Ultimate 11 vs. Buffalo, Plus the Noah Brown Game | Texans Matchup

0:00What is happening everybody welcome into a second edition of Texans matchup for the 2026 season. I appreciate you being here with me on this show. We look back and we look ahead. Got all the same time. We have a little bit of fun here a little bit of Mark Van Damier and Andre where it's calls and we have a good time here on Texans matchup. I am your host John Harris football analyst sideline reporter for your Houston Texans. And like I said, we'd like to look back. So we're going to look back. Unfortunately at one hell football game. Well why unfortunately well because of Texans were on the wrong end of a 36 31 loss in one hell football game against the Buffalo bills last Sunday. So we're going to come up with our ultimate 11 for that game and it was tough. It really was tough to get down to 11 items to put in my ultimate 11, especially because the bills win and you know my rule that the other team wins.

1:00I got a pay homage. So I got to put one of their plays in and boy that one's a gut punch. But it was tough. It was tough to pair it down. But I think we got there. Then it's looking ahead. We got the bangles coming up. Well, the last time we faced the bangles will look back at one of the best football games I've ever seen. And the one Sunday against the bills would have probably topped it. Because we didn't win. I can't say that. But we did win in 2023 in Cincinnati when it Texas took on Joe Burrow and both Ohio State formal Ohio State quarterbacks put on a show. It was unbelievable that afternoon. It sits in Addie. So we'll look back at that. And then of course when the Cincinnati bangles get brought up as it pertains to the Texans. Well, there's always one play that sticks out maybe more than any other. We'll celebrate that at the end of the show as well. But we got to kick off our show with the ultimate 11 plays moments of the matchup this past

2:05Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. The starting number 11, it came early in the game as the bills got a drive going. James Cook hurt in a Texans. They get down into fuel gold territory facing a fourth and two and they decide to go for it. And then on third and two, they ran the ball. And I remember thinking, okay, if the bills are on the ball and third two, they're going to go for this on fourth down. And I saw the set that they came out and I thought they're going to try and run Josh and get wide. They said everybody to the right side. The left side was left with basically a, I think it was a tight end and maybe a wide receiver. That was basically it. And I just thought this looks like Josh maybe coming this way with the run. And then they just pulled him and pulled the defense, do it too. They knew Josh was getting the ball. And Kamari Laster came up with one hell of a play when he darted inside Deon Dawkins, which is a risky play because you are contained. You are the last line of defense. They were running a pin and pulse.

3:06They were knocking everybody down inside pulling Dawkins around. He is one on one on Laster. Kamari beat him inside made a form tackle on Josh. Now it looks like Josh was starting to follow a bit. Kamari had to finish him and he did for this fourth down stop. And man I'm telling you, crowd went crazy. This number 11, Kamari with a big fourth down stop. Josh Allen. It's fourth down and two at the Houston 35 yards on. Allen Shocker, cooking them back, but a motion's out to the right now settles in just outside the hash. Allen takes the snap. Whistles blow as he wants to work. He's got that at the 36 yard line. A big stop by Kamari Lasseter on fourth down. Now I know all of you have been around for Texas matchup over the years and you know what I do in the last 11 and the Texas unfortunately taken out. I got to pay homage and I'm going to pay homage with the game winning touchdown. And there's so much going on in this particular play. We're sure going to done illustrator and kind of point out the different things.

4:06The effect of Dalton can cater on this play. Next thing we do you're pointing out DJ Moore kind of adds a chip blocker but on the other side of the play and then the route Josh Palmer runs to get any end zone. But the key to this is Josh Allen throwing an absolute seed. And when I say seed, I'm saying a ball with some sauce because this ball was ripped and put right on the money to Josh Palmer to give the bills a 36 31 lead which eventually would be the score at the end of the game at number 10. And then we'll mage. It's Josh Allen to Josh Palmer in a big spot late in the fourth quarter. Need one more in completion at least third and 11 at the Houston 34. Track or junior in the backfield DJ Moore back in the game. Allen in the gun. Here's the snap on third and long. Allen throws down field and hard touchdown. He's a believable Palmer down the scene with the catch and TD and the bills take the

5:11lead. Just hearing Mark Salo's words, the bills take the lead. This again that eight chain lead changes. It went back and forth. It was three nothing. Seven three ten seven fourteen ten. 17 fourteen twenty four fourteen twenty four twenty one twenty seven twenty one twenty eight twenty seven thirty twenty eight thirty one thirty. And then of course thirty six thirty one is a football game and I was just one too many plays made by the bills to get that one. All right, it's get number nine and Texas did get the Josh Allen not enough not like last year but they did get there. Will Anderson junior and Mario Edwards combined a sack and it comes in at number nine. Back in down and eight across the fourteen yard line of Houston. Pistol set with Cook Allen looking around. Allen tried to escape. Allen sacked. Nowhere to go. Will Anderson junior tripped them up and Mario got on top of them to push them in the backfield and the Texans forced third and long.

