These critical matchups take center stage in Texans-Titans must-win showdown
THE STAKES ARE HIGH!
13 December 2023
With just four games remaining in the season, the Houston Texans head to Nashville to play a must-win game against the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans are coming off a big upset victory over the Miami Dolphins, and the Texans are fresh off an embarrassing loss to the New York Jets.
Making matters worse, CJ Stroud is in concussion protocol, which will likely force Davis Mills or Case Keenum to make the start for the Texans.
With that in mind, which backup quarterback should the Texans trust the most?
Davis Mills has played more football over the last couple of seasons, but on the other hand, Keenum has experienced more success over the course of his career.
And Keenum is more familiar with the Shanahan-style offense, having played for Gary Kubiak in the past.
But Mills is number two on the depth chart, so he appears to be the starter should Stroud be ruled out for the game.
Which makes us wonder, should he be replaced by Keenum if he's not playing well against the Titans?
It's not like it would create a QB controversy as both Keenum and Mills are backups, and winning this game could greatly impact the team's playoff hopes.
Plus, DeAndre Hopkins is coming off a huge performance on Monday night, helping his team to upset the Dolphins. Will Texans corner Derek Stingley be able to keep D-Hop in check?
Be sure to watch the video above as we break it all down.
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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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