Here’s why we’re not buying national media’s “expectations” for Houston Texans
NOT BUYING IT
11 April 2024
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.
If you enjoy the videos, subscribe to SportsMapTexans on YouTube for our latest content!
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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