How latest reports on Texans OC raise critically important continuity questions
PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT
09 January 2024
As the Houston Texans prepare to host the Cleveland Browns in a wild card clash at NRG this Saturday, reports are beginning to surface about the Commanders and Panthers having interest in Texans OC Bobby Slowik.
If Slowik were to accept one of these head coaching positions, how would that impact CJ Stroud and the continuity of the offense overall? There's no way around it, if Slowik leaves, it's a big concern.
It's also fair to believe Stroud and the offense could show some signs of regression, even with Slowik still in the fold. Teams will have all offseason to watch tape of Stroud, and put together schemes in an attempt to slow him down. Not to mention how the other members of the AFC South could approach free agency and the draft with the idea of loading up on defense to stop Stroud.
The Mario Williams draft pick comes to mind. At the time, Gary Kubiak said they had to find a way to get some pressure on Peyton Manning to give themselves a chance against Indy twice a year.
On the other hand, where would Slowik be without CJ Stroud pulling the trigger in his offense? In the two games without Stroud, the Texans struggled on offense against the Browns and Titans. So that's something to keep in mind.
By comparison, the Browns are on their fourth QB this year in Joe Flacco, and they seemingly haven't missed a beat. Kevin Stefanski's offense has found a way to generate points with two of their best players on IR (Deshaun Watson, Nick Chubb).
Flacco has thrown for over 300 yards in 4 of his 5 games, with multiple TD passes in every contest. There's a reason Kevin Stefanski is getting serious consideration for coach of the year.
But will he win the award over DeMeco Ryans?
Check out the video above to learn more about Slowik's future, and much more!
Presented by Coors Light.
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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