DEANDRE HOPKINS

Kyler Murray has kept a low-key demeanor throughout his football career, staying with a “never too high, never too low” philosophy that’s allowed him to thrive from the high school level all the way through the NFL.

The Arizona Cardinals are a team in desperate need of a spark.

Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes, Rashaad Penny ran for 173 yards and a touchdown, and the Seattle Seahawks spoiled a shot at the NFC West title for the Arizona Cardinals by beating them 38-30 on Sunday.

The Arizona Cardinals will be without Pro Bowl running back James Conner and rookie receiver Rondale Moore as they try to clinch a playoff spot on Saturday by beating the Indianapolis Colts.

Kyler Murray had a shaky performance and that helped the Detroit Lions stun the Arizona Cardinals 30-12 on Sunday.

Kyler Murray threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more in his return from an ankle injury and the Arizona Cardinals beat the struggling Chicago Bears 33-22.

The Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have retained the top three spots in the latest AP Pro32 poll.

The Arizona Cardinals, playing once again without starting quarterback Kyler Murray and star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, returned to the top spot of the latest AP Pro32 poll.

You'll likely be dealing with a larger-than-normal load of dishes on Thanksgiving, which may render your typical process ineffective.

Colt McCoy was outstanding filling in for Kyler Murray, throwing for 328 yards and two touchdowns, and the Arizona Cardinals beat the Seattle Seahawks 23-13.

Cam Newton provided a flashback to his Superman days in his second debut with the Panthers He threw for one touchdown, ran for another and sparked Carolina to a 34-10 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Despite being short-handed, the Arizona Cardinals returned to the top of the AP Pro32 poll after beating the San Francisco 49ers without quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

James Conner ran for two touchdowns and caught a 45-yard TD pass from backup quarterback Colt McCoy as the short-handed Arizona Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-17.

Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes, Randall Cobb caught both of them and the Green Bay Packers knocked off the previously unbeaten Arizona Cardinals 24-21 after Kyler Murray’s stunning late interception on Thursday night.

Houston had Kyler Murray holding his head after big hits, shaking it after tripping him up several times.

To Houstonians, J.J. Watt will always feel like a part of the fabric of the city. It’s not just what the three-time Defensive Player of the Year did on the field. Watt raised over $37 million for a relief fund after Hurricane Harvey. He threw out first pitches before Astros playoff games. He sent surprises to military families.

The entire Arizona Cardinals team will have plenty of motivation on Sunday, trying to improve to 7-0 for the first time since 1974 by beating the Houston Texans.

Carson Wentz threw two touchdown passes, Jonathan Taylor ran for another score and the Indianapolis defense protected a big second-half lead to help the Colts put away Houston 31-3.

The Arizona Cardinals improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1974, riding a stellar defensive performance to a 17-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Kyler Murray threw for 400 yards and three touchdowns, and the Arizona Cardinals topped the Minnesota Vikings 34-33 after Greg Joseph missed a 37-yard field goal wide right in the final seconds.

Kyler Murray scored five touchdowns and linebacker Chandler Jones had a career-high five sacks as the Arizona Cardinals simply dominated the Tennessee Titans 38-13 for a big road win to open the season.

If you're still missing DeAndre Hopkins being in Houston, now you can at least bring his cereal to your dining area.

The Houston Texans begin camp with quarterback Deshaun Watson's status overshadowing everything else.

The issue of vaccinations has been contentious in the sport.

This week we’ve heard a lot about the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

In a new memo, Commissioner Roger Goodell said teams responsible for cancelations would receive a loss on their record and players on both teams would not be paid.

In a new memo, Commissioner Roger Goodell said teams responsible for cancelations would receive a loss on their record and players on both teams would not be paid.

The Atlanta Falcons began their offseason training program without longtime star receiver Julio Jones, who apparently has no intention of returning to a rebuilding team that is still struggling to get under the salary cap.

Quarterbacks, as usual, dominate the odds board for Most Valuable Player in the NFL in 2021.

