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.
Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings and Jeremy Peña homered and drove in four runs as the Houston Astros defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 9-1 on Wednesday.
Houston earned just its second victory in seven games to snap Milwaukee’s three-game winning streak and leave both teams with .500 records. The Brewers were attempting to sweep a series from the Astros for the first time since 2012.
The Astros led 3-1 before Peña broke the game open by delivering a three-run homer to left off reliever Elvin Rodriguez with two outs in the sixth inning.
JP3-run bomb. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/En0XXWdlt0
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Valdez (2-4) struck out seven while allowing three hits, two walks and one run to earn his first win since the Astros’ March 27 season opener. He threw a season-high 101 pitches.
The Framchise is all business.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/J8EGGDk5gl
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Milwaukee’s only run off Valdez came on Eric Haase’s fifth-inning homer, a 425-foot drive to center.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead off Quinn Priester (1-1) in the second inning as Jake Meyers hit a two-out single and scored on Zach Dezenzo’s double.
RBI double for Zach gets us on the board early! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/AilCY27A9d
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The Brewers have lost all 13 games this season in which their opponent scored first.
Five-time All-Star closer Josh Hader worked the ninth while pitching in Milwaukee for the first time since the Brewers traded him in 2022.
Key moment
The Astros led 1-0 and had runners on third and second with one out in the fifth when Peña hit a bouncer to third.
Safe all day. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/OVjcvev7cM
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The throw home beat Dezenzo to the plate. Home plate umpire Chris Conroy initially ruled Dezenzo out, but the Astros challenged the call and replays showed the runner slid home ahead of Haase’s tag.
Key stat
Valdez has now pitched at least seven innings an MLB-leading 57 times since 2020.
Up next
The Astros host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Scheduled pitchers are right-hander Hunter Brown (5-1, 1.67) for the Astros and right-hander Nick Martinez (1-3, 4.19) for the Reds.
The Brewers visit the Tampa Bay Ray on Friday. Left-hander José Quintana (4-1, 2.83) will pitch for the Brewers.
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