Statement made: How Texans reignite more than playoff aspirations against rival Titans
TEXANS ON TAP
19 December 2023
With their season hanging in the balance, the Houston Texans headed to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans with backup quarterback Case Keenum filling in for the injured CJ Stroud.
To add even more motivation, Tennessee broke out the Houston Oilers throwback jerseys to try to add insult to injury. But the Texans came away victorious in overtime thanks to a stout defense, an explosive running game, and several clutch field goals.
By securing this victory, the Texans are now back in the playoff hunt with the Jaguars, Colts, and Texans all sitting at 8-6 on the season with 3 games left to play.
Even without defensive star Will Anderson (ankle) on Sunday, the Texans were able to shut down Derrick Henry and the Titans running game that has given Houston fits over the last few years.
And it appears the Texans have finally realized that Devin Singletary is their best option at running back, as he led the team in touches by a large margin, and helped Houston win in overtime with a huge catch and run to put them in field goal position.
Jonathan Greenard recorded 2 more sacks this week, and while that's great in its own right, the timing of his big plays were just as important. One of his sacks led to a punt, and another one of his big plays involved hitting Will Levis' throwing arm, causing the Titans to lose 19 yards and settle for a field goal.
Finally, Ka'imi Fairbairn's return from IR couldn't have come at a better time. He made 4 field goals on Sunday, including the game-winner in overtime.
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss the huge win, our players of the game, and much more.
Watch and subscribe to Texans on Tap (a Texans podcast) on SportsMapTexans via YouTube.
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.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