^ Keep Houston Press Free Support Us LocalCommunityJournalismI Support Support the independent voice of Houston and help keep the future of Houston Press free. Lance McCullers' inking a five-year contract extension on Wednesday finally gave us a bit of good news, and made us feel a little better about our city. Now, let's hope that, since McCullers' deal is done....Hopefully, Carlos Correa is nextReportedly, the two sides are talking. Also, like McCullers, Correa has expressed a sincere desire to remain an Astros for his career. Also, like McCullers, Correa has spent large chunks of his career, thus far, on the injured list with various maladies.

FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston. New Houston Texans coach David Culley reiterated Thursday, March 11, 2021, that the team has no intention of trading Watson, despite the star quarterbacks request to be dealt. “We are very committed to Deshaun as our quarterback,” Culley said. Culley said they do not have a contingency plan at quarterback if Watson decides to hold out if he isn’t traded. Asked if Watson was committed to him and the team, Culley replied: “Yes, he is.”When pushed about how he knows that, Culley didn’t provide any details indicating Watson has told him that.

^ Keep Houston Press Free Support Us LocalCommunityJournalismI Support Support the independent voice of Houston and help keep the future of Houston Press free. So, here are my thoughts on the latest depressing development for Texans fans:OK, somehow David Johnson doubled his guaranteed income from when he woke up this morningKeep in mind, as I lay his out, that Johnson was a laughingstock last season. Optics COULD be a big reason Johnson is being kept aroundSo the question becomes "Why keep David Johnson?" Well, how about this — if the Texans had cut Johnson, then all that would remain from the DeAndre Hopkins trade would be lightly used, second year defensive lineman Ross Blacklock. As shocked as I am that J.J. Watt is a Cardinal, I am even more shocked that David Johnson is still a Texan.

J.J. Watt has agreed to a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans. But the more he looked at his options, the more the Arizona Cardinals made sense. Watt said the team's recruiting pitch was “strong and heavy” when trying to entice the edge rusher to the desert. Watt said he'll always remember Houston fondly, but he's eager to start the next phase of his career with the Cardinals.

Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)TEMPE, Ariz. – J.J. Watt has agreed to a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans, for whom he won three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. Watt had one year remaining on a six-year, $100 million contract with the Texans. He was the league's top defensive player in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

While this past year has been perhaps especially rough with the departures, there have certainly been other top stars who have left Houston before that. The Rockets traded McGrady in 2010 to the New York Knicks in a 3-team deal. Midway through the 1987 season, the Rockets traded Sampson and Steve Harris for Sleepy Floyd and Joe Barry Carroll. Moses Malone - 1982A two-time NBA MVP with the Houston Rockets, Moses Malone left in 1982 as a restricted free agent. Houston traded the aging winger to Sporting Kansas City before the 2016 season, and Davis retired after that season.

^ Keep Houston Press Free Support Us LocalCommunityJournalismI Support Support the independent voice of Houston and help keep the future of Houston Press free. Oh, and Deshaun Watson wants out. For their "efforts," the Texans are ranked 32nd overall, DEAD LAST, in the early 2021 NFL Power Rankings on ESPN.com. With no Watson, a distinct possibility, this team might go 0-16, which would be, yes, good for 32nd overall in the NFL. Man, and to think just two years ago, we were talking about how the division had Deshaun Watson, Andrew Luck, and the Jags coming off an AFC title game appearance.

Buffalo Bills' Micah Hyde (23) celebrates with teammates after an NFL divisional round football game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Leslie Frazier’s faith in his Bills defense never wavered even at the lowest point of Buffalo’s season. It was mid-November and the Bills were entering their bye week on the heels of a 32-30 defeat at Arizona. In the NFC, the Packers are allowing an average 306 yards offense over their past seven outings. Here comes Patrick Mahomes, should he clear the NFL’s concussion protocol, and the league’s top-ranked offense.

Nearly every team still vying for the Super Bowl has an elite cornerback often capable of shutting down an opponent's top receiver all by himself. The NFC playoff bracket has three of the conference's four Pro Bowl cornerbacks: Green Bay's Jaire Alexander, Los Angeles' Jalen Ramsey and New Orleans' Marshon Lattimore. Staley's scheme has employed Ramsey in multiple roles throughout the season, and his job often changes from play to play. Oddly enough, the remaining playoff team perceived to have the least dominant cornerbacks is defending champion Kansas City, the favorite to make it back to the Super Bowl. “Some of the best cornerbacks happen to play on the best teams, that’s all I can say,” Bills safety Micah Hyde said.

