<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-nico-collins-fantasy-football-managers-minds-ease-buccaneers-game');   ga('set', 'title', 'Texans’ Nico Collins puts fantasy football managers’ minds at ease for Buccaneers game');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/771844162-nico-collins-helmet-up.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Texans’ Nico Collins puts fantasy football managers’ minds at ease for Buccaneers game</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-12T13:45:30-07:00">September 12th, 1:45pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-12T13:45:30-07:00">September 12th, 1:45pm</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-puts-blast-lollygagging-rams-week-1">Texans’ offense was underwhelming</a> in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, as they couldn’t get much going in the passing game. It shows from Nico Collins’ numbers, with the wide receiver finishing with 25 yards, and he only had three catches.</p><p>It was just Week 1, but of course, there has already been a cause of concern for fans, and also, fantasy football managers who have him rostered on their team. The good news is that the season is still young, and Collins has a chance to make more plays in their Week 2 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.</p><p>Collins spoke to the media about Week 1 performance, and he <a href="https://x.com/Djbienaime/status/1966588550398316642" rel="noopener">showed a sign of optimism</a> that everything will be good on his end.</p><p>“You can’t get down on yourself because you’re not getting the ball. Continue to run the correct routes, right reps, and details. And have fun. The ball’s gonna come,” Collins said.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Texans</a> WR Nico Collins said the ball “is gonna come” and how he can’t get down on himself because he’s not getting targets. </p><p>Collins had 3 catches for 25 yards in Week 1. <a href="https://t.co/UPZLignyfz">pic.twitter.com/UPZLignyfz</a></p><p>— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) <a href="https://twitter.com/Djbienaime/status/1966588550398316642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Collins was a productive wide receiver last season for the Texans, and many are expecting him to replicate that success this season. Outside of Collins, there isn’t a true WR2 on the team, which means that he may be getting most of the targets. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-tank-dell-out-for-season-official-injury-diagnosis">Tank Dell is still recovering from an injury</a> he suffered late last season, so the Texans will have to do what they can on offense.</p><p>That means it starts with Collins, and he’s going to have to make a lot of plays to keep the Texans’ offense going this season. The pressure shouldn’t be all on him, and C.J. Stroud has to find a way to spread the wealth this season amongst the other receivers on the team.</p><p>If Stroud and Collins can have a strong connection this season, there’s a chance their offense won’t take a step back, and it would be good to see them get back on track against the Buccaneers.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Texans’ Nico Collins puts fantasy football managers’ minds at ease for Buccaneers game

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-rams-loss-takeaways');   ga('set', 'title', 'Texans QB CJ Stroud reveals biggest emphasis coming out of Rams loss');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/CJ-Stroud.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Texans QB CJ Stroud reveals biggest emphasis coming out of Rams loss</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-11T16:06:58-07:00">September 11th, 4:06pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-11T16:06:58-07:00">September 11th, 4:06pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Texans opened their 2025 season with a deflating 14-9 loss in California to the Los Angeles Rams, falling short in what many expected to be a breakthrough game for quarterback CJ Stroud. Against the Los Angeles Rams, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-most-blame-close-week-1-loss-rams">Houston’s offense sputtered</a>, undone by penalties, turnovers, and pressure. Now, ahead of the team’s Week 2 home opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the focus is on cleaning up the very mistakes that proved costly in Week 1.</p><p>After the Texans vs. Rams matchup, Stroud offered no excuses—only accountability, as <i>Houston Football with Cody Stoots</i> host Cody Stoots shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), noting that Stroud <a href="https://x.com/Cody_Stoots/status/1966230665919115672" rel="noopener">believed the team</a> needed to help offensive coordinator Nick Caley by eliminating negative plays and executing more efficiently.</p><p>“CJ Stroud said the team has to help offensive coordinator Nick Caley out. He asked what do you call in 2nd and long and 3rd and long?</p><p>Stroud said he needs to manage the pocket better from his standpoint.</p><p>The emphasis on negative plays getting eliminated has been prevalent this week.”</p><p>Those words from Stroud reflect a growing leadership role as he enters his third season as the starting quarterback of the Texans. He isn’t just protecting the offensive coordinator from criticism—he’s taking responsibility for sustaining drives and avoiding long-yardage downs. Houston committed 11 penalties and failed to convert on key third-down situations. Those issues weren’t just execution errors—they handicapped Caley’s play-calling options in the Week 1 loss to the Rams.</p><p>Stroud’s focus on pocket presence has become a theme this week at NRG Stadium. He acknowledged that pressure was partly self-inflicted and that stepping up in the pocket needs to be part of his evolution. His work in practice—refining footwork, adjusting timing, and reacting to pressure—mirrors the Texans’ overall shift toward accountability.</p><p>Now, with a Monday Night Football matchup against the Buccaneers on deck, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/buccaneers-vs-texans-bold-predictions-week-2-2025-nfl-season">the Texans must translate reflection into action</a>. For Stroud, this isn’t just another game—it’s a chance to reset the tone of the season by changing how the offense operates, communicates, and responds under pressure.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Texans QB CJ Stroud reveals biggest emphasis coming out of Rams loss

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/buccaneers-vs-texans-bold-predictions-week-2-2025-nfl-season');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers vs. Texans bold predictions for Week 2 of 2025 NFL season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Buccaneers-vs-Texans-bold-predictions-for-Week-2-of-2025-NFL-season.jpg?w=1024"></figure><h1>Buccaneers vs. Texans bold predictions for Week 2 of 2025 NFL season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-10T18:03:02-07:00">September 10th, 6:03pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-10T18:03:02-07:00">September 10th, 6:03pm</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Week 2 will feature the first Monday Night Football doubleheader. In the opening contest, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-chris-long-places-tampa-bay-in-super-bowl-conversation">Tampa Bay Buccaneers will travel</a> to Texas to take on the Houston Texans. Each team got off to a different start in Week 1. The Buccaneers travelled to division rival Atlanta and defeated the Falcons 23-20. Tampa Bay exorcised the demons from its 2024 NFC South title run when they lost to the Falcons twice.</p><p>Meanwhile, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-most-blame-close-week-1-loss-rams">the Texans travelled west</a> to take on the Los Angeles Rams. Many expected a strong offensive showing from both teams, considering the talent that each unit had. Instead, it was a defensive struggle. While Houston’s defense held up its end of the bargain, quarterback C.J Stroud and the offense struggled in a 14-9 loss.</p><p>Now, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-drops-truth-bomb-on-houstons-offseason-progress">Texans will need to focus</a> on stopping a division-winning football team. The Bucs are going for their fifth straight NFC South crown. If Houston can’t bring their A-game on Monday Night Football, there’s a strong chance that Tampa Bay will come to NRG Stadium and tame the home crowd. Houston’s defense will need to pitch another excellent outing for the Texans to claim their first victory in 2025. Can Houston come together in all three phases and defend their home turf against the visiting Buccaneers?</p><h2><b>Texans’ pass rush led by Danielle Hunter torments Buccaneers’ O-Line</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Texans-EDGE-Danielle-Hunter.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>After eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/grading-danielle-hunters-2-year-49-million-contract-with-texans">Hunter joined the Texans</a> last offseason. In his first season with Houston, Hunter once again notched double-digit sacks with 12. It was his sixth season of double-digit takedowns. The veteran also played in all 17 games for the third straight season. On Monday night against a potentially reshuffled Buccaneers’ offensive line, Hunter will sack Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield three times, including twice in an explosive first half.</p><p>Hunter and fellow edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. will cause <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-makes-eye-opening-offensive-line-changes-week-1">mayhem for the Buccaneers’ bookends.</a> If Graham Barton once again plays left tackle on Sunday in place of injured All-Pro Tristan Wirfs, Hunter will be licking his chops. Look for the veteran to have a vintage game, while Anderson Jr. pitches in two sacks and a couple of pressures of his own. Will it be enough to limit the Bucs’ offense under the bright lights of Monday night?</p><h2><b>Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield leads second-half comeback</b></h2><p>After Hunter, Anderson Jr., and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-will-anderson-jr-makes-texans-history-disappointing-titans-loss">the Texans’ pass rush feast</a> on the Buccaneers’ offensive line in the first half, the Texans will head into the locker room leading 14-6. Mayfield is sacked five times. Three of those takedowns lead to an offensive drive ending. Kicker Chase McLaughlin makes two field goals, one from a short distance and another from 45 yards, to keep the Bucs within a single score.</p><p>At halftime, offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard adjusts the game plan, allowing the veteran signal caller more freedom at the line. Mayfield and the offense start the second half off hot, marching down the field in eight plays to tie the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion. The third quarter ends after the Texans and Buccaneers exchange touchdown drives, heading into the final frame at 21 points apiece. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-todd-bowles-100-real-on-bucs-narrow-road-loss-to-texans">Will the Buccaneers escape Houston</a> with a win, or can the Texans clinch their first victory of 2025?</p><h2><b>Buccaneers rookie Emeka Egbuka snags game-winner for 2nd straight week</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Buccaneers-WR-Emeka-Egbuka.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>A 21-21 tie will give way to the Texans taking a 24-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Once again, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-demeco-ryans-sends-fired-up-message-ahead-of-week-1">Texans’ pass rush will cause</a> some issues, but a renewed focus on the quick passing game and delayed handoffs to running back Bucky Irving consistently stings Houston’s defense. The Buccaneers almost convert a fourth down that would allow them to at least tie the game, but fall short.</p><p>Yet, Tampa Bay’s defense holds firm. They limit Stroud and the passing game, as safety Antoine Winfield Jr. follows up an excellent opener versus the Falcons with an even better outing in Space City. With a little over a minute left in the game, Mayfield and Irving team up with rookie Emeka Egbuka to methodically take down the Texans’ defense. On third and goal from the four-yard line, Mayfield throws a dart to a diving Egbuka for the game-winning touchdown. Once again, the growing connection between the veteran quarterback and rookie target pays off nicely. A 2-0 start will go a long way towards <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/fantasy-sports/buccaneers-news-espn-insider-emeka-egbuka-fantasy-football-tip">helping the Buccaneers retain</a> their NFC South title once again.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers vs. Texans bold predictions for Week 2 of 2025 NFL season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-houston-promotes-veteran-tight-end-week-1-incentive-laden-deal');   ga('set', 'title', 'Texans promote veteran tight end after Week 1 on incentive-laden deal');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Bryant-during-preseason.jpg"><figcaption>Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Texans promote veteran tight end after Week 1 on incentive-laden deal</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-10T10:51:09-07:00">September 10th, 10:51am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-10T10:51:09-07:00">September 10th, 10:51am</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University alum from Atlanta who graduated with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>On Sunday afternoon, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-most-blame-close-week-1-loss-rams">Houston Texans began</a> their 2025 season with a dud by losing <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/c-j-stroud-fraud-watch-continues-texans-week-1-disappointment">to the Los Angeles Rams</a> in a frustrating road game. CJ Stroud was under constant pressure throughout the afternoon, and overall, the Texans were not able to get much of anything going on offense despite a relatively strong game from their elite defense.</p><p>Adding insult to injury was the fact that tight end Cade Stover went down with what has now been revealed as a hairline fracture in his broken foot, which will sideline him for the immediate future.</p><p>With this being the case, the Texans <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/sports/2025/09/10/how-texans-offense-adjusts-after-cade-stover-broken-foot-jake-andrews-high-ankle-sprain-really-hate-that/" rel="noopener">made a move</a> on Wednesday to help shore up the depth in their tight end room.</p><p>“The Texans are signing veteran tight end Harrison Bryant to the 53-man roster, promoting him from the practice squad in advance of a Monday night home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per a league source. The deal includes a minimum salary, plus $500,000 in incentives, per a source,” reported Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com.</p><p>Bryant was a part of the return package that the Texans got back when they traded wide receiver John Metchie to the Philadelphia Eagles shortly before the 2025 NFL season got underway. He’s a former fourth round pick by the Cleveland Browns who played his college football at Florida Atlantic.</p><p>At this point, it’s unclear how much Bryant figures to factor into the Texans’ offensive scheme in Stover’s absence, but it will certainly be nice for the team to have some additional depth in that department in the wake of the injury.</p><p>Overall, the Texans did not exactly look like a team ready to make the next step and compete for championships with their performance against the Rams. However, they’ll have a chance to make things right with their next game, which will take place on Monday night at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Texans promote veteran tight end after Week 1 on incentive-laden deal

