Silver linings: How struggles against Colts reveal true strength of Texans offense
GAME ON!
18 September 2023
GAME ON!
The Houston Texans home opener against the Colts didn't go exactly liked we hoped, with the team falling behind early and eventually losing, 31-20.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans and his defense had no answers for the Colts offense, even after Indy was forced to go to their backup QB Gardner Minshew, after Anthony Richardson suffered a concussion.
While there's plenty of time to get things on track, there's no arguing that Lovie Smith's Texans defense last season, got off to a much better start, limiting the Colts to 20 points, and the Broncos to 16 points. DeMeco's new-look defense gave up 25 to the Ravens, and 31 to the Colts.
Last year's team also managed to avoid an 0-2 start, tying the Colts 20-20 in Week 1.
However, the Texans passing offense showed a lot of potential, with CJ Stroud throwing for 384 yards and 2 TDs. Houston had three different receivers record over 70 yards, with Nico Collins leading the way with 7 catches for 146 yards.
No matter how determined OC Bobby Slowik was to establish the run on Sunday, it just didn't happen. Dameon Pierce led the team in rushing with 31 yards on 15 carries. And with a WHOPPING 4 backups starting on the offensive line, Slowik would have been better off ditching the ground game sooner. Especially with the team trailing by multiple scores for most of the game.
The coaching has to be the biggest area of concern moving forward, but CJ Stroud provided a silver lining Houston fans should be excited about. It's early, but it looks like the Texans found themselves a QB, and potentially, a high-powered offense to root for on Sundays.
Be sure to watch the video above for the full discussion!
If you enjoy the Texans content, subscribe to SportsMap Texans on YouTube for our latest videos!
The Houston Astros didn’t just sweep the Philadelphia Phillies. They sent a message.
In three tightly contested games against one of the best teams in baseball, the Astros leaned on their elite pitching and timely offense to secure a statement sweep. Hunter Brown was electric in the finale, shutting down the Phillies’ lineup and showing the kind of dominance that’s become a defining feature of his game. Bryan Abreu slammed the door with four strikeouts to close out the win, and rookie Cam Smith delivered the deciding blow — an RBI single in the eighth to drive in Isaac Paredes, lifting the Astros to a 2-1 victory.
It wasn’t a series filled with offensive fireworks, but that’s exactly the point. Both teams sent out top-tier pitching throughout the series, and Houston was the team that kept finding a way. For much of the season, the Astros’ inconsistent offense might’ve been a concern in a series like this. But this time, it felt different. The bats showed up just enough, and the pitching did the rest.
Now, with Houston on pace for 96 wins at the halfway point, the question becomes: Is the league officially on notice?
Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is certain, the Astros have the third-best record in baseball, they’re 17-7 in one-run games, and they’re playing with the kind of rhythm that’s defined their near-decade of dominance. Unlike last year’s uneven campaign, this version of the Astros looks like a team that’s rediscovered its edge. Whether or not they need to take care of business against the Cubs to validate it, their recent run leaves little doubt: when Houston is clicking, there are very few teams built to stop them.
Off the field, however, a bit of long-term uncertainty is starting to creep in. Reports surfaced this week that extension talks with shortstop Jeremy Peña have been put on hold as he recently signed with super-agent Scott Boras. The combination has led many to wonder if Peña might follow the same free-agent path as Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, and others before him. Boras clients rarely settle early, and Peña, now one of the most valuable shortstops in the game, could command a price tag the Astros have historically avoided paying.
If Peña and even Hunter Brown are likely to get priced out of Houston, the front office may need to pivot. Isaac Paredes could be the most logical extension candidate on the roster. His approach — particularly his ability to pull the ball with authority — is tailor-made for Daikin Park and the Crawford Boxes. Last year, Paredes struggled to leave the yard at Wrigley Field, but in Houston, he’s thriving. Locking him in long term would give the Astros offensive stability and the kind of value they’ve typically targeted.
As for Cam Smith, the breakout rookie is far from free agency and will remain a cost-controlled piece for years. That’s exactly why his contributions now, like his clutch eighth-inning knock to beat Philadelphia, matter so much. He's one more reason why the Astros don’t just look good right now. They look dangerous.
And the rest of the league is starting to feel it.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
___________________________
*ChatGPT assisted.
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!