HOUSTON – Davis Mills’ daring, clutch scramble for a touchdown won a football game for the Texans.
And how the Texans’ backup quarterback engineered an epic fourth-quarter comeback victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars from a 19-point deficit still resonates to this day.
Recommended Videos
Beating the Jaguars with starting quarterback C.J. Stroud out with a concussion meant a lot. The Texans were 3-5 heading into that Nov. 9 game at NRG Stadium.
That game along with two more wins with Money Mills under center set the stage for their current NFL-leading 10-game winning streak heading into an AFC divisional round playoff game Sunday against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Without Mills’ contributions during the regular season, the Texans wouldn’t be in this position as a dangerous playoff team. Since Stroud returned, the Texans have kept it going with seven consecutive wins.
“It was great to go in there and, seeing where we are now, to kind of jumpstart everything,” Mills told kPRC 2. “In the moment, I’m just trying to focus on doing my job, step in when C.J went down, and make sure that the level of play never dropped off. Go in there and run the offense efficiently, and find a way to win games.”
“Money Mills,” Texans star defensive end Will Anderson Jr. said.
The demeanor of Davis Mills is beyond steady. His voice rarely changes, regardless of the situation. Disagreements don’t agree with him, or difficult situations that might stress out someone else lacking his trademark poise under pressure.
That extends to Mills’ life away from football.
He has an analytical mind and considers himself a problem-solver.
“My wife used to get mad at me sometimes,” Mills said. “She’d ask me a question or want to argue a little bit and I wouldn’t react. She’s like, ‘Why are you not mad? I was like: ‘It is what it is. We’ll figure it out.’”
That healthy and positive philosophy, the traits of Mills’ stoic low-key personality, were on full display during his run as the starter. He had some key throws, including a sideline pass to Nico Collins in a road win over the Tennessee Titans. He managed the game well in a win over the Buffalo Bills the following week.
Stressed? Mills hardly lets anyone even see him sweat.
Mills passed for 915 yards, five touchdowns and one interception during his time as the replacement for Stroud.
“As calm as can be, nice and easy,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “You just trust your guys, right? And that’s what Davis has shown. Davis keeps me calm, because he’s so calm in the moment. His emotions never change, which is great. I love that about Davis.
“I think his calm, his demeanor, he has that quiet confidence about him. Davis knows what he’s doing. He’s a competitor deep down inside, and he wants to make those plays. Our entire sideline, our team feels that from Davis. We feel his confidence when he’s out there knowing that he’s going to go to the right spot with the football and make a play.”
Stroud has shown a greater comfort level in offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s offense since his return from the head injury.
He has passed for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He had an uncharacteristic performance in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round, overcoming five fumbles, losing two, and one interception.
Overall, though, Stroud has made strides.
“It’s been great,” Mills said. “I think he’s continued to get better since I’ve been here. When he got drafted here a couple years ago to now, he’s gotten better every year. He’s really playing efficient football right now, going out there and making plays when he needs to.
“That’s what we need to do to win games deep in the playoffs like we are right now. We’re just taking it day by day right now, for another tough opponent this week versus the Patriots, but we’re excited.”
For Mills, his role as a backup is to support Stroud in whichever way he can.
Sometimes, that means being a sounding board for ideas. Sometimes, it’s about pointing out defensive tendencies.
The Patriots have a sound defense designed by coach Mike Vrabel that includes Pro Bowl corner Christian Gonzalez and standout defensive tackle Milton Williams.
“A lot of what we talk about in the QB room a lot is really understanding what we’re doing on our side of the ball to the highest level so we can go out there and play fast and react to what the defense gives us,” Mills said. “Especially the Patriots, a lot of defenses around the league are game plan defenses. So, what you may watch on film, obviously you’re going to pick up tendencies, know what some of their favorites are, but they’re going to have new stuff every week.
“We’ve got to be able to execute our offense at the highest level so we can go out there and try to do our stuff better than what they can try to do to defend us.”
Since being drafted in the third round out of Stanford in 2021 as the first draft pick by Texans general manager Nick Caserio, Mills has grown considerably. He’s signed through the 2026 season on a one-year, $7 million contract as one of the top backups in the league.
Overall, Mills has passed for 7,082 yards, 40 touchdowns and 26 interceptions.
“I feel like I’m in a good space,” Mills said. “I think I’ve gotten better every year since I’ve been in this league. Matured, seen a lot of good football, watched a lot of film, to see what the best quarterbacks around the league do and try to make my own game, emulate all the best things from all the guys around the league and go out there and play winning football.”
Mills and his wife recently celebrated a joyful addition to their family roster.
Tori Mills gave birth to a boy named Maximus Steven Mills the first week of January.
Mills spent some extra time with his family before the Texans’ road game against the Steelers, traveling independently to arrive Monday before kickoff.
The family has a lot to celebrate, including Maximus’ birth, and a good football season that Mills has played a key role in for the advancement of the Texans.
“It’s a blessing,” Mills said. “Seeing my wife change this past year and ultimately give birth to our son, it’s an amazing feeling. Obviously, a lot of credit to my wife for doing everything. It was extremely hard and I can’t take for granted what she’s done for us and our family, but it’s exciting. Obviously learning something new every day, being our first child. So, extremely blessed and excited to see how he grows, but also how we finish this season.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
(2:47) It’s a blessing. (2:49) Seeing my wife change this past year and ultimately give birth to our son, (2:54) it’s an amazing feeling.(2:56) Obviously a lot of credit to my wife for doing everything. (2:59) It was extremely hard and I can’t take for granted what she’s done for us and our family, (3:05) but it’s exciting. (3:07) Obviously learning something new every day, being our first child, (3:10) so extremely blessed and excited to see how he grows, (3:15) but also how we finish this season.