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-most-blame-close-week-1-loss-rams');   ga('set', 'title', 'Texans most to blame for close Week 1 loss to Rams');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Texans-most-to-blame-for-ugly-Week-1-loss-to-Rams.jpg"></figure><h1>Texans most to blame for close Week 1 loss to Rams</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-09T17:26:23-07:00">September 9th, 5:26pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-09T17:26:23-07:00">September 9th, 5:26pm</time><address><a href="http://hoopnut.blogspot.com/">Enzo Flojo</a>Enzo Flojo is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints and a columnist for Asian basketball at FIBA. He brings a dynamic spirit and background, having expertise that spans writing, analytics, coaching, and broadcasting. He is also currently an Assistant Coach on Scouting &amp; Analytics for the Philippine national youth basketball team.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Texans entered SoFi Stadium on Sunday eager to showcase an improved roster and build momentum around CJ Stroud in his second season. Instead, they left with more questions than answers. The Texans <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/matchup/_/gameId/401772723">fell 14-9</a> to the Los Angeles Rams in a winnable contest defined by missed opportunities, costly mistakes, and self-inflicted wounds. In a game that came down to execution, Houston did everything possible to beat itself.</p><h2><b>Texans stumble despite chances to win</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/772989480-cj-stroud.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>For the Texans, injuries along the offensive line, costly penalties, and the challenge of integrating an almost entirely new <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-drops-truth-bomb-on-houstons-offseason-progress">supporting cast around quarterback Stroud</a> led to inconsistency from start to finish. Despite hanging close, Houston’s fate was sealed in the final two minutes when Nate Landman forced a decisive fumble. This allowed the Rams to escape with the win despite a sluggish offensive performance.</p><p>Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams/rams-news-matthew-stafford-reflects-hitting-rare-qb-milestone">surpassed the 60,000-yard career passing milestone</a>. Meanwhile, wideout Puka Nacua delivered the game’s standout performance with 10 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown. By contrast, Texans receiver Nico Collins was held to just 23 yards on three catches. Jayden Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson provided only modest contributions. Nick Chubb paced the ground game with 60 yards on 13 carries, but Houston’s inability to protect its quarterback and avoid penalties ultimately turned a winnable contest into a bitter Week 1 defeat.</p><p>Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Houston Texans personnel most to blame for close Week 1 loss to Rams.</p><h2><b>Offensive line failures hamper offensive rhythm</b></h2><p>The Texans’ offensive line was the most glaring liability on the field. Injuries and inexperience created a lack of cohesion. Stroud faced pressure on over 40 percent of his dropbacks and was sacked three times. That left Houston’s offense sputtering before drives could find rhythm. The inability to consistently establish a clean pocket forced Stroud into rushed throws and long-yardage situations.</p><p>Even the run game was limited by poor blocking. Holes closed quickly, leaving Houston with little balance to keep the Rams’ defense honest. Once the Texans fell behind, the line’s struggles forced predictable play-calling and opened the door for Los Angeles to pin its ears back. The offensive line instability just left everything off schedule.</p><h2><b>Costly turnovers kill momentum</b></h2><p>Turnovers were the difference in a tight, low-scoring contest. Dare Ogunbowale’s fumble in the fourth quarter was especially devastating. That ended Houston’s best chance at a game-winning drive and flipped momentum back to the Rams. His history of ball-security issues only amplifies the frustration. This was not an isolated slip but part of a troubling pattern.</p><p>Stroud, meanwhile, couldn’t overcome the constant harassment from the Rams’ front. He threw an interception that stalled another promising drive. Although not entirely his fault, it was emblematic of an offense that could not finish what it started. Instead of capitalizing on a shaky Rams performance, the Texans handed opportunities away.</p><h2><b>Receiver struggles and secondary challenges</b></h2><p>For all the talk about Houston’s revamped offensive weapons, Week 1 highlighted just how far they still have to go. Collins, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-nico-collins-bold-prediction-fans-2025">who was expected to set the tone</a>, managed only 25 yards on three catches. He failed to stretch the field or draw extra defensive attention. Higgins and Hutchinson showed flashes but couldn’t fill the void. As such, Houston’s offense felt one-dimensional and easier to contain.</p><p>Defensively, the Texans’ secondary also faltered. They just had no answers for Nacua, who torched the defense and served as Stafford’s safety valve throughout the afternoon. Even when Stafford was under pressure, Nacua’s reliability bailed out the Rams. This glaring weakness for Houston, and it could only grow against the elite passers of the AFC.</p><h2><b>Penalties and discipline issues stall progress</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/CJ-Stroud-drops-truth-bomb-on-Houstons-offseason-progress.jpg"><figcaption>Credit: Troy Taormina</figcaption></figure><p>Beyond turnovers and blocking woes, Houston sabotaged itself with penalties. The Texans committed 11 infractions for 80 yards. That’s an unacceptable total for a team trying to win on the margins. Many came at the worst possible times, too. They had false starts that wiped away manageable third downs, holding calls that negated gains, and defensive penalties that extended Rams’ drives.</p><p>Discipline is often the hidden difference between victory and defeat in close games. The Texans just gifted the Rams extra chances and sabotaging their own progress. Until Houston cleans up its execution, even games they should win will remain out of reach.</p><h2><b>Accountability is urgent</b></h2><p>The Texans’ Week 1 loss wasn’t about being overmatched. It was about failing to execute in critical areas. The offensive line’s collapses, costly turnovers, lack of receiver production, secondary breakdowns, and penalty problems combined to waste what could have been a statement win to start the year. Instead, Houston now heads into Monday Night Football at 0-1.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/c-j-stroud-fraud-watch-continues-texans-week-1-disappointment">Accountability has to come quickly</a>. The AFC South may not be the league’s toughest division, but it will punish inconsistency. Week 1 must serve as a wake-up call for the Texans.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Texans most to blame for close Week 1 loss to Rams

