WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Notes, Quotes

The Sports Xchange

December 27, 2018 at 1:43 am.

–Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney needs 1.0 sack to join J.J. Watt, Khalil Mack and Von Miller as the only players to record 10.0 sacks, 20 quarterback hits and three fumble recoveries since Clowney was drafted in 2014.

–Kicker Ka’imi Faibairn needs one field goal to pass former Texans kicker Nick Novak (35 in 2016) for the most field goals in a single season in franchise history.

–Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins needs 75 receiving yards to become the first player in the NFL to have multiple seasons with at least 100 receptions, 1,500 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns since Hopkins arrived to the NFL in 2013.

Hopkins also needs two touchdown receptions to tie his own franchise record for the most touchdown receptions in a season. Hopkins caught 13 touchdowns in 2017.

–Quarterback Deshaun Watson needs one touchdown pass to extend his streak to 21 consecutive games with at least one. His streak of 20 consecutive games with a touchdown pass is currently the second-longest in the NFL.

–The last time the Texans faced the Jaguars, Watson had to take the bus to Jacksonville due to injuries he suffered against the Dallas Cowboys. He had a collapsed lung and injured ribs and was asked about his health heading into Week 17.

“I don’t have a collapsed lung or a broken rib, so I guess pretty darn well,” Watson said with a smile. “I feel good, feel solid, able to do everything I want to do and participate, wake up every morning healthy and in good spirits.”

–Defensive end J.J. Watt needs a half-sack sack to record his fourth career season with at least 15.0 sacks, which is the second-most in NFL history behind only Reggie White who had five.

–Rookie wide receiver Vyncint Smith will be expected to take over the void that Demaryius Thomas left open with his injury. Smith had a 35-yard touchdown reception last week and now it appears the unit will move forward with him as a part of the offense. Smith was signed as a rookie free agent out of Division II Limestone College and he continues putting the work in to make a difference for the offense.

“Coming from a DII school,” Smith explained. “There are things that you don’t see on that level or don’t learn on that level that takes a lot of attention on this level to have to pay attention and go do it over and over. That’s what helps me – repetition.”

–The Texans are not falling into the trap of playing the 5-10 Jaguars on Sunday with them out of the playoff picture. With talented players on the Jaguars, veteran outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus knows the game is going to be a physical one.

“Despite what their record is,” Mercilus explained. “What they had going on this season, they’ve got a ton of guys who can make plays all over the field – offense, defense, and also special teams. So, they’re going to come in here ready to go and it’s going to be a physical game.”

BY THE NUMBERS: 1 — The number of wins the Texans needs to win the AFC South for the third time in five seasons under head coach Bill O’Brien. The win would also put the Texans in place to host a playoff game for the first time since 2016.

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