Matt & Ross In The Morning

The Houston Rockets are off to their best start through 11 games since the 2019-20 season following Monday's 107-92 victory over the Washington Wizards, improving to 7-4. The Rockets won the fourth of their last five games without Fred VanVleet, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Amen Thompson entered the starting lineup and recorded 13 points. Tari Eason provided a spark off the bench, scoring 10 with six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. When asked about his preference to playing the hot hand, head coach Ime Udoka said, "We're going to play the guys that play best... We have a ton of options, a ton of versatility." Jabari Smith Jr. has struggled offensively, especially from beyond the arc, shooting 25% so far this season. Until the shots come back around, "we want guys to stay confident," and Jabari "can still impact the game in many ways," Udoka said. VanVleet has also gotten off to a shaky start, averaging 37.9% from the field. "Until the shots do fall...We always want to rely on our defense." VanVleet is questionable for Wednesday's matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, but Udoka said "he felt good today" at morning shootaround. The Rockets are tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for fifth in the Western Conference and will look to maintain a winning record by working towards a big goal: "We've really stressed being number one in offensive rebounds this year," Udoka said. The Rockets are currently second in the league in total offensive rebounds.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" continue to lament the Houston Texans dropping a halftime lead to the Detroit Lions to lose 26-23 on Sunday Night Football. However, there is a silver lining, as the game had some of the highest ratings of recent SNF matchups. Matt and Ross also:

• recap the Rockets defeating the Wizards
• discuss the possibility of Giannis Antetokounmpo getting traded to the Rockets
• debate whether the Astros should attempt to shop Framber Valdez
• give their latest "Gut Feelings"
• recap Week 10 in the NFL during "Ross' NFL Rewind" and more.

Alex Bregman is one of the top free agents in the market and is unlikely to accept the Astros' $21.05 million qualifying offer for the next season (Bregman has until 3 p.m. CT on Nov. 19 to do so). The Gold Glove-winning third baseman is expected to seek a multiyear deal. General manager Dana Brown stated at the General Managers Meetings in San Antonio that resigning Bregman is the Astros' "biggest priority" this offseason; however, the organization has a history of not retaining homegrown players, such as Carlos Correa and George Springer. Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" review the latest MLB free agent predictions and discuss the possible landing spots for Bregman next season.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to the Houston Texans dropping a 23-7 lead at halftime to lose their second of three straight primetime matchups. The Detroit Lions scored 19 unanswered points to take down the Texans 26-23. Matt and Ross also:

• discuss what the Texans can fix before a Monday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys
• recap Cougars men's basketball losing an early-season test to Auburn
• review Alabama destroying LSU
• play "To Tell the Truth" and more.

In the second of three straight primetime games, the Houston Texans once again fell short, this time blowing a 23-7 halftime lead to drop a home game to the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football. The Texans' defense recorded five interceptions, and the offense was off to a productive start with touchdowns from Joe Mixon and John Metchie III in the first half; however, momentum stalled to start the third quarter as C.J. Stroud threw a pick on the first play of the second half. The Texans would be shut out the rest of the way, allowing the Lions to score 19 unanswered points capped by Jake Bates' 52-yard field goal as time expired to hand the Texans their third loss in four games. Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" recap Sunday's 26-23 defeat and discuss what can be done to fix an ailing offense ahead of a Monday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to Texans wide receiver Nico Collins returning to practice prior to Houston hosting the Detroit Lions for Sunday Night Football. Will Collins suit up Sunday? Matt and Ross also:

• learn more about Dan Campbell and Jared Goff from Dan Miller, sports director for FOX2 in Detroit and radio voice of the Lions
• discuss trade rumors surrounding Astros reliever Ryan Pressly
• break down the Rockets facing the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road
• preview the college football matchup between LSU and Alabama
• tell their "Non-Florida Stories" and more on this "Anything Goes Friday."

The Houston Texans return to primetime to host the Detroit Lions for Sunday Night Football. Dan Miller, sports director for FOX2 in Detroit and radio voice of the Lions, joins "The Matt Thomas with Ross" to discuss the Lions looking to extend their winning streak to seven games. Jared Goff will be facing a Texans' defense that ranks third in the NFL by allowing just 167.4 yards passing a game and ranks fourth in sacks. "Jared is now playing the best football of his career," Miller said. Goff is the first quarterback in league history to complete at least 72% of his passes with a passer rating of 105 or higher in six straight games. Wide receiver Jameson Williams will return to the field after serving a two-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy. Miller also breaks down head coach Dan Campbell's game plan, whether newly acquired Za'Darius Smith will suit up and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" review the Texans injury report and discuss how Houston will fair if Nico Collins does not play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football. Matt and Ross also:

• recap the Rockets defeating the San Antonio Spurs 127-100
• debate whether Paul George should be upset about getting booed in his return to Los Angeles
• Say, "I Just Don't Get It"
• have Dr. Roto cure their fantasy football ailments and more.

In the final moments prior to the NFL trade deadline at 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday, the Texans made their only move of the day, sending defensive tackle Khalil Davis to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2026 seventh-round pick. With injuries to the linebacker and receiver positions as well as an underperforming offense line, many looked to general manager Nick Caserio to address the depth issues on the roster and help keep the Texans a top contender in the AFC. However, no players were added to the team before the deadline. Only offensive tackle Zachary Thomas was claimed off waivers from the Patriots on Wednesday afternoon. When asked by Texans media on his thoughts about making moves at the trade deadline, Caserio said, "If there's an opportunity to add a player that you have a specific, defined role for, great. If not, you're not going to do something just to do something just to create a bunch of busy work." Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" react to Caserio's comments and discuss whether this Texans roster is competitive enough to win against tougher opponents in the second half of the season.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" discuss the Houston Texans not adding to their current roster prior to the NFL trade deadline. Minutes before the clock hit 3 p.m. CT, general manager Nick Caserio traded defensive tackle Khalil Davis to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2026 seventh-round pick. Matt and Ross also:

• react to the first set of rankings for the College Football Playoffs
• review the latest comments from Astros general manager Dana Brown and Alex Bregman's agent Scott Boras concerning the third baseman's next contract
• talk with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka about Wednesday's matchup against the San Antonio Spurs
• tell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.