6:13All right, let's get to the Ocho and eight is a key number in the number two thousand eight hundred eight. There's two eights in that. So I devoted this one to a guy that had not been here in a while. In fact, he had not been here in two thousand eight hundred eight days or I should say he hadn't played a game in that time. That would be one Judevian clowny. My opening to the game that was what I focused on was clowny being back. So I figured clowny on third down bills are going to see some stuff from Will and the Neil, but then clowny going into game. I thought that was going to be a big deal for them. Wasn't from that standpoint as much as I thought, but going into the game, to devinat clowny had twenty nine sacks as a Texan. He was one behind Will Anderson junior who had thirty and you just heard Will get the thirty and a half on the previous play. Well, before that, Judevian jumped up and tied Will with thirty sacks as number four all

7:18time for the Texans. And that came right here clowny off the left side bills run some trap protection. So they're pulling a guard over to try and block clowny clowny whipped Alex Anderson and then wrapped up Josh Allen for his first sack in two thousand eight hundred eight days his first the twenty twenty six season and showed he was going to be a factor not only today, but the rest of season. Judevian clowny sack comes in at the Ocho number eight. Second down in a long five across the Houston twenty eight yard line. Allen takes the give. He's in the pocket. He's set back in the thirty four yard line. Chotevian clowny welcome back to Houston. All right, moving on to lucky number seven. Oh, and it is number seven. That just hit me when I pull the clips down. I order them in some kind of order. I mean, I'll sit there and go, okay, stay and I try and put it in the best ultimate eleven

8:19in order of importance in order of volume, that kind of thing. And I didn't realize I put this one number seven, but I'm glad it did because number seven was shooting it, man. On Sunday, he was throwing a ball really well. I love watching the game from where I do, but I love going back and watching the game just a game on TV because when seven throws the ball and he throws it down the field, it's the pretty stamp thing you've ever seen. I mean, it is so pretty to watch him throw the football. And when he has time to step and stride and throw a football, a good distance down the field. It is beautiful. And that is the exact adjective I would use right here. The bills after, unfortunately, a forced fumble led to a Tyler Bass fuel goal again, the Buffalo bills that three nothing lead. The Texans offense knew it needed to answer. Hey, let's move the ball. Let's get some first downs. And they did things clicking a little bit.

9:20And then on the plus side of the field, that's where CJ Stroud linked up with his guy, Nico Collins, against cover two. Nico gets the cover two hole up the right sideline and CJ throws an absolute dime. I mean, the prettiest probably you've seen right on the money, putting the ball to one yard line. It comes in at number seven, CJ shot at Nico Collins. You've heard that before, haven't you? Well, here you go. Number seven. Third down and eight. Texans at the bills, twenty seven yard lines. Stroud shotgun mocked up in the backfield. CJ gets to snap. CJ with time. And he's got Nico Collins on the balance inside the five. First in goal Houston. Market at the two. What a kiss. Man as I hear, market Andre make that call. I just I can see the ball in my mind. And I'm just like that ball is so perfect. I mean, that throw is so perfect. It's just it's unbelievable. But what number seven can do is not just with his arm.

10:22It's with his legs and it's with his mind. And number six is a perfect example of that. Texas face the third and 12. And the old lines past protection was really, really good. I mean, they gave up the one sack early to Russo. And that led to three points for the bills which unfortunate. But they didn't give up a sack until the final two plays of the game. When hopefully you could have gotten the ball in the end zone, but you didn't, but man, you put the ball in the end zone on that first play, which you should have. And a sack takes place and the sack takes place. And that's why I thought the offense line past protection is really, really good. Even when the past protection is good, sometimes the way the rushers are attacking CJ, whatever angles they're coming from, sometimes it opens up a big lane for CJ to run. And on third and 12, he saw everybody vacate. And then the past protection kind of opened up a spot. So I thought initially when he stepped into the void, he's looking to throw, but then

