Houston Texans playoff dreams now hang in balance of heated rival rematch
TEXANS ON TAP
27 December 2023
Despite the Houston Texans getting annihilated by the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, there are some positives to consider as they prepare to host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
CJ Stroud appears likely to return after missing the two previous games with a concussion, and the team still has a shot to make the playoffs if they can win their next two matchups.
#Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, whose symptoms of sensitivity to light and loud noises have subsided, per sources, expected to practice today. He attended meetings last Friday and teammates expressed optimism Sunday about him potentially returning this week against #Titans
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 27, 2023
The Texans put the clamps down on Derrick Henry and the Titans run game just two weeks ago, so DeMeco and company will look to have that type of performance once again.
It's a little early to tell if Will Levis will return to play this week after injuring his ankle, so it could be Ryan Tannehill taking snaps again this week for the Titans.
Tannehill failed to reach 200 passing yards against the Seahawks this past week, so you have to like the Texans chances, especially if Stroud returns.
Be sure to watch the video above for our early preview of Texans-Titans.
Jets interview Houston Texans coordinator for their head coach vacancy
Jan 17, 2025, 3:11 pm
The New York Jets interviewed Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik for their head coach position Thursday.
The meetings with Smith and Slowik gave the Jets 12 known candidates with whom they've spoken about their vacancy.
New York has also interviewed Aaron Glenn, Vance Joseph, Mike Locksley, Matt Nagy, Ron Rivera, Darren Rizzi, Rex Ryan, Steve Spagnuolo, Jeff Ulbrich and Mike Vrabel for the job. Vrabel has since been hired by New England as its coach.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley are also expected to meet soon with the Jets.
The 42-year-old Smith, who was the Atlanta Falcons' head coach from 2021-23, was considered one of the Jets' top candidates in 2021 when he interviewed with the team before New York hired Robert Saleh. Smith was hired by the Falcons the next day and went 21-30, with three straight 7-10 finishes, before being fired after the 2023 season.
Mike Tomlin hired Smith last offseason to run the Steelers' offense, which improved in several categories this season with Russell Wilson at quarterback as Pittsburgh made the playoffs.
Smith spent 10 years with Tennessee, including the last two as the Titans' offensive coordinator in 2019 and 2020. He previously had a stint with Washington as its defensive quality control coach in between college stops at North Carolina (2006) and Mississippi (2010).
The 37-year-old Slowik met with the Jets in a video interview since the Texans remain in the playoffs and are preparing to face the Chiefs in Kansas City on Saturday.
He's in his second year running the Texans' offense with quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was last season's AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and has been one of the league's most dynamic young playmakers.
Slowik, whose father Bob coaches in the CFL after several years as an NFL assistant, spent six years as an assistant under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco before joining the Texans. The Princeton, New Jersey, native started his pro coaching career as a video assistant for Washington in 2010 before being promoted to defensive assistant, a role he held for three years. Slowik then worked at Pro Football Focus as a senior analyst for three years before being hired by the 49ers.
The Jets are also conducting an extensive search for a new general manager. They have interviewed 15 candidates for that position, including Green Bay Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan and Miami Dolphins assistant general manager Brian Gaine on Tuesday.
