C.J. Stroud Leads Texans to Dominant Win

In Houston, C.J. Stroud overcame a slow start to lead the Texans to a convincing 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite some early difficulties, including an interception, Stroud found his rhythm and finished the game with 282 passing yards and one touchdown..

The turning point came late in the second quarter when Stroud made a remarkable play on third-and-16. After fumbling the snap and getting the right bounce, he recovered the football and completed a 34-yard pass to Xavier Hutchinson.  

The play changed the game’s momentum and eventually sparked a 99-yard touchdown drive that gave the Texans their first lead. The recovery displayed the poise and ability of CJ Stroud to turn a potential disaster into an opportunity.

Stroud’s performance was awe-inspiring in the middle of the field, where he completed 13 of 16 passes for 223 yards and a score on in-breaking routes. His connection with receiver Nico Collins was exceptional, as the wide receiver finished with seven catches for 122 yards and a touchdown.

Jayden Daniels Delivers in Clutch for Commanders

In Tampa Bay, Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders to a thrilling 23-20 victory over the Buccaneers, marking the franchise’s first playoff win in nearly 7,000 days. Daniels threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing remarkable composure in his NFL Playoff debut.

The rookie quarterback made his most critical contribution in the game’s final moments. With the score tied at 20-20, Daniels led a game-winning drive that ended with Zane Gonzalez’s 37-yard field goal as time expired.

Jayden Daniels is the first rookie starting QB to win a road playoff game since 2012 pic.twitter.com/UZowHHveDf

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) January 13, 2025

During this drive, Daniels made a crucial play by scrambling for a first down on third-and-2, enabling the Commanders to run down the clock before attempting the winning kick.

Daniels showcased his dual-threat abilities throughout the game, making plays with both his arm and legs. His skill in extending plays and delivering accurate throws under pressure was crucial to Washington’s success.

Historical Context and Future Implications

In recent years, Stroud and Daniels joined an elite group of young quarterbacks to win playoff games. Stroud became just the sixth quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of his first two seasons. In Washington, Daniels joined C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy as rookie QBs to win playoff games in the past three seasons.

These performances bode well for the future of both franchises. Under Stroud’s leadership, the Texans have now advanced to the divisional round for the second consecutive year.  

The Commanders, led by rookie quarterback Daniels, improved from a 4-13 record last season to a 13-5 playoff contender.

Stroud and Daniels will encounter more formidable challenges as the playoffs progress. The Texans need to demonstrate their ability to compete against the reigning Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Commanders are preparing to face the top-seeded Detroit Lions in the NFC divisional round.

In NFL history, there have been 3 instances of a team having 0 turnovers & 0 punts in a game behind a rookie starting QB (reg or post).

All 3 were by the @Commanders & Jayden Daniels (Week 2, Week 3 & tonight). pic.twitter.com/Pz3qTO9PUy

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) January 13, 2025

Based on their Wild Card performances, these young quarterbacks have displayed they have the talent and composure to lead their teams on potential deep playoff runs.

Next week, the favorites from the AFC and NFC will stand in the Texans’ and Commanders’ paths to New Orleans.

Be sure you follow on X (Twitter) @KTMOZE and @blacksportsinc to never miss another Saints breaking news story again.

Stroud, the 20th Good Guy Award winner, is the first member of the Texans franchise to win the award.

Other finalists for the Good Guy Award were Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio, Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

The Good Guy Award is given to an NFL player for his qualities and professional style in helping pro football writers do their jobs. The award has been presented annually by the PFWA since 2005.

Stroud, the second overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft by Houston, made an immediate impact on the field with his play, in the locker room with reporters covering the Texans daily and in the greater Houston community.

“Stroud is the Good Guy Award winner because of his professionalism and openness with both the national and local media. He is always available during the week and after games, win or lose. He understands the media has a job to do and answers each question thoroughly,” said PFWA Houston chapter co-vice president Jonathan Alexander, who covers the Texans for the Houston Chronicle. “He is also active in the Houston community without seeking attention, recently volunteering to remove trees and clean up debris from yards in underserved communities after a storm left many residents without power for several days.”

