How Houston Texans look to extend streak against flailing Falcons
LET'S GO STREAKING!
03 October 2023
After dominating the Steelers at NRG this past Sunday, the Houston Texans turn their attention to Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons.
The Texans and Falcons both have the same record sitting at 2-2, but the Texans version of 2-2 feels much different. Houston is improving each week with an impressive rookie QB, while Atlanta has dropped their last two games to the Lions and Jaguars.
What's more concerning is the Falcons offense. They have some talented skill players with Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. But the quarterback play from Desmond Ridder has been underwhelming, and fans are starting to question if the team needs to begin searching for another QB.
In the meantime, if Ridder has serious struggles again on Sunday, you have to wonder if the team will make the switch to backup QB Taylor Heinicke. Ridder and the Falcons have only scored 13 combined points over the last two games.
For the Texans, Steven Nelson has been terrific at corner, so we expect him to continue his productive level of play against Atlanta's top receiver, London.
The Texans have had their issues defending the run game over the last several seasons, so keeping Robinson in check should be the team's top priority.
And what else is there to say about CJ Stroud? He has been impressive to say the least, and with OC Bobby Slowik allowing Stroud to continue pushing the ball downfield even with a lead, shows you how much he trusts his rookie QB.
Currently the Falcons are favored by two points at home this Sunday, but we wouldn't be surprised to see the Texans win as an underdog once again this week.
Houston could get a big boost to the offensive line with Tytus Howard set to come off IR and Juice Scruggs not far behind.
Be sure to watch the video above for the full early preview of Texans-Falcons.
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Victor Caratini tied it with a sacrifice fly in the ninth and Mauricio Dubón hit a walk-off single in the 10th on Sunday to help the Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 to sweep the three-game series.
All-Star Energy. #VoteDubi x https://t.co/W06pfHQMR1 pic.twitter.com/5oiCa9GrRC
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 15, 2025
Jake Meyers started at second base in the 10th and scored on Dubón's two-out single to left field.
Astros starter Brandon Walter gave up a run on six hits with nine strikeouts across 6 2/3 innings. Shawn Dubin, Bennett Sousa and Josh Hader (4-0) combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.
Walter has allowed three earned runs across 17 2/3 innings in three starts this season.
Minnesota’s Brooks Lee led off the third inning with a home run.
Jose Altuve was hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh but Caratini grounded into a 4-6-3 double play before Meyers grounded out.
Cole Sands (3-3) took the loss.
Key moment
Jeremy Peña drew a leadoff walk in the ninth and stole second. Peña moved to third when Altuve singled and then scored on Caratini's sacrifice fly off Jhoan Duran to make it 1-1 and force extra innings.
Key stat
The Astros, who beat the Twins 3-2 on Cam Smith’s walk-off single in the ninth on Saturday, have won five in a row and 16 of their last 22 to take a five-game lead over second-place Seattle in the AL West.
Up next
Houston's Lance McCullers Jr. (1-2, 4.91 ERA) takes the mound Monday to open a four-game series with the Athletics, who have not announced a starter. Minnesota is off until Tuesday when David Festa (1-1, 4.76) is scheduled to start against Cincinnati's Andrew Abbott (6-1, 1.87) to open a three-game set.
