Derek Stingley Jr. and the Houston Texans have reached a historic agreement on a three-year, $90 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. Sources informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter of the deal, which includes a remarkable $89 million in guaranteed money. This extension solidifies Stingley’s place as one of the league’s elite defensive backs and a cornerstone of Houston’s defense.
Stingley’s Record Deal Signals Rising Value of Elite NFL Cornerbacks
Stingley’s new deal surpasses the record set just last week by Jaycee Horn of the Carolina Panthers, who signed a four-year, $100 million extension averaging $25 million per season. The rapid rise in cornerback salaries highlights the growing importance of elite pass defenders in today’s pass-heavy NFL. Stingley’s contract not only reflects his individual excellence but also sets a new benchmark for defensive players moving forward.
Derek Stingley Jr. (NFL)
Stingley is coming off a stellar All-Pro season where he established himself as one of the premier cornerbacks in the league. He recorded five interceptions, tying for the sixth most in the NFL, and had 18 pass breakups, ranking second overall. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he allowed the second-lowest completion percentage (46.7%) among cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps, further proving his dominance in coverage.
Texans Secure Shutdown Cornerback Stingley with Key Contract Extension
As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Stingley led a formidable pass defense that ranked sixth in passing yards allowed per game (201). He frequently matched up against elite receivers such as Tyreek Hill, CeeDee Lamb, and DJ Moore, proving his ability to handle the toughest assignments. Additionally, opposing quarterbacks had an astonishingly low passer rating when targeting him, including a rating under five against the Cowboys, Jaguars, Bills, and Lions.
This extension marks a significant moment for Texans general manager Nick Caserio, as it is the first time he has extended a first-round draft pick since taking over. The move follows another key contract extension earlier in the year when wide receiver Nico Collins signed a three-year, $72.75 million deal. By securing Stingley, the Texans have locked in a cornerstone defender who will be crucial to their success for years to come.
Texans Face Stadium Dilemma as Renovation Costs Spark New Construction Debate
The Houston Texans recently appointed Mike Tomon as their new team president, highlighting his extensive background in stadium development. Tomon, formerly with Legends, has been involved in major NFL stadium projects in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Buffalo. His expertise is particularly relevant as the Texans negotiate a new lease for NRG Stadium, their home since 2002. While discussions primarily focus on renovations, the possibility of a brand-new stadium looms as a potential alternative.
NRG Stadium, built with public funds, has been evaluated as being in average or below-average condition compared to other NFL venues. Years of deferred maintenance have resulted in a $1.4 billion estimated cost for necessary upgrades over the next 30 years. These costs, combined with the Texans’ desire for premium features such as expanded luxury suites and improved fan experiences, raise the question of whether a full rebuild would be more cost-effective than a renovation.
While the Texans have not formally proposed a new stadium in their lease negotiations, financial considerations may drive such a decision. If renovation costs, combined with enhancements desired by the team, approach the price of constructing a brand-new facility, a new stadium could be seen as the more logical investment. This decision will also be influenced by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which shares the stadium, and Harris County, which owns the facility.
Texans Face Stadium Dilemma as Renovation Costs Spark New Construction Debate
Modern Stadiums Focus on Luxury, But Funding Challenges Loom for Houston
Modern stadiums prioritize different amenities compared to those built decades ago. While retractable roofs and roll-in turf were once major selling points, today’s stadiums emphasize larger luxury suites, improved club seating, and expansive concourses with bars and restaurants that offer better viewing experiences. Retrofitting NRG Stadium to incorporate these modern features could be costly and logistically challenging, making a new stadium an attractive alternative.
Building a new stadium presents significant financial challenges, particularly for taxpayers. Harris County and Houston are still paying off the debt from constructing NRG Stadium, along with other sports venues like Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park. The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority still owes $1 billion in principal debt, with payments extending until 2056. Given this financial burden, the prospect of public funding for a new Texans stadium may be met with strong resistance.
The Texans currently enjoy a team-friendly deal at NRG Stadium. Unlike other Houston sports franchises like the Rockets and Astros, the Texans are not responsible for most maintenance costs, which are covered by the county. Additionally, financial audits reveal that the Texans receive more in tax rebates than they pay in rent, effectively allowing them to play at NRG at little to no cost. This raises further concerns about whether taxpayers would support additional public funding for a new stadium.
