Texans 30, Jaguars 14
5 observations from the Texans win over the Jaguars
Oct 11, 2020, 2:59 pm
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The Texans played their first game of the post-Bill O'Brien era against Jacksonville on Sunday. Not surprisingly, it was their best effort of the season, and they picked up their initial win, beating the Jaguars 30-14. Five observations from the victory:
1. The offense looked better. Yes, it was a Jaguars defense down several key players. But Deshaun Watson had big numbers (25 of 35 for 359 yards and three TDs), but also threw two picks, one on a bad pass before the half, the other a bad decision throwing deep into double coverage trying to hit Will Fuller. That's not a play Fuller is capable of making. Still, the play calling was noticeably better. Again, it was the Jags, but they had a season high with 30 points and just looked more comfortable and in rhythm.
2. Brandin Cooks had his best day as a Texan. Cooks had 8 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown and was especially effective in the second half. Early in the game, Cooks and Watson did not seem to be on the same page. But as the game wore on, Cooks started making plays. The Texans need him to step up, and he finally did.
3. The Texans got turnovers! Well, sort of. Jacksonville fumbled on a weird fourth and one call that was not going to succeed with or without the fumble. It was the first Texans turnover in their five games. The second turnover was a thing of beauty and was a player making a play. Jacob Martin got a strip sack that Whitney Mercilus recovered, then tried to give back, but the Texans pounced on it. The defense overall did a better job against a Jaguars team that kept shooting itself in the foot with missed field goals and the odd fourth-down call. The Texans were also much better against the run, allowing just 75 yards and a 3.8 average, and were especially effective in the second half. Bradley Roby had a holding call, but he is quietly having a nice season, as he did a lot of good work against D.J. Chark.
4. The running game still needs work. They did better in this game, with 129 yards on 22 carries for a 5.9 average, but they also struggled to open holes, and David Johnson got a lot of yards late in the game when it had already been decided. Still, the running game was an advantage for the Texans for the first time all year.
5. The defense got some pressure. They technically had four sacks, although one was the botched fourth down play. But they consistently pressured Gardner Minshew, which helped the secondary. Minshew did throw for over 300 yards, but had to put the ball up 48 times to do it and many of the yards were after the game was decided.
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The Houston Astros didn’t just sweep the defending champs this weekend, they changed the tone of their season.
Dominant pitching. Star power. Road swagger. The three-game dismantling of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine wasn’t about revenge or validation. It was about showing, once and for all, that this version of the Astros, short-handed and all, belongs squarely in the conversation with baseball’s elite.
A statement series
The Astros pitching staff was lights out against one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball, holding the Dodgers to just six runs across three games, including two contests where LA managed just a single run. Lance McCullers Jr., much-maligned after getting shelled by the Cubs last week, bounced back in a big way. He worked around four walks, giving up just one run on a solo homer, a much-needed course correction as the Astros evaluate their playoff rotation options.
On the offensive side, the stars delivered in a big way. Jose Altuve torched Dodgers pitching with three home runs, seven RBIs, two walks, and just one strikeout. Christian Walker matched him with six hits of his own, including a pair of long balls and six RBIs.
A shift in expectations?
This wasn’t just a series win. This was a proof of concept.
Houston came into the series already heating up, now they’re officially on fire. Over the last 30 days, the Astros rank third in runs and fifth in RBIs. For the season, they’re top 10 in nearly every key offensive category: eighth in OPS, first in batting average, ninth in slugging. Defensively, the numbers are just as strong. They lead MLB in strikeouts and opponents’ batting average, and rank second in WHIP.
Put it all together, and you’ve got a team with top-five upside in both pitching and offense. The pieces are clicking. The vibes are real. And the Astros suddenly look like a legitimate World Series contender again.
Is help on the way?
Reliever Hector Neris rejoined the team this week, offering a veteran boost to a bullpen that’s been leaned on heavily. Neris brings postseason pedigree and a reputation as a clubhouse leader. The Astros hope a return to familiar surroundings, and the guidance of one of the best pitching development staffs in the league, can get him back on track.
Tayler Scott returns on a minor league deal, and while the move may not turn heads, it adds another layer of depth to a bullpen that’s already one of the league’s best.
Background noise in LA
No Astros-Dodgers series goes by without a little extra noise and this one was no different. During the broadcast, former Cy Young winner and Dodgers analyst Orel Hershiser raised eyebrows by implying that Houston’s offensive surge might not have been entirely on the level.
Predictable? Absolutely. Meaningful? Not even close.
If anything, it’s a weird kind of compliment. No one questions legitimacy when you’re losing. But after a lopsided 18-1 beat down people start reaching for answers, or excuses.
Inside the Astros clubhouse, though, that chatter doesn’t register.
They know exactly what this sweep meant. And so does the rest of the league.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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