounce back. Anybody can go into the tank and drop the ball a few times. You keep battling. … That’s what he did, and he made some big throws for us, some huge passes that allowed us to get in striking distance and score.”

The Texans will take on the New England Patriots in the Divisional round on Sunday.

The post Texans’ Calen Bullock drops ‘best defense’ truth bomb after huge Steelers win appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Al-Shaair appeared on SportsCenter following the Texans’ playoff game against the Steelers. His eye black read, “Stop the Genocide” in all capital letters.

Azeez Al-Shaair with “Stop The Genocide” on his face tape during the post-game interview on ESPN pic.twitter.com/A1WG8fvX5h

— nat (@habibiting) January 13, 2026

The statement is about the Israel-Palestine conflict and should not come as a surprise to fans. Al-Shaair, a Muslim, has been outspoken about his support of Palestine for a while now. He has picked the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund for My Cause My Cleats in recent years.

Additionally, Al-Shaair has met with Gaza families that were receiving treatment in Houston. A video posted by HEAL Palestine showed two kids running around with his jersey on.

Speaking with Chron in November 2024, Al-Shaair said, “I feel like it’s something that’s trying to be almost silenced. On either side, people losing their life is not right. In no way, shape or form am I validating anything that happened, but to consistently say that because of [Oct. 7] innocent people [in Gaza] should now die, it’s crazy.”

While there was a ceasefire agreement in October, a New York Times investigation released this week found that Israel is still demolishing Gaza. UNICEF also claims at least 100 children have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire went into effect. Al-Shaair’s message comes through loud and clear that he wants the bloodshed to stop.

Azeez Al-Shaair helped the Texans beat the Steelers in the playoffs

Al-Shaair was critical in the Texans’ win over the Steelers. He logged six tackles in the game. The Texans’ defense has been one of the best in the NFL all year. They held the Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers to just 175 total yards. They averaged just 3.1 yards per play.

In his second year with the Texans, Al-Shaair had 103 total tackles (48 solo and 55 assists). He also forced and recovered a fumble, and he had a career-high two interceptions. Additionally, he had a career-high nine pass deflections.

This was one of his best seasons, and he was rewarded with his first Pro Bowl nod. Two years earlier in Tennessee, Al-Shaair had a career-best 163 tackles (84 solo and 79 assists), two sacks, and a fumble recovery.

After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, Al-Shaair found a home with the San Francisco 49ers. He remained there for four seasons before signing with the Titans. After one year in Tennessee, Al-Shaair joined the Texans. The rest is history. They will now play the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs.

The post Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair makes ‘STOP THE GENOCIDE’ statement with eye black on SportsCenter appeared first on ClutchPoints.

At the end of the day, a win is a win, but there is no doubt that Stroud was disappointed by his outing, as he fumbled the ball five times throughout the game, to go along with an interception on top of throwing for 250 yards and a touchdown. What helped was Houston’s defense, which took a 7-6 lead heading into the fourth quarter and gave them two touchdowns off the Steelers’ turnovers, as Stroud held himself accountable.

“We had some problems with the snap, me catching them,” Stroud said after Monday night’s win. “Got to find a way to catch ‘em and take care of the ball.”

“It’s all about moving forward…,” Stroud continued. “I thought every time we had to bounce back, we made more plays, so I’m proud of our guys for having a little bit of resilience in those moments. To finish the game like that was really dope.”

Texans’ DeMeco Ryans commends C.J. Stroud for performance 

The Texans also had rushing success led by their offensive line and running back Woody Marks with his 112 yards, but if the team really wants to make noise in the postseason, Stroud will have to limit mistakes. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans would commend Stroud for his perseverance throughout the win.

“We had some bad plays that happened for C.J. [Stroud], and he didn’t waver,” Ryans said, according to ESPN. “That’s who he is. He’s a resilient young man who’s able to bounce back. Anybody can go into the tank and drop the ball a few times. You keep battling…He made some big throws for us, some huge passes that allowed us to get in striking distance and score.”

The Texans look to keep the momentum going with a tough test against the Patriots on Sunday.

