BEARS MAUL TEXANS, 36-7
Reaction: Texans got pantsed by the Bears
Dec 14, 2020, 10:15 am
It was a long day for the Texans. Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
The Texans vs the Bears matchup was supposed to be one in which Deshaun Watson showed the Bears why they should've taken him number two overall instead of Mitch Trubisky in the 2017 draft. This was supposed to be a step in the right direction, a get right game after suffering that crushing defeat to the Colts. Instead, the Texans got pantsed by the Bears in an embarrassing 36-7 loss. There was little to nothing that worked in their favor.
The offense looked disjointed. Typically, the four and five wide look with hurry-up tempo works. As of late, the Bears defense has been pretty bad. Neither of these things held true as the Bears forced two fumbles, got seven sacks, and held Watson to just 219 yards passing. If it weren't for several Watson scrambles and extending plays, this offense would've looked even worse. Tim Kelly has done a masterful job at times calling plays. For whatever reason, he was off his game against the Bears. Combine that with Watson not having weapons around him, a porous offensive line, and a Bears defense that came to play, it was bound to end in a flaming disaster.
The Texans defense was as putrid as it has ever been. The tackling was just awful and that was apparent on the Bears' first play from scrimmage as David Montgomery took it 80 yards for a touchdown. Justin Reid is not playing to the level that made him a steal in the third round of the 2018 draft. When two of your defensive backs lead the team in tackling, that's usually a sign that the front seven wasn't playing well. The defense did manage to get three sacks, but they also made Trubisky's nickname "Maserati Mitch" hold true for this game. He went 24/33 for 267 yards and three touchdowns. He started by completing his first nine pass attempts and never looked back. I get that there is a talent deficiency, but you'd think Anthony Weaver and Romeo Crennel could come up with a better gameplan against a team whose offense has been so bad this season.
One of the bright spots was running back Buddy Howell. He looked decisive and hit holes aggressively. If Duke Johnson is banged up, Howell should get the bulk of the carries moving forward. Chad Hansen had a decent game. He caught all seven targets thrown his way for 56 yards. Watson seems to have taken a liking to him.
The failure to make any meaningful adjustments shows how inept this staff is. Anyone who thinks any of these guys should be back in any form or fashion is delusional and should be placed under a mental health warrant. The only coach on this staff that may get any remote consideration on sticking around is Kelly. His chemistry with Watson after Bill O'Brien was fired has been impressive. Weaver should be fired immediately. The lack of care and negative body language of the defensive unit was very evident. If your players won't play hard for you, what good are you as a coach? That said, I still think the next head coach should be an offensive-minded guy who can get the most out of Watson. The offseason can't get here quick enough.
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How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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