Texans Face Stadium Dilemma as Renovation Costs Spark New Construction Debate
Houston Weighs Stadium Plans Amid NFL Incentives and Economic Debate
The NFL encourages teams to build new stadiums by providing funding assistance through its G-5 stadium loan program, which allows teams to borrow up to $300 million for construction. The league also incentivizes new stadiums by awarding Super Bowls to cities with recently built or renovated venues.
Houston has expressed interest in hosting another Super Bowl but has not been awarded one since 2017. The Saints’ successful Super Bowl bid this year was largely due to a $560 million renovation of the Caesars Superdome, illustrating the NFL’s preference for updated stadiums.
Supporters of a new stadium argue that it would boost Houston’s economy by attracting major events like the Super Bowl. However, economic experts, such as J.C. Bradbury of Kennesaw State University, challenge these claims, stating that public subsidies for stadiums rarely provide a significant financial return.
He compares new stadium construction to unnecessary luxury spending, driven by team owners rather than genuine infrastructure needs. Critics argue that cities often inflate projected economic benefits to justify public investment in stadium projects.
The Texans’ situation is part of a broader trend among NFL teams with aging stadiums. Several franchises, including the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, are actively pursuing new stadiums with substantial public funding. Others, like the Patriots and Seahawks, have opted for renovations.
As Houston navigates its own decision, local officials must weigh the financial and political challenges of funding a new stadium. Any move toward construction will likely face scrutiny, particularly from taxpayers still paying for existing stadium debt. Whether through renovation or rebuilding, the future of Texans football in Houston will be shaped by negotiations over the next few years.
Coach DeMeco Ryans said Thursday that he believes his new offensive coordinator, Nick Caley, can help the Houston Texans “over the hump.”
In Ryans’ two seasons with the Texans, the results were similar. Both seasons, the Texans won the AFC South title and won a wild-card playoff game, but they lost in the divisional round because the offense struggled to score points.
“We’ve had a lot of good success these first two years,” Ryans said Thursday. “The reason we’re doing this is I think there’s another level that we can go to. And as I said earlier, my job is to take this organization to new heights, and I think hiring Nick will help us to get there.”
The Texans’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round wasn’t the only reason Ryans fired former offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. But that loss highlighted why Ryans felt the offense needed to improve after a disappointing season under Slowik. Despite a strong start in 2023, the Texans’ yards per game (342.4 to 319.7) and points per game (22.2 to 21.9) declined under Slowik, while the number of sacks increased (47 to 54).
Quarterback C.J. Stroud took 52 sacks, the second most in the league, and was pressured on 38.6% of his dropbacks, which was the third most according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Stroud’s time to pressure rate was 2.59, the seventh fastest.
Ryans fired Slowik on Jan. 24, seeking improvement. On Feb. 3, he hired Caley as the new offensive coordinator to lead an offense with Pro Bowl players like left tackle Laremy Tunsil, running back Joe Mixon, wide receiver Nico Collins, and Stroud.
“It was very hard to let Bobby go,” Ryans said. “Bobby’s a really close friend, as you all know, Bobby’s a great friend of mine. When I got into coaching, Bobby was the guy who helped me figure it all out, and we were [quality control coaches] together, there, in San Fran. So, really long relationship there with him. Nothing but love and admiration for Bobby and what he’s done.”
Caley, 42, has never been an offensive coordinator before, so this will be his first time calling plays. He joined the Los Angeles Rams as the tight ends coach in 2023 and took on the role of pass game coordinator in 2024.
Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley, right, reacts with tight end Davis Allen, left, during the first half of an NFL football game
Before joining the Rams, Caley spent eight seasons (2015-2022) with the New England Patriots, six of those as the tight ends coach.
Caley had high praise for Stroud, who had a weaker second season after a strong rookie year, finishing 15th in passing yards (3,727) and tied for 15th in passing touchdowns (20). The Texans hope to see a return to Stroud’s Year 1 form, where he threw for 4,108 yards (8th in the NFL), 23 touchdowns (13th), and led the league in passing yards per game (274).
“He can spin it. He throws the ball,” Caley said. “He’s an accurate thrower of the football. He is a natural thrower of the football. He’s instinctive. He’s got the ‘it’ factor. And he’s a warrior in terms of his competitiveness. I’ve admired him dating back to his college days. So, I’m really, really excited to have an opportunity to work with him.”
