Critical lessons learned from Texans' frustrating results vs. Panthers
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30 October 2023
Sitting at 3-3, the Houston Texans headed to Carolina looking for their fourth win of the season as three point favorites against the winless Panthers.
Unfortunately for Houston, the team came up short, losing 15-13. Panthers QB Bryce Young outplayed CJ Stroud on Sunday, and the Texans running game was terrible once again. Which had many questioning the play calling from OC Bobby Slowik.
It's time to pivot
Slowik's unwillingness to get away from the running game, especially when it's not working, is causing some real concern. This offense needs to run through Stroud, and 24 pass attempts like we saw against Carolina isn't going to be enough.
It's also becoming clear that Tytus Howard needs to go back to playing tackle, and Houston needs to find a new answer at left guard.
Some other big lessons learned from the disappointing loss involves the passing game. Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz have to be able to produce in the same game. Schultz's increased production over the last few weeks seems to coincide with Tank Dell missing time from a concussion.
With Tank Dell back this week, Schultz only caught two passes for 5 yards. Penalties also hampered the Texans, especially a delay of game that knocked the Texans out of field goal range, leading to a punt.
Finally, the Texans offensive regression is starting to be more apparent. Houston only scored 3 points in the second half against the Saints, and the team went scoreless in the first and fourth quarters of the Panthers game.
On the bright side, Houston's defense is improving each week. We wondered if DeMeco Ryans had enough talent on defense to crack the Top 10. And as of right now, they've allowed the 6th fewest points per game at 18.3 points against per game.
Be sure to watch the video above as we react to the loss and look ahead to next week.
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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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