The post What Texans’ C.J. Stroud said about fumbling 5 times, throwing brutal interception vs. Steelers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Part of the skepticism against Houston is the fact that they’re in line to continue playing road games throughout the playoffs as the sixth seed. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair doesn’t see the problem, debunking any negativity thrown the Texans’ way, via SportsCenter.

“History says Mike Tomlin doesn’t lose on Monday Night Football,” Al-Shaair said. “It’s about who you are that day, any given Sunday, at the highest level this is the best of the best. When you have a coach like DeMeco [Ryans], he can get you to run through a brick wall. So why not? We’re just trusting the plan and putting our heads down. When you start executing the plan, you see the results.”

.@notthefakeSVP: "History says [road games are] not the path to make the Super Bowl."@A_train2_: "History says Mike Tomlin doesn't lose on Monday Night Football." pic.twitter.com/2oIv8AArrJ

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 13, 2026

Al-Shaair and the Texans’ defense put on a show during the Wild Card Round. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed just 17-of-33 passes for 146 scoreless yards and an interception. His pick was returned back for a touchdown, putting the final nail in the coffin. Furthermore, Rodgers coughed up a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.

The Texans ended the regular season with the best defense in the league, allowing 277.2 yards per game. That success has now carried over into the playoffs. Their latest win has earned them an opportunity to face the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round.

Al-Shaair and company must be prepared to put on another show against the MVP candidate.

The post Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair drops mic on Scott Van Pelt’s Super Bowl skepticism appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Bullock spoke after the game about how the play unfolded. In fact, he said he called his shot.

“Texans safety Calen Bullock said he told (safety) Jalen Pitre before he caught his pick-six that he was going to score a touchdown that drive,” ESPN reporter DJ Bien-Aime posted to X, formerly Twitter.

#Texans safety Calen Bullock said he told S Jalen Pitre before he caught his pick-six that he was going to score a touchdown that drive. pic.twitter.com/6xkgCAmcd8

— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) January 13, 2026

The Texans scored two defensive touchdowns in the second half of the game against the Steelers on Monday. Along with Bullock’s interception, Houston also recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown.

“We the best defense. The whole world knows that,” Bullock added. “Every time we go out there we show up.”

The Texans move on to play the New England Patriots in the next round of the NFL Playoffs. Bullock’s pick-6 was on a pass that could be the last of Aaron Rodgers’ career as a NFL player.

Texans won a sloppy game against the Steelers

The Texans made some mistakes on offense in the Steelers game on Monday. Ultimately, it was the defense that lifted Houston to the road win.

“According to ESPN Research, Houston became the second team in playoff history to score multiple defensive touchdowns in a game without giving up a TD, joining Chicago, which achieved the feat in the 1940 NFL Championship against Washington,” Bien-Aime wrote for ESPN.

Houston’s head coach was in awe of his defense on Monday.

“It was an outstanding defensive performance,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said. “One of the best that I’ve seen versus a really talented offense, a talented quarterback who played at a high level for a long time.”

Moving forward, Houston’s offense must step up and play better. Quarterback C.J. Stroud struggled to protect the football in the game. Houston ended the contest with three turnovers, including two fumbles.

Following the loss, the Steelers now face questions about the future of Rodgers and head coach Mike Tomlin.

The post Calen Bullock called his shot on pick-6 that could end Aaron Rodgers’ career appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The standout receiver left the field on a cart following a hard hit, and head coach DeMeco Ryans remained noncommittal about his return, stating that the team will evaluate his progress as the week unfolds. Losing such a vital threat on the perimeter would be a significant blow for C.J. Stroud, as Collins has been the focal point of the passing attack throughout their successful campaign.

Nate Tice reported on X that there have been 283 instances where an NFL quarterback had 20 or more pass attempts in a playoff game since 2013, and Aaron Rodgers’ performance tonight against the Texans ranks 283rd in dropback success rate at 21.2% and EPA per dropback at -0.76.

