With the Jaguars on a Week 7 bye at 4‑2 after a 34‑31 loss to Houston, Big Cat Country offers a detailed rooting guide for Jacksonville fans. The guide advises cheering the Chicago Bears over the New England Patriots, the New Orleans Saints over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Atlanta Falcons against the 49ers, the Cincinnati Bengals over the Baltimore Ravens, the Carolina Panthers over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the New York Giants against the Texans. The goal is to keep AFC South rivals in check, avoid aiding Wild Card contenders, and protect potential coaching staff poaching, especially from the Buccaneers.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC reports the Jaguars are signing former Texans LB Jamal Hill to the practice squad after he cleared waivers. Hill, 25, was an honorable mention All-PAC 12 in 2020 at Oregon. He was drafted by the Texans with the No. 188 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. […]
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After a blistering Week 6 performance – 24‑of‑34 passes for 312 yards, three TDs and a 116.3 passer rating – C.J. Stroud earns his fourth AFC Offensive Player of the Week, cementing his spot in the MVP race. The Texans’ 34‑31 win over Jacksonville highlights Stroud’s improved reads, release time, and poise after criticism from Andre Johnson. Yet history looms: Houston is 1‑5 all‑time against the New York Giants and has lost the last five meetings. With receivers Nico Collins, Marvin Harrison Jr., Kayshon Boutte and returning Tank Dell, Stroud faces a Giants defense that allows 190 passing yards per game. The matchup will test whether Stroud can finally unmask the Giants’ stingy secondary.
Some trending quarterbacks for the right or wrong reasons include Matthew Stafford, Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Dak Prescott, Tyler Shough, […]
Kevin Durant praises Fred VanVleet and Marcus Smart by highlighting their impact on the Rockets' offensive schemes.
In the season opener on Oct. 21, 2026, the Dallas Mavericks fell 128-110 to the Houston Rockets, marking a 0-1 start. Coach Dusty May blamed a disastrous second quarter—poor transition defense and lost composure—for the loss, noting the Rockets “outworked” them. Rookie Cooper Flagg sparked a comeback, scoring 23 of his 32 points in the second half and shooting 11‑of‑13 from the line. Reserve guard Marcus Sasser also performed well. May highlighted communication lapses and the need to tighten up on fast‑break coverage against stars Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr., while praising the first‑unit’s effort despite the defeat.
CBS Sports has signed former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt to a multi‑year contract as its lead NFL analyst, cementing his role alongside veteran Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. Watt moved up from number‑two analyst after Tony Romo’s departure and has impressed the network in his first two months. The deal comes as CBS, now under the Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery‑Skydance umbrella, opts to retain Watt instead of pursuing other free‑agent analysts like Greg Olsen or Troy Aikman. Watt expressed gratitude, highlighting his chemistry with the broadcast team.
The Dallas Mavericks struggled mightily from downtown in their opening game versus the Houston Rockets, and they can only hope they improve from last year.
Federal Baseball analyst Ian Harper says the Washington Nationals should target 32‑year‑old free‑agent second baseman Brandon Lowe, who just hit 35 homers with a .260/.331/.493 slash line and a 5.4 bWAR for Pittsburgh. Lowe, a Gold Glove finalist with 15 OAA, can also play first base or DH, giving the Nats flexibility if they shift CJ Abrams. Spotrac projects a four‑year, $91.2 million contract (about $22.8 M per year), though estimates range to $70‑80 M. With a low payroll and recent offensive upgrades from James Wood and Abrams, the Nats face a decision amid potential qualifying offers and a looming CBA lockout.
The Sox Machine podcast rolls out its annual 2026 White Sox roster quiz, challenging fans to name all 59 players who appeared in a game this season. Listeners can take the quiz via the provided link, then hear a World Series preview and a rumor that former Sox infielder Josh Barfield is eyeing the Houston Astros GM vacancy. The episode is sponsored by Ankin Law and teases new Sox Machine merchandise.
The Houston Rockets open the 2026 season with a dominant 128-110 win over the Dallas Mavericks at the Toyota Center. Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. each pour in 30 points, propelling Houston to a 70-38 halftime lead. Alperen Şengün adds a double‑double (23 points, 10 rebounds) and Fred VanVleet dishes out 11 assists. Dallas' Cooper Flagg tops the Mavs with 32 points, but the Rockets control the game with 53% shooting, 16‑of‑36 from three, and a 42‑33 rebounding edge. The Rockets’ next test comes Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Sacramento Kings are considering Dalton Knecht and Sean Pedulla for their open two-way contract spot, with both players attracting interest from multiple teams, according to Jake Fischer. “I’m told former Rockets two-way guard Sean Pedulla has also cleared waivers and is fielding fresh interest on a two-way pact elsewhere,” Marc Stein reported on Wednesday, […]
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Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud sits higher on this week's fantasy football rankings due to his continued growth and several byes, while Giants running back Cam Skattebo is hard to trust amid a shifting backfield.