11:23he looked up and thought, there's nobody here. This is just green grass. I mean, inside grass, you know what I mean? And he took off running. And number six, a big scramble from CJ Shroud, a 15 yarder when they needed 12. He got 15. This is wonderful. Number six from number seven. Third down at 12 and a Houston 38, three receivers, right strad of the gun, Woody in the backfield, CJ. Ready to 12. CJ under pressure. CJ Shroudling across the 45. CJ, plus the 15. He's got my first down 46 yards line up, up below. Tag down there strad on the one moves the sticks. I think that is a weapon in a major way. And look, I understand last year, you know, after he took that hard hit against Denver, not wanting to scramble as much. I totally understand it. But I think there are times when it is wide open and available, like it was right there for CJ to take off. And that's just going to have the bingles and the colts and the cowboys and everybody that faces the Texans afterwards saying, Hey, man, you can make guys better stay in your

12:26rush lanes. And that's going to give CJ more time to throw. And that's going to open up even more in the passing game. So it all kind of works together. But I love number six right there. CJ Shroud taken off on the 15 yard scramble. Okay, let's get to this one. And I was thrilled because the guy on the other end of this play making a big play for this team, I think has got to play a big role for this team this year. And that's Jalen Null. So situation, the bills had gone down and scored inside two minutes. DJ Morgan's in the end zone for the first time for the bills. The bills now have 24 to 14 lead under two minutes. I think it was a minute 38. That's what stuck in my head. But that's enough time. Off it's works on this everyday training camp. Here's your situation. Minute one, you got to go 60 yards, you got to kick a field goal. You got to go 75 yards, you're down for, you got to have a touchdown. This couldn't have worked out any better. CJ went back to pass. And as he did, he found Jalen Null across the middle wide open. Jalen Olden took it down inside the low red zone.

13:28This is a big play that helped eventually cut this lead for 24, 14 to 24, 21. But it would have happened up this play. And I put it number five. CJ Shroud to Jalen Null. Jalen Olden's first catch on the year, a big one for 34 yards to set up a late first half touchdown. Stroud of the gun, three receivers right. Woody Marks on the backfield. CJ with a little time. Passes over the middle. Got a man across the 30 left side. No, 25, 20 out of bounds inside the 15 yard line. Jalen Null, catch and run. All right, let's get to number four. And every now and again, I get kind of cute with the numerology. And I like that. Number four, you get four downs in football. Well, these two plays at number four were huge. And I remember writing them down on my notes down on the field. And a lot of times I can remember everything's happening to game, get a little older. So I got to write things down down. I remember writing after this drive was over.

14:28The key to this were the two fourth in ones that they picked up. The first one on this drive, they'll keep in mind. It's 27, 21. The bills kicked, had just kicked the fuel goal. But hey, you got, you got stops. Here you got us stop basically to force and kick a fuel goal, tie the bass. Hit it. You're down six. Hey, let's look, let's go punch this thing in the end zone. The problem was the two drives prior to start the second half, three and out, three and out. God dang it. Here we go. With second half issues offensively, kind of like last year. And I know that's something that Nick Kaley has addressed with his team and wanted to do better in second half. CJ talked about the second half. Hey, we can't have those three and outs. Well, they responded. Got it first down, but on the second set of downs, they got it to fourth in one. And they were on their side of the field. And I'm like, oh, this is a gutsy call. Third quarter, 27, 21. If you somehow don't make it, the bills are in not point blank range,

15:32but they don't have to get far to at least kick a fuel goal. And it's 30 to 21. Now they're up to scores. And now you're really trudging up hill. But we talked to the Miko Ryan's. I talked to him about it after the game. We talked about it on a coaches show. He was convinced they could pick up the fourth and one. So deep in their territory, the Texans went for this. The first fourth and one, Dimo, boy, he got this not by much, but he gets the first fourth and one. It's the first part of number four. Fourth and a half yard across the Houston 37 yard line. Bill's trying to get heavy in the middle. CJ hands off on rubber right side, plowing, getting it. Just got across the 38 yard line. Those big legs kept moving. And he made sure he moved enough for the first down, as it was bent for it on top of them at the very end. Texans kept the drive alive, kept moving the ball down, and eventually got another fourth

16:34and one. And this time it was Woody Marks running over the right side, Keenan Rutledge, the rookie pulling in front, able to pick up this fourth and one and kept the drive alive at near the end of the third quarter. As a result, the Texas Ray will take a lead a few plays later. But what happened without this second fourth and one conversion on this touchdown scoring drive? Fourth and inches at the Bill's 21. CJ with the eye formation behind him. The first down, the first down, the first down, the first down, the first down, the fourth quarter. And that we did. So let's get to one of the key plays in the fourth quarter. This one, like I said earlier, is going back and forth. After those fourth and once, the Texas score touchdown, make it 28-27. Tyler and Scott are going to be in the middle. After those fourth and once, the Texas score touchdown, make it 28-27. Tyler Bass would hit a field goal to put the Bill's back in front 30 to 28.

