Why Texans first battle of the draft picks means much more than initially thought

TEXANS ON TAP

Coming off a huge win over the Saints, the Texans went into the off week with some important things to improve on. Sacking the quarterback has to be a main focus against Bryce Young and the Panthers, with Houston currently dead last in sacks with 8.

On offense, the Texans will look to improve their rushing attack, and this is the perfect spot to do it. The Panthers are second to last in rushing yards allowed per game (144 yards) and that makes sense considering the Panthers have also surrendered the second most points allowed per game (31ppg).

It will be interesting to see if Devon Singletary continues to get more touches, or if the team commits to Dameon Pierce in a tantalizing matchup.

What does Vegas think?

Houston is favored by 3 points on the road, so they're expected to come away with a victory in a matchup between the top 2 QBs in the 2023 draft.

One thing to keep in mind, the Panthers' poor numbers on defense are a bit skewed, as they were torched by the Dolphins and Lions (allowing 42 points in both games) before they hit the off week. Either way, the team is 0-6 so, a loss to the Panthers would be a big disappointment to Texans fans.

Be sure to watch the video for the full preview of Texans vs. Panthers!

If you enjoy the videos, subscribe to SportsMap Texans on YouTube for our latest content.

Most Popular

The Astros beat the Rockies, 6-5. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images.

Victor Caratini hit his third career grand slam, Christian Walker went 3 for 4 with an RBI and the Houston Astros beat the Colorado Rockies 6-5 on Tuesday night.

The Astros have won seven of eight and 15 of their last 19 games.

The Rockies have lost nine of 11 following their first four-game winning streak, falling to a major league-worst 19-66. Colorado’s losses are tied for the most by a major league team in the modern era through the first 85 games.

The Rockies are 8-33 at Coors Field, tied with the 2003 Tigers for the worst start through the first 41 home games of a season in the modern era.

Caratini’s homer in the third gave Houston a 6-1 lead.

Houston reliever Bennett Sousa (2-0) kept Colorado scoreless in the sixth and Bryan Abreu struck out the side in the eighth. Josh Hader added two strikeouts in the ninth to improve to 24 for 24 in save chances — the longest perfect streak in club history to open a season.

Colorado rookie Chase Dollander (2-9) allowed six earned runs in 2 2/3 innings, his shortest start of the season.

Hunter Goodman hit solo homers in the first and ninth innings for his fifth career two-homer game.

Colorado's Jordan Beck had his first career five-hit game.

Key moment

Dollander thew the ball into center field on a pickoff attempt with no outs in the third to put runners on first and third. Jake Meyers picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice to give Houston the lead for good at 2-1.

Key stat

Jose Altuve went 0 for 4 to remain one hit shy of tying Jeff Bagwell (2,314) for second place on the Astros career hits list.

Astros manager Joe Espada caught up with MLB.com's Brian McTaggart after the game.

Up next

Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.74 ERA), who has the fourth-lowest ERA through the first 16 starts of a season in Astros history, faces Austin Gomber (0-1, 6.14) on Wednesday.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM