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USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Trojans could make Houston Texans a legitimate AFC contender this year
Two years into the tenure of coach DeMeco Ryans, the Houston Texans have been competitive but not elite. Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud have enabled the Texans to make the playoffs and win playoff games. However, the team has been stopped in the divisional playoff round and has not quite reached the top tier of the NFL. This year, a few things have to happen if the Texans are to take the next step. If the Texans' offensive line can keep C.J. Stroud upright, the Texans can be a force to reckon with. The Texans' defense is talented; if they can stay healthy, they have the potential to be the best defensive unit in the NFL. This secondary is full of young talent including former USC Trojans Calen Bullock (safety) and rookie corner Jaylin Smith. Calen Bullock continuing to ascend will take this secondary to new heights. Jaylin Smith being a key contributor would be icing on the cake. Texans Wire writer Cole Thompson commented on a recent prediction of how this season will go for the Texans: "USA TODAY's Nate Davis released his full-season predictions on Wednesday, picking each team's record and the full playoff picture. Davis likes the Texans' chances to win the division, largely due to questions at the other three teams in the South. He has Houston posting a 10-7 record for the third-straight season and earning the No. 4 seed in the AFC Playoff picture. With a new offensive coordinator (Nick Caley), reconfigured line, an already beaten-up group of running backs and three 2024 division winners awaiting in the season's first five weeks, don't be surprised if the Texans get off to a slow start," Davis wrote. "But they also appear to remain the least-flawed team in what seems like a fairly weak division and play three of their final four games at home." It is fair to expect the Texans to win their division and lose early in the playoffs because the Texans' brass has not convinced anyone that it can field an offensive line good enough to protect C.J. Stroud. The Texans have a high-powered offense and a formidable defense, but with so many USC football players on the roster, former Trojans will have a say in whether Houston exceeds expectations and becomes a frontline AFC contender. The Chiefs would be a bad matchup for the Texans (and nearly every other team), but with the Texans' team makeup, anything is possible. Overachieving production in a lot of spots -- including the secondary with Calen Bullock being an all-pro and Jaylin Smith being another USC Trojan having an overachieving season -- would change the equation for Houston. Woody Marks, the former Trojan running back, could also get in the mix early and provide the Texans a great substitution for Joe Mixon missing time. It is hard to predict how successful the Texans will be this season, but it is safe to say the USC Trojans on the roster will have a chance to do something special.
USA Today
08-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USA Today predicts Texans' final record & fate: Can Houston make the AFC title game?
While the Houston Texans' season still ended with a division title and double-digit victories, they were a team that waas flawed because of injuries. Initially expected to be on the rise as the next great AFC rotster, the wide receiver room and lack of offensive line help resulted in a second 10-7 finish, followed a divisonal round loss to the top seed in the conference. This year, there's not as much hype surrounding the Texans as a Super Bowl threat. A favorite to win AFC South? Sure. A favorite to make the playoffs? Without question. But with the departure of the five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and a cast of new supporting targets, the expectations to head to California for a date with the Lombardi Trophy are low, too. Texans 2025 season prediction USA TODAY's Nate Davis released his full-season predictions on Wednesday, picking each team's record and the full playoff picture. Davis likes the Texans' chances to win the division, largely due to questions at the other three teams in the South. He has Houston posting a 10-7 record for the third-straight season and earning the No. 4 seed in the AFC Playoff picture. "With a new offensive coordinator (Nick Caley), reconfigured line, an already beaten-up group of running backs and three 2024 division winners awaiting in the season's first five weeks, don't be surprised if the Texans get off to a slow start," Davis wrote. "But they also appear to remain the least-flawed team in what seems like a fairly weak division and play three of their final four games at home." In the playoffs, Davis has Houston as a one-and-done, largely because of their opponent. Unlike in year's past where Los Angeles and Cleveland looked like promising yet flawed wild-card rosters, the Kansas City Chiefs have a cheat code with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid running the show. In a rematch of Week 15 at NRG Stadium, Kansas City bests Houston for a spot in the divisional round as the No. 5 seed. It would be a bit underwhelming for Houston once again win an esy division but make little noise in the playoffs. The Texans have the potential to breakout behind C.J. Stroud, but the offensive line remains a mystery and potential weakpoint. Time will tell if names like Laken Tomlinson, Cam Robinson and Tay Ersery will be upgrades for the trenches after last year's line gave up 54 sacks and 11 more in the postseason. As for who wins it all? Davis has the Baltimore Ravens finally getting back to the promise land for Lamar Jackson, securing the title over the Green Bay Packers.