17:39So the Texas got a drive going. But it stalled. Not too far beyond the logo. What about the 40-41 yard line? Fourth down. I did think Coach might think about going for a fourth down because he had gotten the fourth and once earlier. But this was not fourth and one. He's also got the best kicker in the NFL. And as soon as fourth down, shoot up on the screen, number 15 ran on the field as he always does. They were going to have to pull him off. He is confident. And he got out there with a new holder, a second year snapper from 58 yards to take the lead. Now, keep in mind, with the Bill's having a two-point lead here at 30 to 28. But this field goal isn't made. They get the ball near midfield and they score a touchdown. And now it's again two scores and it's probably over. This is a massive kick.

18:40And that situation, it's trust the best kicker in this organization's history, the best in the NFL. Kaimi Fairbaring from 58 is good. And it's at number three. 38 yard attempt left hash mark. Kaimi Fairbaring. Here's the snap. Here's the spot. Here's the kick. And he drops it in. It's good. The Dexas are back in front. 31, 30. Fairbaring hits the bomb for the lead. And I'm telling you, Mark is not exaggerating. That was a rocket ship. That thing had some V-LO going over my head, man. It was a well struck ball. And to know that you get just in that range. It's a field goal. It's three points. That helps so much for an offense. Kaimi Fairbaring from 58 was fantastic. All right, let's get to number two.

19:40Now this thing had gotten dicey before the half. Texas had a 14-10 lead in the second quarter. But then Josh Allen struck twice. The second time inside the two minute warning to DJ More Up the Right sideline, the bills had a 24-14 lead with a minute 38 left in the half. But after a J-Nol catch, Texans got the ball in range. And I'm telling you, CJ Straub threw an absolute dart. This ball was thrown. And this is a fast ball. I know CJ didn't play baseball in high school. But I'm telling you, he throws a fast ball. And I didn't see Nico, not at first. And then I see Nico. This ball's ripped. And then I saw the end zone view. And then I'm telling you, you've got to give credit what credit is to. If the offensive line does one thing for a quarterback, it is to open a passing lane, sight lane. And they open a lane right in the middle

20:41where CJ can see where Nico's going. And he throws a laser shot right into the chest of number 12. This is for a touchdown to cut the lead to 24-21. CJ, Nico, link up in the end zone for the first time in 20-26. It's at number two. First down at the bills 12, bunch formation, right, Collins, short side left straddle. The gut here's the snap. CJ with time for the end zone. Come on, touchdown, Nico Collins. GD pass number one of the year for CJ Stroud and Collins with the catch. The Texan strike back. We got a ball game, fellas. We have a ball game. Man, did we ever have a ball game at that point, right? He's right on that. OK, let's get to number one. Now, I think about driving up to the studio to do matchup, record matchup.

21:42I think about, all right, here I'm thinking about mine, all right, especially when I'm doing all through 11. What plays, what thoughts? OK, I know this play, I know the play to Jane All across the middle. That was big. Obviously, Nico's touchdown. You know, I'm thinking about, you know, Camari stopped early on. And I'm like, I don't know what I'm going to put in number one. I'm not, I went back and forth. I'm like, well, could be Nico's touchdown. Or maybe it could be, and then, well, I remembered. Because I remember it, I could count to three. As in three touchdowns in his Texans debut for David Mach Gummary. And then I remember it's my all through 11. I could put as many items at number one as I want. But I'd like for them to be connected in some way. And well, three touchdowns from David Mach Gummary. That's definitely a connection. The first one, I think, is a play that everybody that follows

22:43the Texans and knows and follows what they do understands why they do things, knew exactly why this one meant a lot. How many times last year Texans get down to the one or two yard line and not punch the ball in? Numerous. Cost them a Denver game. Cost them a Tampa Bay game. Seattle, maybe you could say that as well. Got down to the one. Couldn't score. Didn't happen this time because they went and got David Mach Gummary in a trade last March. And it paid off in a big way. Here's the first one of number one, DeMo scoring from one yard out. Got to get it. Third and goal at the one. I formation. Straub digs it. Beats Mach Gummary again. Blowing forward. Mach Gummary to the goal line. Touchdown. David Mach Gummary. The Texans grab the lead. Power football.