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-week-1-losers-ravens-same-old-ravens-better-worse');   ga('set', 'title', 'NFL Week 1 losers: Ravens look like the same old Ravens, for better or worse');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NFL-Week-1-Losers.jpg"></figure><h1>NFL Week 1 losers: Ravens look like the same old Ravens, for better or worse</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-09T16:18:14-07:00">September 9th, 4:18pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-09T16:18:14-07:00">September 9th, 4:18pm</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is a Senior Editor and NFL Lead at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Baltimore Ravens</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The NFL is back! Week 1 delivered in the best way, with great games coming down to the wire in all four primetime windows and throughout the Sunday slate.</p><p>Some teams with high expectations soared through their openers. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/packers-news-reasons-micah-parsons-dc-ready-to-run-through-wall">Green Bay Packers looked like the Super Bowl contenders</a> everyone was hoping for in a destruction of the Detroit Lions after the Micah Parsons trade. The Bills and the Ravens played one of the best regular season games you’ll ever see on Sunday night, with Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson ascending to another planet while going blow-for-blow with each other.</p><p>On the flip side, not everyone left Sunday with a smile. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/dolphins-news-rex-ryan-no-respect-take-mike-mcdaniel">Miami Dolphins embarrassed themselves</a> in a disastrous loss to the Colts, while the Texans still couldn’t protect C.J. Stroud in a loss to the Rams. The Broncos escaped with a win over the Titans despite a poor day from Bo Nix and the offense.</p><p>Were those dreadful showings enough to make the losers list? Here is the worst of the worst from Week 1.</p><h2><b>The Ravens are the NFL’s best team… until they have to be</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Baltimore-Ravens-head-coach-John-Harbaugh.jpg"><figcaption>Mark Konezny-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>For 55 minutes on Sunday night, watching the Baltimore Ravens was football heaven. Lamar Jackson was a walking explosive play through the air while producing a scramble that somehow took him from 25 yards in the backfield to a third-and-10 conversion, all while making Chris Collinsworth mutter some inaudible noises into his headset. Derrick Henry was still very big and very fast, outrunning a helpless Bills defense that had no answers for it.</p><p>Then, with five minutes to go in the game, the Ravens remembered that they are in fact the best team in the NFL, not at football, but at losing games that make you stare at your TV for a half-hour afterwards and wonder: <i>How did they just lose that game? </i></p><p>Something out of the Ravens’ control kickstarted the collapse when Keon Coleman was right there to reel in a bizarre tipped fourth-down pass for a touchdown to cut the lead to eight. Then Baltimore fell into the same sort of implosion that has plagued it more than any other team over the last few seasons.</p><p>Derrick Henry, normally an invincible iron man, fumbled at the worst possible time to set up another Buffalo touchdown, cutting the lead to just two. Then, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/baltimore-ravens/ravens-news-john-harbaugh-doubles-down-4th-down-punt-decision-bills">John Harbaugh decided to punt the ball</a> on fourth-and-3 instead of giving Jackson another crack at closing the game out.</p><p><i>They just lost the game </i>was the only thought rolling through my head the second the punter stepped on the field for Baltimore, and Josh Allen proceeded to march the Bills right into chipshot field goal range to seal the improbable victory. This loss may not matter, or it may be the reason the Ravens are back in Buffalo in January instead of in front of their home fans.</p><h2><b>Mike McDaniel’s seat is heating up</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Mike-McDaniel-on-Sept.-7-2025.jpg"><figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The vibes were seemingly bad in Miami this offseason, as Mike McDaniel’s once-innovative offense had grown stale and Tua Tagovailoa came off yet another injury-riddled season. Could Miami recapture the explosiveness that made it must-watch TV in 2023? Would the defense hold up? Can the Dolphins protect their franchise quarterback?</p><p>On Sunday, the vibes took a nosedive to levels that haven’t been seen before in the Sunshine State. McDaniel, Tagovailoa and company were completely helpless in a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/dolphins-most-blame-embarrassing-week-1-loss-colts">33-8 rout at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts</a>, surely the most dreadful overall team performance of the weekend.</p><p>Daniel Jones made his first start as a Colt and absolutely cut up the Miami defense all day long. On the other side, Tagovailoa turned the ball over three times, took three sacks on just seven pressures, and it took less than two quarters for our first Tyreek Hill sideline crashout of the season (it won’t be the last!).</p><p>It may not be possible for a coach’s seat to be hot after just one game, but McDaniel’s chair is at least pre-heating with the Patriots on deck in Week 2.</p><h2><b>The Texans still can’t protect C.J. Stroud</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Stroud-lollygag.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Texans were a major disappointment on offense in Year 2 with C.J. Stroud at quarterback, and the offensive line was the root cause of all of their problems. Houston couldn’t run the ball and couldn’t give its young star quarterback any time to throw, causing him to plateau a bit after an incredible rookie season.</p><p>Houston did fire offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik at the end of the season, but they failed to upgrade the personnel up front. In fact, the Texans decided to address being a laughing stock in pass protection by… trading star left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders?</p><p>On Sunday, Stroud was introduced to a very good Rams defense line, and they got after him all day long. The third-year star was pressured on 14 of his 34 drop backs according to Next Gen Stats, a pressure rate north of 40%. He took just three sacks, but the pressure was constant as Houston tried to get back in the game in the second half.</p><p>That is not tenable even for one of the best pocket managers in football in Stroud with a great receiver in Nico Collins on the outside, and it is a big reason why Houston didn’t find the end zone once in Week 1.</p><h2><b>It’s a bad time to be a CB2 in the NFL</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/full_5dbc16.jpg"><figcaption>Steven Bisig-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Passing games are seemingly better than ever in the NFL, but there are still a select group of star cornerbacks that can shut down even the game’s best wide receivers. Those players were on full display in Week 1 and made a number of great plays. Jaycee Horn came down with a one-handed interception, Sauce Gardner had a great day for the Jets, and Jalen Ramsey settled his beef with Garrett Wilson with one of the biggest hits of the weekend to seal the Steelers’ win.</p><p>However, the players opposite those top corners had a brutal weekend. Teams picked on the rotating cast of weaker starting corners relentlessly throughout Week 1, and it popped off the screen in almost every game.</p><p>It started on Thursday night, when new additions Adoree’ Jackson (who gave up a league-high 103 yards in coverage) and Kaiir Elam took turns getting brutalized through the air during Eagles-Cowboys. On Sunday morning, Aaron Rodgers put the microscope on Brandon Stephens for two of his four touchdowns in his Pittsburgh debut.</p><p>Elsewhere around the league, Tariq Woolen almost single-handedly lost a divisional game for the Seahawks by giving up two of the more inexplicable catches of the weekend, and Josh Allen created one of the craziest comebacks in NFL history by almost exclusively targeting Chidobe Awuzie and Jaire Alexander. Beware, CB2s, the quarterbacks are coming for you in 2025.</p><h2><b>The Week 1 Bengals are back</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/780746488-joe-burrow-zac-taylor.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Lange-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>In 2024, the Bengals started their season off with the biggest surprise of Week 1, losing a sloppy game to the dreadful New England Patriots. At the time, everyone thought all would be fine in Cincinnati and that Joe Burrow and company would figure everything out.</p><p>Well, Joe Burrow did figure it out. The rest of the Bengals, however, did not, and Cincinnati missed the playoffs with the worst defense in the NFL. Surely getting off on the right foot was a top priority for the Bengals against a Cleveland Browns team that was in the news this offseason for just about everything except for being a good football team.</p><p>Well, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/worried-about-bengals-week-1-escape-you-have-every-right-to-be">Bengals technically got in the win column</a> with a 17-16 victory, but they limped out of Cleveland arguably feeling worse about themselves than they did when they got off the bus. After playing a solid first half that included two nice touchdown drives, the Bengals finished with seven total yards in the second half. Seven!!!</p><p>The Bengals owe a lot of thanks after still coming out of Cleveland with a win. First, thanks to the Tennessee Titans and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tennessee-titans/titans-news-brian-callahan-admits-blowing-challenge-decision-rules-mishap">Brian Callahan struggling with the rules of football</a>, seven yards wasn’t even the lowest second-half total of the week. Secondly, Cincinnati should thank the Browns for doing a lot of Browns-ing to somehow come out with a loss despite their defense dominating Burrow and company after halftime.</p><p>Cleveland missed an extra point, a short field goal and threw a pair of tipped-ball interceptions that helped the Bengals get over the top. However, Zac Taylor and his staff have plenty to fix before Week 2.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NFL Week 1 losers: Ravens look like the same old Ravens, for better or worse

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-key-c-j-stroud-weapon-out-indefinitely-broken-foot');   ga('set', 'title', 'Key C.J. Stroud weapon out indefinitely with broken foot');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Cade-Stover-during-Texans-training-camp.jpg"><figcaption>© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Key C.J. Stroud weapon out indefinitely with broken foot</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-08T12:41:27-07:00">September 8th, 12:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-08T13:12:43-07:00">September 8th, 1:12pm</time><address><a>Ben Strauss</a>Ben Strauss is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a die-hard NFL fan who cheers for the Detroit Lions. He has previously written fantasy football content for IDPGuys and ImportantNonsense.com.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Texans did not start the 2025 NFL season on the right foot. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/c-j-stroud-fraud-watch-continues-texans-week-1-disappointment">Houston lost a close 14-9 game against Los Angeles</a> in Week 1. Texans fans were disappointed that their offense played so poorly. Now the situation just got worse with some tough injury news.</p><p>Texans tight end Cade Stover <a href="https://x.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1965112303143321754" rel="noopener">broke his foot on Sunday</a> against the Rams, per Texans reporter Aaron Wilson. Stover will be out indefinitely while he recovers from this injury.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-christian-kirk-suffers-hamstring-injury">Texans are already down WR Christian Kirk</a>, who suffered a hamstring injury before Week 1. And <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-gm-nick-caserio-gives-cryptic-joe-mixon-injury-update">Joe Mixon won’t be back for another three games</a> at least.</p><p>Now that Stover is injured too, Houston’s offensive depth could become a problem.</p><p>It already is a problem at tight end. Starter Dalton Schultz is healthy, but everyone else is banged up.</p><p>The Texans are without both Brevin Jordan and Irv Smith Jr., both of whom are on injured reserve. Stover’s injury makes that bad situation even worse.</p><p>Houston will likely add another tight end to provide some depth.</p><h2><b>Cade Stover still has promising future with the Texans</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Cade-Stover.jpg"><figcaption>© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/meet-the-texans-2024-nfl-draft-class-grades-for-all-9-picks">Houston drafted Stover in the fourth round</a> of the 2024 NFL Draft.</p><p>Stover did not have a huge role as a rookie, but he looked more involved in the offense on Sunday.</p><p>In fact, Stover hauled in four receptions for 22 yards before his injury. That may not sound like a lot, but it is a big jump for someone that only had 15 receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown as a rookie.</p><p>Houston’s brass fell in love with Stover’s work ethic and passion for football. That’s what prompted them to draft him in the first place.</p><p>“Whatever it is, it’s elite,” Texans GM Nick Caserio said of Stover. “This guy is as tough, hard-nosed a player they had in the program. This is probably one of our favorite football players in the entire draft, regardless of position, because of his mentality, because of his mindset. And he still is developing as a player. Blue-collar as they come. Makeup, traits, toughness, mentality, this is an elite guy.”</p><p>Hopefully Stover can recover from his injury and get his career back on track.</p><p>As for Houston, next up is a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/schedule">Week 2 matchup against Tampa Bay</a>.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Key C.J. Stroud weapon out indefinitely with broken foot