Aside from winning the final Super Bowl before the merger in 1970, the Kansas City Chiefs’ biggest claim to fame for over half a century was team founder Lamar Hunt coining the phrase Super Bowl. Three long-downtrodden teams — the Browns, Bills and Buccaneers — have made it to the divisional round this weekend and are certain they have as good a chance as the Chiefs, Packers, Saints, Ravens or Rams of winning Super Bowl 55. That’s heady stuff for a franchise that has never made it to the Super Bowl. I think Bills fans, including myself, didn’t think he was going to be this good this good this early. And he has proved a lot of people wrong.”No, there’s no comparing this Bills team to those of his playing days, Thomas said.

The first tripleheader of NFL wild-card games saw Tom Brady extend his postseason record for victories to 31 with a 31-23 win for Tampa Bay at Washington on Saturday. After a quarter-century, the Bills got one of those triumphs that Brady collects — and they even figured out how to stop a Hail Mary. The previous playoff win was over Miami on Dec. 30, 1995. And it came in the Bills’ first home playoff game in 24 years, with a limited number of fans in attendance (6,700) for the first time this season. The Ravens averaged an NFL-best 191.9 yards rushing per game and their 3,071 yards rushing were third highest in NFL history.

In a season in which the Bills busted numerous slumps, Allen became Buffalo's first starter in a quarter century to win a playoff game. Made enough plays to win,” Allen said. The Colts responded with a seven-play, 75-play drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Pascal. Rivers’ pass for Michael Pittman glanced off the diving receiver’s fingertips on fourth down. Facing fourth-and-3 from the Colts 26, Allen drew defensive end Kemoko Turay offside with a second left on the play clock.

While the Chiefs get another week’s rest, the six other AFC playoff teams get going this weekend. For just the second time since the 1970 league merger, every team in the AFC playoffs has at least 11 wins. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 54, 31-20 over the San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 2, 2020, at Miami. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 43, 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Feb. 1, 2009, at Tampa, Florida. Their pass rush is nearly nonexistent with 19 sacks, the fewest by a playoff team since Denver had 19 in 1979.

Hundreds flock to support burger joint targeted by anti-maskers Mayor Turner and others showed up en mass to support a local cafe on Monday. The best 2021 planners you can buy on Amazon Stay organized and take control of your new year with these affordable planners.

Fort Bend makes promising history, swears in Black sheriff Fort Bend Co. elected an African American sheriff for the first time in 150 years. Memes mock end of miserable seasons for Texans, Cowboys A miserable season for both the Texans and Cowboys comes to an end.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt leaves the field after a losing an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Houston. HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have been bad all season. Sunday was the third time in the past four games the Texans have had a chance to win or tie a game late but lost a fumble instead. “And in my mind, for me, he brings a high level of hope for us to be able to win a game. The Titans beat the Texans 42-36 in overtime in Week 6 behind a 212-yard rushing performance from Derrick Henry.

San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson (30) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals with quarterback C.J. Beathard threw three touchdown passes, Jeff Wilson ran for 183 yards, and the San Francisco 49ers dealt a brutal blow to the Arizona Cardinals' playoff hopes by defeating them 20-12 on Saturday. If the Chicago Bears win their final two games, they will reach the playoffs because of a tiebreaker over the Cardinals. The 49ers (6-9) pulled ahead 14-6 in the third quarter on Beathard’s 9-yard touchdown pass to fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Cardinals: LB Haason Reddick (hamstring) left the game in the first quarter, but returned early in the second quarter.

Hopkins and his huge hands had a season-high 169 yards receiving — including a spectacular 20-yard touchdown catch for the go-ahead score — and the Cardinals improved their playoff position by beating the Philadelphia Eagles 33-26 on Sunday. The Cardinals are in third place in their division behind the Rams and Seahawks and would currently be the No. Murray threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, while Hurts responded with 177 yards passing and three touchdowns. The Cardinals also missed a great opportunity when Hopkins fumbled at the Eagles 8 after catching a short pass from Murray. The Eagles' second touchdown was set up by Murray's costly fumble at the Arizona 21-yard line.