23:45Now, knowing David Mach Gummary the way that we do, that is an unsolved fish, dude. And I guarantee if we sat him down and said, hey, David, tell us about this second touchdown run. I guarantee he would say I didn't do it. I didn't do anything. The offensive line opened a massive gaping hole. David Mach Gummary is not touched on an 18 yard touchdown run. He slithers through. I mean, this is about as good as it gets. Power play, Eddingham Pulse from the right, kicks out the left, Kate Stover gets a great block. DeMo not touched, found the running lane, touched down. The second of his Texans career, the second of the game, and it comes in as the second part of number one. First half of the bill's 18 pistols set. Mach Gummary in the backfield. Here he is. The next year, 15, 10, 5, looking roll. Touchdown. Mach Gummary. His second of the day. The Texans take the lead.

24:46And then we get to the final one. 27, 21. Bill's our head. But the Texans got his drive going. They converted those two fourth and once earlier, clock turned to the fourth corner. DeMo already had two touchdowns on the ground. Now it's time to go to him through the air. And what was awesome about this, we talked about this as the radio crew. You're going to hear Mark here give the call. Everybody, mainly me, we see DeMo out in a flat wide open. And a lot of times, Mark with his binoculars is following a ball. So he's on with his brockers looking at CJ. So I like to give him from time to time who he's targeting. And so when you hear CJ rolls out like DeMo, Dave Mach Gummary is so wide open. So wide open out of flat. Stroud hits him. I mean, it's one of those where you're like, CJ is just like, man, I can run this thing in myself. But I got to get this to my comrade gets to the Mach Gummary.

25:47Texans take the lead. Place goes nuts. DeMo's third touchdown is the third part of number one, CJ to David Mach Gummary to give the Texas a 28-27 lead. Here they go with Nico Collins right side, but tight to the line. I'm second and goal from the seven Mach Gummary is in. Stroud of the gun. I'm second and goal from the seven. CJ takes this half. Steps out to his right. Pits, Mach Gummary, touchdown Houston. The hat trick for Mach Gummary. His third TD of the day is Stroud. Finds him. And the Texans can take the lead with the extra points. Well executed play. Man, I'm a huge fan of that play. I've seen teams run it against the Texans before. The Chargers mainly back in. I remember 2021 killed the Texans with it. The Texans run that play with Dario Gummawale. I've seen them do it a number of different times. I remember Bill Bryan's Texans run it at play with Carlos Hyde. Taking a lead against the Buffalo Bills and the playoff game in 2019.

26:50So that play has been a good one for a lot of teams, a lot of Texans teams and even some opponents. It's a great one. That was Dave Mach Gummary's third touchdown of the day. It was great. It was the fourth trip to the red zone and the fourth touchdown in the red zone. Absolutely beautiful. All right. Coming up on Texas matchup. The last time the Texans faced the Bengals. It was in 2023. It was an Ohio homecoming, if you will, for CJ Stroud. But it was a game that will be known as a certain players game. We do that a lot. Oh, that's this guy's game. That's this guy's game. Well this was the Noah Brown game against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023. We'll look back at it. Texas matchup coming up next. What's up everybody? Welcome back to another edition of Texas matchup. I really appreciate you being with me. We're on this show. We look back and we look ahead.

27:53And with the Bengals on the horizon, the week two opponent here at Reliance Stadium. It's always good to look back. At the last time we played the Bengals, appreciate you being with me. I am John Harris football analyst, Tyler reporter for your Houston Texans. And that week against the Bengals. If you remember back to 2023, it was such a special year. Texans a little bit of struggles early. Playing Tampa Bay looked like things were not going to go well. They were going to end up, I think at that point being three and six, baby. Then obviously CJ Stroud, Tankdale pulled out of the fire with a massive win against Tampa Bay. I mean, just incredible ending, incredible win. But on the docket next was a trip to Cincinnati to face Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals. Oh boy. I mean, I was nervous, but it was a beautiful day in Cincinnati, beautiful sun out.