This historically poor outing was further analyzed by Sheil Kapadia on Bluesky, who noted that, based on both EPA per pass play and success rate, Aaron Rodgers’ performance was the worst by a quarterback in a playoff game over the last ten seasons.

This dominant defensive showing by Houston essentially neutralized one of the greatest passers in league history, proving that DeMeco Ryans has built a unit capable of dismantling even the most experienced veterans on the biggest stage.

Rookie running back Woody Marks also played a central role in the blowout win, totaling 112 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Despite briefly leaving the game for a concussion evaluation of his own, the young ball carrier returned to seal the victory in the fourth quarter.

While the potential absence of Collins looms large, the depth shown by players like Marks and the veteran leadership on the sideline suggest the program is equipped to handle adversity. As they prepare to travel to New England, the team will lean on the same defensive intensity that just made Rodgers look more vulnerable than he has in over a decade.

The post Texans ferocious defense forces Aaron Rodgers into worst QB playoff performance in over a decade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. gave a measured response to his head coach declaring Houston had a GOAT defensive performance on Monday.

“Man, that was a stellar performance, not only by the defense but by this whole team,” Anderson replied, per Texans reporter Aaron Wilson. “But we talk about defense, we talk about swarming.”

Anderson also explained that Houston understood that their accomplishments during the regular season do not matter during the playoffs. He explained that the Texans wanted to maintain their same level of energy in the hopes of rolling that momentum over into the playoffs.

It certainly seems like that strategy worked.

Houston’s defense generated -33.4 expected points added (EPA), the fewest by any playoff defense over the last decade per Next Gen Stats.

The Texans now hold three of the top four best defensive performances in the playoffs, measured by EPA, between 2016 and 2025.

Just looking at the box score shows how dominant the Texans were against the Steelers. Houston limited Pittsburgh to 175 total yards and an awful 2-of-14 conversion rate on third downs.

The Texans also forced two crucial turnovers in the fourth quarter, both of which became defensive touchdowns.

Texans fighting to make franchise history with AFC championship appearance

The Texans punched their ticket to the next round of the playoffs. Now they have a chance to make franchise history with another win.

If Houston beats New England this weekend, they will advance to the AFC Championship game for the first time ever.

Anderson has his eyes locked in on that prize.

“We have a saying, man, ‘Round Two is not good enough. We’ve got to past the hump. And this really is going to take everybody dialed in, locked in,” Anderson said.

Next up for the Texans is a divisional round matchup against the Patriots. That game kicks off at 3PM ET on Sunday from Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The post Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. reacts to DeMeco Ryans’ GOAT declaration after smothering Steelers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Texans crushed the Steelers 30–6 and scored 23 points in the fourth quarter alone. Yet Collins’ exit changed the tone early. He took a hard hit from Joey Porter Jr. on third down and left the game as a promising drive stalled. The score was 0–0 at the time. The Steelers then kicked a field goal to go up 3–0 with eight minutes left in the first quarter. That moment mattered.

Collins never returned. The Texans did not need him to finish the job. Still, the loss of their Pro Bowl receiver created real anxiety moving forward. After the game, head coach DeMeco Ryans kept it simple. “We’ll see how the week goes,” he said. The line carried weight. It also left everything open.

What Collins’ absence could mean for the Texans

The Patriots are waiting in the NFL Playoffs after smothering the Los Angeles Chargers 16–3 in their playoff opener. That defense gives away nothing. It hunts mistakes. That makes Collins’ availability even more important for the Texans’ passing game heading into the AFC Divisional Round.

Collins stretches the field. He wins contested catches. He changes coverage with one step. Without him, Houston must lean harder on timing and scheme. C.J. Stroud can still carve defenses. Yet playoff football punishes even small gaps.

The Texans believe in their depth and their toughness. Still, there is no replacing a receiver who draws fear on every snap. As the week unfolds, every practice rep will feel heavier. Every update will echo through the fan base.

The Texans are close. The Patriots stand in the way. So will Nico Collins be ready when it matters most?

The post Texans WR Nico Collins’ concussion puts status vs. Patriots in doubt appeared first on ClutchPoints.

