Houston Texans bet big, silenced critics, and here's the proof

THE REBUILD IS OVER

Coming into the season with a rookie quarterback, there was a lot of optimism for the Texans and the future at the position. And with a legit head coach in DeMeco Ryans, most believed the team would be back on track sooner rather than later.

However, we didn't expect the turnaround to happen this quickly. In fact, when looking at the draft order for next season, the Texans' 2024 first round pick that was sent to the Cardinals isn't even in the Top 10.

Screenshot via: FS1.

Many were critical that trading the Texans pick over Cleveland's was a huge mistake. It's early, but it doesn't look like Houston game up a Top 3 pick like many projected.

Plus, you can already make the argument that CJ Stroud is a Top 10 QB based on his stats through 4 games. And the Texans are tied for the best record in the AFC South after hammering the Jaguars and Steelers in back to back weeks.

With all this in mind, can we say that the Texans rebuild is officially over?

Be sure to watch the video above as we break it all down.

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

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The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

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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