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/c-j-stroud-fraud-watch-continues-texans-week-1-disappointment');   ga('set', 'title', 'C.J. Stroud fraud watch continues with Texans’ Week 1 disappointment');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/780718714-cj-stroud-being-sacked.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>C.J. Stroud fraud watch continues with Texans’ Week 1 disappointment</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-08T10:39:45-07:00">September 8th, 10:39am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-08T10:39:45-07:00">September 8th, 10:39am</time><address><a>Bailey Bassett</a>Bailey Bassett is a sports writer from Denver, Colorado, covering major sports events and athlete backgrounds at ClutchPoints. He has experience covering and writing on high school, collegiate, and professional sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>C.J. Stroud had one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history. The Houston Texans star threw for 4,108 yards during his <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-wins-offensive-rookie-year-historic-2023-campaign">Rookie of the Year-winning campaign</a>. The Ohio State product broke numerous records in the process. Notably, Stroud became just the third quarterback to <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/texans/news/goat-houston-texans-quarterback-cj-stroud-historic-company-tom-brady-joe-montana-rookie" rel="noopener">lead the league</a> in both touchdown-to-interception ratio and passing yards per game. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/updating-and-ranking-the-50-greatest-nfl-players-of-all-time">All-time NFL greats</a> Joe Montana and Tom Brady were the only other players to accomplish that feat.</p><p>Stroud also tied the rookie record for touchdown passes in a playoff game. In that 45-13 win over the Cleveland Browns, Stroud became the youngest quarterback to ever win a playoff matchup. There were big expectations heading into his second season, but Stroud had somewhat of a sophomore slump. Stroud’s numbers regressed to just 3,727 yards and 20 touchdowns in year two, and the Texans were forced to be heavily reliant on their defense.</p><p>Many quarterbacks struggle in their second seasons as opposing defenses are oftentimes able to find things that work against still-young quarterbacks after a year of tape is available. Stroud was expected to return to elite status during the 2025 season, but he got off to an ugly start that has some calling him a fraud.</p><h2><b>C.J. Stroud struggles against the Rams</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/780718721-cj-stroud-rolling-left.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>The Texans lost 14-9 in their Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The defense was again great, but Stroud and the offense struggled to get anything going. Stroud threw for just 188 yards, and his offense was never able to punch the ball into the end zone. The usually risk-averse quarterback even threw a costly interception.</p><p>The disappointing performance through the air was a particular letdown because the Texans have a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/ranking-all-32-nfl-teams-receiving-corps-for-2025-season">great receiving corps</a>. Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, and Jaylin Noel did next to nothing in a game in which Christian Kirk sat out, though. Higgins was the leading receiver, but he had just 32 yards.</p><p>Nothing developed downfield for the Texans’ offense, and their drives were often short and ineffective. The Rams were far from brilliant on offense, but Matthew Stafford was at least able to get some things going, and he was even playing with a bad back.</p><p>The Rams do have an impressive defense, but such a poor performance was inexcusable for Houston. Stroud still has MVP potential, but with each passing poor performance, it is looking more and more like his rookie season was a fluke. Stroud will need a huge performance and a couple of wins in the coming weeks to buck the fraud label.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

C.J. Stroud fraud watch continues with Texans’ Week 1 disappointment

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-puts-blast-lollygagging-rams-week-1');   ga('set', 'title', 'Texans QB C.J. Stroud puts team on blast for ‘lollygagging’ vs. Rams');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Stroud-lollygag.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Texans QB C.J. Stroud puts team on blast for ‘lollygagging’ vs. Rams</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-08T08:55:12-07:00">September 8th, 8:55am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-08T08:55:12-07:00">September 8th, 8:55am</time><address><a>Matt Wadleigh</a>Matt Wadleigh is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints who used to lead NCAA Football and NCAA Basketball coverage while also specializing in MLB and NFL coverage. He was born and raised in Oceanside and resides in Fresno with his wife and two dogs. Matthew is a huge Southern California sports fan and a retired member of the Fresno State drumline.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Texans entered the 2025 NFL season with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-bold-predictions-2025-nfl-season">playoff hopes once again</a>. But, Week 1 was not kind as they lost to the Los Angeles Rams, 14-9.</p><p>While the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-christian-kirk-braxton-berrios-injury-updates-before-week-1">Texans had some injury concerns heading into the game,</a> scoring nine points and going without a single touchdown was not what anybody expected.</p><p>Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for just 188 yards with zero touchdowns and an interception, and he was sacked three times in a tough opening weekend result.</p><p>After the game, Stroud said <a href="https://apnews.com/article/texans-rams-cj-stroud-c9c09a2c0199c8c7b08139f9d71ce383" rel="noopener">they were “lollygagging,</a>” according to Greg Beachem of The Associated Press.</p><p>“We didn’t deserve to win that game because we didn’t do the right things,” Stroud said. “When you come out in the NFL lollygagging and going through the motions, that kind of happens. I think we’ll be all right, but I think it’s a good wakeup call for us.”</p><p>At the end of the day, Stroud knows the Texans have to play better going forward.</p><p>“Just for me, preparing, I’ve got to do a better job, and I’ve also got to hold all of my guys accountable. And it’s the first game of the year. We got a lot of exotic looks we did not expect. They did, too. They made the plays. You can come up with a million excuses. We’ve just got to be better.”</p><p>The offense was very sluggish for the Texans in Week 1, and the Rams’ defense found ways to keep them in check all game long, with the exception of three field goals. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, so it was a sluggish offensive showing from both sides to start the year.</p><p>Stroud and the Texans will aim to bounce back in Week 2 in a showdown against the Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night football in Houston.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Texans QB C.J. Stroud puts team on blast for ‘lollygagging’ vs. Rams

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-christian-kirk-braxton-berrios-injury-updates-before-week-1');   ga('set', 'title', 'Texans’ Christian Kirk, Braxton Berrios get unfortunate injury updates before Week 1 vs. Rams');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Christian-Kirk-.jpg"><figcaption>© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Texans’ Christian Kirk, Braxton Berrios get unfortunate injury updates before Week 1 vs. Rams</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-05T15:23:18-07:00">September 5th, 3:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-05T15:23:18-07:00">September 5th, 3:23pm</time><address><a>Guillermo Guajardo</a>Guillermo Guajardo is a dynamic sports presenter with experience on various television channels and digital platforms, most recently with A Tiempo.TV. He is also a multidisciplinary artist with 10 years of experience in acting, directing, writing, and hosting. His work in film has been recognized at international festivals, earning awards for both his performances and directorial projects.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In the opening week of the NFL, the Houston Texans will be without two key pieces as they kick off the 2025 season against the Los Angeles Rams. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-christian-kirk-suffers-hamstring-injury">The Texans confirmed that wide receiver Christian Kirk</a> and return specialist Braxton Berrios have been ruled out with hamstring injuries after missing practice all week.</p><p>The Texans<a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1964057185970733108?t=LdvMP7jXT0A9Dx25h4zOSA&amp;s=19" rel="noopener"> officially ruled out</a> Kirk following his absences on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. His recovery is expected to take one to two weeks, while Berrios is projected to return sooner. Both losses remove key pieces from Houston’s passing game and special teams just as the season begins.</p><p>The absence of Christian Kirk puts added pressure on the team’s younger receivers. Rookie Jaylin Noel is expected to step into a bigger role after being selected in the third round out of Iowa State, where he was recognized for his speed and strong hands as a slot receiver. Fellow rookie Jayden Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson could also see more opportunities, while Pro Bowler Nico Collins remains the primary target.</p><p>Kirk arrived in Houston via trade from Jacksonville and quickly earned praise for his precise route running and consistency. Last season, he recorded 25 receptions for 320 yards and a touchdown in eight games before suffering a broken collarbone. Over his career, he has totaled 404 catches for 5,176 yards and 29 touchdowns.</p><p>While Noel’s role will be crucial early, Houston also reshaped its special teams plans. With Berrios sidelined, running back Dameon Pierce will handle return duties. A Pro Bowl alternate, Pierce has displayed explosiveness in the return game and could be pivotal in the opener.</p><p>The Texans’ injury report also listed guard Ed Ingram as questionable with an abdominal issue. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-rams-bold-predictions-week-1-2025-nfl-season">He traveled with the team to Los Angeles</a> and is expected to attempt to play. Backup tackle Cam Robinson returned from illness, while right tackle Blake Fisher was cleared after dealing with a preseason ankle sprain. That leaves wide receiver depth as the team’s biggest concern heading into Sunday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Texans’ Christian Kirk, Braxton Berrios get unfortunate injury updates before Week 1 vs. Rams

