HOUSTON -- The playoffs are starting early for the Houston Texans.At least thats what coach Bill OBrien and players are telling themselves after three straight losses capped by Sundays 21-13 defeat at Green Bay has erased their lead in the AFC South.Moving forward, every game is a playoff game, starting next week in Indianapolis, quarterback Brock Osweiler said. We know how important every single week is.The Texans (6-6) have led their division all season, but their first three-game skid since October 2014 has them with the same record as Tennessee.And a win by Indianapolis on Monday night against the New York Jets would leave the Colts at 6-6, too.Despite the matching records, Houston holds the tiebreaker with a 3-0 division mark.Despite that, Houston knows it has to get back on track quickly if it hopes to secure its second consecutive AFC South title.Three of the Texans last four games are within the division with their trip to Indianapolis followed by games against the Jaguars and Bengals before the regular-season finale at Tennessee.We know the type of team that we have in this locker room, receiver DeAndre Hopkins said. We know our goals are still in front of us and we havent accomplished our goals, so we have to put these three losses behind us and move forward.Though the offense stalled at times on Sunday in a game where snow was falling throughout, Osweiler looked better than he did the previous week.He threw two touchdown passes and did not have a turnover after throwing three interceptions in a loss to San Diego.His performance on Sunday gave him 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions this season, his first in Houston after joining the Texans from Denver in the offseason.The Texans rank 28th in total offense in large part because of a passing game that is the third-worst in the NFL by averaging just 194.9 yards a game.I feel like were very close to exploding as an offense and Ive been saying that all season long, Osweiler said.But its true we are three, four plays away from changing multiple football games. Because of that, I dont think we can get discouraged. You cant. Theres no time to get discouraged.An encouraging development from Sundays game was Osweiler connecting with Hopkins for a touchdown pass.Many of Osweilers interceptions this season have come when hes tried to force the ball to his star receiver despite him facing near-constant double teams. It was his first touchdown reception since Oct. 9.Hopkins was asked why the offense has struggled this season.I cant pinpoint it, he said. I am just out there doing my job and trying to help this team however I can.Of course the offense wasnt the only problem on Sunday. Houstons pass rush took a hit with 2014 top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney missing his first game this season because of a wrist injury.Its unclear if hell be able to return this week after taking a beating in his first year playing defensive end with J.J. Watt out for the season after back surgery.The secondary also had trouble against the Packers when veteran cornerback Johnathan Joseph injured his ribs in the fourth quarter and was replaced by Charles James.James, who normally plays mostly on special teams, fell on the slippery field allowing Jordy Nelson to get past him on a 32-yard touchdown catch that gave Green Bay the lead for good.Also injured on Sunday was rookie receiver Braxton Miller, who will be day to day this week with a shoulder injury and running back Lamar Miller. OBrien said Miller is dealing with injuries to four different areas of his body.He has been on the injury report with shoulder, ankle and rib injuries, but it is unclear what other problem he has.OBrien said he spoke to the team on Monday about the importance of everyone, including the coaching staff, stepping up to turn things around.Got to do a better job and ... if we dont then were not going to be where we want to be, OBrien said. But if we do well have a shot to win these games.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL J.R. Smith Jersey . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. Larry Nance Jr. Jersey . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed. http://www.cavaliersbasketballpro.info/brad-daugherty-cavaliers-jersey/ . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. Kyrie Irving Cavaliers Jersey . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. John Henson Cavaliers Jersey . But when it comes to determining if Raymond will find a place on the Leafs roster when training camp concludes in a week, well, that decision will ultimately fall to the head coach. ORLANDO, Fla. -- John Wall put up big numbers against the Orlando Magic, but coach Scott Brooks never mentioned them in discussing his teams third win in four games.Brooks was all about the Wizards defense, especially early in the first quarter when they ran off to a 19-point lead.Wall had 26 points and 10 assists, and scored the Wizards final eight after they blew that big lead to help Washington to a 94-91 victory on Friday night.Defense won this game for us, Brooks said. John set the tone defensively for us in the first quarter. His pressure on the ball and keeping (Elfrid) Payton out of the paint . he just did a good job of orchestrating our team.Otto Porter Jr. scored 19 points and Bradley Beal had 14 as all five Washington starters scored in double figures.However, the Wizards needed their defense -- and Wall -- in the final six minutes after Orlando went up 83-79 on a 3-pointer from reserve point guard D.J. Augustin.I told everybody, `Hey, lets calm down, Beal said. They went on their little run, but the game is about momentum and what turned it around was we got stops and convert. If we realize defense is going to win us games, were going to be a good team.Washington got stops on the next five possessions and went on a 7-0 run that included a 3-pointer from Porter and back-to-back layups from Marcin Gortat, who also had nine rebounds.Wall kept the Magic at bay in the last 2 minutes with a driving layup, a three-point play and 4-for-4 shooting from the free throw line.Serge Ibaka led Orlando with 19 points, while Nikola Vucevic contributed 17 points and 17 rebounds. Payton scored 15, all in the second half, and Evan Fournier had 11 as Orlando lost its third straight.Orlando used its defense to fuel the comeback from a 26-7 first-quarter deficit. The Magic didnt let the Wizards inside the paint without a fight and had a hand in the face of nearly every Washington perimeter shooter.Augustin made a three-point play and then hit a 3-pointer that gavee Orlando an 83-79 advantage with 5:47 left in the game.ddddddddddddWashington quickly regained the lead and though Orlando cut the deficit to one on two occasions, the Wizards made the lead stand up the rest of the game.I was disappointed in our guys that got us down, but to their credit we battled back and made it a game, Magic coach Frank Vogel said. We showed good competitive spirit, but you cant get down 19.TIP-INSWizards: Washington has won 13 of its last 14 games against Orlando. . The Wizards bench contributed just 12 points and nine rebounds. . This was the 36th time a game between the teams was decided by five points or less. Washington is 19-17 in those games.MAGIC: Starters Payton and Jeff Green didnt score in the first half and played only 16 minutes between them. Green had seven points. . Orlando had 15 turnovers in the first half, but only four the rest of the game. ... Fournier has scored in double figures in 15 of 16 games this season. . During the last eight games, the Magic have limited opponents to just 92.5 points and 41.7 percent shooting.TURNAROUND TIMEThe Wizards have won three of their last four, after starting the season 2-8. Weve improved from week to week, Brooks said. Sometimes your record doesnt indicate that, but I know were a better team. I like where were going.LONG DROUGHTThe Magic are last in the NBA in scoring (91.9 ppg) and last in shooting percentage (40.7), but its not for lack of good shots, Vogel said. There have been plenty of what I call `no payoff, good possessions, Vogel said. We miss a layup at the rim or an open 3 on the perimeter. Just too many dry possessions for my liking.UP NEXT:Wizards: Return home to play San Antonio on Saturday. Its the first of four straight games against Western Conference teams.Magic: Host Milwaukee on Sunday. The Bucks beat the Magic 93-89 last Monday. ' ' '
