
Tyrann Mathieu did not grade out well in Week 2. Zach Tarrant, Houston Texans team Web site
Pro Football Focus grades each individual player's performance and assigns them a grade. All 32 teams use Pro Football Focus.
Each week we will take a look at some of the good and bad from the Texans and a look at the upcoming opponent as well. They also do great fantasy analysis and draft coverage as well. You can join Pro Football Focus here .
J.J. Watt - 87.7 Run Defense
He's back and almost as good as he once was. Watt was regularly a Pro Football Focus darling years ago and popping a big number like this is good to see. Yes, the Titans had backup tackles playing but they also had their starting interior intact. Despite not having a huge day rushing the passer the rushers felt the impact of Watt's huge day on them. Watt is currently a top-five edge defender according to the PFF grades.
Duke Ejiofor - 80.9 Pass Rush
The rookie outside linebacker flashed the skills he showed in the preseason for his first career sack. A swim move on the Titans backup left tackle freed the former Alief Taylor standout to grab Blaine Gabbert with one hand and corral him for a big loss. He also earned another hurry in his limited action (15 total snaps).
Tyrann Mathieu - 58.9 Pass Coverage
The graders were not kind to week one's standout safety. Though he wasn't targeted directly multiple times the eyes at Pro Football Focus didn't like his game. He also earned a poor tackling grade, 29.2, missing on a tackle that allowed a touchdown.
Deshaun Watson - 64.1 Passing Under Pressure
This may not seem like a great number but Watson was actually much better against pressure this week than he was against the Patriots. He was almost 20 points better and tossed for 124 more yards and seven yards better on average per throw. It showed too. Watson trusted the Texans offensive line a little bit more than he did the previous week. He wasn't afraid to make a tough play and actually ended up with more first downs when he was under pressure than when he wasn't pressured.
Trevor Daniel - 58.5 Punting Grade (Season)
Daniel has only had two punts returned for two yards but his net yards are only a hair above 37 yards. He ranks in the lower third in most of the punting categories. With a Texans team living in the margins this season, Daniel has to improve. For reference, Shane Lechler had a season-long grade of 73.8 in 2017.
Eli Manning - 47.1 Passing Under Pressure
Manning has been a disaster under pressure this season. Only Deshaun Watson and Tyrod Taylor have been pressured as much as Manning this season. When he drops back and is pressured Manning is sacked over 25 percent of the time, compared to just 18 percent for Watson. Unlike Watson, Manning lacks the escapability to avoid even the most basic of pressure. This bodes very well for J.J. Watt and the other edge rushers as Romeo Crennel may not have to bring much pressure to get to Manning.
As always, you can join Pro Football Focus here.
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It wasn’t just a win — it was a glimpse into the Astros’ future
Jun 27, 2025, 10:43 pm
Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.
The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.
On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.
Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.
It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.
The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.
How the mighty have fallen.
Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.
Screenshot via: MLB.com
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