Coupled with Tampa Bay’s 26-14 win over Minnesota (6-7), the Cardinals are back in a wild-card berth. we have to go out there and execute,” said Murray, who ran 10 times for 47 yards. “I don’t think we have any kind of a hangover from going out to Seattle last week," Giants coach Joe Judge said. The D limited New York to 159 yards in making Jones' return from a one-game absence with a hamstring injury miserable. The first one was set up by a 24-yard punt return by Christian Kirk to the Giants 38.

The New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings are in position to pull off remarkable turnarounds. One of the other teams that started 0-5 this season shares a stadium with the Giants but hasn’t pulled off an in-season turnaround. Jefferson, a first-round pick, had nine catches for 121 yards last week to reach 1,039 yards receiving on the season. With 11 TD runs this season, Newton has reached double-digits in three seasons (14 in 2011 and 10 in 2015). It was the first time since Brady Quinn in 2009 that a quarterback won consecutive starts despite throwing for fewer than 100 yards.

The Bills are one game ahead of the Miami Dolphins with four games left for both teams. San Francisco (5-7) lost in its first game at its adopted home in Arizona. “As long as it correlates to team success, it means we’re doing the right thing, making the right decisions and we’re winning football games," Allen said. But San Francisco got the ball back one play later on a fumble by Allen and the 49ers took advantage. The town is about a 3-hour drive from San Francisco, and Allen went to games as a kid with his family.

(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)In this strangest of NFL seasons in this weirdest of years, here's a matchup of division leaders you wouldn't expect: Seattle hosting the New York Giants. “If you win your division, you win your division,” Carroll says, and he knows: Seattle went 7-9 in 2010 and won the NFC West, then beat New Orleans in a playoff game. Patrick Mahomes has thrown for at least 300 yards seven times this season and has 22 straight games with at least one TD passing. New England has won the past five meetings, including a 2018 divisional playoff game. Chargers WR Keenan Allen leads the NFL with 85 receptions and has a TD catch in five straight games.

Will Fuller, Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb and Kenny Stills. On Friday, after Stills missed the trip to Detroit with what was reported as a quad injury, the Texans waived Stills. LocalCommunityJournalismI Support Support the independent voice of Houston and help keep the future of Houston Press free. Stills will enter the waiver wire, and we will find out Monday of any team picks him up. If they do, then the Texans will be off the hook for the remaining $2 million or so on Stills' deal.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (14) returns a punt during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)NEW YORK – After some recent close games, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't need nine lives to get to 9-0. The Steelers dominated the Cincinnati Bengals 36-10 on Sunday to remain the league's only unbeaten team and maintain control of the top spot of the latest AP Pro32 poll. “And the Steelers are in the conversation for teams that have a chance to dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC. “It’s the Steelers and Chiefs ... and everybody else,” said Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk.

Even the players and coaches for the Arizona Cardinals couldn't hide their disbelief when he jumped over three Buffalo defenders and came down with the ball. Kyler Murray completed a stunning 43-yard desperation pass to Hopkins with 2 seconds left to lift Arizona to an improbable 32-30 victory over the Bills. The catch was as sensational as the throw, which was quickly dubbed a “Hail Murray.”The game appeared lost for the Cardinals until Murray rolled out to his left as the seconds ticked off the clock. But Murray and the Cardinals (6-3, tied for the NFC West lead) ended the Bills' winning streak at three games with the improbable throw and catch. It was a crazy ending to another entertaining Cardinals game, which usually have come down to the final seconds in recent weeks.

Bread Man Baking Company loaves are coming to Whole Foods The company announced on Tuesday that its signature artisanal bread is available on bakery...Skeleton strip club ignites fight between homeowner and HOA This year, Angela Nava decided to do a something different with her Halloween decor.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. Seattle led all of regulation until Gonzalez made a 44-yard field goal as time expired to tie it at 34. He nailed the winner to knock off the previously undefeated Seahawks and set off a raucous celebration at midfield. Christian Kirk caught an 8-yard touchdown pass with 2:28 left to pull Arizona to 34-31. Seattle cruised 75 yards in just six plays, finishing with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Lockett.