28:54I mean, just the absolute consummate football day early in November. And the Texans didn't get off to a great start in the game, not because of Jamar Chase, not because of T Higgins, but because of, well, Trenton Irwin. Yeah, Trenton Irwin and the Bengals took a seven, nothing lead. Mixing out of the game, one back burrow in the gun, three receivers, wide side right on third and seven. Harris in the middle of the D line, burrow gets the snap, burrow quick, throw down field, and clawed touchdown. Irwin. Trenton Irwin, fourth year out of Stanford with a bullet pass by burrow down the right side. We talked about it in the pregame. I said, they are going to go after Stingley today. He is going to have to prove that he is 100% healthy or healthy enough to play. And it didn't take long for Joe Burrow to find a receiver behind Derek Stingley.

29:56That one hurt. But the Texans would respond and respond in a big way. Another guy who had a great game in this one was Dalton Schultz. Strout found him for a big 23 yards on an early first quarter drive. Strout in the gun, first down for the Houston 18, one back. Here's the snap, CJ, looking a lot of time, mouth rose down field. Hit Schultz, tackled at the 42 yard line. Taylor Britt with the stop, but not until CJ finds Schultz for 24 yards. Excellent protection. And that's been the case the last couple of weeks as this offensive line is now two consecutive weeks and actually three consecutive weeks in a row has had the same guys in the same spots. That chemistry started to blend together. That first quarter drive ended up being nullified as the Texans would fumble a fourth down snap. The Bengals would get the ball back. The defense did a great job that they'd get in the ball back to CJ Strout.

30:57And then it was time for the offense to get Jinger with it. A little reverse to Tankdale. Dale out to the right side, wide side of the field on second and three from the Houston 41. Devon in the back field. And here's an end around handoff to Hutchinson reverse. Dale running to his left looking for room 45 50. Dale out of bounds across the 46 yard line of Cincinnati. First down run, Tankdale on the reverse. You cannot teach speed. Then CJ found his best friend Tank for 17 second and six. Strout fixed the gift throws down and Dale picks it off the turf to make the reception rolling down at the 25 yards line of the Bengals water reception by Dale. I mean, he is going full speed and Tank is pretty fast and has to reach back at his ankles and make that catch. And he found his guide, Tank, for a touchdown. Which tied this game at seven. One back Devon single Terry. Here's the snap. CJ looking throwing right side Dale at the six takes it to the goal line.

31:59He's in touchdown Houston. Strout to Dale for six speed kills. Froze a Wuse and then just accelerated into the end zone on him. Frozen and then went right by him and lunch for the goal line and got himself there. Unreal. Texas, we get a defense to stop and it was time for the no up, brown game to begin. And that's one of the things Mark and I talk a lot about. As we've been together since 2014 and obviously I've been here since 2007. So we go even further back. We remember games a lot of times for an individual in that game. We'll say, hey, remember that game in 2010, the Colts, the Aryan Foster game. Do you remember that game with the Washington Redskins in 2010? You know the Andre Johnson game? Well, this one we affectionately called the no up, brown game. Because that dude went absolutely off starting in the second quarter.

32:59Strout takes the give of bootleg out to the right. He plans. Doesn't have anybody to throw it to. Now guns it down, field and hits Brown at the 40 yard line. He's going to be taken down at the 45 yard line. Too strong to bring down right away. Gets good yardage up to the 45. Third and 13 for the Houston 42. Strout gets to snap. Hears it, Danfield. It's Brown 35, 30. Wrestle, Dan at the 29 yard line. What a play to no up, brown. Who has been phenomenal the last two weeks. CJ takes to snap. Little mini boot. There's trouble in the backfield. Strout scrambling around. Wanted to get rid of it. Does Danfield? It's no up to 42. He's down at the 40 yard line. How did he do it? He always gets open down the field. Just a big, big play no up, brown is what they ought to start calling him. Because he just makes big catches all the time. 20 yards on this play. And no over 100 for the second consecutive game. The Texans were picking up chunks of yards.

34:01As you heard, no up, brown calls 29, 28, 20. They're getting whatever they wanted in the passing game. No, it would finish with a monster game in this one. But his biggest play was a little bit later. But all those receptions and all those plays would eventually lead to motor. One of my all time favorites. Still doing it for the New York Giants. He's one of my favorites only here for a year. But man, I loved Devin Singletary. He would take one in for the Texans as the offense stayed high. And this one against the Bengals. First and goal inside the sixth, strought under center. Shultz in the back field. And here's motion. CJ pushes the ball to Singletary right side running. Devin is in. Touchdown Houston. Singletary with the rushing TD. And the Texans are up two scores on Cincinnati. For Singletary, that is rushing touchdown. Number one of his Texans career. On his best day as a Texan.

