Texans-Jags grudge match countdown: implications, standings, and statement performances
DIVISION ON THE LINE
21 November 2023
After weeks of looking ahead to the Texans' second matchup with the Jaguars, the exact scenario Houston fans were hoping for has come to fruition.
If the Texans can beat the Jags at NRG this Sunday, they will vault to the top of the division, and be in control of their own destiny as they head toward the playoffs.
What a wild season it has been. So who has the advantage in this game? Vegas has the Jaguars as 1.5 point favorites, even though the game is in Houston.
The Jags are coming off a convincing victory over the Titans, but were hammered the previous week by the 49ers. When we look at the matchups the Texans can exploit, attacking Jacksonville through the air looks like the way to go.
They are 4th overall in rushing yards against this season, so don't expect Devin Singletary to have his third straight game with over 100 rushing yards. The Jaguars defense only allows 87 yards per game on average.
They're 26th in the league when it comes to sacks, so CJ Stroud should have some time to operate in the passing game. And while yards should be fairly easy to come by in the air, Stroud will have to be careful when it comes to interceptions. Not only because he threw 3 of them against Arizona, but also because the Jags have the 4th-most interceptions in the league.
The other big factor to watch for in this game involves reputation. Stroud and the Texans have already beaten Jacksonville handily this year, winning by 20 points. If the Texans can beat them again and be in position to go from worst to first in the division, it will be clear that the Texans have the best QB in the AFC South.
And the MVP talk about CJ Stroud will gain even more momentum.
Don't miss the video above as we discuss all the angles in this division-deciding matchup between Houston and Jacksonville.
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Jose Altuve's 40th four-hit game included a pair of home runs and the Houston Astros rolled to an 11-1 win on Tuesday night that dealt the Athletics their 12th loss in 13 games.
Altuve singled on the first inning, homered leading off a three-run third and hit a two-run drive in the fourth, getting his 13th career multihomer game with his eighth home run this season. He singled the sixth ahead of Christian Walker’s homer.
Altuve, who matched his career high for hits, was pinch hit for in the eighth.
Jeremy Pena’s two-run home run capped a four-run second inning.
The A's have been outscored 100-41 during their skid, which they ended with a 5-4 win over Philadelphia on Sunday.
Hunter Brown (7-3) allowed one run and six hits in six innings, including Lawrence Butler's leadoff homer in the fourth.
JP Sears (4-5) gave up nine runs and 10 hits, both career highs, in 3 1/3 innings. He has allowed seven homers, 15 runs and 17 hits over 8 1/3 innings in his last two starts, raising his ERA to 5.18.
Before the game the A's made four roster moves, putting 22-year-old first baseman Nick Kurtz on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Sunday. They A's acquired left-hander Sean Newcomb from Boston for cash.
Key moment
When left fielder Tyler Soderstrom couldn't come up with a diving catch on a liner from Chas McCormick with two outs in the second, Yainer Diaz scored from first. Mauricio Dubón followed with an RBI double and Peña homered.
Key stat
Denzel Clarke and Drew Avens got their first major league hits for the A's.
Up next
A's RHP Luis Severino (1-4, 4.11 ERA) and Astros RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (0-1, 6.57 ERA) start Wednesday.
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