“First and foremost, I want to give all glory and praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It’s a blessing to be recognized as the PFWA Good Guy Award winner, and it stands out to me because it’s more of an award that embodies someone’s character rather than the stats they compile on the field, Stroud said. “I appreciate the job the media has and thank them for choosing me as someone who is deserving of this honor. A special shoutout to the other very deserving players who were nominated and those that won before me.”

The 2023 PFWA NFL Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud started all 15 games he appeared in, and he finished the regular season completing 319 of 499 passes for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions while posting a passer rating of 100.8. The 4,108 yards were third most by a rookie quarterback in NFL history, and his TD-interception ratio of 4.6 led the league – the youngest player to pace the league in that category. Stroud also started the season with 191 consecutive passes without an interception – an NFL mark to start a career.

Stroud was the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month twice in September and November, the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November, and he was selected as the AFC Offensive Player of the Week twice (Weeks 9 and 18).

ABOUT THE PFWA: In its 61st season in 2024, the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) is the official voice of pro football writers, promoting and fighting for access to NFL personnel to best serve the public. The PFWA is made up of accredited writers who cover the NFL and the 32 teams daily. Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News is the PFWA president for the 2023-24 seasons and the organization’s 31st president. Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post is the PFWA’s first vice-president, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic is the second vice-president, Lindsay Jones of The Ringer is the advisor to the president and Mike Sando of The Athletic is the secretary-treasurer. At-large board members include Mike Jones of The Athletic, ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold, Joe Reedy of the Associated Press and ProFootballTalk.com’s Charean Williams. Follow the PFWA at ProFootballWriters.org and on Twitter at @PFWAwriters.

GOOD GUY AWARD WINNERS (To a NFL player for his qualities and professional style in helping the pro football writers do their job) Year indicates when award was presented for previous season: 2005 – Jerome Bettis (Pittsburgh Steelers); 2006 – Tiki Barber (New York Giants); 2007 – LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers); 2008 – Brett Favre (Green Bay Packers); 2009 – Kurt Warner (Arizona Cardinals); 2010 – Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints); 2011 – Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers); 2012 – Tim Tebow (Denver Broncos); 2013 – Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons); 2014 – Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks); 2015 – Richard Sherman (Seattle Seahawks); 2016 – Thomas Davis (Carolina Panthers); 2017 – Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals); 2018 – Chris Long (Philadelphia Eagles); 2019 – Chris Long (Philadelphia Eagles); 2020 – Eli Manning (New York Giants); 2021 – Philip Rivers (Indianapolis Colts); 2022 – Cameron Heyward (Pittsburgh Steelers); 2023 – Jason Kelce (Philadelphia Eagles); 2024 – C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans)

 

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David Johnson, 32, played five games for New Orleans in his final NFL season in 2022. The team signed him off its practice squad on Nov. 16 and elevated the running back to the active roster on Dec. 12 when Mark Ingram injured his MCL. Despite limited opportunities in a backfield with Alvin Kamara, he had 12 rushes for 24 yards and three receptions for 47 yards, including a 21-yard reception. Before his tenure with the Saints, Johnson spent two seasons with the Houston Texans.

The Arizona Cardinals chose the Northern Iowa product as the 86th overall pick in the 3rd round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Johnson made the 2016 AP All-Pro selections twice: First-Team flex and Second-Team running back. Fans voted him into the 2016 Pro Bowl as well that season.

NFL Network’s coverage is highlighted by “Schedule Release ’24 Presented by Verizon” at 8 p.m. ET which breaks down the 2024 NFL regular season schedule, division by division, analyzing the top matchups and primetime games. Rich Eisen and Colleen Wolfe host the three-hour show, joined by Maurice Jones-Drew, Michael Robinson and Cynthia Frelund.

