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.
If you enjoy the videos, be sure to watch Texans on Tap (a Texans podcast) every Monday on the SportsMap Texans YouTube channel.
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.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