As a Wisconsin native and former Steelers rival, Watt shared his disbelief on X (formerly known as Twitter), noting how Houston’s top-ranked defense held Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh to just 175 total yards.

The Texans ended their 0-6 road playoff streak. Sheldon Rankins returned a fumble 33 yards for a touchdown, and Calen Bullock added a 50-yard interception return on Rodgers’ final pass.

Rodgers threw for just 146 yards in the final game of his 21st season. The four-time MVP would take some time before deciding whether to return next fall.

Despite C.J. Stroud throwing three turnovers, Houston gained 408 total yards. Woody Marks ran for 112 yards and a touchdown, while Christian Kirk caught eight passes for 144 yards.

Watt spent most of his 12-year career with the Texans but faced a choice between his former team and his family. His brother T.J. led Pittsburgh into the first-round playoff matchup, and Watt discussed the personal stakes Monday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“I have really no idea,” Watt said. “Obviously, I know both of these teams extremely well, not only because of my connections but also because we called them multiple times this year. So I’ve seen them both play. I know them intimately.”

Moreover, Watt praised Houston’s defense as “top-tier.”

“The Texans defense is a top, top, top-tier defense,” Watt declared. “Not only this year, I think they’ve done things that are just incredible … Scoring points has been an issue at times for Pittsburgh, and it’s certainly going to be a difficult task tonight.”

That challenge proved too much for Pittsburgh, which suffered its seventh straight playoff loss under Mike Tomlin.

“I don’t necessarily compare it to any other moment,” Tomlin said. “It’s the here and now, and certainly it’s difficult. But that’s what we sign up for. That’s the life we live.”

With the win, the Texans (13-5) move on to face the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round, while the Steelers (10-8) extend their playoff struggles.

The post JJ Watt in disbelief over wild Texans-Steelers playoff clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Texans notched their first-ever road win in the postseason after going 0-6 in their previous attempts.

Running back Woody Marks was instrumental against Pittsburgh, tallying 19 carries for 112 yards and a 13-yard touchdown that practically sealed the seminal victory for Houston.

After the game, he shared on his Instagram Story a clip from a popular interview of former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins. Marks perhaps wanted to send a similar message to the league that the Texans should gain more respect.

“It’s obvious what’s been done out here on a nightly basis. I hope the world can see now what’s really going on here because it’s getting ridiculous! It’s really ridiculous!” said Cousins after scoring a career-high 55 points in 2016.

Woody Marks on IG: pic.twitter.com/VwT1EgYLE4

— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) January 13, 2026

The Texans pulled off the huge win despite CJ Stroud struggling for the majority of the contest. Stroud went 21-of-32 for 250 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He had five fumbles and was sacked three times. He, however, remained unfazed after the contest.

“It’s all about moving forward and trying your best to flush it and keep going,” said Stroud in a report form the Associated Press.

The defense held down the fort for Houston, blanking Pittsburgh in the fourth quarter, 23-0. Even Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had to credit the Texans’ defense.

The Texans will have their hands full against the New England Patriots in the next round, but with their confidence at an all-time high, coupled with their milestone achievement, they could make an inspired run to the Super Bowl.

The post Texans’ Woody Marks goes full DeMarcus Cousins with IG post after crushing Steelers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Marks powered Houston’s offense with 19 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown, controlling the pace of the game behind a Texans offensive line that consistently won at the point of attack. The rookie’s breakout performance helped Houston pull away in the second half and kept the Steelers on their heels throughout the night.

After the game, NFL Network’s Jane Slater interviewed Marks on the field and later shared the exchange on X (formerly known as Twitter), spotlighting the rookie’s energy and appreciation for his teammates.

The run game was overlooked heading into this one but showed up on multiple drives and the box score. Postgame with Texans RB Woody Marks pic.twitter.com/juSTA8rdf9

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) January 13, 2026

“My O-line. They was doing a great job. And then Chubb just keep, keep, pounding me on the sideline. Keep reading it, keep readin’. I’d say through this week we’ve been looking fantastic in our run game.”

