Top surprises, wildcards, award candidates for 2024 Houston Texans season

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Top surprises, wildcards, award candidates for 2024 Houston Texans season
The Houston Texans season starts a week from Sunday. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Texans season is right around the corner, and now we officially know what the roster looks like in 2024.

One of the surprise cuts was receiver Noah Brown, who has struggled to stay healthy. The Texans elected to go with one veteran receiver for depth, Robert Woods.

Which makes sense, if you're going to roll with one older receiver, go ahead and pick the one who has been more healthy, and has a much better career resume overall.

However, it didn't take long for Brown to find another team, he's already signed with the Commanders and might be their second-best receiver behind Terry McLaurin, pending health.

Running back Cam Akers was the fan favorite to make the team, and the fans got their wish. If Dameon Pierce continues to struggle, the Texans shouldn't hesitate to give Akers some opportunities.

Another positive development on offense is the depth on the o-line. Nick Broeker, Kendrick Green, Jarrett Patterson, and Blake Fisher inspire more confidence should the Texans need them this year.

What about defense?

It really looks like the Texans nailed their first two defensive draft picks. Both Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock are expected to start for the team.

Lassiter is already penciled in as the No. 2 corner, and Bullock should get reps at safety with Jimmie Ward when Jalen Pitre lines up as the nickel defender.

Pitre's ability to play nickel this year certainly gave DeMeco and company the confidence to let Desmond King go. King didn't make the team last season either, but joined later in the season due to poor play and injuries at the position.

Finally, one big disappointment has to be linebacker Christian Harris being placed on short-term IR, which means he'll miss at least the first four games.

Predictions

When looking at the Texans schedule, we see the team finishing with either a 10-7 or 11-6 record. Either way, we believe the Texans win the division and head back to the playoffs.

Could CJ Stroud win MVP?

It's a real possibility. He's only behind Patrick Mahomes according to the odds in Vegas. If not Stroud or Mahomes, Josh Allen could get the nod if he has another big season after losing receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis in the offseason.

What about DeMeco?

Most Texans fans feel like DeMeco Ryans was robbed for Coach of the Year last season. Do the Texans have to take another massive step forward for him to bring home the hardware in 2024?

Be sure to watch the video above for the full conversation!

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The Astros beat the Phillies, 2-0. Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images.

Victor Caratini homered, Isaac Paredes drove in a run and the Houston Astros shut out the Philadelphia Phillies for a second straight game with a 2-0 victory on Wednesday night.

Houston starter Colton Gordon (3-1) allowed four singles and struck out four in five innings.

Josh Hader struck out one in the ninth for his 21st save.

Jeremy Peña hit a leadoff ground-rule double and scored on a groundball single by Isaac Paredes to give Houston an early lead.

Houston’s pitching staff had retired nine straight when Brandon Marsh singled to right field off Bryan King with one out in the eighth. Trea Turner’s single on a grounder to center field sent Marsh to third before Kyle Schwarber singled on an infield grounder to load the bases.

But, King struck out Alec Bohm before Nick Castellanos grounded out to leave Philadelphia emptyhanded.

Caratini’s solo shot came with two outs in the bottom of the inning to give the Astros an insurance run.

Wednesday’s win comes after the Astros got a 1-0 victory in Tuesday’s series opener. Houston is now tied with Philadelphia and Chicago for the third-best record in baseball (47-33).

Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler (7-3) yielded four hits and a run while striking out eight in six innings.

The Phillies had runners on first and second with one out in the fifth, but Gordon struck out Marsh and Turner to end the threat.

Jake Meyers sprinted to make a catch on the warning track in center field on a ball hit by Bryson Stott for the second out of the seventh inning.

Key moment

King shutting the Phillies down after loading the bases in the eighth to preserve the lead.

Key stat

Wednesday was the sixth time the Phillies have been shut out this season. Philadelphia has not scored a run in 19 straight innings.

Up next

Houston RHP Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.88 ERA), whose ERA leads the majors, opposes LHP Cristopher Sánchez (6-2, 2.87) when the series concludes Thursday.

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