Featured guests on “Schedule Release ’24” include:

·       NBC “Sunday Night Football” play-by-play broadcaster Mike Tirico
·       CBS play-by-play broadcaster Jim Nantz
·       ESPN “Monday Night Football” play-by-play broadcaster Joe Buck
·       Prime Video “Thursday Night Football” play-by-play broadcaster Al Michaels
·       Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson
·       NFL vice president of broadcasting Mike North

NFL.com and the NFL app will provide complete team-by-team and weekly schedules of all regular season games, listing opponents, sites and times.

Earlier today, it was announced the NFL Kickoff game on Thursday, Sept. 5 will feature a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game when the Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens on NBC and Peacock, and available on mobile devices with NFL+.

A special two-hour Schedule Release edition of “Good Morning Football” airs on Wednesday beginning at 7 a.m. ET on NFL Network, with hosts Jason McCourty, Peter Schrager, Kyle Brandt and Sherree Burruss. The 2024 International Games will be revealed during the show ahead of the full schedule announcement Wednesday evening. The Emmy Award-winning “Good Morning Football” returns to its weekly Monday-Friday schedule this summer, with further details to follow.

Additional coverage is provided by “NFL GameDay View: Schedule Release” at 10 p.m. ET on the NFL Channel and YouTube, a one-hour show hosted by Patrick Claybon, Cynthia Frelund and Gregg Rosenthal analyzing the 2024 NFL schedule. The NFL Channel is available on the NFL App on mobile and connected TV, FAST streaming platforms such as Peacock, Roku, PlutoTV, Vizio WatchFree, Tubi, LG, Xumo Play, TCL and Plex, and at NFL.com/nflchannel. “NFL GameDay View: Schedule Release” will also air at 11 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

NFL+ will offer fans exclusive content with “Secrets of the Schedule,” which features key decisionmakers from around the league sharing insights into creating this year’s schedule. Fans will also get exclusive insights into their respective teams’ win/loss record with “Projected Team Win Totals presented by Courtyard by Marriott” featuring Cynthia Frelund, who shares her projected win total for each NFL team.

ESPN will also have a two-hour primetime special highlighting the release of the 2024 regular season schedule on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and simulcast on ESPN+. Host Kevin Negandhi along with Dan Orlovsky, Marcus Spears, Mina Kimes and Adam Schefter anchor the coverage, with multiple guests expected.

Individual game tickets will go on sale immediately through Ticketmaster, the Official Ticketing Partner of the NFL, once each game is announced. Tickets will also go on sale through SeatGeek and Sports Illustrated Tickets, members of the NFL Ticket Network. For more information, visit NFL.com/tickets.

The NFL uses the power of Amazon Web Services (AWS) for its schedule-making process. There are approximately a quadrillion possible schedule combinations each NFL season and over 26,000 factors to take into consideration such as stadium availability, travel requirements, primetime games, competitive fairness and division rivalries. The NFL uses AWS to run high performance computing workloads to find the best possible schedule each year. For more information, click here.

Courtyard by Marriott is also helping fans traveling to games find accommodations in close proximity to each respective NFL stadium with a new hotel booking button on the NFL.com schedule page. The button will direct fans to recommendations for nearby Courtyard by Marriott hotels, or other hotels within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, during the specific game weekend they are attending.

For additional information regarding the release of the 2024 NFL schedule, click here.

“As the president of the Big Man Alliance, you’re the vice president of the Big Man Alliance.  You know I love you. [As] the best player in the league, I want to congratulate you,” Shaq told Jokic.  He began the interview with a congratulatory message but then dropped this bombshell:  “I want you to hear it from me first. I thought SGA [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] should have been the MVP.  There’s no disrespect to you. But, congratulations.”

Sharpe and Gilbert Arenas called O’Neal “Apex Predator” and insinuated that “Shaq hates every big man…because that’s his position.”

Shaq caught Shannon Sharpe in his crosshairs first on social media then dropped this: “You’re way beneath me. Your whole demeanor faker than the rapper beef be.”

Listen to the track here…

Ryan Garcia “Number One” (Shaq Remix) – Official Diss Track

@SHAQ

OUT NOW: https://t.co/lLIn840D0B pic.twitter.com/vZVLyz5Ktv

— Playmaker (@playmaker) May 10, 2024

It’s time these 50+year old great sports legends call a truce and let the youngin’s beef!