All rights reserved)HOUSTON – The Houston Texans are having an intensely disappointing season. After another blowout loss at home, questions are again prevalent about the Texans play-calling, especially in the run game. Houston’s blockbuster DeAndre Hopkins trade will continue to be topical as long as the Texans can’t run the ball. Well, much of the time Houston runs the ball to David Johnson, despite the fact it hasn’t worked all season. David Johnson can be cut without losing any money in 2021, but would make $5.1 million if kept.

Benjy’s in Rice Village will close permanently The adjacent Local Foods will take over the old Benjy's space. Texas state board reverses controversial Abbott LGBTQ order The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council voted unanimously Tuesday to reverse a rule...

Texas state board reverses controversial Abbott LGBTQ order The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council voted unanimously Tuesday to reverse a rule... Historic Galveston house for sale comes with free friendly ghost This 1883 landmark can be yours, complete a friendly visit from one of the first occupants.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs in a touchdown against New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in East Rutherford. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Arizona Cardinals certainly came to the right place to get back on the winning track. Having Kyler Murray and the offense put up nearly 500 yards against the hapless and winless Jets was almost predictable. “I don’t want anyone on the team to feel satisfied with what happened today," said Murray, who threw for 380 yards. Jets: play at Miami next Sunday as NFL reorganizes schedule due to coronavirus pandemic.

Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien, center, gives signals from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)HOUSTON – The Houston Texans had faith that coach Bill O'Brien was the man to lead them to their first championship. O'Brien repeatedly thanked the McNair family for the chance to coach the Texans and apologized for falling below their expectations. Romeo Crennel, who was the team's assistant head coach, will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season. I think football is the ultimate team game, so I really there’s no doubt in my mind that I want to coach again."

Houston Texans' head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien has been fired. Team owner Cal McNair announced the decision Monday and thanked O’Brien for his work with the team. O’Brien speaks after firing:WATCH LIVE: Bill O'Brien speaks after firing from Texans Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Monday, October 5, 2020SOME TOP QUOTES FROM HIS EXIT PRESSER:On being fired:“I respected the decision. Romeo Crennel will serve as our interim head coach for the remainder of the 2020 season. pic.twitter.com/5JbZylPTbp — Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 5, 2020This is a developing story.

You'd never know it watching Bridgewater break the pocket, juke two defenders and race 18 yards to the end zone on Sunday, helping the Carolina Panthers defeat the Arizona Cardinals 31-21 for their second straight win. Bridgewater also threw for 276 yards and two scores as the Panthers solved their red-zone issues from a week ago by scoring TDs on their first four trips inside the Arizona 20-yard line. It was tough to catch up all day.”Said Panthers DE Brian Burns: “We put emphasis on keeping eyes on (Murray). After the game, Bridgewater gave his offensive line the game ball. “We didn’t play well enough or coach well enough in any phase,” Kingsbury said.

T.J WattSpeaking of the Steelers' defense, in the battle of the Watt Brothers, T.J. won in fairly convincing fashion. Texans opening drivesOf course, an inability to extend drives beyond one third down is just called "tradition" on Texan opening drives. Texans 2020 draft classWe know that Bill O'Brien values draft picks, the same way that an alcoholic values brain cells. Three games into this season, the #Texans' big bet on the RB looks worse than ever. https://t.co/IVAfrk3h8D — Aaron Reiss (@aaronjreiss) September 27, 2020Did I mention that DeAndre Hopkins had 10 catches for 137 yards on Sunday?

Sports drink company BioSteel on Tuesday announced a multi-year deal with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who will also invest in the firm. The BioSteel deal follows an announcement last week that Hopkins signed with Therabody, maker of popular massage therapy devices. As part of that deal, Hopkins will be a brand ambassador and will also invest in the company. He also has a successful real estate development business, Stim Real Estate Group, under which he owns nearly two dozen housing properties throughout Texas. Hopkins plans to expand his real estate venture into Arizona, Los Angeles and South Carolina, where he attended college at Clemson.