Caley also mentioned that despite his experience with New England and Los Angeles, he wouldn’t strictly follow either scheme.
“It is going to be Houston’s,” Caley said. “It is going to be our scheme based on what we do. I don’t say that to throw any curveballs. It really is. I mean, my history, dating back to when I first got in the National Football League under Coach Belichick, is we were going to be a game-plan team.
If that meant we were going to run duo and gap schemes and run the ball 45 times to win the game, then that’s what we were going to do. We had to run more perimeter plays, wide zone, and we felt that was going to give us the edge. We were going to do that. We were going to ask our guys to do what they do well, but it was going to be based on what we do to help us win.”
Nick Caley steps in as the Texans' new offensive coordinator, ready to Houston’s attack
The Houston Texans have taken a significant step in shaping their future by hiring Nick Caley as their new offensive coordinator.
Caley, who previously served as the tight ends coach for the Los Angeles Rams, brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to Houston’s offensive scheme. The move signals the franchise’s commitment to developing a dynamic and well-balanced offense.
Nick Caley has been steadily climbing the coaching ranks, earning recognition for his ability to develop tight ends and contribute to offensive game plans.
Before joining the Rams, he spent several seasons with the New England Patriots, where he worked under Bill Belichick and gained valuable experience in an adaptable offensive system. Now, he takes on the challenge of leading Houston’s offense and maximizing the potential of young quarterback C.J. Stroud.
What This Means for the Texans’ Offense
Houston’s offense showed promise last season, especially with Stroud displaying maturity beyond his years. However, inconsistencies in the play-calling and offensive execution left room for improvement.
Caley calling the shots, C.J. Stroud and the Texans offense look to take the next big leap.
With Caley at the helm, the Texans aim to establish a more creative and efficient offensive identity. His experience with both the Patriots and Rams systems could bring a balanced approach—one that blends disciplined execution with innovative play designs.
Developing Weapons Around Stroud
A major focus for Caley will be maximizing the talent surrounding Stroud. The Texans have an intriguing group of playmakers, including rising star receivers, a solid backfield, and a developing offensive line.
Expect Caley to incorporate schemes that emphasize versatility and exploit mismatches. His background in coaching tight ends also suggests that Houston could see an increased role for their tight ends in the passing game, adding another layer of complexity to the offense.
A Step Toward Playoff Contention
The Texans are a team on the rise, and this move demonstrates their intent to compete at a higher level. Head coach DeMeco Ryans has already transformed the team’s culture, and adding a young, innovative offensive mind like Caley further strengthens their long-term vision.
If Caley can bring out the best in Stroud and fine-tune the offense, Houston could be a legitimate playoff contender sooner rather than later.
The hiring of Nick Caley as offensive coordinator is a calculated and forward-thinking move by the Houston Texans. With a promising young quarterback and a talented supporting cast, the team is positioning itself for sustained success. Now, it’s up to Caley to prove that he can take Houston’s offense to the next level and turn potential into results.
The Texans’ offense was not strong enough for the playoffs compared to their solid defense this season.
With the team ranking 22nd in total yards and 19th in scoring, the offense struggled throughout 2024. CJ Stroud’s inconsistent performances made things worse, creating problems for the team.
While some blamed offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Stroud publicly supported him, saying, “I’m definitely on Bobby’s side,” during his final press conference of the season.
This made it seem like Slowik had Stroud’s backing. However, head coach DeMeco Ryans had a different opinion and decided to fire the offensive coordinator.
As fans in Houston were still trying to process these changes, even more bad news came their way, adding to their frustration.
The NFL fined running back Joe Mixon $25,000 for a comment he didn’t even make. The league mistakenly quoted former Bengals receiver, TJ Houshmandzadeh’s comment as if it were Mixon’s. This led to a lot of backlash.
The situation worsened after the Texans lost to the Chiefs in the divisional round, with a score of 14-23. The league also fined cornerback Kris Boyd $8,056 for Unsportsmanlike Conduct, which happened when he removed his helmet.
Boyd had started the game with a lot of energy. After Texans kicker Kaʻimi Fairbairn made a 60-yard kickoff to start the game, receiver Nikko Remigio rushed the ball back.