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-christian-kirk-suffers-hamstring-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Texas WR Christian Kirk suffers hamstring injury ahead of Week 1');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Christian-Kirk-with-Houston-Texans.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Texas WR Christian Kirk suffers hamstring injury ahead of Week 1</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-04T13:37:57-07:00">September 4th, 1:37pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-04T13:51:14-07:00">September 4th, 1:51pm</time><address><a>Benedetto Vitale</a>Benedetto Vitale is an avid sports writer who is an expert at covering the NFL, college football, NBA, and UFC. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 with a film degree but has since dedicated his career to sports writing.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-demeco-ryans-sends-fired-up-message-ahead-of-week-1">Houston Texans are set to take on</a> the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1 to kick off the NFL season. Expectations are high as many believe they are the favorite to win the AFC South. However, the team’s wide receiver group takes another hit after Christian Kirk suffers an injury ahead of the season opener.</p><p>Reports indicate that the 28-year-old wide receiver suffered a hamstring injury that <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1963698044182176092" rel="noopener">will likely rule him out</a> in Week 1, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. There is a chance Kirk could be out for more than just the first game of the season, as it’s said to be a two-week injury.</p><p>“Texans WR Christian Kirk has a strained hamstring that is expected to sideline him for at least Sunday’s opener vs. the Rams and possibly longer, per sources. One source estimated it to be a two-week injury for Kirk, but the Texans will be ‘cautious’ with him.”</p><p>The injury comes at a crucial time, as Houston will have to play Week 1 without Christian Kirk in the lineup. That leaves the Texans with Nico Collins leading the wide receiver group, with rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylen Noel both potentially taking on a bigger role than initially planned. Other wideouts on the roster include Xavier Hutchinson, Justin Watson, and Braxton Berrios.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars/jaguars-news-jacksonville-trades-christian-kirk-texans-instead-releasing-him">Christian Kirk was traded to the Texans</a> this offseason after originally signing a four-year, $72 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars decided to go in a different direction at wide receiver after going all in on Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter. Houston had a need, and the front office felt that Kirk was the best veteran option.</p><p>We’ll see if this is an injury the veteran wideout can bounce back from. Hamstrings can tend to linger. So, the Texans will likely remain cautious moving forward. But having him back in the lineup would be ideal for this offense. Christian Kirk ended last season with 27 receptions, 379 yards, and one touchdown after playing in just eight games, after suffering a season-ending core muscle injury in Week 13.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Texas WR Christian Kirk suffers hamstring injury ahead of Week 1

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/why-nfl-must-consider-radical-rule-changes-field-goals');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why NFL must consider radical rule changes for field goals');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Why-NFL-must-consider-radical-rule-changes-for-field-goals.jpg"></figure><h1>Why NFL must consider radical rule changes for field goals</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-04T11:10:59-07:00">September 4th, 11:10am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-04T11:12:31-07:00">September 4th, 11:12am</time><address><a href="https://matthew516sports.substack.com/">Douglas Fritz</a>Douglas Fritz has been writing about sports for almost four decades and publishes a Christian sports newsletter and podcast on Substack at Matthew516Sports. He started as a reporter for the student newspaper at East Tennessee State University, worked his way up to Editor-In-Chief, and began his sports writing career at the Johnson City Press daily newspaper while still in college. During 30-plus years at the Press, he covered University of Tennessee football, men's and women's basketball, ETSU athletics, and high school athletics. Among the people he has interviewed are Dale Murphy, Bobby Cox, John Smoltz, and Bruce Smith. He is also a Christian-based screenwriter (five feature-length and one short), book writer (three completed manuscripts and one novel), and songwriter.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/cowboys-rumors-trevon-diggs-expected-play-week-1">NFL is a rough place with collisions, injuries,</a> concussions, and … field goals? Yeah, not so rough <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars/jaguars-news-cam-little-makes-70-yard-bet-after-preseason-boot">in the world of place-kicking</a>, right? And because kickers are expanding their length, here is why the NFL must consider radical rule changes for field goals.</p><p>And there is a reasonable solution.</p><p>There’s no doubt the league wants to see more touchdowns. And the NFL wants teams to go for it more on fourth down instead of settling for field goals.</p><p>But let’s look at the length of Cam Little’s preseason field goal for the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s now possible for a team to score three points without reaching midfield. Before Little’s 70-yard bomb, the longest successful NFL kick was 66 yards. That required a trek to the opponent’s 49-yard line. Little’s kick came with the ball on the Jaguars’ 47-yard line.</p><p>With the new touchback rule putting the ball at the 35-yard line, the Jaguars — and perhaps the Cowboys with Brandon Aubrey — only need 12 yards to be in field-goal range.</p><h2><b>NFL needs to change its rules for FG scoring</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Jacksonville-Jaguars-PK-Cam-Little.jpg"><figcaption>© Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>OK, it’s obvious that teams still want to score touchdowns. The real goal of football is not getting close and kicking the ball over the heads of the defenders. Teams want touchdowns. Players want touchdowns. And six-point plays are definitely what the fans want to see. Many NFL fans would likely feel ripped off if the final score was 9-6 with no touchdowns.</p><p>But if the situation allows a team to score three points instead of punting, why not?</p><p>Of course, teams aren’t going to try these ultra-long kicks at just any point in the game. It usually comes at the end of the half or the game.</p><p>But think about this fairly common scenario. A team scores a touchdown, kicks the extra point, and takes a one-point lead with say, 10 seconds remaining on the clock. In the old days, it was game over.</p><p>These days, the scoring team might still lose. If the return gets back to near the 30-yard line, or if there is a touchback, the trailing team needs just one fairly short completion to be in long field goal range.</p><p>Who really wants to see this? Kickers already hold way more sway over the outcome of a truly physical game than they should. Teams battle and fight like warriors only to watch some guy — who kicked into a net all game — trot onto the field and get treated like a hero. Or perhaps a goat.</p><p>Furthermore, it’s becoming increasingly easy to make field goals from long distances. Kickers are connecting from 50-plus-yard attempts like it’s nothing. Even non-elite kickers are nailing long shots.</p><p>To show the level of ridiculousness, Houston Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn made an NFL record 13 kicks from 50-plus yards. I’m sorry, but what season-ticket holder for the Texans went into the season hoping to see that record get broken? It means the Texans’ offense failed over and over again when it got into the opponent’s territory.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/17/upshot/nfl-field-goal-kickers-records.html" rel="noopener">trend of trying longer kicks</a> has spiked upward over the past couple of decades, according to nytimes.com from November of last year, via nflfastR.</p><p>“Through the first 10 weeks of the season, there have been 153 attempts of at least 50 yards, compared with just 58 in the same period in 2004,” Ben Blatt wrote. “The frequency of shorter field goals has stayed about the same.”</p><p>Surfaces are better, kickers are stronger, and balls are sailing through the uprights.</p><p>Former NFL kicker Michael Husted, who now runs a kicking academy, said young kickers are learning more and getting better.</p><p>“People learn from watching other people kick a lot,” Husted said. “Kids come to my kicking camp who have learned everything off of YouTube.”</p><p>Statistics also show that NFL teams are attempting longer field goals, even outside of desperation situations late in each half.</p><h2><b>Why is this a big problem?</b></h2><p>It’s too much of a reward to edge past midfield and be in field-goal range. Yes, the risks of blocked kicks are higher. And misses mean the opponent gets great field position. But that may only mean the opponent goes three-and-out but gains enough yards to try its own long-range kick.</p><p>Long field goals aren’t the bread and butter of the NFL. And with the new kickoff rules where teams can start at the 35-yard line, they barely need one first down to get in field-goal range. Imagine a game where a team never crosses midfield, but wins the game on field goals. Yes, that’s far-fetched. But possible these days.</p><p>When teams previously started from the 20-yard line after a kickoff — and kickers usually had to be inside of 50 yards for coaches to pull the field-goal trigger — an offense had to gain almost 50 yards for a field goal attempt.</p><p>Kickers have helped offenses become less aggressive. Downfield passes may seem too risky if a 50-yard field goal is in the bag, depending on the game situation and score.</p><h2><b>So what is the NFL’s solution?</b></h2><p>Bear with me. The NFL has made this level of change before. Remember in 1974, the league moved the goalposts from the goal line to the back of the end zone.</p><p>Field goal attempts from 18-37 yards should count as three points as they do now. The reason for full value is that the offense would be rewarded for driving into the opponent’s Red Zone. You have to get to the opponent’s 20-yard line to attempt a three-point field goal under this rule change.</p><p>From 38-49 yards, field goals should count as only two points. The offense didn’t earn the right for a full three-point field goal and must settle for two.</p><p>Keeping things along the same lines, any field goal from 50-plus yards should only receive one point. Think about it. A team has 11 players who failed to move the football deep into the opponent’s territory. Why reward one guy trotting off the sideline with making up for the poor offensive performance?</p><p>Yes, it’s difficult to make a 70-yard field goal. Who cares? It’s difficult to connect on a 70-yard punt, but the offense gets no points for that. The punt is a white-flag surrender for offensive failure. So why is the field goal hailed as this magical game-saving moment?</p><h2><b>But what about the game-ending thrills?</b></h2><p>I’ll debate you on how exciting game-ending field goals are. Jim O’Brien, Adam Vinatieri, and Harrison Butker. That’s the list of game-winning Super Bowl field goals. So, who is remembered more? Vinatieri or Tom Brady? Butker or Patrick Mahomes?</p><p>Those kicks are a footnote, not great NFL moments. Give me Joe Montana to John Taylor any day of the week as a more exciting Super Bowl moment.</p><p>Plus, the endgame drama doesn’t go away. It simply changes.</p><p>For example, if a team needs three points to tie, it must reach the opponent’s 20-yard line to get a three-point kick. It becomes a strategy change, but it doesn’t lessen the excitement.</p><p>Also, think about this scenario. It’s fourth and a little over a yard for the Eagles at the Cowboys’ 21-yard line. There are 40 seconds left on the clock, and the Cowboys are out of timeouts. The Eagles trail, 30-28.</p><p>A Tush Push would give the Eagles a first down. They could run out the clock and kick the three-point field goal. Or they could settle for the tie with a two-point kick. But the Cowboys would have time to get back into field goal position. And a one-point kick would be a game-winner.</p><p>Same drama. The kickers are still involved. But it requires more effort for the offense, instead of using the field goal as a crutch when the unit fails.</p><p>Another possible selling point for this rule change is the possibility of an extra roster spot. If teams know they will be using kickers mainly for shorter field goals, they might be able to have their punter double up as the place-kicker.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why NFL must consider radical rule changes for field goals