35:03The Bengals would answer back, but only with a 50 yard feel goal. Well, for the time being, Joe Burrow on the following drive would then seemingly take a crack at the Texans lead with this time. Now, when I'm telling you, time, I am not exaggerating. I don't know that I've ever seen a prettier long ball more accurately thrown than this one from Joe Burrow to Jamar Chase, which sets Cincinnati fans into hysterics. Burrow takes the snap pocket collapsing. Burrow looking around. Now scrambles out to the left side, squares up and guns long downfield and caught chase across the ten-five touchdown. Burrow kept it alive. Chase. The ball brought it to the end zone as Petrie could not stay with him. 64 yard reception and the Bengals are right in it.

36:04That ball was probably in the air. I would say 45 to 50 yards in the air. And it hit Jamar Chase in full shot. I happened right in front of me and I just was like, oh my god. That was gorgeous. But gorgeous, sir, if that's the right word to use. On this day with CJ Stroud and Noah Brown, they would link up again starting to answer that chase touchdown. Here is CJ Hittin' Noah yet again. CJ fakes to get. Rolls out to the left, plants. And now guns a downfield and hits Noah Brown at the 40 and Brown cradles the ball these down inside the 36 yard line. Awhuzie with the tackle. Another huge play to Noah Brown having a monster afternoon. Then as we got into the fourth quarter, CJ went back to pass. Didn't like what he saw. He decided to do it himself. Randest one in from eight yards out.

37:05And your Texans seemingly running away with this thing now. On first in goal, Stroud gets the snap. CJ looking, scrambling forward. CJ on the run across the five. He's in, touchdown. CJ stroud. The quarterback with the touchdown run and the Texans go back up two scores on Cincinnati. The Texans had a ten point lead. I've seen a lot of Texans football. I knew it wasn't over, but I was feeling really confident about how they were moving the ball. The Bengals weren't okay. We're in pretty good situation here. Especially when the Andre Houston Carson came down with the interception in the end zone. Now the Texans have the ball. They're up ten. Seemingly going to put this thing away. And then the unthinkable happened. CJ threw an interception to tank Dell. Joe Mixon scored a touchdown. And it was game on.

38:08Since on the next drive, could not pick it up on third down had a punt to the Bengals. Joe Burrow hit Tyler Boyd on a crosser. Boyd, not the fastest receiver in the world, took off. And eventually, the Texans would knock him out of bounds, but deep in Texans territory. Thankfully, Sheldon Rankins had a sack on an x-play. But on the play after that, Joe Burrow found Tyler Boyd in the end zone wide open. To take the, and he dropped it, he dropped it. The Bengals would have to settle for a game time fuel goal to make it 27-27. But it also gave CJ Stroud more time. First and second down though, didn't work out. Third down, the money down. And the rookie came up huge to Dalton Schultz. Here's the snap. Stroud, looking. Stroud firing down field. And caught by Schultz at the 46 yard line.

39:09The tackle made by Cam Taylor Britt, the 46 of the Bengals, 31 seconds to go. And then, well, remember earlier when I said it was the Noah Brown game? And I gave you those big plays from Noah, and I said he wasn't done yet. Well, he had one more in store for the Bengals that would put the Texans in game-winning fuel goal opportunity before the end of regulation. Now motion by Boone. CJ takes the snap, throws over the middle. It's Noah Brown. Brakes the tackle 30. Yeah. No, 25. Noah 20. And he's wrapped up at the 20 yard line. Timeout called with five seconds to go. They get the ball to Brown. And they're ready to try a field goal. The thing about that play, Noah makes the catch. And as he's running, he breaks the tackle early. And then he gets hit by a couple of Bengals. And he won't go down. And the clock is running. I'll never forget Michael Dieter was the starting center at the time. He's looking up at the clock.

40:09And he doesn't know whether he should help block the pile or look at it. And it's like, you got to go down. I'm screaming from the sidelines. Go down. Go down. You got to get this time out. Oh, eventually Noah would go down at about the 20 or 21 yard line. And now it's time for Kaimi. Oh, no. If you remember, and I know you do. In the week's win prior, the win over Tampa Bay, Kaimi had heard himself on a kickoff. That was Daria Goombuwale kicking the go ahead fugal on the fourth quarter. Well, during the week, they had to go get a kicker. And they found Matt Amindola. No relation. I don't think I think they spelled Amindola differently. So Noah had no Danny Amindola relation. But it's the game winner. It's 27, 27. It's a 38 yarder. So you think that's definitely in range. But man, it's his first week kicking with the Texans.

