How another Texans rookie standout could wrestle away even more league hardware
MORE IS MORE!
06 December 2023
One of the big reasons the Houston Texans were able to come away with a victory over the Denver Broncos was the monster performance from rookie pass rusher Will Anderson.
After Sunday's game, Anderson is now up to 5 sacks on the season, 1 more than Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite, Jalen Carter. Anderson also tipped a pass that led to an interception, and got his hands on a punt that gave Houston great field position. And let's not forget, he blocked a field goal earlier in the season, which is no small feat.
So with 5 games left to play, there's a legit possibility Anderson could snatch the DROY award away from Carter if he can get close to 10 sacks on the season.
Also, DeMeco Ryans is becoming the standard for what teams are looking for in a head coach. CJ Stroud is the front-runner for OROY.
With all this in mind, is there any argument against the Texans being the most exciting young team in the NFL?
We're already seeing the national media come around, and the NFL flexed the Texans-Broncos to get more eyes on Stroud.
And not to mention, it's starting to look like Nick Caserio nailed 3 out of 4 first round picks, with Derek Stingley recording 4 interceptions in his last 3 games.
It's been a long time coming for Texans fans. Every level of the organization appears to be in contention for prestigious awards.
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss the most exciting young team in the NFL and what that means for Houston moving forward.
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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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