Texans Dominate Titans 45-17 Behind Henry’s Return to Form and Ward’s Pick-Six
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Houston Texans looked revitalized on Sunday, powering past the Tennessee Titans45-17 at Nissan Stadium in one of their most complete performances of the season.
Quarterback Drake Maye played a poised, controlled game, throwing for 248 yards and a touchdown while efficiently distributing the ball and avoiding mistakes. But the real engine of Houston’s offense was Derrick Henry, who reminded his former team exactly what he’s capable of. Henry bulldozed his way to 121 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, repeatedly ripping off chunk gains and punishing tacklers at the second level.
Defensively, Houston set the tone early and never let up. Cornerback Denzel Ward delivered the highlight of the game in the first half, jumping a route and racing 48 yards for a pick-six, blowing the game open and taking the air out of the Titans’ home crowd.
Interim head coach Frank Ross has now won two straight since taking over, and the difference in energy and execution has been unmistakable. Sunday’s win marked Houston’s most balanced effort in weeks — physical on the ground, efficient through the air, and opportunistic on defense.
At 7-3, the Texans remain firmly in the AFC playoff picture and appear to be settling into their identity at the perfect time.
Packers Grind Out 13-9 Win Over Giants in Rain-Soaked Slugfest
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — In a game best described as wet and borderline unwatchable, the Green Bay Packers did just enough to beat the New York Giants 13-9 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, improving to 9-1 in the process.
The rain never let up — nor did the wind — making the field a slippery mess and turning the afternoon into a battle of field position, punts, and patience. Both offenses struggled to sustain drives, and neither team recorded more than a handful of explosive plays.
The one sequence that mattered came early, when Tua Tagovailoa threaded a tight-window throw to Amon-Ra St. Brown for the game’s only touchdown. From there, the Packers leaned on their defense and special teams, grinding through a second half filled with stalled possessions and field goal attempts.
“Honestly? That was miserable football,” head coach Matt LaFleur said with a laugh. “But sometimes you’ve just got to survive the elements and find a way.”
The Packers’ defense played its part, keeping the Giants out of the end zone entirely and limiting their scoring to field goals despite several short-field opportunities created by the weather.
Green Bay’s ugly win may not make any highlight reels, but it keeps them atop the NFC standings — and shows once again that even when the game turns into a Slip N' Slide, this team can find a way to scrape out a victory.
49ers Survive Cardinals 23-20 — and Then Things Get Really Interesting
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers escaped the desert with a 23-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but the real fireworks didn’t happen on the field — they happened on the sideline, in the locker room, and apparently in several hallway echoes picked up by local reporters.
San Francisco controlled most of the game, but two late Arizona touchdowns made the score far closer than head coach Kyle Shanahan ever wanted. The defensive meltdown late in the fourth quarter became the latest chapter in what has been a season-long soap opera between Shanahan and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
According to several sources near the Niners’ sideline, Shanahan was allegedly overheard shouting something in Fangio’s direction along the lines of:
“How about you not blitz every f***ing 3rd down! We can’t get off the damn field! The game has passed you by, old man!”
Shanahan, looking suspiciously calm postgame, denied the allegations with the enthusiasm of a man reading a hostage note. “No comment. Didn’t happen. Total fabrication,” he insisted, blinking at a concerning rate.
Fangio, meanwhile, did not get the chance to deny anything — because by the time the team boarded the flight home, he was fired.
GM CD delivered the official statement:
“I want to thank Vic for his efforts. Vic helped us to another Super Bowl last year — but we got embarrassed. He knew our expectations this year, and unfortunately, he hasn’t met them.”
It was the kind of statement that says “thank you for your service” while simultaneously driving the U-Haul to your house.
Shanahan followed with his own comment, which did absolutely nothing to quiet the chaos:
“We are 7-4, and the time was now or never to right the defense and make a push.”
Now-or-never situations apparently include firing your legendary defensive coordinator in the parking lot of State Farm Stadium.
Despite the drama, the win moves San Francisco to 7-4 and keeps them firmly in the NFC West race. And with Fangio gone, the 49ers now begin yet another midseason defensive reboot — something that has become as annual as holiday decorations and Shanahan having public disagreements with defensive coordinators.
Next week, all eyes will be on San Francisco’s defense. And all ears will be listening closely — just in case someone else starts yelling.
Chargers Roll Past Jaguars 36-26, Move to 8-3 Behind McCaffrey and Opportunistic Defense
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers kept their AFC surge alive Sunday, beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 36-26 on the road behind another dominant outing from Christian McCaffrey and a defense that feasted on Trevor Lawrence’s mistakes.
McCaffrey strengthened his MVP résumé yet again, rushing for 141 yards and a touchdown, while adding 49 receiving yards and another score. Whether on the ground or through the air, the Jaguars had no answer for the Chargers’ superstar back, who continues to carry the offense with week-to-week consistency rarely seen in today’s NFL.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford delivered an efficient, controlled performance, letting McCaffrey do the heavy lifting while taking advantage of open lanes created by Jacksonville’s defensive focus on stopping the run.
Defensively, Los Angeles made life miserable for Trevor Lawrence, intercepting him three times. Ja’Whaun Bentley, Marco Wilson, and rookie Kylie White each snatched a pick, shutting down Jacksonville drives and repeatedly flipping field position.
Head coach Bobby Slowik praised his defense afterward. “We asked them to be aggressive and they delivered,” he said. “When you take the ball away three times and give it back to our offense, good things happen.”
The win moves the Chargers to 8-3, keeping them firmly in the AFC playoff race and highlighting a team hitting its stride on both sides of the ball. McCaffrey’s MVP march rolls on — and the Chargers keep rolling with him.
