How the Houston Texans can bounce back in a big way against the Colts

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After dropping the opener to the Ravens on Sunday, the Texans welcome rookie QB Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts to Houston for the first divisional game of the season.

The Texans beat the Colts in the finale last year, and tied with the Colts in the first game of the season in 2022. So this is a team the Texans have a real chance at beating.

Vegas has the Texans as 1-point favorites at home, and we expect to see some improvement from CJ Stroud against the Colts' underwhelming pass defense. And this year they're without star cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who was traded to the Cowboys in the offseason.

Indianapolis lost to the Jaguars last week, but Richardson looked pretty good in his debut, scoring two touchdowns in the defeat.

CJ Stroud should have more time to get the ball out this Sunday, which will hopefully lead to more aggressive throws downfield, as Stroud only threw one pass that traveled 20 yards or more against Baltimore.

But he did record 28 completions, which ties him with Trevor Lawrence for the 4th most completions in an NFL debut, per NFL Rookie Watch.

Taking some shots downfield should also loosen things up for Dameon Pierce and the Texans running game. Pierce clearly needs to be more involved, having only 13 total touches last week.

Make sure you watch the video above for the full Texans-Colts preview!

Don't miss Texans on Tap (a Texans podcast) every Monday on SportsMap Texans' YouTube channel!


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The Astros beat the A's 13-3. Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images.

Cam Smith hit two of Houston's five home runs and finished with four hits as the Astros routed the Athletics 13-3 on Tuesday night to halt their four-game winning streak.

Jason Alexander, claimed off waivers from the Athletics last month, pitched six shutout innings for Houston before tiring in the seventh. Mauricio Dubón, Christian Walker and Cooper Hummel also homered for the Astros.

Smith and Dubón went back-to-back in the fourth.

Smith connected for leadoff shots in the second and fourth. He drove in three runs and scored three times. The 22-year-old rookie has five major league homers — and two multihomer games.

Dubón followed Smith's second home run with his second this season for a 5-0 lead against A's starter JP Sears, who walked the bases loaded in the first before giving up a two-run single to Jake Meyers.

Smith finished off his first four-hit game with an RBI double in the eighth.

Alexander (1-0) threw a season-high 95 pitches in his 12th career start and first since Sept. 18, 2022, with Milwaukee. He allowed three runs — two earned — and three hits.

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