RUNNING ON AN EMPTY TANK?
How NFL insider's warning about Texans offense is becoming reality
Sep 18, 2024, 2:45 pm
CJ Stroud hasn't had much luck when targeting Tank Dell. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.
We’re just two games into the Texans' 2024 season, and patterns are already emerging in how the top three receivers are being targeted.
It appears Nico Collins (18 targets, 14 receptions) is picking up where he left off in 2023 as the top option for CJ Stroud. Stefon Diggs comes in second with 10 catches in two games.
Which means Tank Dell is the clear third option at this point in the season, with only 4 catches. To be fair, Dell only has one less target than Diggs, but the Stroud-Dell connection hasn't lived up to expectations so far.
However, we have to keep in mind, ESPN Houston's Lance Zierlein heard from a source that Dell could be the odd man out in the offense this year.
So far, that appears to be the case.
Be sure to watch the video above as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein share their thought's on Dell's role in the offense, 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.