The Texans remain in the playoff hunt, but their offensive identity may hinge on how effectively Mills and Collins can connect
The Houston Texans benefited from Davis Mills’ chemistry with Nico Collins in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and they will need it against the Tennessee Titans in Week 11. Mills might not force the ball to Collins, but he will give him opportunities.
The Texans are looking to get back to .500 in Week 11. And with that, they hope to regain some footing in the AFC South race.
While it may not be Mills and the Texans’ only plan, targeting Collins often would be wise.
Davis Mills Gets Honest About Texans Targeting Nico Collins
Mills (No. 67 overall) and Collins (No. 68 overall) were both selected in the third round of the 2021 draft by the Texans.
They spent their first two seasons in the league as a budding QB-WR combo before the Texans selected Stroud No. 2 overall in 2023. Their rapport against the Jaguars – Collins turned a career-high 15 targets into a season-high 136 yards on seven receptions.
“They were giving us some looks where he was isolated in one-on-one coverage, and we liked the matchup. And then, there were other things where we were trying to scheme him to get him open. Nico is extremely explosive with the ball in his hand. And as many times as we can get him the ball, good things usually happen for us, so. And it also, if defense will start covering him, it opens up a lot of our other guys, too,” Mills told reporters on November 13.
“When he’s playing well, I think our whole offense is going to do well. But I don’t think anything was forced. It was just, Nico’s going to make a play. He’s open, he’s running good routes, he’s on time, and my offensive line’s doing a great job protecting. So, yeah. Obviously, we want to try to get him the ball.”
Collins has 40 receptions for 550 yards and 3 touchdowns entering Week 11. He had four grabs for 79 yards against the Titans in their first meeting in Week 4.
Davis Mills Praises Nick Caley
Mills finished the game with 292 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception in starter C.J. Stroud’s place. Mills also praised Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley for not having “an ego at all.”
He also touted the environment in their quarterback room.
“I think that’s one of the strengths of our quarterback room. I think everyone has a very open dialogue, and we talk through pretty much all the play calls that are going in the plan, and people’s comfort levels,” Mills said.
“Even when I wasn’t playing, and C.J. was taking all the snaps throughout the game, there’s still kind of some dialogue to make sure, if you ever get thrown in there, what are some of your favorites as well. Because anything can happen on game day. So, I think that’s something that, just as a room. Most quarterback rooms throughout the league probably do that as well.”
Mills said Caley is “willing to take a shot” on ideas, so long as “it works” and “it’s sound football-wise.”
Davis Mills Earning Defense’s Vote of Confidence
Mills spoke after the game about Danielle Hunter offering him words of encouragement during the Texans’ comeback.
He drew lofty praise from Will Anderson after leading them to victory.
“Man, I just seen a lion. I seen a lion on the hunt all day, man,” Anderson told reporters on November 9. “The way he led his troops, man. Up and down the field, man. He’s a star, and I’m happy to have him. He’s a blessing to this team. ‘Whenever your number is called …’ His number was called, and he delivered for us, man. And it’s really big for him, and this team.”
Whether Stroud returns to face the Buffalo Bills in Week 12 or not, Mills has made a strong impression on the Texans in his first starting stint since Week 18 of the 2022 season.
Aaron Glenn sounds off on part of Jets' loss that 'bothers' him
Before becoming a coach, New York Jets' head coach Aaron Glenn was a three-time Pro Bowl defensive back in the NFL. So, it makes sense that, following his team's loss to the New England Patriots on Thursday night, Glenn pulled no punches about the performance of his secondary.
During Glenn's postgame press conference, one reporter acknowledged that while New England quarterback Drake Maye is "playing at a high level right now," multiple plays involved Maye hitting a wide-open receiver down the field.
When asked what he saw from the secondary, Glenn initially gave the standard coach answer of, "I really have to watch the tape." He then got more pointed in his comments.
"I'm not trying to run away from that answer at all," Glenn said, H/T SNY Jets on X. "That did happen. There was a number of plays where a guy was running, and that bothers me. It really does. We have to clean that up because you can't let any quarterback have those type of wide-open receivers. Especially him. He will find 'em. That can't be a part of who we are. It was unacceptable."
While the secondary wasn't the only source of struggle for the Jets, it was a big one. Maye was 25-for-34 in the passing game, throwing for 281 yards with a touchdown, no interceptions and a 107.6 rating. Additionally, the Patriots picked up 16 first downs by passing, one more than the Jets picked up by running and passing combined.
The Jets, of course, were active sellers at the trade deadline, parting ways with cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. Losing their top cornerback and one of their top pass rushers will place even more emphasis on the remaining defensive backs for the rest of the season.
