The Houston Texans have managed to rally back from a slow start to the 2025 NFL season to sit at a 4-5 record heading into Week 11, brought back from the ashes at the command of third-year head coach DeMeco Ryans, and proving that their campaign is far from over with eight weeks to go in the season.
Thanks to Ryans’ elite defense and a continously improving offense, the Texans are right back in the hunt to be competitive within the second half of the season. And in the process of that climb back to relevance, Houston’s head coach has made sure to land some due credit his way.
One of those names on Houston’s top-tier defense, Henry To’oTo’o, gave his flowers to Ryans during his latest appearance on Good Morning Football, praising the ease that comes with playing for him, especially when bringing the energy that he does.
“When you’ve got a leader like that; he’s a player’s coach,” To’oTo’o said, “He expects greatness out of him. Me and him, we have a great relationship. When you have somebody that you’ll go out and die for, and he still has that player energy where he’s hyped up, and he’s turnt up.”
“When you make a play, he’s jumping up and down with you, and that’s what you want as a player. You want to be able to go out with somebody that you know will die for you, and that’s who DeMeco is.”
It’s a lead from Ryans that’s brought the Texans back to life after a brutal 0-3 start to the year, and in the process, has put together one of the more well-rounded, dominant defenses for the first half of the season.
In their ten games on the year so far, the Texans are the NFL’s number-one scoring defense (16.7 points/game), allowing the least amount of yards per game (261.3), and are the number-one defense for EPA/play (-0.18). Only last week vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars was the only time Houston’s allowed more than 20 points in a single game all season
That’s a force that’s been a tough challenge for opposing teams, even when considering the Texans’ ups and downs on the offensive end.
The consistent prowess is not only attributed to the outstanding talent Houston has in the front seven and secondary, but also some nice coaching on the sidelines from Ryans, along with the play-callers on both sides of the ball from coordinators Nick Caley and Matt Burke.
Simply put, the optimism is still there for Houston after a brutal beginning stretch, in large part due to the resilience exhibited from Ryans’ group week after week, despite falling into some tough holes throughout the way. Time will tell if that surge up the standings can continue into the second half of the season, but with a coach like Ryans at the helm, the job becomes a whole lot easier.
The New Orleans Saints are finalizing preparations for the stretch of the 2025 season, with roster moves settling in and young players carving out their first real roles. But away from the practice field, one surprising off-field decision has drawn national attention.
As the franchise locks in its 53-man roster, focus should be squarely on football. Yet, the personal lives of rookies often become intertwined with the spotlight, especially when outside distractions collide with the demands of the NFL.
This week, a first-year Saint made a headline-grabbing decision unrelated to football. For him, staying in New Orleans’ long-term plans meant not only competing on the field, but also managing the pressures of celebrity attention off it.
That rookie is running back Audric Estimé, who recently secured a spot on the Saints’ 53-man roster after being elevated from the practice squad. Shortly after that milestone, he ended his relationship with a well-known social media celebrity, an online star with millions of followers and a massive global audience.
The influencer built her brand through music, lifestyle content and viral posts that turned her into one of the most recognizable young digital personalities. Her reach and visibility inevitably brought heightened scrutiny onto Estimé as he adjusted to life in the NFL and tried to solidify his role in New Orleans.
The rookie explained his choice candidly in a private conversation that has since circulated among team circles:
“Right now, I need to focus on building my career with the Saints. There were too many cameras, too many eyes on my life off the field. I need peace, I need focus – if not, I will lose my chance and get left behind in New Orleans.”
Fans immediately reacted across X and Instagram, some applauding Estimé for putting football first, others sympathizing with his former girlfriend and questioning the pressure placed on young players to sacrifice their personal lives. The split fueled debate over the challenges rookies face in balancing relationships with the ruthless demands of professional sports.
For Audric Estimé, cracking the 53-man roster is only the beginning. By cutting ties with distractions and the glare of social media celebrity culture, the rookie signaled that his priority is clear: proving himself in the Saints’ backfield and earning trust in New Orleans for years to come.