Marvin Harrison Jr., the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, is not only a talented wide receiver but projects to become a significant figure in the world of sports.  At this year’s NFL Draft, he will unveil New Balance’s inaugural American football cleat, named the “Prodigy,” marking a significant milestone in the brand’s history.

The Intelligent Choice.

Marvin Harrison Jr. and New Balance. #WeGotNow pic.twitter.com/loKOcHfFX3

— New Balance (@newbalance) April 23, 2024

“I just think the values that New Balance and I share have aligned,” Harrison Jr. told Andscape’s Aaron Dodson about the deal.  “Most importantly, the brand will allow me to have an impact on the community and the younger generation.  I want to inspire young athletes to be great in their own way.”

“From the first conversation with Marvin it was clear that he was a perfect fit for us at New Balance,” Naveen Lokesh, New Balance’s head of global sports marketing for American football and basketball, said to Andscape.

Harrison is projected to be on the radar for the Arizona Cardinals who select at No. 4 in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback Travis Hunter are not just highly-touted, they are potential Heisman Trophy candidates for the upcoming 2024 regular season.  Their stellar performances led by Deion Sanders have sparked speculation that both athletes will choose to enter the 2025 NFL Draft.  If they do, their exceptional talent will undoubtedly attract the attention of professional teams.

However, Coach Prime told Bean why the rumor was unfounded and did not come from him.

“I have more than six owners that are friends.  I have more than six GMs that are friends.  You got to understand, I played 14 [seasons], and I worked another 17, I believe, in the NFL Network and CBS.  I know a lot of people.  Come on.  So I would I would never do that?  Before, I would disclose, if I was that stupid, I wouldn’t disclose the teams I would want them to play for.  I would disclose the several that I wouldn’t.  That’s stupid.  That’s stupidity.  I would never do that.”

In 2023, Shedeur Sanders passed for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns, and three interceptions for a 151.7 quarterback rating.  His impressive collegiate career stats include two seasons at Jackson State University.  Sanders has completed 914 of 1,331 passes for 10,219 yards, 97 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions, averaging 2271.03 total yards of offense, with a passer efficiency rating of 154.66.  Shedeur is also dangerous on the ground, rushing for 1,102 yards and 13 scores.

Hunter plays in the Buffaloes’ secondary and is effective as a wide receiver. On offense, he has 75 receptions for 909 receiving yards and nine touchdown receptions.     When he flips the script, he has five career interceptions, fifteen passes defended, a pick-six, and one fumble recovery in 17 games.

Deion Sanders believes the tandem of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter has the talent to be selected in the first round, and many pundits agree.

According to beat reporter Nick Underhill, the club reduced its 2024 salary cap number “from $12M to about $5.5M” in the team’s effort to comply with the league’s mandated rules.

Mathieu, 31, is a native of New Orleans and has been with the team since signing a free-agent contract before the 2022 regular season. He’s brought stability and leadership to a young corps of defensive backs who performed well in 2023.   

The All-Pro defensive back and cornerback Paulson Adebo each had four interceptions for the New Orleans Saints in 2023-24. Mathieu started all 17 games last season while recording 75 tackles, nine passes defended, a QB hit, and pick six.

In two seasons with the Saints, he’s contributed 34 game starts, seven interceptions, 166 tackles (114 solos), 17 passes defended, three tackles for losses, two QB hits, one fumble recovery, and a touchdown.

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It’s mind-boggling that he and Russell Wilson could reach a healthy accord to work together and bring magic to the Mile-High Stadium for the Broncos fans.
Look, he didn’t have a slouch year statistically. 3,070 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions aren’t poor numbers for an NFL quarterback.

The man has value. Why couldn’t Denver see it? It’s a mystery.

Wilson, 35, played two seasons of his five-year, $245 million contract, which will eventually net him $125 million. Denver must pay him $39M in guaranteed money.  The $80 million in dead cap the Broncos will eat for the 2024-25 season is an enormous failure for the previous front office, but in many ways, also for Payton.

