Texans Snap Skid in Dominant 37-13 Victory Over Lions, New Defense Shines Under Coordinator Jim Leonhard
HOUSTON, TX (AP) — The Houston Texans put an emphatic end to their recent three-game skid with a decisive 37-13 victory over the Detroit Lions, fueled by an aggressive defensive approach that racked up a staggering 11 sacks. Under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, Houston’s defense came alive, with recent acquisitions Micah Parsons and Budda Baker proving instrumental in turning up the heat on Lions quarterback Jared Goff.
Parsons, acquired just days before the game, made an immediate impact, posting 3.5 sacks, while the Texans’ relentless pass rush kept Goff off-balance throughout the game. Leonhard, who joined the Texans this week after a long tenure as Wisconsin’s defensive mastermind, didn’t hold back in implementing his strategy, dialing up the pressure with consistent five and six-man blitzes.
“I’ve always believed the NFL should treat five rushers as the default,” Leonhard said after the game. “It puts the offense on its heels and forces them to make quick decisions. Today, we made life tough for their QB, and that’s exactly the point.”
The Texans defense seems to be leaning hard into Leonhard's philosophy. After the game Parsons could be heard in the locker room emphatically yelling, "If you're not rushing five, you're rushing zero!"
With the Texans’ defense reinvigorated and new additions showing immediate impact, Houston looks poised to be a force in the AFC once again.
49ers Pull Away Late, Roll Past Buccaneers 45-17 in Tampa
TAMPA, FL (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers showcased their offensive firepower in a dominant 45-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, pulling away with a huge fourth quarter to secure their place among the NFC’s elite.
Quarterback Jordan Love delivered a stellar performance, throwing for 272 yards and three touchdowns while adding 38 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. Love’s dual-threat capability left Tampa Bay’s defense scrambling, as he spread the ball effectively to playmakers and added timely runs to keep drives alive.
“This offense is really finding its stride,” Love said. “When we’re clicking like this, it’s tough to stop us.”
The game was competitive through three quarters, with San Francisco holding a narrow 24-17 lead. However, the 49ers dominated the final frame, outscoring Tampa Bay 21-0 behind Love’s precision passing and a relentless rushing attack led by Jamaal Williams.
Defensively, San Francisco’s pass rush kept Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield under pressure, limiting his ability to mount a comeback. Derwin James continued to anchor the secondary, ensuring Tampa Bay’s attempts at a rally were thwarted.
With the win, the 49ers improve to 7-2 on the season, strengthening their position in the playoff race as they prepare for another pivotal NFC matchup next week.
Titans Stifle Chargers as Offensive Woes Continue in 27-7 Loss
LOS ANGELES, CA (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers endured another rough outing Sunday, falling 27-7 to the Tennessee Titans at home. Quarterback Will Levis struggled against a relentless Titans defense, as the Chargers offense managed just 194 total yards.
“It’s frustrating,” said Chargers head coach Bobby Slowik. “We couldn’t get anything going. They controlled the line of scrimmage, and we didn’t adjust well enough.”
The Titans leaned on Tony Pollard, who rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown, spearheading a methodical attack that kept the Chargers’ defense on the field for much of the game. Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill was efficient, keeping the chains moving despite modest passing numbers.
The Chargers, now 5-4, have dropped consecutive games and are in dire need of a spark.