Washington (1-1) finally scored a touchdown with 12:20 left in the fourth quarter when Dwayne Haskins hit Terry McLaurin for a 24-yard score. The Cardinals' revamped defense had a big day, holding Washington scoreless until Dustin Hopkins hit a 24-yard field goal late in the third quarter. Murray's pass into coverage was picked off by Landon Collins, giving Washington great field position at the Arizona 19. He was completely alone in the back of the end zone on third down and Murray hit him for the 4-yard score to make it 7-0. ... Washington right guard Brandon Scherff (knee) was hurt just before halftime and gingerly walked off the field with the help of medical staff.

Johnson, 1st round pick (3rd overall)2. Watt, 1st round pick (3rd overall)3. Hopkins, 1st round pick (3rd overall)4. Watson, 1st round pick (3rd overall)6. Cushing, 1st round pick (3rd overall)7.

Well, over the weekend, the Houston Texans finally got around to two things. It's still hard to watch highlights without the room getting a little dusty, if you know what I mean. As we all know, Bill O'Brien has been touting the need for "tough, smart, dependable" players for the last year, really since Brian Gaine was fired. The article announcing the Texans' moves on their website, an article ironically entitled "Texans place priority on re-signing many of their own," the first sentence reads as follows:The Texans place a premium on players who dependable, tough and smart. Roby was very good last season on a one year prove-it deal, when he was healthy.

The odds of the 40th overall selection helping right away to that degree are basically zero. Thurman Thomas was drafted with the 40th overall selection by the Buffalo Bills in 1988. The other Hall of Famers is Michael Strahan, the 40th overall pick in 1993. The other six combined Pro Bowls come from CB Eric Wright (2 Pro Bowls, drafted 1981 by San Francisco), WR Courtland Sutton (2018, Broncos), LB E.J. Here is where the rubber really meets the road what have teams done recently with the 40th overall selection?

So, I contended yesterday morning around 7 a.m., at some point Hopkins' story will get told. Little did I know it would happen less than two hours later on ESPN, as Michael Irvin dropped this bombshell on Get Up:. @michaelirvin88 shared shocking details surrounding the relationship problems between Bill O'Brien and DeAndre Hopkins. This is NOT DeAndre Hopkins sitting in a studio recapping his own conversation. Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) March 18, 2020OK, great.

@DeAndreHopkins Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) March 17, 2020As expected, a classy sentiment from Watson, who refrained from expressing any frustration toward Bill O'Brien in his respects to Hopkins. Hopkins' numbers on a pregame basis, trend right along side Johnson's, except in touchdowns, where Hopkins has a massive advantage. We were probably four seasons away from seeing Hopkins surpass Johnson in all of these counting stats, and now it won't matter. We wont be able to enjoy Hopkins being named All Decade for the 2010sThe All-Decade team for the 2010s should be getting named sometime soon. We wont get a Hopkins Ring of Honor ceremonyTo this point, there are only two members of the Houston Texans' Ring of Honor.

To that end, Pro Football Focus, one of the better websites out there for analytical perspective on player performance, recently put out their list of the top 101 players for the entire 2019 season, including the playoffs. The Texans were decently represented on the list, with three players making the cut. For big chunks of the season, Hopkins was a short yardage option to move the chains, a de facto extension of the running game. overall player in the entire league! As for Jones, the Texans drafted Nick Martin after Jones left, and extended Martin on an $11 million per year deal.

Bottom line the Texans have out themselves in a "control your own destiny" scenario, and the Colts need help. Texans first drivesYeah, the Texans won the game, but the trend of horrific performance on opening drives held up, unfortunately. Coming into Thursday's game, he had played 15 regular season games against the Texans, tallying 1,519 yards and 10 touchdown catches. Carter continues to make mental and physical errors in the return game. Carter, I would imagine, is on notice, as his specific role is almost solely in the return game.

Ironically, the day after the Astros clinched that World Series, news came down that Watson's season was over. In the standings, the Texans now sit at 5-3, a half game back of the Colts. These are the times that test a head coach, and test a general manager, and for the Texans, that is the same guy. The Texans have the Jags in London this week, and then the Colts and Titans a total of three times in Weeks 12 through 17. This play was J.J. Watt's last one of the 2019 season.