The offensive guru was one of the elite head coaches in the National Football League before abruptly semi-retiring at the end of the 2021 season.  Should he fail to restore Denver, get them into the postseason, and change the dynamics in the AFC West while Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are still going strong, Payton’s tenure in Denver will be forgettable.

Wilson won’t have to sign a mega-contract and break the bank for his next team. He bolsters a Hall of Fame-caliber resume, two Super Bowl trips, and a championship ring.
Russell Wilson still has “gas in the tank” to run a productive offense.  That’s why it’s baffling that Sean Payton and the quarterback couldn’t resolve their differences.

Nevertheless, the divorce is in the works, Denver will have a new signal-caller, and Wilson will have a different home in the National Football League.  Will it work out for both parties?

We shall see.

ERIC BIENIEMY REMAINS, SEEKING OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING?

The Washington Commanders under Ron Rivera hired Eric Bieniemy as the offensive coordinator. Since Rivera’s dismissal, the organization hired a new president and general manager. Could Bieniemy, as the head coach, be a foregone conclusion? No. Not so fast.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is locked in the Commanders’ front office’s radar as its new head coach. Although several interviews were scheduled for other candidates and teams are extending offers to other offensive coordinator candidates, Bieniemy could be the “odd man out” for the position.

Johnson and Detroit lost to the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday’s 2024 NFC Championship Game. Therefore, Washington could offer Johnson the position this upcoming week.

Raheem Morris (Atlanta) and Jerod Mayo (New England) are the two new head coach hires in the league. Still, Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, L.A. Rams, N.Y. Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and Seattle Seahawks have never installed a black head coach.

Progress?  You make the call.

NATIONAL BLACK PLAYERS COALITION LETTER TO THE COMMANDERS

The Washington Commanders football team was founded in 1932 as the Boston Braves. As part owner, George Preston Marshall renamed the team the Redskins in 1933, and moved the team to Washington, DC in 1937, becoming the Washington Redskins. Throughout its 92 years of existence the team has never hired a full-time Black Head Coach. The team holds the hideous reputation as being the last NFL team to integrate its players – and only by force – by 35^th President John F. Kennedy’s Administration in 1962.^[i] This notorious tradition has carried over at the head coaching position to this day!

Soon after purchasing the Washington Commanders from former embattled owner Dan Snyder, new owner Josh Harris and the team’s ownership group sent an open letter on July 23, 2023, to Washington, DC fans promising among other things to “…earn your trust” and “…strive every day to ensure that we are a franchise you can be proud of.”  In our August 14, 2023, Open Letter to Josh Harris, the National Black Players Coalition stated that “As the new owner of the Washington Commanders, you and your partners now have the responsibility to not only address the sexual harassment issues that plagued the organization under its former owner, Daniel Snyder, but hopefully you and your partners will also take leadership in addressing the racial discrimination issues… that exist inside your organization.”

One of the most key issues is the fact that the Washington Commanders and its predecessors have never hired a full-time Black Head Coach in a predominantly African American community! Shamefully, the Washington Commanders remain among the now 11 NFL teams that have never had a Black full-time head coach: Buffalo Bills; Baltimore Ravens; Tennessee Titans; Jacksonville Jaguars; Dallas Cowboys; New York Giants; New Orleans Saints; Carolina Panthers; Los Angeles Rams; the Seattle Seahawks; and the Washington Commanders. Historic and most recently, the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons broke their color barrier and hired their first full time Black Head Coaches (Jerod Mayo and Raheem Morris, respectively). The Las Vegas Raiders just hired their third Black Head Coach, Antonio Pierce! Will it take 100 years for Commanders fans to get their first Black head coach?

On September 14, 2022, the NBPC issued a comprehensive “Open Letter To NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell” and all 32 owners. See: (https://t.co/d1g2CjhY2g)  In that letter, among other issues, the NBPC called upon the NFL to hire at least half (16) Black head coaches. At this writing, the NFL hired 3 new Black head coaches bringing the total to 7 including Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins. Now is the time for the Commanders to also make history by joining these teams in hiring their first full-time Black Head Coach!