TEXANS VS. JETS
How these 3 critical factors could swing battle between Texans and Jets
Oct 30, 2024, 3:06 pm
Can Tank Dell provide No. 1 receiver production against the Jets? Composite Getty Image.
C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans had lofty expectations entering the season — and they're still well on track to fulfill them.
But their 6-2 start has been far from easy. Or pretty. And the banged-up AFC South leaders know it.
“I think it’s a goal we had was to start fast and I believe that we’ve been putting on some good ball," Stroud said, "but we have a lot to still clean up.”
They've won four of their past five, with the only loss coming on a field goal as time expired at Green Bay on Oct. 20. Next up is a Halloween night matchup against Aaron Rodgers and the struggling New York Jets (2-6), who have dropped five straight.
“It’s just exciting times," Stroud said. "It’s coming into the two hardest months of ball is November and December. We get to end October on a prime-time game and it’s going to be a great matchup against the Jets and we’ve got to be able to be ready and try to finish October the right way.”
They'll have to do it without two of their biggest playmakers on offense, though. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs tore the ACL in his right knee and is out for the season, and fellow receiver Nico Collins remains on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
“A lot of the guys have to step up, pick up the slack,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “It is definitely a blow to us.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers and the Jets limp into the game at MetLife Stadium four days after dropping a 25-22 decision in New England that left their fans frustrated and deflated — and the chances of snapping a 13-year postseason drought seem unlikely.
And it's only halfway through the season.
“Just got to win, baby,” Rodgers said when asked of his mindset.
That, of course, has been easier said than done. The Jets fired coach Robert Saleh on Oct. 8, replaced him with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, pulled offensive play-calling duties from Nathaniel Hackett in favor of Todd Downing, traded for wide receiver Davante Adams and finally got edge rusher Haason Reddick on the field after he ended his lengthy contract holdout.
Still, New York is trying to avoid its first six-game skid since losing its final six of the 2022 season.
“Just smile, show up, trust, believe and root us on as hard as you can,” Rodgers said of his message to the fans. “We need that noise. We’re trying to rectify this as quickly as possible. I know it’s been frustrating for everybody, but still a lot of season left."
Replacing Diggs
With Diggs and Collins out, Houston’s top healthy receiver is Tank Dell. But the Texans will need others to step in if they hope to keep the passing game going Thursday night.
The Texans have Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie at wide receiver, but none has contributed much this season. The three have combined for just 146 yards receiving.
“All we ask is win your one on ones and make the plays that you’re supposed to make,” Ryans said. “And if guys do that, collectively as a team we’ll be just fine.”
Running Rodgers
Rodgers has been dealing with a sprained ankle, sore knee and tight hamstring — all in his left leg, the same one to which he suffered a torn Achilles tendon four snaps into his debut last year.
The 40-year-old quarterback has been less mobile than he typically has been throughout his career. After scrambling for 18 yards against New England in Week 3 and 26 against Minnesota in Week 4, Rodgers hasn't had a single rushing attempt.
But he said he's feeling good physically this week — even half-joking that a cayenne pepper and water concoction suggested by punter Thomas Morstead has helped. And with Houston's sack-happy defensive line on tap, Rodgers will likely have to use his legs a bit.
“I’m not the runner I once was,” Rodgers acknowledged. “I led our team in rushing a handful of games over the years. I don’t want to do that, but I've got to be able to move around."
Mixon’s work
Joe Mixon has wowed fans with several highlight-reel plays in his first season with the Texans. The most recent came when the running back dragged a defensive back into the end zone with him on a touchdown run against the Colts.
The play was jaw-dropping to some, but for Ryans it’s just what he expects from Mixon.
“I’ve seen him his entire career and how he’s made plays ... so he doesn’t surprise me,” Ryans said. “That’s how he is all week. He’s on edge all week. He wants the ball every single snap and I love that mindset.”
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 100.6 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing and a TD run in three straight games.
Special stair climb
Coaches and staff members of the Texans and Jets will walk the stands at MetLife Stadium a few hours before the game to participate in the Knapp Stair Climb to honor former NFL assistant coach Greg Knapp.
Knapp, then a member of the Jets' coaching staff, died in July 2021 when he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle near his home in California. He was 58.
The teams are climbing the stairs — one of Knapp's pregame traditions — to benefit the Coach Knapp Memorial Fund, which was started by Knapp's wife Charlotte and his close friend and agent Jeff Sperbeck. The fund was established to educate drivers on the dangers of distracted driving to reduce the number of distracted-driving related crashes and deaths.