The Houston Rockets leaned on the prolific scoring of Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. to dispose of the Dallas Mavericks, 128-110, in their season opener at Toyota Center on Wednesday. Durant had 30 points on 10-of-16 shooting, six rebounds, and three assists, while Smith added 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-8 from long […]
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Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 points apiece as the Houston Rockets opened the 2026-27 NBA season with a 128-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. Houston broke the game open with a dominant second quarter, outscoring Dallas 38-12 to take a 32-point halftime lead at Toyota Center. The Rockets led […]
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Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg blamed poor organization and defensive lapses for Dallas' 18‑point loss to the Houston Rockets on Oct. 22, 2026, the team's season‑opening defeat under new head coach Dusty May. Flagg said the Mavericks went "stagnant" as Houston accelerated the pace, failed to get back in transition, and broke habits, allowing the Rockets—highlighted by a standout dunk from Kevin Durant over Flagg—to seize momentum. He stressed that the trouble went beyond missed shots, calling for better offensive structure and disciplined transition defense before the next game.
The Houston Rockets dominate the Dallas Mavericks 128-110 in the season opener, building a 32‑point halftime lead after outscoring Dallas 38‑12 in the second quarter. Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg sets an NBA record for a teen with 32 points, while Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. each add 30 for Houston. Kyrie Irving returns after a torn ACL, contributing 15 points, and Fred VanVleet records 11 assists in his comeback. Dallas struggles, shooting 4‑of‑19 in the second period and missing all 14 three‑point attempts, resulting in eight turnovers. Coach Dusty May cites missed breaks and loss of composure as key factors in the loss.
The Dallas Mavericks stumble 128-110 to the Houston Rockets on opening night, with a chaotic second quarter and endless lineup swaps. Kyrie Irving returns from a torn ACL, posting 15 points on 6‑of‑9 shooting in 24 minutes and earns an A‑ grade for effort. Rookie Cooper Flagg dazzles with a game‑high 32 points (A grade), while Max Christie (C‑), P.J. Washington (C+) and Daniel Gafford (D) receive lukewarm to poor marks for shooting woes and turnovers. Coach Dusty May’s heavy rotations may have disrupted rhythm, leaving the Mavs 0‑1 as they search for cohesion.
The Dallas Mavericks stumble in their season opener, falling 128-110 to the Houston Rockets on Oct. 21, 2026. A brutal 38-12 second‑quarter run gave Houston a 37‑point lead that Dallas never overcame. Rockets stars Cooper Flagg (32 points) and Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. (30 each) paced the win, while the Mavericks shot just 30 percent from three (11‑of‑37). Rookie Marcus Sasser shined with 17 points and four triples, accounting for more than a third of Dallas’ made threes. Rebounding also hurt Dallas, as Houston outboards them 44‑33, with veteran center Daniel Gafford grabbing only two rebounds in 22 minutes.
Lakers greats Robert Horry and James Worthy sit down with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson to dissect Shaquille O’Neal’s landmark 1996 free‑agency move, argue that Horry’s seven rings merit Hall‑of‑Fame induction, and discuss the shifting value of championships in today’s player‑empowerment era. Horry also jokes about a modern‑day Sam Cassell replacement and predicts the Houston Rockets will out‑perform the Los Angeles Lakers in the upcoming season, citing team cohesiveness. The interview blends nostalgia with current NBA trends, offering insider perspectives on free‑agency precedent, ring culture, and future team prospects.
The Houston Rockets dismantled the Dallas Mavericks on both ends of the court as Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. were the main reasons why.
The Dallas Mavericks fall 128-110 to the Houston Rockets in the 2026 season opener, snapping a brief early spark with a 32-26 lead before Houston erupts for a 70-38 halftime advantage. Cooper Flagg shines with a career‑high 32 points, five rebounds and defensive stats, while Kyrie Irving adds 15 and Marcus Sasser 17. Houston’s Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. each drop 30, with Alperen Sengun contributing 23 and 10 rebounds. The Rockets shoot 52.2% overall (44.4% from three) versus Dallas’s 33.3% in the first half, sealing a decisive win.
After just one game against the Houston Rockets, it's clear that it's going to take Zaccharie Risacher some time to develop for the Dallas Mavericks. Despite playing hard and crashing the glass, his shooting was nonexistent.
The Houston Rockets looked like a force tonight against the Dallas Mavericks in a dominant 128-110 victory.
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason will probably remember their season opener on Wednesday for the rest of his life—for the wrong reason. The Rockets hosted the Dallas Mavericks at Toyota Center, welcoming the much-awaited return of Fred VanVleet after a long absence due to an ACL injury. Eason, however, stole the spotlight—sort of—quite early. In […]
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