Davis Mills Identifies Key Factor for Success in His First Start: Can the Texans Build on This?
If the Houston Texans are going to kick on from the 4-5 mark and back into playoff contention, it's going to require head coach DeMeco Ryans squeezing every last bit of juice out of his team.
Over the last few days, Ryans has demanded a great deal more from his talented rookie crop, but keeping this team on track against the Tennessee Titans is still going to rest on the shoulders of backup quarterback Davis Mills.
Davis Mills Talks Moving Around the Pocket in Texans' Offense
Going with Mills once again has been thrust on the Texans due to starter C.J. Stroud being officially ruled out with a concussion, but the reserve quarterback has lifted the lid on some of the scheming that is allowing him to use his mobility and downfield vision.
"We've moved the pockets and ways to get us out of the pocket that are designed," Mills revealed during a visit with Texans Radio.
"Then a big thing that (quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson) has been talking to us about in the QB room is always pushing forward in the pocket. So, the more you can command through the pocket, the defense will sometimes fall off their guy and come up and try to get you. As long as you remain a passer, you can find someone open in your progression."
Nick Caley Finding What Works in Texans' Passing Attack
Of course, offensive coordinator Nick Caley would be remiss to shove Mills back in his box as such; they've clearly happened upon a formula that works for his relief signal caller.
After all, for long durations of the season, Caley and Ryans have struggled to really successfully harness the much more wide-ranging skill set of Stroud. Consequently, the team has lost some debilitating squeakers, results that could have been flipped if they'd shown a little more willingness to try something different.
For as long as Stroud will remain sidelined, just listening to what Mills prefers and serving him within the offense makes a whole lot of sense, especially if he knows when to pick the right option.
"Or you can take off and get the free yards the defense is giving you and get down, Mills noted about staying safe when running. So, I think moving up in the pocket and letting the rush develop and being able to access the defense internally is usually advantageous."
Given the brutal manner in which Stroud got injured when trying to make a play with his legs against the Denver Broncos, you can certainly more fully understand why the coaching staff wouldn't want to put Mills overly in harm's way.
Having said that, Mills' gutsy 14-yard scramble for a score with under a minute left against the Jacksonville Jaguars only proves that they have to let absolutely everything hang out at this stage. It stands to reason that the Texans' imperious defense is going to keep them squarely in every game; so it might only take just one athletic play to push them over the finishing line.
Mills has exhibited a nice little knack of navigating the pocket—all while keeping his eyes open down the field for his receivers to finally work their way open, and that must be maximized to the fullest extent.
All told, only an intelligent blend of motivation and scheme will keep the Texans plugged onto the ventilator that's keeping their entire season alive.
BREAKING: Lily, a 24-year-old waitress, had no idea she was serving Detroit Lions superstar Jared Goff. Polite and unassuming, Goff ate quietly without drawing attention. But when he left, he placed a folded bill on the table and walked away with a warm smile. Curious, Lily opened the bill — and within seconds, tears welled up in her eyes. What Jared Goff wrote was more than just a thank you… it was a message so powerful that it changed her life forever. 💔✨
Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff Leaves Waitress in Tears with Life-Changing Tip and Heartfelt Note
In a quiet Detroit diner on a crisp autumn evening, 24-year-old waitress Lily Thompson was wrapping up another routine shift. Little did she know that one unassuming customer would turn her ordinary night into an unforgettable moment of kindness that’s now going viral across social media.
The customer was none other than Jared Goff, the superstar quarterback for the Detroit Lions. Fresh off leading his team to a thrilling 52-6 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 17, 2025—where he threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns—Goff slipped into the booth incognito. Dressed in casual jeans and a hoodie, the 30-year-old NFL veteran ordered a simple burger and fries, chatting politely with Lily about the weather and the Lions’ dominant season.
“He was so normal,” Lily later shared in an emotional TikTok video that’s racked up over 5 million views. “No entourage, no fuss. Just a guy enjoying his meal after a big win.”
As Goff finished, he stood up, flashed a warm smile, and placed a folded $100 bill on the table before heading out. Lily, used to modest tips from late-night patrons, picked it up absentmindedly—only to unfold a note scribbled on a napkin tucked inside.
The message read: “Lily, you’ve got this. Keep pushing through the tough shifts—better days are coming. Your smile lit up my night. God bless, Jared Goff. P.S. Lions are 9-1… let’s keep it going!”
But it was the tip that truly stunned her: $5,000 in crisp bills, far beyond anything she’d ever received. Tears streamed down her face as she realized the stranger was the Lions’ franchise QB, who’s having a career-best 2025 season with 3,412 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and just four interceptions through 10 games.
For Lily, a single mom juggling double shifts to support her 3-year-old daughter amid rising rent costs in Detroit, the gesture was life-altering. “I’ve been struggling to pay bills and put food on the table,” she told local news outlet WDIV. “This means I can catch up on everything and maybe even take my little girl to a Lions game. It’s not just money—it’s hope.”
Goff, known for his low-key personality since being traded to Detroit in 2021, has quietly built a reputation for community generosity. This isn’t his first act of kindness; he’s previously surprised fans with tickets and supported local charities through his JG16 foundation. Yet he downplayed the incident when asked by reporters at practice this week.
“I just saw someone working hard and wanted to help,” Goff said with his trademark humility. “Lily was awesome—great service, great energy. If it brightens her day, that’s all that matters.”
The story exploded online after Lily’s video, with #GoffKindness trending on X and Instagram. Fans praised the two-time Pro Bowler for staying grounded despite his $212 million contract extension. “This is why Detroit loves Jared,” one commenter wrote. “He’s not just winning on the field—he’s winning hearts.”
As the Lions gear up for their Week 12 showdown against the Indianapolis Colts, Goff’s off-field play is reminding everyone why he’s become a beloved figure in the Motor City. For Lily, the tip has already covered overdue bills and funded a small celebration with her daughter. She’s even started a GoFundMe to pay the kindness forward, aiming to help other service workers in need.
In a league often dominated by headlines of drama and diva behavior, Goff’s simple act proves that true stars shine brightest in everyday moments. Lily’s tears weren’t just from surprise—they were from realizing that sometimes, the biggest plays happen far from the spotlight.
