Texans Insider Podcast

The Houston Texans face the New England Patriots in the divisional round on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT. If they win, it will be their first appearance in the AFC Championship game in franchise history. The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander and Sam Warren discuss. And later, Alexander is joined by Boston Globe Patriots beat writer Nicole Yang to discuss the Patriots. Host: Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans beat writer for Houston Chronicle Guest: Sam Warren, Pro Sports trending reporter for Houston Chronicle Nicole Yang, Patriots beat writer for Boston Globe Further reading: He lost his best friend misdseason and started 0-3. How DeMeco Ryans made Texans title contenders. Why NFL players love smelling salts. 'An adrenaline kick-start.' 'Crazy.' 'Lunatic.' How the Texans describe hard-hitting cornerback Kamari Lassiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Houston Texans face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild card round of the playoffs. It is their first time in franchise history playing a road game in the wild card round. Can they continue their stellar play. The Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander and Sam Warren discuss. Host: Jonathan M. Alexander Guest: Sam Warren Further reading: How texts from J.J. Watt to Will Anderson Jr. helped the Texans star have a career year 10 awards for Houston Texans and what they taught us about them heading into playoffs Texans defense was exposed deep again. Can they fix it in playoffs vs. Steelers? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Houston Texans have now won six consecutive games and are in prime position to make their third consecutive playoff appearance. But last week, they gave up 20 points to the Arizona Cardinals in an uncharacteristic performance from the defense. Can they shut down the struggling the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday? Host: Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans Insider Guest: Sam Warren, Pro Sports Trending reporter Background reading: Why Jalen Pitre is one of the most important players on the Texans' No. 1 defense What's next for Jawhar Jordan? A Tank Dell return? JJ Watt? | Mailbag Why being good isn't good enough for Houston Texans' defense Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Houston Texans (7-5) face the Kansas City Chiefs (6-6) on Sunday Night Football in what will be one of the biggest regular season games in franchise history. Host: Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans Insider (@jonmalexander) Guest: Sam Warren, Pro Sports Trending reporter (@samwarren_3) Background reading: Marshawn Kneeland's death exposed gaps in NFL's mental health efforts Warm Skin, Vaseline and latex gloves. How Houston Texans plan to keep warm in KC's cold weather Texans lose key defensive starter to season-ending foot injury ahead of Chiefs game Chiefs and their blitzes will be true test if Houston Texans' offensive line is fixed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Houston Texans face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in Nashville. The Texans need a win to stay in the playoff hunt? Can they do it? It'll take another solid performance from backup quarterback Davis Mills. Host: Jonathan M. Alexander, Houston Chronicle Texans Insider Guest: Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle Pro Sports Trending reporter Background reading: Texans vs. Titans: C.J. Stroud's health, Danielle Hunter's dominance and Sunday's biggest challenge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Houston Chronicle reporters Jonathan M. Alexander and Sam Warren discuss what went wrong vs. the Broncos, and how the Texans can defeat the Jaguars on Sunday. Host: Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans Insider, (@jonmalexander) Guests: Sam Warren, Pro Sports Trending reporter, (@samwarren_3) Davis Mills, Texans QB Producers: Rachel Crocker Jeremy Mims Background reading: Texans had interest in Jets RB Breece Hall at the trade deadline Inside Davis Mills' wild journey to starting at QB for the Texans --- again Photo by Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle staff photographer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Houston Chronicle's Texans Insider Jonathan M. Alexander talks with Sam Warren about Sunday's matchup between the Texans and the Denver Broncos, and whether they believe it's possible the Texans will win. They also break down what went right last week against the 49ers. Host: Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans Insider Guest: Sam Warren, Pro Sports Trending reporter Background reading: Pregame prayers, text chains and support groups: The angst and excitement of being an NFL mom 'Houston No. 57 has reported as eligible.' How Blake Fisher and jumbo set are pushing Texans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After coming off a bye week in Week 6, the Texans were embarrassed on the road against the Seattle Seahawks 27-19 on Monday Night Football. It set up a must-win game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at NRG Stadium. It's a game that could make or break the Texans season. The Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander and Sam Warren discuss those implications and what's gone wrong for Houston. Host: Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans Insider Guest: Sam Warren, Pro Sports Trending Reporter Producers: Rachel Crocker and Jeremy Mims of Pirate Audio Background reading: Alexander: DeMeco Ryans must admit the obvious: This Texans team lacks talent to go far Analysis: Houston Texans look more like pretenders than contenders vs. Seattle Seahawks Film review: Missed throws, wrong routes and poor play calls Mailbag: How to assess Nick Caserio's performance as Texans' GM. Is Nick Caley's seat hot? Subscribe to the Houston Chronicle to get all the latest Texans, Rockets, Astros and college sports news. Also, subscribe to this podcast on Apple and Spotify. Follow Jonathan M. Alexander on X at @jonmalexander, and @jonmalexander_ on IG and Tiktok. Follow Sam Warren on social media at @samwarren_3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson, who is in his third season with the team, has started to see more playing time as a receiver because of the offseason improvements he made. Hutchinson is motivated by his older brother Quinton, who taught him all he knows, but is also currently in prison for a parole violation. Hutchinson goes in depth about his story, his path and his motivation. Background reading: Motivated to make his brother proud, Xavier Hutchinson becoming a needed weapon for Houston Texans Host: Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans beat reporter for The Houston Chronicle Producers: Rachel Crocker, Jeremy Mims, Pirate Audio Subscribe today at https://www.houstonchronicle.com/project/podcasts/texans-insider-podcast/ or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Texans will travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks on Monday Night Football. It'll be a big test for Houston (2-3), which is coming off its bye week. Seattle is 4-2 and has been one of the best teams in the NFL this season. Chronicle journalists Jonathan M. Alexander and Sam Warren sit down to discuss whether the Texans are actually improving, and are later joined by The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar to preview the game between the Seahawks and Texans. Host: Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans beat reporter for The Houston Chronicle Guests: Sam Warren, Pro Sports Trending reporter for The Houston Chronicle Michael-Shawn Dugar, Seahawks beat reporter for The Athletic, and author of "The Franchise: Seattle Seahawks." Producers: Rachel Crocker, Pirate Audio Jeremy Mims, Pirate Audio Background reading: The Houston Texans want to establish the run. But can they do it against the Seattle Seahawks? Houston Texans' rookies rested, reset during off week with eye on making greater contributions Subscribe today at https://www.houstonchronicle.com/project/podcasts/texans-insider-podcast/ or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices