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Today's starting lineup
It's been said the NFL is the ultimate reality show. But the Texans' recent stretch continues to be hard to believe. For the eighth straight week, Houston played a one-score game that was decided in the final seconds. On Sunday, the Texans edged the Broncos thanks to an end-zone interception with nine seconds left, with Jimmie Ward's pick punctuating an impactful day for the Houston defense. Jerome Solomon writes that the Texans continue to pass the playoff eye test. But the victory also included a big loss as rookie receiver Tank Dell fractured a fibula and is done for the season. We also look at huge games for Will Anderson Jr. and Nico Collins and C.J. Stroud getting feisty with the Broncos' defense. We also have our weekly Texans report card and a closer look at the game's key play.
The Willie Fritz era has begun at UH. The Cougars officially hired the Tulane coach Sunday, a week after Dana Holgorsen was jettisoned from Cullen Boulevard. Here are some things to know about Fritz before he's introduced today.
College football's day of reckoning came Sunday with the most suspenseful College Football Playoff selection show in its 10 years. Texas made it for the first time, joining Michigan, Washington and Alabama as unbeaten Florida State was left out amid controversy. In other postseason games of local interest, Texas A&M will play Oklahoma State in the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium while Rice and Texas State, making its first bowl appearance, will play in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas. Check out the full bowl schedule here.
The Rockets no doubt hope returning to the friendly confines of Toyota Center coincides with their once-formidable defense showing up again.
Their season finished one win shy of the MLS Cup, but the future appears bright for the Dynamo.
Stat of the day: 16. Years since the Texans beat the Broncos at home. Houston's last home win over Denver was 31-13 on Dec. 13, 2007. The Broncos won the 2013 and 2019 matchups at NRG Stadium.
 | Greg Rajan, Texas Sports Nation editor |
NFL Week 13: Texans 22, Broncos 17
Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer
Quite picky
After Derek Stingley Jr. thwarted Russell Wilson with two interceptions, Jimmie Ward came up with a third in the end zone with nine seconds left to preserve another nail-biting Texans win.
- Looking the part: When it comes to the playoff eye test, the Texans continue to get passing marks after their latest one-score win, writes Jerome Solomon.
- Big loss amid win: The Texans will be without dynamic receiver Tank Dell the rest of the season after he breaks his leg while blocking.
- Will wreak havoc: In his best game to date, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. totaled five tackles, two sacks and four quarterback hits to terrorize the Broncos and Russell Wilson.
- Nico suave: Third-year wideout Nico Collins enjoys the best day of his career, particularly as a deep threat.
- QB shows fight: C.J. Stroud humorously explained what was going on when he went facemask-to-facemask with the Broncos' Alex Singleton in the Texans' win.
- Report card: The Texans prevail in another game that went down to the wire. Here's how we graded the performances of Houston's units and coaching staff.
- Turning point: Dare Ogunbowale's fumble recovery might not be noticed in the box score, but it led to a pivotal series of events during the Texans' victory.
- How it happened: For the eighth straight week, the Texans' game came down to the final seconds. Here's how the win over the Broncos played out.
UH Football
Photo by: Gerald Herbert/Associated Press
Coogs get their man
UH has landed Tulane's Willie Fritz as the Cougars' new football coach a week after dismissing Dana Holgorsen following his fifth season on the job.
- The Fritz file: Get to know Willie Fritz, who was named the 16th head football coach in University of Houston history.
College Football
Photo by: Michael Thomas/Associated Press
Horns in the final four
For the first time, Texas makes the College Football Playoff, drawing No. 2 Washington, on the most contentious selection day in the event's 10-year history.
- Staying close to home: Texas A&M won't go far for its postseason game, with the Aggies in the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium against former conference rival Oklahoma State.
- Owls vs. Bobcats: Two Lone Star State teams will clash in Dallas when Rice and Texas State play in the First Responder Bowl.
- Bowl schedule: The complete schedule for the 2023-24 college football bowl season.
Rockets / NBA
Photo by: Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
Desperately seeking defense
A couple practice days afford Ime Udoka's team a chance to regroup after a three-game road skid that saw it regress in stopping the opponent.
Dynamo / MLS
Photo by: Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press
Looking ahead
The Dynamo defied outside preseason expectations by winning the U.S. Open Cup and finishing a win short of the franchise's first championship game since 2012.
Women's College Basketball
Photo by: Aaron E. Martinez, AP
Breakthrough at last
Cypress Creek alum Rori Harmon scored points 27 and had 13 assists as No. 10 Texas earned the program's first win over No. 11 UConn.
- Baylor 71, Oregon 51: Darianna Littlepage-Buggs scored 18 points and Aijha Blackwell had a double-double as No. 13 Baylor blew out Oregon.
High School Football
Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer
Things to clean up
North Shore looks to avoid a repeat of its sloppy play in the regional final as the Mustangs head to the state semifinals against Austin Westlake.
Worth a read
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