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-db-cj-gardner-johnson-expected-to-play-vs-rams');   ga('set', 'title', 'Texans DB CJ Gardner-Johnson ‘expected to play’ vs. Rams');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Texans-safety-CJ-Gardner-Johnson-at-practice.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Texans DB CJ Gardner-Johnson ‘expected to play’ vs. Rams</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-03T13:15:52-07:00">September 3rd, 1:15pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-03T13:38:51-07:00">September 3rd, 1:38pm</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-davis-mills-inks-1-year-contract-extension">Houston Texans prepare for their</a> season opening matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, good news flooded through the locker room. Veteran safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, fresh off winning a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles last season, <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1963330460718702918" rel="noopener">is expected to play</a> against the Rams Sunday. Per NFL insider Adam Schefter via X (formerly Twitter), Gardner-Johnson’s training camp knee injury isn’t expected to be an issue.</p><p>“Texans S CJ Gardner-Johnson, who suffered a training camp knee injury that some worried could sideline him indefinitely, is expected to play Sunday in week one versus the Rams,” reported Schefter on Wednesday.</p><p>This is a massive boost for the Texans defense. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-houston-cj-gardner-johnson-injury-update-rams-tilt">Gardner-Johnson was brought in</a> to be a difference maker on the backend. After the knee injury sustained in camp, many thought he’d be out much longer based on how it looked. Now, it looks as if Houston’s defense will be full speed ahead in Los Angeles. Can Gardner-Johnson and his teammates orchestrate head coach DeMeco Ryans’ scheme to perfection Sunday? If so, then the Texans could get off to a fast start on the West Coast.</p><h2><b>Texans look to start 2025 off strong with season opening win over Rams</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Texans-HC-DeMeco-Ryans.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Ryans heads into his third season as the Texans head coach looking to build on his prior success. Two NFC South division titles under the head coach have led to playoff berths. Yet Houston was bounced in the divisional rounds in both 2023 and 2024. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-drops-truth-bomb-on-houstons-offseason-progress">The Texans are looking to</a> not only recapture the South but make it further than the divisional round in 2025.</p><p>A win on Sunday in Los Angeles would do nothing but help Houston accomplish that. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been limited by a bad back. It’s likely he’ll still be feeling it on Sunday. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-gardner-johnson-encouraging-injury-update-after-torn-acl-fears">If Gardner-Johnson and the Texans</a> defense can force the veteran into a few early mistakes, then a victorious outcome in the season opener could come much easier than many expect.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Texans DB CJ Gardner-Johnson ‘expected to play’ vs. Rams

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-davis-mills-inks-1-year-contract-extension');   ga('set', 'title', 'Texans’ Davis Mills inks 1-year contract extension before Week 1');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Davis-Mills.jpg"><figcaption>© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Texans’ Davis Mills inks 1-year contract extension before Week 1</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-02T15:20:37-07:00">September 2nd, 3:20pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-02T15:20:37-07:00">September 2nd, 3:20pm</time><address><a>Guillermo Guajardo</a>Guillermo Guajardo is a dynamic sports presenter with experience on various television channels and digital platforms, most recently with A Tiempo.TV. He is also a multidisciplinary artist with 10 years of experience in acting, directing, writing, and hosting. His work in film has been recognized at international festivals, earning awards for both his performances and directorial projects.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Before their<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-rams-bold-predictions-week-1-2025-nfl-season"> season opener against the Rams,</a> the Houston Texans reached a new agreement with Davis Mills after steady negotiations. The team officially finalized a one-year, $7 million extension with the backup quarterback, securing his continued place on the active roster through the 2026 season.</p><p>With this move completed, Houston will have two quarterbacks under contract for at least the next two seasons, with C.J. Stroud locked in as the franchise starter and Mills continuing as the reliable No. 2 option. The deal also <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1962968614048330000" rel="noopener">provides additional stability in the quarterback room</a> alongside rookie Graham Mertz, who begins the year as the developmental third string.</p><p>Mills was originally selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft and has spent his entire professional career with the Texans. He started 26 games in his first two seasons, completing 62.6 percent of his passes for 6,167 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions overall. During that span, Houston posted a 5-19-1 record in his starts while the team was undergoing an extended roster rebuild.</p><p>Since Stroud’s arrival as the No. 2 overall pick in 2023, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-davis-mills-goes-viral-wild-drive-hof-bears">Mills’ role has been limited primarily to occasional appearances.</a> Last season, he attempted 75 passes in 10 games, completing 20 of 36 throws for 212 yards without a touchdown or interception recorded. He also registered his first postseason completion during Houston’s Wild Card playoff win over Cleveland, which provided important depth at the position.</p><p>Even with limited playing time, Mills’ veteran experience remains valuable for a team with strong playoff aspirations. His best statistical stretch came in 2022, when he threw for 3,118 yards and 17 touchdowns across 15 competitive games. Turnovers were an issue that year, but he has shown the ability to step in when needed and provide steady reliability behind Stroud.</p><p>This new contract officially marks the second straight September in which Mills has signed a short-term extension with the Texans organization. With the deal firmly in place, Houston now enters the season with clarity in its quarterback depth, ensuring stability at the game’s most important and scrutinized position heading confidently into Week 1.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Texans’ Davis Mills inks 1-year contract extension before Week 1

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-drops-truth-bomb-on-houstons-offseason-progress');   ga('set', 'title', 'CJ Stroud drops truth bomb on Texans’ offseason progress');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/CJ-Stroud-drops-truth-bomb-on-Houstons-offseason-progress.jpg"><figcaption>Credit: Troy Taormina</figcaption></figure><h1>CJ Stroud drops truth bomb on Texans’ offseason progress</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-02T10:56:30-07:00">September 2nd, 10:56am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-02T10:56:30-07:00">September 2nd, 10:56am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/chris.spiering.3" rel="facebook">Chris Spiering</a>Chris Spiering graduated from the University of San Diego with a Communication Studies Degree. He spent his final year as the Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris manages the betting team at ClutchPoints and contributes about the NFL, MLB, and NBA, but he follows most sports, including NCAA Basketball. Chris also covers San Diego State men's basketball for East Village Times.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>When the Houston Texans hired Nick Caley as the new offensive coordinator, they hoped he would be a perfect pairing with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-shuts-down-slump-narrative-last-year">quarterback CJ Stroud</a>. Caley was the passing game coordinator and tight ends coach for the Los Angeles Rams last season. Rams head coach Sean McVay had another coach leave for a promotion.</p><p><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/takeaways-jordan-love-is-taking-his-game-next-level#_s326okxbe" rel="noopener">Sports Illustrated broke down the pairing</a> between Stroud and Caley and how the Texans’ offense is expected to improve in 2025 and beyond.</p><p>In the SI article, it mentions that Caley wanted to get to know Stroud right away after the hiring.</p><p>“It was just to tell him, I’m here to try and allow him to be at his best, which ultimately will help our offense,” Caley said. “If you can get a quarterback to be at their best, your offense has a chance to be at its best, starting off there. And honestly in the spring, before we got into it, it was getting to know each other and finding out what’s important to him, what’s his why, how is he wired, how am I wired. We both love football, we both care an awful lot about it, and that kind of sparked our relationship.”</p><p>Football brings a certain bond that forces you to trust others. All 11 people on the field must do their jobs at the same time to be successful. Caley wants to trust Stroud and vice versa. Depending on how the offense is run this season, we could see that trust firsthand. Caley wants Stroud to be able to figure things out on the fly, something the Texans were unable to do a season ago.</p><p>Here is how Stroud sees it from his point of view.</p><p>“The ability to do some of that run-and-gun stuff that the Rams did, a lot of motion, to add some of the scheme that the Patriots did during the dynasty, it’s a little bit of both,” Stroud said. “The protections have been solid, we know what’s going on most of the time, I’m not throwing hot every play, which is nice. So yeah, it’s been a good mixture of both. Nick’s done a nice job with the balance.”</p><p>The Texans are dealing with some injuries on offense. Stroud has depth at the receiver position, but will be <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-joe-mixon-miss-first-4-games-2025-ankle-injury">without running back Joe Mixon for at least the first four games</a>. Tank Dell and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-reacts-to-brevin-jordans-sad-injury">Brevin Jordan</a> will also miss the entire season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

