How Texans offense can seize advantages, unlock potential versus desperate Jaguars
TEXANS ON TAP
26 September 2024
TEXANS ON TAP
The Houston Texans host the Jaguars this Sunday, with CJ Stroud and company looking to get back on track after getting pounded by the Vikings last week.
The Jaguars also come into this matchup hungry for a win, having started the season 0-3.
On defense, the Texans will need better production from their interior defensive linemen this week. Houston's defensive tackles rank second to last in the league this year according to PFF, and HC DeMeco Ryans made a point of saying he wants to see some improvement from that group.
Big week coming for Nico Collins?
Collins popped up on the injury report on Thursday with a hamstring issue, but if he's able to play, the matchup for him is fantastic.
Houston #Texans Thursday Injury Report for Week 4 vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars: pic.twitter.com/8RF9BDwhts
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) September 26, 2024
The Jaguars lead the league in using man coverage, and they've employed press coverage over 80% of the time this season. No receiver in the league has better numbers against those coverages than Nico.
Collins leads the NFL in first downs per route run versus man and press coverage.
The Jags are one of two defenses to use press coverage +80% of the time in 2024.
Best WR vs. press coverage?
Nico Collins pic.twitter.com/5VND5PVO4O
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) September 25, 2024
Houston may have to lean on Collins (assuming his hamstring is good) and Stefon Diggs this week, with Tank Dell likely unavailable for the game with an injury to his chest/ribs.
Dell injured himself at the end of the Vikings game on a meaningless drive, with backup QB Davis Mills in for Stroud.
What does Vegas think?
Depending on which sportsbook you're looking at, the Texans are favored by either 6 or 6.5 points.
The total for the game comes in at 45.5.
Be sure to watch the video above as the crew from Texans on Tap covers all the angles in their game breakdown.
Plus, join us on the SportsMapTexans YouTube channel directly following the game as we'll react live to all the action!
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.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
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.