How these X-factors could tilt Browns-Texans playoff matchup in Houston's favor
TEXANS ON TAP
10 January 2024
As the Houston Texans prepare to host the Cleveland Browns in Saturday's Wild Card matchup, there are some key matchups that could swing this game in the Texans' direction.
The Browns struggled mightily to get anything going on the ground in their first matchup against Houston. However, after the Texans struggled to contain Jonathan Taylor last week, you have to think Cleveland will see some opportunities to get their run game going this time around.
And one of the reasons for that revolves around one of the biggest strengths of their team. Time of possession. The Browns lead the league in this category, and if they get the rushing attack going, they can keep the ball out of CJ Stroud's hands.
Cleveland also leads the league in passing yards against and total yards against. Stroud didn't play in the first matchup between these two teams, so a lot of what happened a few weeks ago can be thrown out the window. But there's no way around it, moving the ball against the Cleveland defense is the toughest challenge in the NFL, especially through the air.
With that in mind, the health of Houston's receivers will be paramount in this game. After Nico Collins' massive showing (9 rec, 195 yards, 1TD) against the Colts, the Browns will do everything they can to keep him from wrecking the game. The Texans can't have another performance like last week, when no receiver other than Collins had more than 10 yards receiving.
The good news for Houston fans is that Robert Woods was back at practice on Wednesday, and hopefully Noah Brown is able to return to practice later this week and play on Saturday. Both players missed the Colts game.
Dalton Schultz led the Texans in receiving yards in the first game against Cleveland, that can't happen this time around if the Texans expect to win.
Texans defense
Not only was CJ Stroud missing from the Browns game a few weeks ago, but so were Will Anderson and Jonathan Greenard (left early, ankle). Not to mention Sheldon Rankins. Upon further review, he did play in the game, but you've wouldn't have known it from the stat sheet with zero tackles, zero QB hits, zero assists, and zero sacks. It's fair to assume he received some extra attention with Anderson and Greenard out.
Players at Texans practice
Will Anderson
Maliek Collins
Jonathan Greenard
Shaq Mason
Sheldon Rankins
Laremy Tunsil
Robert Woods
Team getting healthier at the right time
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) January 10, 2024
While the Texans listed Greenard and Anderson as not participating in practice on Wednesday, it's good news that they were in attendance. Joe Flacco has a thrown an interception in every game he's played this season, with 2 against Houston, and 3 against the Bears.
Getting some pressure from the Texans d-line could help force some turnovers on Saturday. Plus, Amari Cooper went bananas against Houston's secondary recently (11 catches, 265 yards, 2TDs). Limiting the amount of time Flacco has to throw could greatly help the Texans corners.
So who comes out on top in this Wild Card matchup?
Don't miss the video above for our early preview, and our predictions for the game.
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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