CJ Stroud drops truth bomb on Texans’ offseason progress

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-demeco-ryans-sends-fired-up-message-ahead-of-week-1');   ga('set', 'title', 'Texans’ DeMeco Ryans sends ‘fired up’ message ahead of Week 1');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DeMeco-Ryans-on-August-23-2025.jpg"><figcaption>© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Texans’ DeMeco Ryans sends ‘fired up’ message ahead of Week 1</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-01T13:43:16-07:00">September 1st, 1:43pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-01T13:44:31-07:00">September 1st, 1:44pm</time><address><a>Zachary Weinberger</a>Zachary Weinberger joined ClutchPoints in October 2023 as a Miami Heat reporter as well as an Associate Editor. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2022 after covering the school's athletic programs since his freshman year at the FAU University Press, where he was a Sports Editor and Editor-in-Chief. He then covered FAU Sports for The Palm Beach Post.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-rams-bold-predictions-week-1-2025-nfl-season">Houston Texans facing the Los Angeles Rams</a> to start the regular season, there is no doubt an excitement is felt throughout the organization to get the schedule started. As fans are locking in their <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-bold-predictions-2025-nfl-season">bold predictions for the Texans’ 2025 season</a>, head coach DeMeco Ryans expressed how eager he is to start the slate.</p><p>The start of the NFL season officially starts Thursday night when the reigning champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, host the Dallas Cowboys, but it will be that Sunday when fans will get to see Houston first take the field. Speaking to the media on Monday, Ryans would say how <a href="https://x.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1962576185130352891" rel="noopener">“fired up”</a> he is for the start of the season, as it’ll be a taste of how the team grows.</p><p>“We work tirelessly all through the off-season, free agency, draft, training camp, we work tirelessly to get to this moment right? And we’re here,” Ryans said, according to Aaron Wilson. “Like, you get 17 opportunities that you’re guaranteed, so how are you going to take advantage of one at a time? Like, how does our team take advantage of opportunity? How does our team grow throughout the season? That’s what I’m most excited about.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">‘I’m fired up’ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Texans</a> coach DeMeco Ryans on season kicking off with high expectations <a href="https://twitter.com/KPRC2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KPRC2</a> <a href="https://t.co/Cv7NvJdzOa">pic.twitter.com/Cv7NvJdzOa</a></p><p>— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1962576185130352891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><h2><b>DeMeco Ryans on being excited to see how the Texans play</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/CJ-Stroud-DeMeco-Ryans.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>While <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-shuts-down-slump-narrative-last-year">Texans star quarterback C.J. Stroud looks to bounce back from his sophomore slump</a> from last season, the team does have high expectations heading into the season, which makes it more exciting for Ryans. Looking at the wider landscape, Ryans would mention how the atmosphere was set by the past weekend of college football games, making this upcoming weekend all the more enticing.</p><p>“Every year is different. Every team is different. I’m excited to see what the 2025 Texans, how we look, how we show up on Sundays. I’m fired up,” Ryans said. “It’s no better time than football time, because everybody can feel that excitement in the air from watching college football over the weekend, and now getting ready for the first NFL game this Thursday, and football is in the air, and we’re excited it’s back.”</p><p>At any rate, Houston looks to improve after finishing 10-7 last season, which was good enough to win the AFC South, but the team was eliminated by the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs. As said, Houston opens the season on the road against the Rams.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Texans’ DeMeco Ryans sends ‘fired up’ message ahead of Week 1

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-houston-cj-gardner-johnson-injury-update-rams-tilt');   ga('set', 'title', 'Texans’ CJ Gardner-Johnson gets major injury update for Rams tilt');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/C.J.-Gardner-Johnson-of-the-Texans.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Texans’ CJ Gardner-Johnson gets major injury update for Rams tilt</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-01T13:28:07-07:00">September 1st, 1:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-01T13:28:07-07:00">September 1st, 1:28pm</time><address><a>Yago Antunes</a>Yago Antunes is a Brazilian journalist and writer with experience covering esports, the NFL, NBA, and soccer. He has contributed to online outlets and reported on major international tournaments, building a strong background in sports journalism and digital media while displaying his passion about storytelling and sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans">Houston Texans</a> got a scare when <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-gardner-johnson-carted-off-apparent-leg-injury">C.J. Gardner-Johnson was carted off the field</a> during practice with an apparent leg injury, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC Houston. The veteran safety was in visible pain after colliding with receiver John Metchie III and initially couldn’t put weight on his right leg. Early fears of a severe knee issue sparked concern across Houston’s fanbase, especially with Gardner-Johnson expected to play a pivotal role in DeMeco Ryans’ defense.</p><p>Fortunately, the head coach calmed those fears, telling reporters that he expects Gardner-Johnson <a href="https://x.com/jonmalexander/status/1962575025057255741" rel="noopener">to be ready for Week 1</a> against the Los Angeles Rams. The encouraging news gives Houston a chance to field its secondary at full strength when it opens the season against Matthew Stafford and one of the NFL’s most dangerous receiving duos in Davante Adams and Puka Nacua.</p><p>Gardner-Johnson arrived this offseason in a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he became known for his ball-hawking instincts and postseason experience. On Houston’s initial depth chart, he was listed as a starting safety opposite rookie Calen Bullock, with Jaylen Reed expected to rotate in. His availability will be crucial for a Texans defense that aims to elevate from ”promising” to ”dominant” in 2025 as they look to repeat as AFC South champions.</p><p>The good news follows a wave of optimism reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-gardner-johnson-encouraging-injury-update-after-torn-acl-fears">who revealed that testing ruled out an injured torn ACL</a> and that Gardner-Johnson could realistically return for the season opener. That update was a major sigh of relief for Texans fans who feared losing one of their top offseason additions before he ever took a snap in Houston.</p><p>C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s impact is more than just depth. He is coming off a season in which he recorded six interceptions, a pick-six, 12 pass breakups, and 35 solo tackles. His versatility and fiery edge are exactly what Ryans envisions for his secondary, making him an indispensable piece of the Texans’ playoff aspirations. With the Texans’ defense already young and improving, his veteran leadership and knack for game-changing plays are expected to push the unit to another level.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Texans’ CJ Gardner-Johnson gets major injury update for Rams tilt