Marks credited the offensive front for opening lanes and praised veteran Nick Chubb’s sideline encouragement. He briefly exited in the first half for a concussion evaluation but returned to score a 13-yard rushing touchdown that effectively sealed the game in the fourth quarter.

Houston’s ground game proved critical, allowing the offense to stay balanced and maintain control while the defense delivered a stifling performance. The Texans held the Steelers to just 175 total yards and never allowed Pittsburgh to establish rhythm.

With the blowout win, Houston advances to the AFC Divisional Round, where it will face the New England Patriots. Marks’ performance may have solidified his status as the Texans’ lead back as the team looks to continue its postseason run.

The post Texans RB Woody Marks credits O-line for rushing success vs. Steelers on MNF appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Chances wasted, season buried

The Steelers’ season ended with a resounding 30-6 home defeat that extended the franchise’s playoff losing streak to seven games. Pittsburgh’s defense did everything it could early. They forced three turnovers and repeatedly gave the offense short fields. The reward? Two field goals. No touchdowns. Just 175 total yards of offense. The game officially broke open in the fourth quarter when Texans defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins scooped up an Aaron Rodgers fumble and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown. From there, it turned into a rout. Houston walked away, Pittsburgh trudged off, and the same questions echoed once again.

Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Steelers most to blame for their Wild Card loss to the Texans.

QB Aaron Rodgers

If this were Rodgers’ final NFL game, it was a brutal way to go out. He finished 17-of-33 for 146 yards with no touchdowns, one interception, and two fumbles. One was directly turned into a Texans touchdown. He was sacked four times and pressured relentlessly by a Houston front that never let him settle. This wasn’t just about age or arm strength. It was more so about rhythm, timing, and decisiveness. None of those materialized.

The fourth quarter was especially damning. A strip sack that led to Rankins’ touchdown drained what little life Pittsburgh had left. Moments later, Rodgers threw an interception that felt like painful resignation. Credit Houston’s defense, though. They were outstanding. However, the Steelers needed more from their quarterback in the biggest game of the season. They just didn’t get it.

Rodgers’ regular season was solid. He was efficient and respectable. January, though, is where legacies are judged. This performance only deepened the narrative that Pittsburgh’s quarterback gamble was always about survival, not contention.

WR DK Metcalf

DK Metcalf returned from suspension and flashed early. He reminded everyone why Pittsburgh went all-in on his physical presence. Sadly, that flash never turned into fire.

Metcalf had a costly drop on a drive that could have extended an early Steelers lead. Those are the moments playoff games hinge on. In the second half, he couldn’t haul in a difficult but catchable sliding grab when Pittsburgh desperately needed a spark.

Strangely enough, he disappeared from the game plan. Metcalf went two full quarters without a target. In a must-win playoff game. That’s unacceptable, both from an execution and design standpoint. Pittsburgh needed a tone-setter. Metcalf was present, but not decisive.

Coaching

This loss will sit squarely on the shoulders of the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith never found answers against Houston’s defense. That’s not easy, of course. Still, the Steelers didn’t even threaten to adjust. Chip help was inconsistent. Route concepts were predictable. There was no urgency until the game was already out of reach.

Pat Freiermuth remained an afterthought until desperation time. Jonnu Smith struggled mightily and yet continued to be featured. Meanwhile, Metcalf was marginalized. Execution matters, but when an offense looks this disjointed, it’s a schematic failure as much as anything else.

This wasn’t a case of players failing a brilliant plan. This was a plan that never gave players a chance.

CB Brandin Echols

Brandin Echols deserves credit for a clutch goal-line interception that briefly kept Pittsburgh alive. Unfortunately, that was the lone highlight in an otherwise brutal night.

Echols was repeatedly targeted on third down. The Texans had zero hesitation going after him. Christian Kirk torched him for 144 yards on eight catches. Every time Pittsburgh needed a stop, Houston knew exactly where to look. Echols just wasn’t nearly good enough today.

