TEXANS 41, LIONS 25
3 takeaways from the Texans 41-25 win over the Lions
Nov 26, 2020, 2:58 pm
TEXANS 41, LIONS 25
The Texans recorded their fourth win of the season on Thursday, beating the Detroit Lions 41-25. Here are 3 observations from the win:
1) The defense showed up. In a season when the Texans have struggled to get turnovers, the defense already had three just a few seconds into the second quarter. The most exciting being a pick-six by JJ Watt.
.@JJWatt came ready to EAT 🍽
📺: CBS
📱: https://t.co/y6GlR8cwaP pic.twitter.com/D6ahnhPmEG
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 26, 2020
2) The Texans were able to capitalize on the turnovers. After Bradley Roby recovered a Lions fumble in the first quarter, the Texans were able to make Detroit pay. Deshaun Watson threw a TD pass to CJ Prosise which gave the Texans a 13-7 lead. Not having to settle for field goals made a big difference early in the game. Houston also scored another TD with a pass to Duke Johnson, and Ka'imi Fairbairn made a 42-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Eating good early 😏
📺: CBS
📱: https://t.co/y6GlR8cwaP pic.twitter.com/doxzsXx0jm
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 26, 2020
3) Deshaun Watson is playing the best football of his career. Outside of the Texans being unable to score a TD on an opening drive once again, it was another terrific performance from Deshaun Watson. The Texans scored 18 more points in the second half and Watson finished the game with 318 passing yards and 4 TDs helping the Texans improve their record to 4-7.
Speed. Nothing but speed. Will Fuller V!!!
📺: CBS
📱: https://t.co/y6GlR8cwaP pic.twitter.com/dhXTDPq6sv
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 26, 2020
Next up: The Texans host the Colts (7-3) at NRG on December 6 at noon.
Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.
The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.
On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.
Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.
It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.
The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.
How the mighty have fallen.
Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.
Screenshot via: MLB.com
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