Tag: Houston Texans

  • ‘What a play!’ Chase catch tops NFL plays of the week

    ‘What a play!’ Chase catch tops NFL plays of the week

    Key Highlights

    • Ja’Marr Chase delivered a spectacular catch during the Cincinnati Bengals’ victory over the Houston Texans.
    • The play headlines the top highlights from the latest weekend of NFL regular-season action.
    • Cincinnati secured a win against Houston, with Chase’s performance standing out among league-wide standout moments.

    Chase’s Highlight-Reel Grab Anchors Bengals’ Win Over Texans

    Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase produced the signature moment of the NFL weekend, hauling in an extraordinary catch that headlined the league’s best plays package. The play occurred during Cincinnati’s victory over the Houston Texans, underscoring Chase’s continued status as one of the game’s most dynamic playmakers. While the Bengals’ team result moved them forward in the standings, the individual brilliance on display reinforced why the former LSU standout remains a weekly must-watch attraction for football audiences.

    Weekend Recap: Top Plays Across the League

    The NFL’s weekly highlights reel packaged Chase’s grab alongside other elite athletic feats from around the league. From game-changing interceptions to breakaway touchdowns, the compilation captured the breadth of talent on display during the most recent slate of games. Cincinnati’s win over Houston provided the backdrop for the standout sequence, but the roundup served as a league-wide snapshot of the speed, strength, and improvisational skill that define modern professional football. Each play was selected for its combination of difficulty, game impact, and visual spectacle.

    Why This Matters

    Weekly highlight packages serve as the primary discovery engine for casual fans and a critical retention tool for the NFL’s digital ecosystem. Featuring a player of Chase’s caliber—already a multiple-time Pro Bowler and Offensive Player of the Year candidate—maximizes engagement across social platforms, broadcast partners, and the league’s owned media channels. For the Bengals, national exposure of their premier offensive weapon reinforces brand visibility in a competitive AFC landscape. For the Texans, appearing in the context of a highlight-reel loss still places their defensive unit on the national stage, offering evaluation tape for coaches and scouts alike. The cycle repeats each week, but the concentration of star power in a single play often dictates the narrative momentum heading into the next slate of games.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which teams played in the game featuring Ja’Marr Chase’s top play?

    The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Houston Texans in the game that produced Chase’s featured catch.

    Where can I watch the full highlights package from this NFL weekend?

    The NFL’s official media channels—including NFL.com, the NFL app, and league social accounts—publish the weekly best-plays compilation shortly after the Sunday slate concludes.

    Was Ja’Marr Chase’s catch the only Bengals highlight featured?

    The source identifies Chase’s catch as the highlighted Bengals play, but the weekly package typically includes multiple standout moments from across all games that weekend.

  • NYT Connections Sports Edition: Hints and Answers for September 6, 2026

    NYT Connections Sports Edition: Hints and Answers for September 6, 2026

    Today’s Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle #713 Hints and Answers

    Today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle should feel a little easier if you follow the Houston Texans. As we’ve noted in previous guides, this daily word game from The New York Times — developed in association with The Athletic — tests sports knowledge by challenging players to find common threads between 16 words. Like the original Connections and Wordle, a new puzzle drops after midnight, and the difficulty ramps up over time.

    If you just want the solution, scroll to the bottom. If you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for clues, strategies, and the full breakdown.

    What Is Connections: Sports Edition?

    The NYT’s latest daily word game launched in partnership with The Athletic, the Times’ sports coverage vertical. It’s playable on web browsers and mobile devices. Each puzzle presents 16 words that must be grouped into four categories of four words each. Categories can span anything — book titles, software, country names, or sports-specific references. Only one correct grouping exists per set, even if multiple words seem to fit together.

    Get a group right, and those words clear from the board. Guess wrong, and it counts as a mistake; four mistakes ends the game. Players can shuffle the board to spot connections more easily. Groups are color-coded by difficulty: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (hardest). Results are shareable on social media, just like Wordle.

    Hint for Today’s Connections: Sports Edition Categories

    Want a nudge without the full reveal? Try these category hints:

    • Yellow: Defense
    • Green: Meet the Joneses
    • Blue: Houston football players
    • Purple: Sounds like an NFL player

    Today’s Connections: Sports Edition Categories

    Need a little more help? Here are the exact categories for puzzle #713:

    • Yellow: Defend
    • Green: Joneses
    • Blue: Houston Texans
    • Purple: NFL QBs with the First Letter Changed

    Connections: Sports Edition #713 Solution

    Spoiler alert: This is your last chance to turn back and solve the puzzle on your own.

    Here are the answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition:

    • Defend: BLANKET, COVER, GUARD, SHIELD
    • Joneses: DANIEL, DEACON, JONQUEL, MAC
    • Houston Texans: DELL, MARKS, STINGLEY, STROUD
    • NFL QBs with the First Letter Changed: CART, COVER, DODGERS, THOUGH

    Didn’t get it this time? No worries — a fresh Connections: Sports Edition puzzle arrives tomorrow, and we’ll be back with more hints and answers.

    More Daily Puzzles and Games

    Also playing NYT Strands? Check out our hints and answers for today’s Strands. If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s games hub offers Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more.

    Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to the latest standard Connections puzzle.

  • Zay Jones Released by Houston

    Zay Jones Released by Houston

    The Houston Texans released wide receiver Jones on Sunday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.

    Jones signed with Houston on Aug. 21 after completing a tryout with the team. He caught one of three targets for six yards during the Texans’ 16-13 preseason-finale loss to the Carolina Panthers.