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-rams-bold-predictions-week-1-2025-nfl-season');   ga('set', 'title', 'Texans vs. Rams bold predictions for Week 1 of 2025 NFL season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Texans-vs.-Rams-bold-predictions-for-Week-1-of-2025-NFL-season.jpg"></figure><h1>Texans vs. Rams bold predictions for Week 1 of 2025 NFL season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-01T06:53:09-07:00">September 1st, 6:53am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-01T06:53:09-07:00">September 1st, 6:53am</time><address><a href="http://hoopnut.blogspot.com/">Enzo Flojo</a>Enzo Flojo is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints and a columnist for Asian basketball at FIBA. He brings a dynamic spirit and background, having expertise that spans writing, analytics, coaching, and broadcasting. He is also currently an Assistant Coach on Scouting &amp; Analytics for the Philippine national youth basketball team.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Texans head into 2025 with something to prove. Last season, their hopes were dashed in the Divisional Round against the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams were humbled by the eventual Super Bowl champions after advancing past Minnesota. Both teams enter the new campaign with championship aspirations and rosters built to contend. That makes Week 1 at SoFi Stadium more than just an opener. It’s a tone-setter for two of the NFL’s most ambitious franchises.</p><h2><b>Texans-Rams preview sets the stage</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/CJ-Gardner-Johnson-Texans-practice.jpg"><figcaption>Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Texans and Rams <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401772723/texans-rams">play on Sunday, Sept. 7</a>, at the Rams’ SoFi Stadium in what may be one of the most compelling matchups of the opening weekend. Both teams finished with double-digit wins in 2024. Both also believe they’re capable of going even deeper into January this time around. Houston returns much of the group that captured the AFC South before faltering in the postseason. The Rams claimed the NFC West crown and leaned on Matthew Stafford and Kyren Williams in a valiant playoff run. Now, they’re back with reinforcements and a new offensive wrinkle. Davante Adams <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams/rams-news-sean-mcvay-hysterics-watching-davante-adams-cook-route-running">joins the receiving corps</a> to pair with breakout star Puka Nacua.</p><p>For Houston, the strategy is clear: lean on CJ Stroud and trust either Adams, Williams, or Blake Corum to finish drives. The Rams’ biggest weakness remains their run defense. That’s something DeMeco Ryans’ staff will undoubtedly try to exploit. However, that doesn’t mean Los Angeles is short on firepower. Stafford has the weapons to run a high-octane passing attack, and Williams gives them a dangerous red-zone threat. If Week 1 is a battle of strengths, it’s Houston’s defensive front and rushing attack against LA’s firepower and opportunistic defense.</p><p><i><b>*Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/stream/football/?irad=356362&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">(click for a free trial)*</a></b></i></p><p>Here we will look at and discuss some bold predictions for the game between the Texans and the Rams in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season.</p><h2><b>Will Anderson Jr has a monster game</b></h2><p>The Texans’ defensive identity is built on the relentless pursuit of quarterbacks. Will Anderson Jr is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-will-anderson-jr-best-nfl-tackle">the centerpiece of that effort</a>. Surrounded by impact players like Danielle Hunter and Azihz Al-Shaair, Anderson is positioned to cause havoc against a Rams offensive line that is not impenetrable. Look for Anderson to notch at least one sack and one forced fumble in this game. He will remind fans and opponents alike why he’s considered one of the league’s rising defensive stars.</p><p>The problem for Houston? Anderson’s impact alone won’t be enough. Stafford is a savvy veteran who knows how to mitigate pressure. The Rams’ quick-passing scheme can neutralize even the most disruptive edge rushers. Anderson will make headlines with his performance. That said, unless Houston can consistently bottle up Williams and limit explosive plays from Adams and Nacua, his big day will feel more like a silver lining than a winning formula.</p><h2><b>Rams’ defense dominates the Texans</b></h2><p>Sure, much of the spotlight shines on the Rams’ new-look offense. Their defense could be the deciding factor in Week 1. The front seven has been retooled, and the unit still has the pieces to generate chaos. Houston’s offense, as talented as it is, may struggle to sustain drives against this group. The Rams’ defensive line can pressure Stroud, and their linebackers are disciplined enough to limit big plays from Houston’s backs.</p><p>Turnovers will likely be a critical factor. The Rams are built to capitalize on mistakes. If the Texans put the ball on the ground or force throws under duress, LA will turn those miscues into points. Expect a low-scoring affair compared to the offensive fireworks these teams are capable of, with the Rams’ defense dictating tempo.</p><h2><b>Kyren Williams steps up and shines</b></h2><p>The Rams know exactly who their offensive bell cow is. They are not shy about feeding him. Williams is fresh off back-to-back seasons of double-digit touchdowns. He also <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams/rams-news-kyren-williams-contract-emotional-reaction">just signed a major extension</a> this offseason to cement his role as the workhorse back. Against Houston, he’s poised to remind everyone why. With Stafford aging and unlikely to shoulder the goal-line burden, Williams will be the one punching it in when LA gets close.</p><p>Expect Williams to be heavily involved in both the running and passing game. His versatility allows the Rams to mask their intentions and keep defenses guessing. In addition, his knack for finding the end zone makes him one of the most dangerous red-zone players in football. Don’t be surprised if Williams emerges from Week 1 as the headline-maker. He will rack up over 100 total yards and score twice in front of a raucous home crowd.</p><h2><b>Rams win a close one at home</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Insiders-Matthew-Stafford-injury-update-will-leave-fans-weary.jpg"><figcaption>© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>This game has the feel of a postseason matchup. It will likely play out that way: physical, hard-fought, and decided in the final minutes. Both Houston and LA have the roster pieces to contend deep into January. Still, Week 1 is about setting tone and surviving mistakes. The Texans’ defense will land its punches, and Stroud will make a handful of impressive throws. That said, the edge goes to the Rams. That would be thanks to Stafford’s ability to make clutch plays and the comfort of playing at home.</p><p>Despite questions about his durability, Stafford has proven time and again that he can deliver when it matters most. Expect him to connect with Adams or Nacua for a game-changing play late, sealing a narrow Rams victory. Something like 24-17 feels right. It would be close, competitive, but ultimately tilting toward the home team.</p><h2><b>Final thoughts</b></h2><p>Texans vs. Rams in Week 1 is the kind of heavyweight matchup the NFL schedule-makers love. Two contenders, two great quarterbacks, and a host of players to watch on both sides of the ball make this a must-watch opener. We expect Anderson to dominate, Stafford to frustrate Houston, and Williams will emerge as the star of the night. Ultimately, though, home field and Stafford’s poise tip the balance in LA’s favor.</p><p>For Houston, this game won’t define their season, but it will expose the areas that need tightening if they want to climb the AFC mountain. For the Rams, it’s a chance to prove that even after losing Cooper Kupp, they remain one of the most dangerous and complete teams in football.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Texans vs. Rams bold predictions for Week 1 of 2025 NFL season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-bold-predictions-2025-nfl-season');   ga('set', 'title', '3 Texans bold predictions for 2025 NFL season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/X-Texans-bold-predictions-for-2025-NFL-season.jpg"></figure><h1>3 Texans bold predictions for 2025 NFL season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-29T06:22:32-07:00">August 29th, 6:22am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-29T06:22:32-07:00">August 29th, 6:22am</time><address><a href="http://hoopnut.blogspot.com/">Enzo Flojo</a>Enzo Flojo is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints and a columnist for Asian basketball at FIBA. He brings a dynamic spirit and background, having expertise that spans writing, analytics, coaching, and broadcasting. He is also currently an Assistant Coach on Scouting &amp; Analytics for the Philippine national youth basketball team.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Last season, the Houston Texans were supposed to be one of the NFL’s breakout stories. However, they fell flat due to injuries, poor offensive line play, and growing pains around quarterback CJ Stroud. Now, in 2025, optimism remains, but it’s laced with caution. The talent is undeniable, the defense looks loaded, and the front office has patched major holes. Until this group shows it can put everything together consistently, though, the Texans remain one of the AFC’s biggest wild cards.</p><h2><b>Texans’ 2025 season preview</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/772989480-cj-stroud.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Texans wrapped up their 2025 preseason with games against the Vikings, Panthers, and Lions. Sure, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/depth/_/name/hou">the roster looks strong on paper</a>. Still, with Stroud at quarterback, a dangerous pass rush, and playmakers in the secondary, hype has cooled on them in recent weeks. Right now, but doubts linger despite their talent. Of course, the offensive line remains the glaring concern. Until that unit proves it can protect Stroud and establish balance, Houston’s ceiling will stay limited. That’s even if the rest of the roster appears playoff-ready.</p><p>Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the three bold predictions for the Houston Texans in the 2025 NFL season.</p><h2><b>Stroud has a rebound season</b></h2><p>Last season <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-shuts-down-slump-narrative-last-year">was a nightmare for Stroud</a>. He endured one of the league’s leakiest offensive lines and finished with some of the highest sack and pressure rates in the NFL. 2025 looks much different, though. General manager Nick Caserio completely overhauled the line. They traded away Laremy Tunsil and Kenyon Green while bringing in Trent Brown, Cam Robinson, and Laken Tomlinson on one-year deals. He also added guard Ed Ingram via trade and drafted offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery in the third round. The line can’t possibly be worse than it was a year ago, and incremental improvement could go a long way.</p><p>The skill-position group has also been rebuilt. Veteran Nick Chubb joins the backfield, while Christian Kirk arrives via trade. They should <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-nick-chubb-statement-promising-preseason-performance">add polish and consistency to the offense</a>. Houston also doubled down in the draft. They selected wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Both of them flashed promise in camp. With Nico Collins healthier and Tank Dell back in the fold, Stroud suddenly has options everywhere.</p><p>Shoulder soreness aside, Stroud heads into his third season with the best supporting cast of his career. If the line holds up even moderately well, expect him to remind everyone why he was one of the most hyped young quarterbacks in football just two years ago.</p><h2><b>Texans finish with top 5 defense</b></h2><p>The Texans’ defense was already strong last season. They ranked in the top five in efficiency while piling up 49 sacks. That was good for fourth-most in the NFL. The scary part? They may be even better in 2025. The secondary is shaping into one of the deepest young groups in the league. Derek Stingley Jr remains the headliner. That said, second-year players Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock are on the verge of stardom. Together, they give Houston a versatile, aggressive coverage unit capable of shutting down top passing games.</p><p>The front seven is equally formidable. Will Anderson Jr looks ready to ascend into elite territory in his second season. Meanwhile, veteran Danielle Hunter adds proven production on the opposite edge. The interior line raised some questions last year. However, Houston addressed it with veterans Sheldon Rankins, Folorunso Fatukasi, and Mario Edwards. They give the Texans depth and toughness up the middle.</p><p>Simply put, the Texans’ defense doesn’t just look good. It looks dominant. Even if the offense has some hiccups under a new coordinator, this defense should keep Houston competitive every week. Another top-five finish feels less like a prediction and more like an expectation.</p><h2><b>Texans win 10+ games and make the playoffs</b></h2><p>For all the turbulence of last year, the Texans still managed back-to-back 10-win seasons. The formula hasn’t changed much. They have a stout defense, steady quarterback play, and just enough offensive firepower to grind out wins. The difference in 2025 is that Houston directly addressed its biggest weakness, which was the offensive line. They improved its depth across the board.</p><p>The Jacksonville Jaguars may present more of a challenge in the AFC South, but the Texans remain the division’s most complete team. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-hypes-up-long-time-starters-pro-bowl-aspirations">Stroud has a rebuilt supporting cast</a>, the run game has a stabilizer in Chubb, and the defense is primed to carry the load if needed. Houston is positioned to once again win 10 or more games and secure a playoff berth. The difference this time may be how far they can go once they get there.</p><h2><b>Looking ahead</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/CJ-Gardner-Johnson-Texans-practice.jpg"><figcaption>Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Texans enter 2025 as one of the AFC’s most intriguing teams. Stroud is poised for a bounce-back year behind a reshaped offensive line and deeper arsenal of weapons. The defense looks ready to establish itself as a dominant, week-in and week-out force. If those two elements come together, Houston should find itself in the playoff picture once again with 10 or more wins.</p><p>Of course, that’s the optimistic view. The offensive line still has to prove it can deliver. More importantly, Stroud’s shoulder soreness lingers as a question mark. If the Texans put it all together, though, these bold predictions could be exactly what defines their 2025 season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

3 Texans bold predictions for 2025 NFL season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-gm-nick-caserio-gives-cryptic-joe-mixon-injury-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Texans GM Nick Caserio’s cryptic Joe Mixon injury update is very concerning');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Texans-running-back-Joe-Mixon.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Texans GM Nick Caserio’s cryptic Joe Mixon injury update is very concerning</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-27T09:53:09-07:00">August 27th, 9:53am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-27T09:53:09-07:00">August 27th, 9:53am</time><address><a>Yasmin Edañol</a>Yasmin D.G. Edañol is a PhD candidate in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Diliman, with a background in scientific research and publishing. He brings a data-driven perspective to sports storytelling as an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints, with a focus on the NBA. Whether it's breaking down a clutch play or a stat line, he believes every great moment has a deeper layer waiting to be uncovered.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio offered no clear answers after placing star running back Joe Mixon on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list. The move ensures that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-joe-mixon-miss-first-4-games-2025-ankle-injury">Joe Mixon will miss at least the first four games of the season</a>.</p><p>Texans GM Nick Caserio <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46087650/texans-gm-noncommittal-rb-joe-mixon-playing-season" rel="noopener">responded only with</a>, “We’ll see. We’ll take it one day at a time,” as he refused to commit on whether Mixon will play at all in 2025.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-joe-mixon-concerning-injury-update-training-camp">Joe Mixon sustained an ankle injury in the offseason</a>, which caused his sidelining. However, despite working to return through OTAs, minicamp, and training camp, he never cleared the activation deadline and remains unavailable. As a result, his placement on the NFI list makes him ineligible to suit up before Week 5.</p><p>Consequently, Mixon’s absence creates a significant hole in the Texans’ backfield. Last season, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and earned Pro Bowl honors in his first year with Houston. Now, with Joe Mixon sidelined, the Texans will rely on veteran Nick Chubb and Dameon Pierce. Additionally, rookie Woody Marks is expected to help carry the ground game.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-nick-chubb-misses-consecutive-houston-practices">Meanwhile, there’s added concern around Nick Chubb</a>. He has missed consecutive practices because of a head injury and is currently in concussion protocol. Therefore, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-houston-makes-concerning-joe-mixon-roster-move-ankle-injury">Texans face a precarious situation at running back</a> just ahead of the regular season.</p><p>Furthermore, Nick Caserio’s refusal to provide clarity only deepens the unease. His noncommittal tone underscores the uncertainty surrounding the star running back and highlights a fragile backfield in Houston. If Joe Mixon delays his return or other backs struggle, the Texans will face an uphill battle to find rhythm on offense early in the season.</p><p>Ultimately, fans will be watching closely. Nick Caserio will need to be more decisive, and supporting backs must step up fast if the Texans hope to keep their offense effective, with or without Joe Mixon.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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