Boyd tackled him at the 32-yard line. After the play, Boyd ran toward special teams coordinator Frank Ross, who was trying to calm him down.
The referees threw a flag, giving the Chiefs a 13-yard gain. Boyd later explained the situation in an Instagram story, saying he was just excited and didn’t realize the penalty was coming. He also apologized for his mistake.
C.J. Stroud stands on the field after the loss
However, the damage was done. The Chiefs scored a field goal on their first drive and went on to win the game.
After the playoff loss, the Texans are focusing on rebuilding during the offseason. Despite the rough ending, there is still some good news for the team.
CJ Stroud’s teammate, defensive lineman Danielle Hunter, was selected to the Pro Bowl. The Texans were proud when four of their players—Joe Mixon, Nico Collins, Laremy Tunsil, and Derek Stingley Jr.—were named to the AFC Pro Bowl.
After the season, Danielle Hunter joined them as a Pro Bowl selection for the 5th time in his career.
Hunter was second in the league with 90 quarterback pressures during the 2024 season, according to NextGenStats. That’s a big accomplishment.
While the Texans would love to make a run for the Super Bowl, their fans are hoping for their first Lombardi Trophy.
Hunter was signed by the Texans in March of last year with a two-year, $49 million contract after being acquired from the Vikings.
He started all 17 regular games, recording 46 tackles (31 solo, 17 for loss), 23 QB hits, 12 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 3 passes defended. Hunter even set a franchise record in week 12 against the Titans with 3 sacks in the first half.
In last Saturday’s playoff game between the Texans and Chiefs, two controversial penalties were called for hits on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
One was for roughing the passer, and the other for unnecessary roughness after a late slide.
However, neither of the penalties resulted in fines. The NFL decided not to fine Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. for the roughing the passer penalty in the first quarter.
Similarly, defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi and linebacker Henry To’oTo’o were not fined for their hit on Mahomes after he slid in the second half.
Patrick Mahomes in the team practice
These fouls led to criticism of the officials for possible bias toward the Chiefs.
The absence of fines suggests that, after reviewing the film, the NFL concluded that the hits did not deserve punishment, implying the penalties may have been called incorrectly.
According to the roughing the passer rule, officials are required to throw a flag even if they aren’t sure the foul occurred.
However, both Anderson and Texans running back Joe Mixon were fined for their comments about the officiating after the game.
The NFL fined Houston Texans player Kris Boyd $8,000 after he pushed his special teams coordinator on the sidelines last weekend.
The incident took place in the first quarter of Houston’s playoff loss to the Chiefs at Arrowhead. Boyd was seen ripping off his helmet, rushing to the sidelines, and nearly knocking over special teams coach Ross.
This act upset many fans, with some calling for Boyd to be cut from the team. While Boyd wasn’t released, the NFL handed down a fine for his unsportsmanlike conduct.
NFL reporter Tom Pelissero shared on Twitter that Boyd was fined $8,056 for the incident. After the game, Boyd posted on his Instagram Stories, revealing he had been receiving racist messages “every second” since the incident.
He shared a screenshot of a message with a racial slur and added that it wasn’t a one-time thing.
“This been every second since last night up to today… Not looking for sincerity. God got me…” he wrote. Boyd shared his belief that “the world is wicked,” but he would continue to spread love and light, adding two praying emojis.
The incident occurred shortly after the game began, following a 63-yard kickoff return. Boyd tossed his helmet in apparent celebration for forcing a fumble on Nikko Remigio, but the ball was actually recovered by the Chiefs.
Kris Boyd cheers after the game of an NFL football matchup
This led to a 15-yard penalty against the Texans. Boyd then shoved coach Ross after being scolded by him. Boyd continued yelling at Ross, who tried to calm him down by placing his hand on Boyd’s chest.
Despite the Chiefs getting a good starting position at the 13-yard line, they were held to a field goal.
After the Texans lost 23-14, Boyd said he got “too excited” and admitted his actions were wrong. “I did something I shouldn’t have,” he said, adding that he was learning from the experience.
He apologized, stating, “I love Frank” – referring to coach Ross – and emphasized that the response wasn’t typical of him. “I love everybody here. I love my coaches. I never disrespect anybody. I apologized to everybody. [Ross] told me ‘Don’t worry about that.'”