Iraqi News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Iraqi News
Iraq announces two-camp preparation plan for World Cup playoff under coach Arnold
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Football Association (IFA) on Monday revealed an integrated preparation plan for the national team as they gear up for the decisive AFC Playoff round for the 2026 World Cup. The plan was developed in full coordination with head coach Graham Arnold. IFA member Ghalib Al-Zamili stated the plan includes two training camps. The first will be held in the UAE for ten days at the end of August and will include two friendly matches. The opponents for these friendlies will be chosen later in consultation with Arnold. A second camp will take place after the 2025-2026 Iraqi Stars League season kicks off on September 13th. Al-Zamili explained this allows the coaching staff to assess players' form and fitness based on their early-season club performances. This two-phased approach is part of Coach Arnold's strategy to closely monitor players and select the most prepared squad for the high-stakes playoff matches. The draw for the AFC Playoff, which includes Iraq, is set for July 17th.
Iraqi News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Iraqi News
Iraq and the World Cup dream: a nation's playoff path to 2026 is revealed
Baghdad ( – For a nation with a deep and enduring passion for football, the dream of seeing the Lions of Mesopotamia on the World Cup stage is a powerful unifying force. After a hard-fought qualifying round, Iraq finished third in their group, keeping that dream alive. Now, the path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been clarified, revealing a challenging but possible multi-stage playoff journey that has the entire country holding its breath. Iraq has qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals only once in its history, a cherished memory for generations of fans. In 1986, the national team traveled to Mexico, where they competed bravely in a tough group against hosts Mexico, Belgium, and Paraguay. Though they did not advance, the team left an indelible mark. After narrow 1-0 losses to Paraguay and Mexico, Iraq scored its first and only World Cup finals goal when the legendary Ahmed Radhi found the net against a strong Belgian side in a 2-1 defeat. That moment remains a pinnacle of Iraqi football history, a symbol of pride that fans long to see repeated. To return to the global stage, Iraq must first navigate the AFC Playoff (Fourth Round). The draw for this crucial stage will be held on July 17th. The six Asian teams that finished third in their respective groups have been seeded into three pots for this draw: Pot 1 (Hosts): Qatar, Saudi Arabia Pot 2: Iraq, UAE Pot 3: Oman, Indonesia These teams will be drawn into two groups of three (Group A and Group B), with each group hosted by either Qatar or Saudi Arabia. As a Pot 2 team, Iraq knows it will face one host nation (either Qatar or Saudi Arabia) and one other nation (either Oman or Indonesia). The format is a high-stakes, single round-robin tournament held in October 2025. Iraq's two decisive matches are scheduled for October 11th (against the Pot 3 team) and October 14th (against the Pot 1 host). The stakes in these two October matches are immense, as they offer two distinct paths forward: Direct Qualification: The winner of each of the two playoff groups (the team that finishes 1st in Group A and 1st in Group B) will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This is the primary goal for Iraq. The Final Chance: The runners-up of each group (the teams that finish 2nd) will have one last lifeline. They will play each other in a Fifth Round single match. The winner of that match will advance to the Inter-Confederation Playoff, where they will face teams from other continents (like CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, or OFC) for one of the very last spots in the World Cup. The journey is complex and demanding, but the path is clear. For Iraq, the dream of a second World Cup appearance hinges on two critical games this October. The nation watches with hope, ready to cheer on the Lions of Mesopotamia as they fight to make history once again.
