How Houston Texans can let CJ Stroud cook without getting burned
PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT
10 October 2023
CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans passing game has been a pleasant surprise after 5 weeks into the 2023 season. Stroud is currently third in the NFL in passing yards, and looks impressive on a weekly basis.
However, the running game has been a constant issue this season, with the team unable to move the ball efficiently on the ground. Considering the team's success with the passing game, should the team abandon their self-proclaimed run-first mentality and let Stroud “cook” through the air?
Also, with so much money spent on the offensive line, why can't the Texans run the ball with any success? Do we need to be patient, and let the linemen returning from injury develop chemistry? Are the running backs capitalizing on the blocking in front of them?
Head coach DeMeco Ryans said at his Monday presser that he thinks the o-line did a great job of run blocking against Atlanta. But it didn't look like there was much room to run, and several running plays were blown up in the backfield, even when running sweep plays to Tank Dell.
So how should the Texans proceed?
Be sure to watch the video above as we break it all down!
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Presented by Coors Light.
Hunter Brown pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning, and the Houston Astros beat the slumping Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday night.
Brown (6-1) struck out nine, matching his season high for the fourth straight start. The right-hander also issued a season-high four walks in his fifth consecutive win.
Brown departed after Gavin Lux walked with two out in the sixth. Kaleb Ort got Spencer Steer to bounce into a forceout at second.
Josh Hader handled the ninth for his ninth save.
Cincinnati finished with four hits in its sixth loss in seven games.
Reds right-hander Nick Martinez (1-4) surrendered 10 hits and three runs in six innings. He struck out five and walked none.
Zach Dezenzo hit a two-out RBI single in the second, and the Astros added two more runs in the fifth.
Mauricio Dubón followed Brendan Rodgers’ leadoff double with a chopper past third baseman Santiago Espinal, moving Rodgers to third. Jeremy Peña drove in Rodgers with a groundout to second, and Isaac Paredes doubled home Dubón with two down.
Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Diaz each had two hits for the Astros.
Cincinnati's Austin Hays returned from the injured list after missing 10 games with a left hamstring strain. He went 1 for 4.
Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was scratched due to left calf tenderness after missing the last two games.
Key moment
Tyler Stephenson hit a one-out double for Cincinnati in the ninth. But Hader struck out Rece Hinds and Espinal, ending the game.
Key stat
It was Houston's first win against the Reds since June 19, 2016, ending a nine-game skid.
Up next
Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the season and first home start since October 3, 2022, against Reds right-hander Brady Singer (4-2 3.66 ERA) on Saturday night.
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