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A22 SPORTS
Monday 31 deceMber 2018
Texans clinch AFC South title with 20-3 win over Jaguars

By KRISTIE RIEKEN Dede Westbrook muffed a
AP Sports Writer punt late in the first quarter,
HOUSTON (AP) — After and Zach Cunningham re-
the Houston Texans fell to covered. Watson capital-
0-3 with a loss at home to ized with a 5-yard scramble
the New York Giants on that made it 10-3 early in
Sept. 23, they appeared to the second quarter.
be headed for a second The Texans faced a third-
straight losing season. and-6 late in the second
Instead, the Texans (11-5) quarter when Myles Jack
won their next nine games deflected a pass and
and 11 of their last 13, Hopkins grabbed it for a
capped by Sunday's 20-3 13-yard gain. Miller ran 7
win over the Jacksonville yards for a touchdown on
Jaguars, to clinch the AFC the next play, dragging
South title. two defenders into the end
"We have a lot bigger zone to make it 17-3.
goals," J.J. Watt said. "I BAD BEHAVIOR
have a lot bigger goals but Coughlin had strong words
it's good. Especially after for running backs Leonard
starting 0-3 and everybody Fournette and T.J. Yeldon
writes you off. Guys in the after the game.
locker room believed. Guys Fournette, who was inac-
in the locker room never Houston Texans defensive end Christian Covington (95) hits Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback tive because of foot and
gave up." Blake Bortles (5) causing a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 30, ankle injuries, and Yeldon
Deshaun Watson threw for 2018, in Houston. Jacksonville recovered the ball. were caught by TV camer-
234 yards and ran for a Associated Press as sitting on the bench and
touchdown and DeAndre chatting while the offense
Hopkins had 147 yards re- Houston built a 14-point title game. Khan said he times to finish with 16 this had the ball. They were
ceiving in the victory. lead in the first half behind agreed with the decision. year. Watt has four seasons clearly disengaged with
The Texans will make their rushing touchdowns by "We get judged on wins with 15 or more sacks, sec- teammates and coaches.
fifth playoff appearance Watson and Lamar Miller and losses," Marrone said. ond most in NFL history to "I am disappointed in the
after winning the division and made it 20-3 on a 24- "Obviously, this year, I didn't Reggie White (five). behavior today from T.J.
for the fifth time in fran- yard field goal with about do a good job. Period. I'm The performance by Hop- Yeldon and Leonard Four-
chise history. Houston re- 11 minutes left. The Jag- never going to step away kins gives him 1,572 yards nette," Coughlin said. "They
turns to the postseason for uars had a chance to cut from that. I'm happy with receiving and 115 recep- were disrespectful, selfish
the third time in four years the lead later in the fourth the faith because I do be- tions this season, both ca- and their behavior was un-
after bouncing back a 4-12 quarter, but Blake Bortles lieve I will get this right." reer highs. His catch total becoming that of a profes-
campaign in which Watson was intercepted in the end The Jaguars (5-11) returned tied Andre Johnson (2008) sional football player."
and Watt suffered season- zone by Andre Hal. to Bortles as starter after for the most in franchise his- TEXANS NUMBERS
ending injuries. Jaguars owner Shad Khan benching the quarterback tory. Hopkins is the fourth player
"The way we started out, it's said in a statement that following a loss to Buffalo "A lot of guys have amaz- in NFL history (Jerry Rice,
a testament to the players his director of football op- on Nov. 25. But he did little ing seasons, but their team Marvin Harrison and Bran-
in that locker room," coach erations, Tom Coughlin, has to get Jacksonville's offense isn't where it should be," don Marshall) to have at
Bill O'Brien said. "They've al- decided to retain coach going, with the Jaguars Hopkins said. "So I think ev- least 100 receptions, 1,500
ways hung tough. And to Doug Marrone and gener- managing one first down in erything I've been doing yards receiving and 11
go from 0-3 (and then) go al manager Dave Caldwell the opening half and finish- has correlated to my team touchdowns in multiple
11-2 in this league is pretty — even though the team ing with six. Bortles was 15 winning, which is even bet- seasons. He had 111 recep-
tough to do. Give credit to finished in last place a year of 28 for 107 yards. ter." tions for 1,521 yards and 11
the players." after playing in the AFC Watt sacked Bortles 1½ KEY PLAYS touchdowns in 2015.q

Buccaneers fire coach Dirk

Koetter after 3 seasons

By FRED GOODALL from offensive coordinator record, was dismissed after
AP Sports Writer to his first NFL head coach- meeting with team owner-
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Dirk ing position when Tampa ship after Sunday's game.
Koetter has been fired as Bay fired Lovie Smith in "We sincerely appreci-
coach of the Tampa Bay January 2016. He led the ate the hard work and
Buccaneers. Bucs to a 9-7 record that commitment shown by
The team made the an- year, but followed up with Dirk over the past several
nouncement Sunday consecutive 5-11 finishes. years," Bucs co-chairman
night, a little more than The Bucs started 2-0 this Joel Glazer said in a state-
In this Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 file photo, Tampa Bay Bucca- three hours after the Bucs year, and then lost 11 of 14 ment.
neers head coach Dirk Koetter talks to reporters after an NFL concluded a disappoint- down the stretch, includ- Glazer said general man-
football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, ing season with a 34-32 loss ing four straight games to ager Jason Licht would
N.J.
Associated Press to the Atlanta Falcons. finish the season. begin the search for a new
Koetter was promoted Koetter, who had a 19-29 coach immediately.q