    Jones’ 2025 season with Arizona

    Jones recorded 12 catches on 18 targets for 183 yards in eight regular-season games with the Arizona Cardinals in 2025. He ended the season on injured reserve after suffering an Achilles tear in Week 10.

    Now fully healthy, Jones will likely receive another opportunity with a new team in 2026.

  • Khalil Shakir Optimistic About Week 1

    Khalil Shakir Optimistic About Week 1

    There is currently optimism that Shakir will be available for the Buffalo Bills’ Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 13, according to Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com, who reported that “there’s currently optimism” regarding the wide receiver’s status.

    Shakir has been sidelined by an undisclosed injury since appearing in the preseason Week 1 game on Aug. 15. He also did not participate in Tuesday’s practice. The Bills are scheduled to release their first Week 1 injury report next Wednesday, which should provide a clearer indication of Shakir’s availability for the regular-season opener.

  • NFL Week 2 Preview: Key Matchups, Storylines, and What to Watch

    NFL Week 2 Preview: Key Matchups, Storylines, and What to Watch

    NFL Week 2 Preview: Five Storylines to Watch as Overreactions Meet Reality

    Week 2 is one of the most revealing weeks of the NFL season. It separates legitimate contenders from Week 1 mirages and shows whether early reactions were justified or premature. Here are five key storylines shaping this week’s slate of games.

    Buffalo Bills Debut New Highmark Stadium Against Detroit Lions

    After 53 seasons in Orchard Park, the Bills move into their brand-new Highmark Stadium on Thursday night when they host the Detroit Lions. The $2.1 billion open-air venue sits adjacent to the old stadium and seats 60,108—smaller than its predecessor, a design choice the Bills say enhances the overall fan experience. The lack of a roof preserves Buffalo’s signature cold-weather advantage in December and January.

    Early reviews have been mixed, with some fans reporting obstructed-view seats. Ticket prices reflect the hype: the get-in price for Thursday’s opener exceeded $400 as of Wednesday. Buffalo enters on a high after a thrilling Week 1 win over Houston, while Detroit narrowly escaped New Orleans by a single point. Expect a high-scoring affair on Thursday Night Football.

    Chicago Bears Offense Makes History in Season Opener

    Before the season, Bears head coach Ben Johnson declared his goal: score more points than any team in NFL history. Week 1 suggested he wasn’t joking. Chicago exploded for a franchise-record 59 points in a 59-37 victory over the Carolina Panthers, tying the team mark with six rushing touchdowns and setting a new franchise high for a season opener.

    The 2013 Denver Broncos hold the NFL single-season scoring record at 606 points—Chicago would need 547 more to match it, with an extra game on the schedule compared to that Broncos team. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams dazzled in his debut, completing 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns while adding 65 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. The Bears have never had a 4,000-yard passer; Williams looks poised to change that. Chicago hosts the Minnesota Vikings in its home opener Sunday.

    Houston Texans Defense Faces Critical Test vs. Cincinnati Bengals

    One of Week 1’s biggest disappointments was the Houston Texans defense. Offseason hype suggested a elite unit, but Josh Allen and the Bills dropped 36 points on them at home. Late-game chances to seal the win evaporated—a dropped interception followed by a 34-yard touchdown allowed.

    Now the Texans face Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. Burrow wasn’t sharp in his opener against Tampa Bay (254 yards, one touchdown, one interception), but a repeat of Houston’s defensive performance could mean another long afternoon. Houston started 0-3 last year before rallying to the playoffs—a hole they’re desperate to avoid this time around.

    NFC South Starts 0-4; Division Relief Arrives in Week 2

    The NFC South was the only division without a Week 1 victory. The Buccaneers, Falcons, Saints, and Panthers all lost. Credit Saints coach Kellen Moore for aggression—going for two and the win against Detroit rather than playing for overtime.

    Relief comes quickly: Atlanta hosts Carolina this week, guaranteeing one NFC South win. Tampa Bay, a heavy home favorite against Cleveland, should rebound if Baker Mayfield protects the ball (three fumbles in Week 1). New Orleans faces a brutal road test at Baltimore.

    New York Giants and Jets Both 1-0 for First Time Since 2009

    New York football fans can savor a rare moment: both the Giants and Jets opened with wins for the first time since 2009. That year, both started 3-0—a mark that feels distant for either franchise today.

    The Giants travel to Los Angeles to face a rested Rams team coming off a Thursday loss in Australia to San Francisco. Sean McVay’s squad had 10 days to recover from travel and the 49ers’ rout. Los Angeles will be without Myles Garrett (knee surgery, out a month or more) but could see Aaron Donald return after a two-plus-year retirement.

    New York’s Week 1 game plan clicked behind Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo against Dallas. The question: can they sustain it and stay healthy? That’s the Giants’ biggest season-long variable.

    The Jets host Green Bay Sunday. New York’s Week 1 win came against Tennessee, a team that may again be among the league’s worst. Green Bay arrives desperate after a historic collapse: leading 22-10 with under 20 minutes left, the Packers were outscored 29-0 in a 39-22 loss to Minnesota—the first team in NFL history to trail by 12+ with <20 minutes remaining and win by 17+.

    NFL Week 2 Schedule

    Thursday

    • Detroit Lions @ Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m. ET

    Sunday

    • Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET
    • Green Bay Packers @ New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET
    • New Orleans Saints @ Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET
    • Philadelphia Eagles @ Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET
    • Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET
    • Cleveland Browns @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
    • Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET
    • Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET
    • Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET
    • Jacksonville Jaguars @ Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET
    • Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET
    • Miami Dolphins @ San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m. ET
    • Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. ET
    • Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m. ET

    Monday

    • New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m. ET