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Fans of Houston sports and Houston food can now score tickets to The Tailgate, CultureMap's all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm November 11 at 8th Wonder. Tickets are $75 for VIP and $50 for General Admission. For a limited time, we’re giving you $10 off; use code SPORTSMAP at checkout. Get your tickets now!
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The Chicago Cubs acquired All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros on Friday, paying a big price for one of baseball's best hitters.
The Cubs sent third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith, one of their top infield prospects, to the Astros for Tucker, who is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season.
Be sure to watch the video below as the crew from Stone Cold 'Stros reacts to the trade and lays out what the future holds for the new-look Astros.
Tucker was limited to 78 games this year because of a fractured right shin, but he hit .289 with 23 homers and 49 RBIs for the AL West champions. He batted .284 with 29 homers, an AL-best 112 RBIs and 30 steals for Houston in 2023.
Tucker, who turns 28 on Jan. 17, joins a crowded situation in Chicago's outfield, but the Cubs are reportedly looking to trade Cody Bellinger, who also can play first base. They also have talked to Seiya Suzuki's agent about the outfielder's no-trade clause.
The Cubs have finished second in the NL Central with an 83-79 record in each of the past two years, and there is increased pressure on president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer to get the team back into the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
The Cubs announced later in the day that they had agreed to an $11.5 million, two-year contract with catcher Carson Kelly, a Chicago native. He played for Detroit and Texas this year, batting .238 with nine homers and 37 RBIs in 91 games.
The New York Yankees also were in the mix for Tucker before the trade was completed.
“We certainly had many conversations with the Astros.” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “At the end of the day I’m glad that Mr. Tucker is not in the American League East or the American League at all. But it’s a big get for the Chicago Cubs.”
Paredes is an option for Houston at third base if Alex Bregman departs in free agency. The 25-year-old Paredes hit .238 with 19 homers and 80 RBIs in 153 games this year. He made the AL All-Star team with Tampa Bay and then was traded to Chicago in July.
Paredes, who bats from the right side and is known for his pull power, chuckled as he talked about taking aim at the Crawford Boxes in left field at Minute Maid Park.
“I feel very happy. It's not only a beautiful stadium, but it's a stadium that benefits my hitting,” he said through a translator.
Even with the acquisition of Paredes, who also can play first, Astros general manager Dana Brown did not close the door on a reunion with Bregman.
“Pretty much Alex Bregman's status is still the way it is,” Brown said. “Nothing has changed since the last time I've talked to you guys.”
Wesneski, a Houston native who played college ball for Sam Houston State, will compete for a spot in the Astros’ rotation.
The right-hander, who turned 27 on Dec. 5, went 3-6 with a 3.86 ERA over 21 relief appearances and seven starts this year. He was on the injured list from July 20 to Sept. 20 with a right forearm strain.
“It’s just a dream-come-true kind of thing,” Wesneski said. “I am excited to be an Astro.”
Houston is hoping the addition of Paredes and Wesneski will help the team continue its impressive run as one of baseball's best teams. It has made the playoffs for eight straight years, winning the World Series in 2017 and 2022. It was swept by Detroit in the wild-card round this year.
“Look, make no mistake. We're still going to compete,” Brown said, “and this is probably one of those moves that I think in the future people will see and understand like, yeah, wow, I understand it now, I get it. ... I would say that this is more to strengthen our opportunities down the road without losing any footage in the current year.”
While Paredes and Wesneski could have an immediate impact, Smith also was a key component of the deal.
Smith, 21, was selected by Chicago with the No. 14 pick in this year's draft out of Florida State University. He hit .313 with seven homers and 24 RBIs in 32 games over three minor league stops, finishing the year with Double-A Knoxville.
“It's a really good first-round college bat with power, with a chance to hit, and he's pretty athletic as well,” Brown said. “So we're really excited about Cam Smith.”
Tucker was Houston's first-round pick in 2015, taken No. 5 overall. He made his big league debut with the Astros in 2018.
Tucker had a breakout performance three years after his debut, hitting a career-best .294 with 30 homers and 92 RBIs in 140 games in 2021. He won a Gold Glove the following year.
The Tampa, Florida, native is a .274 hitter with 125 homers, 417 RBIs and an .869 OPS in 633 career games — all with Houston. He also has appeared in 64 postseason games, batting .229 with eight homers and 28 RBIs.
Kelly gets $5 million in each of the next two seasons, and his deal with Chicago includes a $7.5 million mutual option for 2027 with a $1.5 million buyout. He can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses during each of the three seasons; $250,000 each for 81 and 91 games started.
The Cubs were in need of more depth behind the plate. They also have Miguel Amaya, who played in a career-high 117 games this year, and Matt Thaiss, who was acquired in a trade with the Angels on Nov. 20.