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How Super Bowl LVIII highlighted critical lessons for Houston Texans coaches, players
Feb 13, 2024, 7:33 pm
Super Bowl LVIII highlighted CRITICAL lessons for Houston Texans coaches, players
Watching the Chiefs square off in the Super Bowl against the 49ers had a different feel when viewed through the eyes of a Houston Texans fan.
The 49ers connection is very apparent, with head coach DeMeco Ryans and OC Bobby Slowik coming over from San Francisco just last year. Seeing the Texans improve drastically on defense this season, should give Houston fans hope that they could watch their team in The Big Game in the not too distant future.
The 49ers may have lost the game, but they did hold Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to under 20 points before the game went to overtime. So the defense did their part.
On offense, it's hard not to see a little Patrick Mahomes in CJ Stroud's game. What really stood out to us was how the Texans could someday become a perfect blend of the 49ers and Chiefs. An elite QB surrounded by a top-notch defense.
Another area we can look at is special teams. The 49ers hurt themselves a couple of times on Sunday when kicker Jake Moody had an extra-point blocked, and they turned the ball over later in the game on punt coverage. The latter mistake was the main reason the Chiefs were able to score their first touchdown of the game, as it gave them excellent field position.
The Texans have some big decisions to make when it comes to special teams this offseason. Both kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn and punter Cam Johnston are free agents. Fairbairn missed two critical kicks at the end of the season. An extra point against the Colts in the final game of the regular season, and a field goal that would have given Houston the lead before half-time against the Ravens in the divisional playoff round. Something they should consider before offering him a contract.
Finally, we can't overstate how important a good tight end can be in big games. Both Mahomes and Tom Brady built their dynasties throwing to great tight ends, Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski.
Texans TE Dalton Schultz is currently a free agent. And while he doesn't compare to those future Hall of Famers, he's the best option available in free agency. Even if they decide not to bring him back, clearly this is a position Houston should prioritize.
Be sure to check out the video above as we discuss these critical lessons learned, and much more!
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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.