Crucial matchups Houston Texans must capitalize on to neutralize mighty Bills
TEXANS ON TAP
03 October 2024
The Texans host the Bills this Sunday. Composite Getty Image.
Coming off a thrilling comeback victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, the Houston Texans prepare to host Josh Allen and the Bills this weekend.
On offense, the Texans could really use some contributions from players not named CJ Stroud, Nico Collins, and Stefon Diggs. Fortunately for the Texans, Tank Dell is expected to return from a chest injury this week, that kept him sidelined against the Jags.
Getting the tight ends and running backs involved in the passing game would also go a long way against a defense as stout as the Bills'.
Speaking of running backs, Houston may have to rely on Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbuwale again this week, as Joe Mixon and Damien Pierce still haven't returned to practice.
Houston #Texans Thursday Injury Report for Week 5 vs. the Buffalo Bills: pic.twitter.com/wmcDnMcSeG
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) October 3, 2024
Another area the team will look to clean up for the third straight week is penalties. They are dead last in the NFL, having committed 40 penalties through just four games.
Another way the Texans can get the offense going is by being more effective on early downs. They are currently in the bottom five in success rate and EPA (expected points added) per play on early downs.
They are relying on Stroud and Collins to save the day way too often on 3rd and long.
Texans defense
The defense will have their hands full with superstar QB Josh Allen. If they play like they did last week against a QB of Allen's caliber, it's highly unlikely they come away with a win.
Corner Kamari Lassiter was beat several times over the top against the Jags, but fortunately for him, Trevor Lawrence wasn't able to connect, overthrowing his receivers multiple times.
Tight end Dalton Kincaid will present a challenge for this Texans defense as well. He's an athletic playmaker that Allen will look to target frequently. Especially if his top receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) is unable to play.
X-factors
Outside of last week's loss to the Ravens, Buffalo has scored at least 31 points in every game. The Texans' offense will need to put some points on the board if they expect to win this week.
Stefon Diggs is once again playing against his former team. He'll want to perform well in what sets up to be a revenge game.
What does Vegas think?
The Bills are favored by a point, with the total sitting at 47.5 points.
There's so much more to get to, including our predictions for the game and much more. Be sure to watch the video above for the full preview of Bills vs. Texans!
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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