Joe Mixon responds to Ryan’s ‘bye week’ dig in hazy Instagram live

Joe Mixon responds to Ryan’s ‘bye week’ dig in hazy Instagram live

Nothing says “we’re really serious about a playoff run” quite like chomping down on a cigar in the locker room after a win in the AFC wild-card round.

And nothing says “we’re focused on the task at hand” quite like calling out a ESPN analyst such as Rex Ryan, who would like to be the Jets’ coach again, on an Instagram live-stream.

Then again, Joe Mixon does have good reason to celebrate.

A jubilant Joe Mixon walks off the field after the Texans’ AFC wild-card win over the Chargers on Jan. 11, 2025. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

“We’re smoking on that Rex Ryan bye week pack,” the running back told his social media followers as he puffed away on a cigar after his Texans’ 32-12 takedown of the Chargers on Saturday night.

Mixon — who finished the contest with 119 all-purpose yards and one touchdown — clearly took to heart the comments the former Jets and Bills head coach made during an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up” morning show earlier in the week.

“Chargers, basically … I never realized they get a bye on Saturday. Oh wait, they gotta play [the Texans]. What’s the difference?” Ryan had said.

When asked what he thought of those comments earlier in the week, Mixon had responded, “I’m just here to let my helmet and shoulder pads do the talking … I’m not gonna comment.” 

Former Jets head coach Rex Ryan AP

A big playoff win and a little nicotine, however, was all it took to commence the comments flowing.

Though Ryan didn’t pick his winner correctly, it seems he was in the right vein likening Saturday’s contest to a bye. 

Rams quarterback Justin Herbert looked unprepared to play four quarters of football, throwing a career-high four interceptions and just one touchdown.

Joe Mixon celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown during the Texans’ AFC wild-card win over the Chargers. AP

Houston’s defense brought heavy pressure all game long, sacking Herbert on four occasions and holding the Chargers’ typically potent ground offense to just 50 yards.

Los Angeles mustered just 12 points — far from their season average of 23.6 — and gained just 261 all-purpose yards to the Texans’ 429.

C.J. Stroud struggled out of the gate, but found his form midway through the second quarter.

By game’s end, Stroud had amᴀssed one touchdown and 282 yards through the air, plus another 42 from on the ground.

Related Posts

Steelers fans are in complete agreement on Russell Wilson after Pittsburgh’s playoff embarrᴀssment against Ravens

Steelers fans are in complete agreement on Russell Wilson after Pittsburgh’s playoff embarrᴀssment against Ravens

NFL fans are calling for Russell Wilson to retire after his Pittsburgh Steelers’ 28-24 loss to the rival Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round of the…

NFL fans are left speechless as Ravens-Steelers playoff game is delayed for very peculiar reason

NFL fans are left speechless as Ravens-Steelers playoff game is delayed for very peculiar reason

Have the mystery drones that appeared across the New Jersey sky reemerged along the Maryland coast? NFL fans were left stunned on Saturday night as officials paused…

Deion Sanders has ‘very strong interest’ in one NFL job after insisting he wanted to stay at Colorado

Deion Sanders has ‘very strong interest’ in one NFL job after insisting he wanted to stay at Colorado

After insisting that he wouldn’t jump to the NFL unless he was able to coach both of his sons, University of Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders…

NFL fans rally around Al Michaels, 80, during Ravens-Steelers playoff game after season-long backlash 

NFL fans rally around Al Michaels, 80, during Ravens-Steelers playoff game after season-long backlash 

Fans linked arms around Al Michaels as the season-long slander he received continued during the NFL Wild Card weekend. On Saturday night, the 80-year-old called the Baltimore…

NFL plans to explore new changes to playoff format

NFL plans to explore new changes to playoff format

The NFL might follow in the steps of college football and shake up its own postseason format come next season. According to a CBS Sports report on…

Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry get Ravens off to quick start in AFC wild-card game

Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry get Ravens off to quick start in AFC wild-card game

If the Baltimore Ravens are going to capture their first Super Bowl since 2012, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry will likely have everything to do with it….