Following the game and the Texans’ season-ending loss, head coach DeMeco Ryans said he didn’t see Boyd’s shove but called it “silly.” “What I saw is we can’t come out on the first play and throw our helmet,” Ryans said. “That’s not what we teach. That’s not what we’re about at all.
It just puts the team in a negative light. To start the game, we give them a big return, we take our helmet off to add 15 more yards into the play, which is not smart football.”
Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik reacts prior to an NFL football game in Houston
The Houston Texans fired offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and offensive line coach Chris Strausser on Friday.
These decisions were made after the Texans’ offense took a step back following what seemed to be a successful 2023 season.
Slowik took over as offensive coordinator in 2023. With rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the team finished 12th in scoring (22.2 points per game) and yardage (342.4). Stroud earned AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and led the Texans to their first playoff appearance in four years.
Houston beat the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round, with Stroud becoming the youngest quarterback at 22 to win a playoff game.
Houston Texans players celebrate in the 2nd half
However, this season, the Texans were 19th in scoring (21.9 points) and 22nd in yardage (319.7). Stroud’s performance declined as he was sacked 52 times, the second-highest in the league, just behind Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams’ 68 sacks. Stroud’s stats dropped, and his interceptions rose from five to twelve.
Despite these challenges, Houston finished with a 10-7 record for the second year in a row and won their wild-card playoff game, defeating the Los Angeles Chargers. The Kansas City Chiefs eliminated the Texans in the divisional round on Saturday.
The Texans were expected to do better, especially with key players like running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Stefon Diggs, but injuries to both players and other key injuries hurt their offensive performance. As a result, the Texans struggled to find their offensive rhythm.
The New York Jets seem to always be in a tough spot. Even as the team works on finding a new general manager and head coach, players from other teams keep criticizing them. Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson spoke with reporters on Monday after his team’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs.
Anderson shared his frustration about how the Texans’ season ended and explained what his team needs to do in 2025 to avoid a similar disappointment, starting with beating the Jets.
Anderson emphasized that the Texans need to win more regular-season games to get a better spot in the playoffs. Specifically, he mentioned that Houston “can’t lose to teams like the Titans and the Jets.”
The Jets Need Wins to Change the Perception
The Texans finished the season with a 10-7 record, leading the AFC South. However, Anderson’s point still stands. Losing to teams like the Jets and Titans hurt their chances of earning a higher seed and possibly having home-field advantage in the playoffs.
Despite the Texans being a much stronger team than the Jets, they’ve had issues with AFC teams like the Jets in recent seasons. Anderson, for example, has yet to beat the Jets. The Jets have faced the Texans in the past two years, winning both games with a combined score of 51-19. This includes a 30-6 win in 2023, with Zach Wilson leading the team, and a 21-13 victory in the current season.
New York Jets celebrates after a touchdown
Anderson and the Texans’ defense gave Wilson one of his best NFL games in 2023, as he completed 27 out of 36 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns. In the most recent win, Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdowns for the Jets.
Anderson is right that the Texans should beat teams like the Jets and Titans, who only had eight wins in 2024. However, criticizing a team that has outscored his by 32 points in the last two years might not be the best choice.
In the end, the only way the Jets can stop being the target of such comments is by winning more games. The Jets haven’t won more than seven games in a season since 2015, and they haven’t made the playoffs in 14 years. Until they start winning, they will keep being the team other players mock, even those they’ve beaten. This is the reality for the Jets.
According to Aaron Wilson, Texans offensive line (OL) coach Chris Strausser is not expected to return in 2025, although the team hasn’t officially confirmed this.
Wilson mentions that Strausser considered retiring after last season. He also points out that assistant OL coach Cole Popovich could be a leading candidate to take over Strausser’s position.
Regarding the status of offensive coordinator (OC) Bobby Slowik, Wilson states that his future with the team is uncertain. Texans head coach (HC) DeMeco Ryans was asked about Slowik during his end-of-season press conference and gave a short response.
“I think with Bobby, I saw some growth,” Ryans said. “I saw some improvement throughout the year.”
Ryans told reporters that he would take the week to consider potential staff changes. Players, including Texans QB C.J. Stroud, supported Slowik, but Ryans emphasized that the offense needs to get better.
Houston Texans players celebrate in the 1st half
Strausser, 61, has over 25 years of coaching experience in college football, where he worked with the offensive line and tight ends in various assistant roles. His NFL career began in 2017 with the Broncos as an assistant OL coach. He became the main OL coach the following year and moved to the Colts in 2019 for the same role. The Texans hired him as their OL coach in 2023.
