How Super Bowl LVIII highlighted critical lessons for Houston Texans coaches, players
TEXANS ON TAP
14 February 2024
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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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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