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Top surprises, wildcards, award candidates for 2024 Houston Texans season
Aug 30, 2024, 2:12 pm
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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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.