Jermaine Every's observations
The good, bad and ugly from the Texans win over the Dolphins
Oct 25, 2018, 11:10 pm
Deshaun Watson had his best game of the season. Tim Warner/Getty Images
Prime time games are a showcase. The Texans have laid some eggs in them in the past. This game was different. They smacked the Dolphins around 42-23 en route to their fifth straight victory. Here’s what I observed:
The Good
-The offense went 4/4 in the red zone and all were touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns were Deshaun Watson throwing to rookie tight end Jordan Thomas. The “red area,” as Bill O’Brien has called it in the past, has been an area of allergic reaction to this team. They took their medicine today because there was no itchiness, red eyes, swelling or puffiness in the “red area.”
-The run game looked great against a team that has given up 10,000 yards rushing in last few weeks. Miller had 133 yards and a touchdown, including a 58 yard run on the second play of the third quarter. Greg Mancz playing right guard for Zach Fulton has played exceptional. Offensive linemen don’t always get the praise they deserve. Without them, NOTHING goes right!
- Watson threw five touchdown passes this game. He went 16/20 for 239 yards, NO sacks and NO interceptions! The touchdown pass he threw to DeAndre Hopkins came on a misdirection play action pass. Maybe O’Brien and Watson have recaptured their juju from last season.
The Bad
-The Dolphins were able to run at J.J. Watt’s side effectively. This is becoming a common theme for Texan opponents. Troy Aikman made the comment during the broadcast, but this is something some have known for a while. He sets up and rushes way too wide which creates a lane.
-Whitney Mercilus continues to show up…on milk cartons. At one point in the third quarter, his only stat was a quarterback hit. He ended up posting an assist on a tackle to add to his QB hit. I’m convinced I can wear his jersey and be more productive. I’ll need a tan and add about 20 pounds, but should be just as productive.
-Devante Parker torched the Texans’ secondary for six catches and 134 yards. This type of production came from a guy who has only been active in three games this year and was the subject of trade rumors!
The Ugly
-The refs made an appearance, which is never good. Dolphins got their first score on a phantom contact to the head penalty. It took a field goal off the board, moved the ball to the 12 yard line, and allowed a slight momentum shift. Did I mention the back to back penalties on both teams following opening kickoff and re-kick, or the penalty before the half that caused the teams to come back to the field to run another play?
-Jonathan Joseph went down with a leg injury after Jadeveon Clowney’s leg whipped into his. Zach Cunninham also limped off with a knee injury. Depth is becoming an issue for this team midway through the season.
-The defense gave up 125 yards rushing on 25 carries for 4.6 yards per carry average. Good thing the offense didn’t turn the ball over or else this number would have looked worse. A division-leading team expected to make the playoffs cannot give up 4.6 yards per carry and expect to make a run in the playoffs.
5-3, leading the AFC South, and riding a five game win streak sounds good. But this team needs to keep improving upon their weaknesses and relying on their strengths if they expect to be taken seriously. This was their first dominant win of the season, and there were still some areas in which to be concerned. They can take a page from another local team and choose to #NeverSettle if they want to make a run.
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Justin Verlander gave up three runs in six innings for his 262nd victory and the AL West champion Houston Astros beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Saturday night.
Verlander (5-6), who gave up seven hits and struck out five without a walk, won for the second time in three starts and lowered his ERA to 5.48. It was the longest outing since May 29 for the right-hander, who missed two months with neck discomfort.
“I worked hard for this and it was probably the best I’ve felt since coming back,” the likely Hall of Famer said. “I’m realistic. I know I haven’t been as sharp as I need to be, but I feel like I’m inching in the right direction.”
José Ramírez hit his 39th homer and drove in three runs for the AL Central champion Guardians, moving within one home run of becoming the seventh player in major league history with 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season. He already has 41 steals this season.
“Ramírez is such an incredible hitter, you’ve got to tip your hat to him,” said Verlander, who is 24-24 with a 4.42 ERA in 57 career starts against Cleveland. “It wasn’t a bad pitch and he hit it out. It’s impressive.”
The Guardians’ defeat clinched home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs for the New York Yankees, who lost to the Pirates 9-4. Both teams have first-round byes.
Shawn Dubin worked a scoreless ninth for his second save. Houston will host either Detroit or Kansas City in the best-of-three AL Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday.
The 41-year-old Verlander ranks 40th in career victories and would be part of the rotation if he is chosen for Houston’s postseason roster, manager Joe Espada said.
“There was a real intention there tonight to show he can really deliver — and he did,” Espada said. “He threw the ball really, really well and even got to 97 (mph) to Ramírez.”
Verlander said he has not been told if he will be in uniform for the start of the playoffs.
“I don’t know, that’s a conversation with Joe that I’m sure we’ll have,” he said.
Zach Dezenzo had an RBI single in the first and Jon Singleton walked with the bases loaded during Houston’s three-run second inning. A throwing error by Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio plated the final two runs.
Ramírez hit a two-run homer in the first and had a sacrifice fly in the third. The six-time All-Star third baseman doubled in the eighth for his 1,500th career hit.
“It’s been an unbelievable year to watch Josey, so much fun,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “It will be fun to see what happens tomorrow.”
Guardians starter Ben Lively (13-10) pitched four innings, giving up two earned and two unearned runs.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: OF Yordan Alvarez (right knee sprain) has been fitted with a brace and could resume baseball activities Sunday. Alvarez last appeared in a game on Sept. 22.
Guardians: RHP Alex Cobb (right third finger blister) reported no issues after a bullpen session at Progressive Field. He is scheduled to throw a simulated game Sunday.
UP NEXT
Astros RHP Ryan Gusto is likely to be promoted from the taxi squad and make his major league debut in the regular-season finale. Guardians RHP Gavin Williams (3-10, 4.86 ERA) will work as the bulk reliever behind RHP Nick Sandlin.