How Super Bowl LVIII highlighted critical lessons for Houston Texans coaches, players
TEXANS ON TAP
14 February 2024
TEXANS ON TAP
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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Christian Walker homered among his three hits and had a season-high four RBIs to lead the Houston Astros over the Chicago White Sox 10-2 on Wednesday night.
ALL-STAR SMASH.#VoteWalker ⭐️ https://t.co/W06pfHQMR1 pic.twitter.com/DDzNOvnsXt
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 12, 2025
Jose Altuve added two hits to give him 2,300 in his career, joining Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (2,342) as the only active players with at least 2,300.
The GOAT with another milestone.
Congrats to Altuve on 2,300 career hits! #VoteAltuve ⭐️ https://t.co/W06pfHRkGz pic.twitter.com/gtaLqdegqM
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 12, 2025
Altuve got things going with an RBI double in the first. There were two outs in the inning when Walker homered to left field off Sean Burke (3-7) to make it 3-0.
Houston starter Ryan Gusto (4-3) allowed seven hits and two runs with a season-best seven strikeouts in a season-high six innings.
Josh Rojas had two hits for the White Sox, who fell to 7-27 on the road.
Altuve singled with two outs in the third before Yainer Diaz walked. Walker then smacked a line drive to center field for a double to score them both and push the lead to 5-0.
There was one out in the fourth when Cam Smith hit a ground-rule double. With two outs, Jeremy Peña doubled on a ball that bounced off the wall in left field to make it 6-0. Isaac Paredes followed with another RBI double to chase Burke, who yielded eight hits and seven runs — both career highs — in 3 2/3 innings.
Rojas singled in the fifth and moved to third on a ground-rule double by Vinny Capra. Rojas scored on a groundout by Mike Tauchman to cut it to 7-1. Miguel Vargas hit an RBI single to make it 7-2.
Paredes had three hits and two RBIs to help the Astros snap a two-game skid.
Walker’s home run that put Houston up 3-0 early.
He talked about his big night following the game.
Christian Walker’s four RBIs were a season-high pic.twitter.com/V2cQWk6pRC
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) June 12, 2025
Walker had just two RBIs in his previous six games.
Houston LHP Framber Valdez (6-4, 3.07 ERA) opposes RHP Davis Martin (2-6, 3.62) when the series concludes Thursday night.