Slowik, 37, started his coaching career as a defensive assistant with the Commanders from 2011 to 2013. He then worked as the 49ers’ defensive quality control coach from 2017 to 2018. In 2019, San Francisco named him an offensive assistant, and in 2021, he was promoted to offensive pass game specialist.
The Texans hired Slowik as their offensive coordinator for the 2023 season, and after that, they gave him a new contract.
In 2024, the Texans’ offense ranked 22nd in total yards, 19th in total points, 15th in rushing yards, and 21st in passing yards.
After another loss in the divisional round of the playoffs, quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans believe they are close to reaching the next level and making their first AFC Championship game. The question now is what steps they need to take to get there.
For Stroud, it’s about maintaining the mindset he had when he was at Ohio State.
“From Day 1 of the offseason program, there has to be a standard set, and that standard has to be … I’m not going to be the one to mess this thing up. I’m going to be the one to make this team win the game,” Stroud said. “If that’s Week 1 all the way to the AFC Championship. That standard from training camp has to be the standard. I feel like that’s what it needs to be for us to get over that hump.”
The Texans lost 23-14 to the Chiefs on Saturday, marking their sixth divisional round loss and second one at Kansas City.
Coach DeMeco Ryans, who has led the team to an 11-8 record in each of his first two years in Houston, believes eliminating mistakes should be the team’s top priority.
“The teams that are still standing are teams that don’t shoot themselves in the foot,” Ryans said. “They put themselves in good positions to play complementary football and they do it well. That’s why you’re at the end. So, if we want to be there, we just got to do our jobs and do it on a consistent basis.”
In the game against Kansas City, Stroud threw for 245 yards but was pressured all day, getting sacked eight times. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 55-yard field goal, missed an extra point, and had another field goal attempt blocked with less than two minutes left in the game, which would have kept Houston’s hopes alive by making it a one-possession game.
Despite the defeat, the Texans secured the AFC South title for the second consecutive season and defeated the Chargers at home to advance to play the defending Super Bowl champions.
Defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who has teamed up with Stroud to help turn the franchise around, believes the Texans are in a strong position to contend for a title, despite the early playoff exit.
“We’re right there,” Anderson said. “I don’t care what nobody says, this is a fantastic team. We’ve got our quarterback. We’ve got everything we need. We’ve just got to keep stacking and keep persevering.”
The Houston Texans may need to add a wide receiver this offseason, as Stefon Diggs is set to become a free agent and Tank Dell is recovering from another serious leg injury.
Houston Texans players celebrate in the 2nd half
Diggs, who was traded from Buffalo, played eight games this season and had 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns. However, a knee injury cut his season short. Stroud has expressed his desire to have Diggs back next season, but it’s still uncertain whether the Texans will try to re-sign the 31-year-old.
Dell, who was Houston’s second-leading receiver with 667 yards and three touchdowns, faces a long recovery after tearing his ACL and dislocating his knee in a loss to Kansas City in December. This injury came after he fractured his fibula earlier in the season in Week 13 against the Broncos.
When asked if Dell’s injury could keep him out next season, Coach Ryans said, “We will continue to assess Tank and see where he ends up. It is too early right now to put a timeline on it. We will just give him time to heal and progress, see how the rehab goes.”
Houston’s secondary was one of the team’s strongest areas this season, thanks to standout performances from Derek Stingley and rookies Calen Bullock and Kamari Lassiter. Stingley, the third overall pick in the 2022 draft, earned first-team AP All-Pro honors after shaking off two injury-filled seasons.
He ranked second in the NFL for passes defensed during the regular season and had two interceptions in Houston’s wild-card playoff win. Lassiter, a second-round pick from Georgia, started 14 games, recording three interceptions in the regular season and adding another pick in a game against the Chargers.
Bullock, drafted in the third round from Southern California, tied Stingley for the team lead in interceptions with five. Bullock said, “We’ve got one of the best secondaries in this league and a very young and talented secondary also. So, it’s pretty scary for what we’ve got in the future, especially with the plays we made this year.”