And the Texans have a tall task in facing future Hall Of Fame QB Drew Brees in their home opener. Texans O-Line vs Saints D-LineDeshaun Watson was sacked a brutal 62 times last season. Texans Wide Receivers vs Saints DBsHopkins, Carter, Stillsoh my! Texans Defense vs Michael ThomasSaints Wide Receiver Michael Thomas made headlines in late July after signing a cool five year, $100 million dollar extension with Nola, making him the highest paid WR in the league. Thomas is tough to stop, and Texans DC Romeo Crennel will rely on his veterans to get the job done.

In this Aug. 26, 2017, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) passes under pressure from New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata in the first half of a preseason NFL football game, in New Orleans. HOUSTON - The Houston Texans are preparing to open their regular season on the road against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night. 3That's the number of Texans players who were listed as questionable early Sunday afternoon. 399.4That's the number of average yards the Texans net per game when Watson, Hopkins and Fuller are playing together. 9That's the number of yards lost in 2011, when defensive end J.J. Watt recorded the first sack of his career against the Saints' quarterback Drew Brees.

Watson, who sat out in a loss to Green Bay last week, was 5 of 7 for 60 yards and scrambled once for 7 yards. PHOTOS: Texans take on Lions in second preseason gameHopkins, also making his preseason debut, had two receptions for 17 yards and shook off Detroit's Quandre Diggs to get open and make the TD catch that put Houston up 7-0. Hopkins, who had a career-high 1,572 yards receiving last season, was the only one of Houston's top receivers to play. Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford didn't play for the second straight week, with the Lions instead starting Josh Johnson. Webb connected with Vyncint Smith on a 31-yard touchdown pass just before halftime to put Houston on top 17-10.

HOUSTON - All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is back from a one-day stay on the physically unable to perform list. Hopkins is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery but practiced in full on Friday on day two of Texans training camp. The Texans star, who is coming off his best season -- 115 catches, 1,572 yards, 11 touchdowns -- spoke with reporters after practice. A lot of guys never make that 99 club, so its a privilege. A lot of my nephews, a lot of my little cousins -- they want the video game so they can go out and play.

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans celebrates against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)HOUSTON - The Houston Texans hope their wide receiving corps can stay healthy in 2019. DeAndre Hopkins is a 99 Overall rating (that's really good) in this year's version of "Madden NFL" for good reason -- he might be the best wide receiver in the NFL. But beyond Hopkins, the Texans wide receivers have struggled to stay healthy. If Fuller and Coutee miss time like last season, Smith and DeAndre Carter combined to start four games last season.

OVER/UNDER NFL TOP 100 RANK: 7.5J.J. WATT, DE (2018 RANK: 84th)Watt had, by far, his lowest finish in the Top 100 since he began appearing in it regularly after the 2012 season. After a first team All Pro return in 2018, Watt skyrockets back into the top 20. OVER/UNDER NFL TOP 100 RANK: 29.5DESHAUN WATSON, QB (2018 RANK: 50th)I have no idea what to make of Watson's stock around the NFL on lists like this. OVER/UNDER NFL TOP 100 RANK: 43.5BERNARDRICK McKINNEY, ILB (2018 RANK: N/R)This is my Texans wild card. OVER/UNDER NFL TOP 100 RANK: 78.5Listen to Sean Pendergast on SportsRadio 610 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekdays.

Unfortunately, on Sunday evening, we got our first taste of medical announcements from Texans PR, with the following two tweets:The Houston Texans have placed WR DeAndre Carter, WR DeAndre Hopkins and DE J.J. Watt on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list. Texans PR (@TexansPR) July 21, 2019The Houston Texans placed OLB Jamal Davis II on the Active/Non-Football Illness list. The team also placed NT Walter Palmore and TE Kahale Warring on the Active/Non-Football Injury list. FEAR FACTOR: 2.1WR DeANDRE HOPKINSLike Watt, Hopkins was pretty much absent for all of minicamp and OTA's. This needs to be a minor injury, or Warring will get behind the eight ball quickly.