Same ending, louder questions

Seven straight playoff losses. Seven. Different quarterbacks, coordinators, and rosters. Same result. The Steelers keep entering January hoping defense and culture will cover up offensive limitations. Against elite teams, it never does.

This wasn’t a narrow loss or a heartbreaking bounce. This was domination. Houston looked younger, faster, and far more prepared for the moment. Pittsburgh looked like a team just happy to be there. That’s the real but all to scathing indictment.

Until the Steelers build an offense capable of dictating terms, these endings will keep repeating. Monday night was yet another reminder that Pittsburgh’s standard has quietly slipped, even if no one inside the building wants to admit it.

The post Steelers most to blame for Wild Card loss to Texans appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Going into the playoffs, the Texans enjoyed an incredible turnaround in the 2025 regular season. Despite starting the campaign 0-3, Houston went 12-2 for the rest of the season to clinch a playoff berth and secure the fifth seed in the AFC bracket.

They set up a date with the Steelers, who earned the AFC North Division title in the final week of the regular season. Both squads possessed defenses that could test one another, which was the case for most of the Wild Card duel.

The score was only 7-6 going into the fourth quarter, but Houston blew the game wide open by scoring the last 23 points of the night to send Pittsburgh home and advance to the next round.

How the Texans played against the Steelers

The Texans continue to assert their defensive dominance as they torched the Steelers in the fourth quarter.

Defense was the name of the game throughout the first three quarters, with only 13 total points being scored by the two teams. The last 15 minutes of regulation saw the real winners come alive as Houston exploded with one offensive touchdown and two defensive scores.

CJ Stroud had a tough start but made enough plays to get the job done for the offense. He completed 21 passes out of 32 attempts for 250 yards and a touchdown and an interception.

Woody Marks carved up the Steelers’ run defense, racking up 19 rushes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Christian Kirk dominated in the air, making eight catches for 144 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, defenders Sheldon Rankins and Calen Bullock scored touchdowns for Houston.

The Texans will look forward to the next chapter of their playoff journey. They remain on the road as they face the two-seed New England Patriots on January 18 at 3 p.m. ET.

The post Texans punch ticket to Foxboro for Divisional clash with Patriots appeared first on ClutchPoints.

However, the Texans’ league-leading defense ultimately made its mark. With the Steelers driving, down four points in the fourth quarter, Houston’s defense took over. After the team forced 3rd & 12, Aaron Rodgers dropped back to pass. He was immediately met by the Texans’ pass rush. Will Anderson got around the edge with ease, sacking the veteran quarterback and forcing a fumble.

Sheldon Rankins, who steamrolled his blocker, alertly picked up the loose ball and bolted for the end zone. The big man rumbled 33 yards for the touchdown, putting Houston up 17-6. And the rout was on.

SHELDON RANKINS TAKES IT BACK FOR A TD

HOUvsPIT on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/K63YkhukX8

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2026

Fearsome Texans defense stifles Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers

The teams combined for 13 points over the first three quarters on Monday night. CJ Stroud struggled, fumbling five times and losing two while also tossing an interception. Houston’s three turnovers allowed Pittsburgh to stay in striking distance. For a while.

But Aaron Rodgers and the offense couldn’t capitalize on the turnovers created by the Steelers defense. Pittsburgh was held to just 175 total yards and two field goals. And the Texans poured it on with 23 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.

Mike Tomlin entered the game with a perfect 12-0 record at home in Monday night games. Even more incredibly, the Steelers had won 23 straight Monday night games in Pittsburgh – a streak dating back to 1992.

But the Texans won nine straight games to close the regular season. And Houston extended its winning streak to 10 straight with a victory in the Wild Card round. After Rankins’ defensive touchdown, Woody Marks added to his 112-yard rushing performance by punching in a 13-yard score.

Then Calen Bullock capped the blowout with a pick-six on what may have been Rodgers’ last NFL pass. The second-year safety intercepted the future Hall of Famer and returned the ball 50 yards for the score, putting the Texans up 30-6.

The post Sheldon Rankins turns Aaron Rodgers fumble into huge defensive TD appeared first on ClutchPoints.