NOT BUYING IT
Here’s why we’re not buying national media’s “expectations” for Houston Texans
Apr 11, 2024, 6:57 pm
Will the Texans be able to handle high expectations this season? Composite image by Brandon Strange.
macafee stroud watt
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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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.