41:12Could Matt Amindola be the hero the Texans needed to beat the Bengals? 38 yards field goal attempt from the left hash mark for the victory for Matt Amindola. Here's the snap. Here's the spot. Here's the kick. And it's good. The Texans walk off with a win. Yes, Cincinnati. They take it 30 to 27. Matt Amindola at the buzzer. The Texans walk away with a win that will never forget. That was absolutely one I would never forget. Considering where the Texans had been, they had this Vunderkin quarterback. Now this young man who could just seemingly do everything, he had brought them from behind against Tampa Bay. He had just done it against Cincinnati. CJ Stroud was showing exactly how special he was as a quarterback.

42:14Noah Brown went off Dalton Schultz had the big catches in that game. I mean, big catches. That third down catch. He'd had one earlier in the game on that same route. It was just incredible. I remember that locker room, maybe more than others. I'd been there for wins against Cincinnati. Remember 2015, Monday night game, 2017, the Sean's debut, but that one at 2023, that was incredible. That was one you will always remember. And we tell the story of CJ's career, 25, 30, 40 years from now. Yeah, remember that Tampa Bay Cincinnati back to back. It was just incredible. He was. He put the team on his back that day and got some big help, especially from Noah Brown. Yeah, the no Brown game. That's the one. Remember as such. Okay, Cincinnati coming to rely stadium makes all of us remember one Texans moment, maybe

43:15more than any others. And it birthed the career of a legend. We'll have that for you next on Texas matchup. We got one final segment, a edition of Texans matchup where we love looking back, looking ahead, putting them together, listening to calls from market Andre. It's all fun time on the show. Even though Sunday was a tough loss to the Buffalo bills, love being here to tell the story of it and other instances in Texans history. I'm your host John Harris football analyst, side of our reporter for your Houston Texans. And it is the Bengals coming up on Sunday. Now for some reason, the Bengals have been that team. The Texans have had some massive victories going back to 2011. The win in Cincinnati, TJ Yates hitting Kevin Walter with about two seconds left to the game. That would be a win. That would clinch. You did not at the exact time, but you knew it about 30 minutes, 45 minutes later, that

44:19the Texans had one day of see South with that. Then in 2015, going back up there, TJ Yates throwing the touchdown to Deandre Hopkins in the near corner of the end zone on Monday night, ending a regular season that was undefeated at the time for the Bengals. And that was nice. 2017, Shaw Watson's debut with 49 year touchdown run, a win. It's a scant five days after getting beat by Jacksonville and the opener after Hurricane Harvey. That was incredible. We played the 2023 game, which was an incredible football game. It's the last time the Texans have played the Cincinnati Bengals. But we've had some matchups with the Bengals here at Reliant Stadium 2016. Christmas Eve night. The missed fuel go at the end after an Alphard Blue touchdown getting the lead with top savage in charge, clinched the AMC South that night.

45:20But I think when you say Bengals be Texans to most Texans fans, they always remember one game. And that was the very first playoff game in Texans history right here at Reliant Stadium. The Bengals after the Texas to beat them earlier were coming to town as a wildcard team. The Texans first playoff game, you know, they were going to be nerves. They were going to be moments in this game, especially early on. You kind of, I don't know how this thing's going to go. Well, the Bengals came out hot. And you could tell the Texas came out a little bit nervous. And it was kind of, it was teetering there for a little while. I mean, look, I was a very talented Bengals team, AJ Green and he Dalton. I thought as a rookie had a really solid year, it was rookie's going to add each other in a wildcard playoff game. Well, the Texas offense started kind of getting going. But then the game changed. And when I say the game changed, I think a career changed for one Justin James Watt, aka

46:27JJ Watt. You could argue it's the greatest playing Texans history. I think Texans fans have said that. I think we did a tournament bracket of that sort. What's the greatest playing Texans history? There have been some good ones. But this one from JJ Watt might be the best one. And it was against the Bengals in 2011. Dalton gets the snap, throws it. It's intercepted. Watt takes it across the 15, 10, 5, rock and roll. Touchdown, Texans, pick six. Just like that, the Texans take the lead. And Reliance Stadium has erupted. And for good reason, JJ would erupt over his career. The Texans would win that playoff game. And hopefully the result, a win over the Bengals is what we get this Sunday against Joe Burrow and Cincinnati. We'll see you then, everybody. Thank you for listening. And as always, go Texans.