How Texans' tactical edge over Browns could illuminate playoff blueprint
TEXANS ON TAP
19 December 2023
The Houston Texans came away with a huge victory over the Titans on Sunday, and now set their sights on the Cleveland Browns, who come to Houston for an epic clash on Christmas Eve.
This game has massive playoff implications for both teams, as the Texans are on the bubble with the 8-seed (8-6), and the Browns currently hold a wild card spot as the 5 seed (9-5).
Both teams have been forced to play backup quarterbacks this season, and Joe Flacco has done a nice job, going 2-1 in his starts for Cleveland with Deshaun Watson out for the year. The Texans, on the other hand, hope to get rookie phenom CJ Stroud back this week, who's been in concussion protocol.
Speaking of Stroud, he will have his hands full dealing with the Browns' stout defense. Cleveland is first in yards against per game, as well as first in passing yards against. That's why getting receiver Nico Collins back from a calf injury could have a big impact on the outcome of the game. He appeared close to returning last week when he was working out before the game.
While the Browns are elite at stopping the pass, they're good against the run too. They're currently 11th in rushing yards against per game (102.21).
Texans running back Devin Singletary appears to have finally taken hold of the starting job, and his big catch and run in overtime helped secure the win for Houston on Sunday.
His use in the passing game appears to be increasing as well, he caught 4 passes for 49 yards against the Titans. This is an element of the offense that hasn't been utilized as much as we expected. Especially considering the Texans injuries at receiver. Checking passes down to the running back is a low risk way to pick up yards, and help a struggling running game (currently ranked 22nd).
What about the defense?
Jonathan Greenard has been a menace for opposing offensive linemen, he notched two more sacks last week and currently has 12.5 on the season. He'll have plenty of opportunities to add to that total this weekend with Joe Flacco flinging the ball all over the yard. He hasn't thrown less than 44 passes in all 3 of his starts.
What does Vegas think?
As of this writing, the Texans are 2.5 point home favorites and the point total is set at 42.5. We'll see if that changes once Stroud's status is revealed.
Don't miss the video above as we share our early preview of the matchup, predictions for the game, and much more!
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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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