The Texans will also focus on improving their offensive line this offseason, as they allowed 54 sacks during the regular season and 12 more in the postseason. Coach Ryans stressed the importance of winning individual battles in the playoffs, saying, “In the playoffs, you’ve got to win your one-on-one battles.
That’s what the game always comes down to. You have to have some pride in who you’re blocking, to get it done and give the quarterback a chance to throw the football.”
The Kansas City Chiefs are headed back to the AFC Championship game after a 23-14 win against the Houston Texans in the AFC divisional round. Despite a strong performance from Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Chiefs relied on the play of future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce, who caught seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown.
Kelce’s biggest play came in the fourth quarter when he caught an 11-yard touchdown pass, extending Kansas City’s lead to eight points less than four minutes into the final period. With this performance, Kelce set a new NFL record for the most postseason games with over 100 receiving yards, surpassing Jerry Rice.
The game began with a 63-yard punt return by Nikko Remigio, which was extended to 78 yards after a Houston penalty. The teams exchanged short field goals before Kareem Hunt scored the first touchdown of the game, set up by a 49-yard reception and run by Kelce.
Despite injuring his left knee early in the first quarter, Stroud continued to play well, leading the Texans on two scoring drives. One of these was a 15-play, 82-yard drive to start the second half, ending with a Joe Mixon touchdown. However, the Texans missed the extra point attempt that could have tied the game.
The Chiefs responded with a scoring drive of their own, capped by Kelce’s touchdown catch. Kansas City’s defense and special teams then stepped up with key plays to secure the win.
Here’s a closer look at how the Chiefs advanced to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship game.
Why the Chiefs won
Kansas City received an outstanding performance from Kelce, who had only one 100-yard receiving game in the regular season. Kelce was supported by rookie Xavier Worthy, who made five catches for 45 yards in his postseason debut. Patrick Mahomes was 12 of 14 for 162 yards and a touchdown when targeting Kelce or Worthy, but was only 4 of 11 for 15 yards on throws to other players.
The Chiefs’ offense improved in the red zone in the second half. After converting just one of three red-zone opportunities in the first half, they scored touchdowns on both of their trips inside the Texans’ 20-yard line after halftime.
Kansas City’s defense also made crucial plays, including timely sacks of Stroud. The Texans quarterback was sacked a total of eight times, with George Karlaftis recording three sacks, including one on a fourth down with under 10 minutes remaining.
Special teams were another bright spot for the Chiefs. Remigio’s long return to start the game set the tone, and Justin Reid’s blocked field goal attempt with 1:52 left and the Chiefs leading by 11 points helped seal the victory.
C.J. Stroud celebrates after the game
Why the Texans lost
Houston fought hard but had too many mistakes that prevented them from making it to their first conference title game. A major issue for the Texans was special teams, as Ka’imi Fairbairn missed two field goals.
Penalties were another problem for Houston. The Texans were penalized eight times for 82 yards, while Kansas City was flagged four times for 29 yards. Some of the penalties on Houston were questionable, but others were clear.
While Houston’s defense played well for most of the game, it struggled in the second half, especially in the red zone, and allowed too many big plays to Kelce.
Offensively, the Texans’ offensive line had trouble protecting Stroud, but the offense still played well overall. Stroud was able to connect with Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz, and Xavier Hutchinson for a combined 13 passes and 196 yards. Houston’s offense also outrushed the Chiefs, 149-50.
If the Texans had all their receivers healthy, it’s possible they could have won the game.
Turning point/play of the game
The turning point came after Houston missed an extra point and had a chance to tie the game. The Chiefs regained control on their next drive when Mahomes found Kelce for a touchdown while he was falling to the ground.
Quotable
There were some controversial calls during the game, many of which went against the Texans. Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, who was calling the game for ESPN, commented on the penalties.
“We knew going into this game, man, it was us versus everybody,” said Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans after the game, referring to the officiating. “When I say everybody, I mean everybody. The naysayers, the doubt. Everybody we had to go against again today. Going into this game knowing what we were up against, we can’t make the mistakes we made. We had a lot of self-inflicted mistakes.”
What’s next
The Chiefs will face the winner of the Ravens vs. Bills game in Buffalo. Kansas City won their season opener against the Ravens but lost to the Bills in their regular-season matchup.
Houston, on the other hand, won the AFC South division title and a wild-card round playoff game. They will hope to improve their protection, special teams, and receiving corps for another playoff run next season.
