Three headlines, two questions, and one bet after the late loss to the Saints

Colvin's rough day highlighted in loss

Cody Stoots
Sep 10, 2019, 1:03 pm
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Happy to be at the Watson magic show

Deshaun Watson was amazing on Monday night. Not much else can be said. He survived another poor performance from the offensive line, he escaped far more pressure, and he made big throw after big throw.

"He's a very instinctive, great player, plays with poise, always looking to improve, and he's a winner," said head coach Bill O'Brien. "I think that's what I was saying after the game and that's what I told our team."

Watson is a little banged up according to O'Brien but it isn't anything too serious. He said it was "normal bumps and bruises" for his star quarterback.

Watson added another bump and bruise in all likelihood on his big strike to Kenny Stills. O'Brien praised him for his toughness in that moment.

"To hang in there and take a hit and to deliver that ball with the accuracy that he delivered it – that one play kind of says it all about the guy."

Watson's potential is through the roof for the Texans right now.

Running back duo impresses in debut

I have to be honest, I didn't expect much out of Carlos Hyde. He was on his fourth team in less than a year and his stats that matter have been just dropping and dropping over the past few seasons.

That ain't the Carlos Hyde who played in New Orleans last night. He had plenty of juice and took care of business.

Hyde and his running buddy Duke Johnson combined for 140 yards on the ground on 19 carries. That's 7.3 yards per carry. They don't have to be that but the running game can be effective especially as the line continues to gel going forward.

Howard and Coutee almost ready

Tytus Howard and Keke Coutee didn't play on Monday but they were close to playing.

Bill O'Brien said both players were very close and "there's a chance" both will be playing on Sunday when the Jaguars come to town.

Where was Watt?

No tackle. No sack. Not even a quarterback hurry.

Ryan Ramczyk won handily against Watt on the right side of the Saints line. He graded out as the second best tackle in the opening weekend on NFL action with the majority of his work coming against Watt.

Bill O'Brien made it clear Watt is an impact player even if the box score doesn't show it.

"So, I think that they did a good job," O'Brien said. "Give them credit, but I also think that he still impacted the game. I know that he didn't show up on the stat sheet, because we're all so used to him showing up on the stat sheet because of what just a great football player he is, but that doesn't mean he didn't impact the game."

The natural idea is Jadeveon Clowney could have helped and we'd all be foolish to not think that is the case. Clowney, however, is a Seahawks defensive player and not on the Texans. Houston needs some help and in a hurry from the pass rush standpoint. Yes, Drew Brees gets the ball out quick and rarely gets sacks, but there has to be some success up front. The players added in the Clowney trade need to figure out how to help fast.

Can Aaron Colvin bounce back?

Aaron Colvin gave up too much space on the last offensive play for the Saints and he gave up too much other stuff as well. He was picked on all night by Drew Brees.

Pro Football Focus had Colvin down for allowing eight of nine completions for 117 yards and a touchdown. The one that wasn't a completion was a drop.

Colvin has to be better if he is going to be the slot option on this team. He hasn't flashed any of his success from his time in Jacksonville. There may not be better option on this team right now for the slot so Colvin and the Texans have no choice but for him to bounce back.

UPDATE: Colvin was cut by the Texans Tuesday

I bet Gardner Minshew is going to have a tough time this weekend

Despite being upset with Romeo Crennel and his defense, the longtime defensive coordinator is stellar against rookie quarterbacks.

Last year Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen struggled while Sam Darnold, who was one of the best quarterbacks late in the year, succeeded against the Texans defense. Crennel should have plenty dialed up for the Jaguars new starting rookie.

Minshew will be getting the ball out quick. He made some big plays in defeat when he came in for Foles. This won't be a cake walk but history should stay on the Texans side.

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Houston dropped two of three

Astros drop series finale to Oakland, A's win series

Jose Urquidy couldn't hold Oakland back on Saturday. Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

With Oakland finally ending their drought against the Astros on Friday night to split the first two games of the series, and with the Angels staying in step with them as both teams started the day 6-2, the Astros needed a win to keep momentum in their favor on Saturday.

Instead, Oakland would outslug Houston once again to take the series finale and take the series win. The loss moves Houston to 6-3 and down to second place, at least for now, until the 6-2 Angels complete their game on Saturday evening.

Final Score: A's 7, Astros 3

Astros' Record: 6-3, second in AL West

Winning Pitcher: Frankie Montas (1-1)

Losing Pitcher: Jose Urquidy (0-1)

Urquidy gives up four over six

Much like the night before, Oakland was able to bring in runs against Houston's starter, this time Jose Urquidy, Saturday afternoon in their second time through the order. Their first time through, Urquidy was cruising, allowing just one baserunner in the first three innings on a single in the top of the third.

Things shifted in the top of the fourth, with the A's getting back-to-back singles to set the stage for a two-run frame with dual RBI-singles to take a 2-0 lead. Oakland doubled that in the fifth, getting a two-out single to set up a two-run homer by Ramon Laureano to make it 4-0. Urquidy would go on to finish six innings, but with no run support to that point, would leave in line for the loss. His final line: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 93 P.

A's pad their lead before Houston gets on the board

Meanwhile, although getting five hits, the Astros could not get anything on the board against Frankie Montas through six innings. Brandon Bielak took over out of the bullpen for Urquidy in the top of the seventh, but after loading the bases, he would allow a dagger two-RBI single to make it a 6-0 deficit for Houston.

With Montas starting the seventh looking to face a batter or two before Oakland moved to their bullpen, Kyle Tucker would finally get Houston on the board with a leadoff solo home run, cutting the lead to 6-1 and ending Montas' day. Houston would get a two-out rally going, with an RBI-double by Jose Altuve followed by an RBI-triple by Michael Brantley to make it a three-run game at 6-3.

Oakland takes the series win

Ryne Stanek tried to keep it a three-run game and give the Astros a chance to stay in it in the top of the eighth but instead would give up a two-out solo home run to push Oakland's lead back to four. That 7-3 score would go final as Houston would go scoreless in the eighth and ninth.

Up Next: Houston will have a day off on Sunday before continuing this homestand Monday night by welcoming in Detroit and former manager A.J. Hinch for three games. In the series opener, the Tigers will send young star Casey Mize (0-0, 2.25 ERA) to the mound, while the Astros will get another start by Zack Greinke (1-0, 1.38 ERA).

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