Here’s why we’re not buying national media’s “expectations” for Houston Texans

NOT BUYING IT

Pat McAfee, Texans CJ Stroud, JJ Watt
Will the Texans be able to handle high expectations this season? Composite image by Brandon Strange.

After all the Texans additions this offseason, their position in the NFL power rankings and Super Bowl odds have skyrocketed. With that being the case, the Texans do have detractors.

ESPN's Shannon Sharpe still has the Bills, Chiefs, Ravens, and Dolphins in front of the Texans, and even Houston legend JJ Watt shared some concerns on The Pat McAfee Show.

Basically saying the excitement and expectations have escalated so fast, it's starting to become unrealistic. However, Watt also said the team is “uniquely positioned” to handle the situation with leaders like CJ Stroud and DeMeco Ryans.

However, we don't think expectations being raised will be the reason the Texans don't take a step forward this season. Stroud dealt with high expectations last year, being a serious MVP candidate and front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year for most of the season.

Plus, this team is more talented than the 2023 roster. Even though Houston will have to deal with a tougher schedule in 2024, we believe the Texans have the firepower to succeed.

Speaking of firepower, the addition of Stefon Diggs should give the offense a huge boost. And not just in the passing game. We believe Diggs will improve the running game by just being on the field.

The Texans faced the 6th-highest rate of stacked boxes last year. That's not going to happen this season with Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell on the field at the same time. The addition of Diggs and Joe Mixon should give Stroud something crucial that he didn't have last year to lean on, an effective running game.

Finally, we discuss a recent article on CBS Sports that predicts Diggs will return to his superstar form in 2024. Diggs' numbers took a downturn in Week 10 when the team changed offensive coordinators. After looking at these shocking stats, it's no surprise his numbers took a nosedive after the OC change.

We'll give you a little taste of what we're talking about. “Diggs had just 23 receiving yards on play action in nine games” with OC Joe Brady, compared to 346 yards prior to the OC change.

Play action is one of the things the Texans do best. You know Houston OC Bobby Slowik is going to use play action to get him open downfield. You can take that to the bank.

And that's just one of the many reasons we expect big things from Diggs in 2024. Be sure to watch the video above as we reveal more evidence confirming Diggs will return to form this season.

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Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



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