TEXANS VS. FALCONS
How Houston Texans can keep victory train rolling against Falcons
Oct 6, 2023, 3:56 pm
Composite Getty Image.
What: Texans vs. Falcons
When: 10/8, 12pm CST kickoff
Where: Atlanta, GA Mercedes-Benz Stadium
TV/Radio: KRIV-TV, KILT-Radio
Betting Lines: Falcons -1.5 (-110), O/U 41.5 (-110) *As of this writing
At 2-2 with both wins being impressive, the Texans are turning the corner. The Falcons have the exact same record, but they aren't seen as a team on the rise for some reason. Quarterback play, and potential, have a lot to do with that outlook. So does faith in the front office and coaching staff. Where the Texans are solid with their head coach and general manager, the Falcons aren't. Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith were hired as GM and head coach in 2021. Entering their third season together, Smith looks incompetent and Fontenot seems a bit shaky. Drafting Kyle Pitts, but not being able to figure out how to use him is egregious. The Texans, so far, have seemed to hit on their last draft class, but their 2022 class is disappointing at the top. There's still time for both teams to prove their worth, but the Texans have a leg up on the Falcons. (cough cough...C.J. Stroud)
When the Falcons have the ball: The Texans run defense this year has been okay at best. They rank 18th in yards allowed per game this season (116.5). The Falcons average 128 per game on the ground, ranking 12th in the league. Having Maliek Collins (abdomen) back this week should help. So should having Denzel Perryman (hand) back. Both guys will be key to stopping Bijan Robinson. He's averaging six yards a carry this season. Their offense revolves around him. While he only gets 18 touches per game, a lot of their offense is predicated on what he brings to the table. Desmond Ridder is very average at quarterback. His 62.2 completion percentage along with a 1:1 touchdown to interception ratio this season speaks to that assessment. Nothing jumps out for him so far in the league. The Texans defense should have a field day in passing situations. Look for Will Anderson Jr. and company to tee off on Ridder.
When the Texans have the ball: Getting Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard back will be HUGE! With Kendrick Green going on IR, Howard will be playing left guard this week. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said this move is about getting the five best guys out there this week. Stroud has been able to navigate the loss of practically all his starting offensive lineman (at one point or another) fairly well this season. Having those guys back should only make him better. That's a scary thought considering the pace he's currently on. He's averaging over 300 yards passing a game this season. The Falcons are giving up less than 200 yards per game through the air. That is where this game will be won. If the Texans can continue their blistering pace passing the ball, the Falcons will have a hard time winning this game.
Friday’s Injury Report for #HOUvsATL ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Oy38NCVCOD
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 6, 2023
Outcome: When I said these teams are headed in different directions, it meant more than just recent history. The Texans lost their first two games, and won their next two. The Falcons won their first two, and dropped their next two. I expect that trend to continue this week. The Falcons don't have the ability to shut down the Texans pass game. In their two losses, Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence combined to go 45/63 (71.4%) for 450 yards, two touchdowns and one pick. I see Stroud more on par with them than with Bryce Young and Jordan Love, the guys they beat in their first two games. Take the Texans and the points, money line, and the under: Texans 23, Falcons 13
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After dropping a frustrating series to the Chicago White Sox, the Houston Astros find themselves in a familiar position—searching for answers, but still within striking distance. Despite their inconsistency, Houston sits just three games behind the AL West-leading Mariners, who are currently 7 games over .500 and riding an 8-2 stretch. For as up-and-down as the Astros have been, the division remains tantalizingly close.
That inconsistency was on full display throughout the White Sox series. Jake Meyers and Zach Dezenzo each played the roles of both hero and heartbreaker. Dezenzo launched a massive home run in Game 3, a moment that energized the dugout and briefly shifted momentum. But his costly defensive error later in the game flipped the script. Meyers was a spark plug in Houston’s lone win, delivering a clutch performance at the plate, only to run the team out of a rally in the finale when he was picked off second—right before Jeremy Peña ripped what would have been an RBI single.
Jose Altuve’s struggles are quietly becoming more worrisome. He’s recorded just one multi-hit game since April 19 and has only one homer since April 8. On Sunday, he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had grinded through a 33-pitch inning—a decision that raised questions about his awareness in a veteran moment. Should manager Joe Espada have reminded Altuve of the situation? Or is this on Altuve, who should have known what to do as one of the team leaders?
Signs of life
There are flickers of life from the bats. Last week, Houston's team OPS was an underwhelming .667 (23rd in MLB), with a slugging percentage of .357 (25th). They've nudged those numbers up to .684 (19th) and .370 (21st), respectively. It’s modest progress, but enough to suggest this offense might be trending in the right direction. Still, their 5-5 record over the last 10 games feels emblematic of who they are right now—a .500 team with both talent and flaws.
Looking ahead
The upcoming schedule could be a turning point. Three of the next five opponents have losing records, and none of them are elite. This stretch offers a prime opportunity for Houston to finally build momentum and close the gap in the division—assuming the Mariners cool off from their current tear, which seems inevitable given their unsustainable 8-2 pace.
McCullers is officially back!
Lance McCullers returned for the first time since 2022 and, despite being limited to 3.2 innings due to command issues (three walks and a hit batter), there were encouraging signs. His velocity was there, and the stuff looked sharp. It’s a start, and perhaps a step toward stabilizing a rotation that still needs length.
Steering the ship
Manager Joe Espada, however, continues to draw scrutiny. His decision-making in the finale raised eyebrows again. Giving Isaac Paredes a day off when Yordan Alvarez was already sitting left the lineup depleted. Rather than using promising young infielder/outfielder Cam Smith, he opted for Mauricio Dubón and Brendan Rodgers—a defensive combo that didn't inspire confidence. It feels at times like Espada isn’t prioritizing winning the final game of a series, a pattern that could haunt the team down the stretch.
The plot thickens
Meanwhile, Christian Walker’s slump is dragging on. He went 0-for-5 twice in the last two series and looks out of sync at the plate. The Astros need more from their power hitters if they hope to make a real run. And with Alvarez now heading to the IL with hand inflammation, runs will be even harder to come by.
All told, this team still feels like one hovering just above or below .500. But in a division that remains wide open, the path forward is clear: play better, hope the Mariners come back to earth, and capitalize on a soft schedule. The race is far from over—but it’s time for Houston to start acting like contenders.
We have so much more to discuss. 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!
*ChatGPT assisted.
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