Jonathan Joseph turned back the clock. Bob Levey/Getty Images
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.
Demarcus Lawrence - 60.5 Pass Rush Grade
My goodness, the Texans did a number on the Cowboys top pass rusher and should be commended. He had his worst game of the season against the Texans. He was held without any sort of sack for the first time this season. He had the lowest number of pressure, tackles, and stops of the season as well. Kendall Lamm rattled off a 72.6 pass block grade facing Lawrence. Really impressive stuff from the Texans offense to slow down what was the sack leader coming into the week.
Johnathan Joseph - 81.2 Coverage Grade
The elder statesman of the Texans secondary had a throwback performance. It was his best game of the season by a wide margin. He allowed one reception for just eight yards. He had two pass breakups doubling his number from the past four games. One of those went for an interception too. In a game where Kayvon Webster was lost in the early moments of the game, Joseph stepped up huge.
Jadeveon Clowney - 90.0 Overall Run Grade - 2nd Highest Among Edge Defenders
I know you are going to be shocked but Jadeveon Clowney had another monster game stopping the run against the Cowboys. He also added a sack to his impressive day. He did a lot of damage against a perennial Pro Bowl tackle Tyron Smith who didn't seem to know how to handle some of the movement by Clowney along the defensive line. Clowney was showing off a level of athleticism matched by few players in the league. He's .1 off the lead in overall run grade. He's a monster for offenses to try to stop.
J.J. Watt - 90.6 Overall Defense Grade - 2nd Highest Among Edge Defenders
The new league leader in sacks also had a stellar game against the Cowboys. He now checks in only behind Khalil Mack and is worlds ahead of any defender in football when you consider how many snaps he plays. Watt is back to his old self. That's pretty much all that needs to be said at this point.
Deshaun Watson - 83.2 Passing Grade Against the Blitz
He was 13 of 14 passing for 174 yards. The only incomplete was an interception, a bad decision for the Texans quarterback tossing one up as he was getting tackled. Other than that, perfection against the blitz. This is incredible for a second-year quarterback who hasn't even played a full slate of games yet. Watson's decision-making was off the charts and his effectiveness with the football has the Texans operating with much more efficiency and pace.
Josh Allen - 48.9 Overall Offensive Grade
This is the lowest grade of any quarterback in the NFL who has played four games or more. So, essentially, this is all the starters and Allen is the worst. He's completing 53 percent of his passes and has thrown just two touchdowns against five interceptions. The Bills are dead last in passing this year. The Texans defense should have a field day with Allen.
As always, you can join Pro Football Focus here.
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Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer early and Jon Singleton had three hits, capped by a tiebreaking RBI single in Houston’s four-run eighth inning, and the Astros got a 6-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
SAY HEY!!#Relentless pic.twitter.com/fqAiUHHdNh
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Brent Rooker homered off Ryan Pressly (2-3) with one out in the eighth to tie it at 2-all.
Yainer Diaz and Kyle Tucker hit consecutive singles with one out in the eighth to chase T.J. McFarland (2-3) and bring on Grant Holman. There were two outs in the inning when Singleton’s single to center field scored Diaz to put the Astros on top.
Jake Meyers followed with a run-scoring double before the Athletics intentionally walked Heyward to load the bases. Mauricio Dubón singled on a ground ball to left field to score two more, pushing the lead to 6-2.
Tyler Nevin hit a solo homer off Josh Hader with one out in the ninth before the closer retired the next two batters to end it.
Houston’s Framber Valdez allowed five hits and a run with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings to help the Astros avoid a three-game sweep and snap a three-game skid with the victory.
La Grasa had himself a day.#Relentless pic.twitter.com/LvGeKBAoqA
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Oakland starter Mitch Spence permitted seven hits and two runs in seven innings.
Singleton hit a ground-rule double with one out in the second before Heyward smacked a line drive into the second row in right field for his first home run as an Astro to make it 2-0.
It was the third hit in 12 games with Houston for Heyward, who signed with the Astros Aug. 29 after being released by the Dodgers.
Jacob Wilson doubled to open the seventh and moved to third on a ground out by Nevin. The Athletics cut the lead to 1 when Wilson scored on a single by Daz Cameron that chased Valdez.
Bryan Abreu took over and pinch-hitter Seth Brown grounded into a double play on his second pitch to preserve the lead.
Lawrence Butler doubled with one out in the third to extend his career-long hitting streak to 20 games.
Singleton doubled again to start Houston’s fourth before Spence sat down the next 11 Astros. Houston’s next base runner came on a double by Dubón with two outs in the seventh and Alex Bregman grounded out to leave him stranded.
Trainer’s Room
Athletics: 1B Tyler Soderstrom (left wrist injury) is scheduled to come off the injured list Friday for the start of a series against the White Sox.
Astros: 2B Jose Altuve was out of the lineup Thursday, a day after leaving in the fifth inning with discomfort in his right side. Manager Joe Espada said he was feeling better Thursday and that he is listed as day to day.
Up Next
Athletics: LHP Brady Basso (0-0, 1.93 ERA) will start for Oakland against LHP Garrett Crochet (6-11, 3.83) in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox Friday night.
Astros: Houston LHP Yusei Kikuchi (8-9, 4.31) opposes LHP Samuel Aldegheri (1-1, 2.45) in the first of three games against the Los Angeles Angels Friday night.