CODY STOOTS

Texans player of the game: DeAndre Hopkins

Texans player of the game: DeAndre Hopkins
DeAndre Hopkins almost singlehandedly beat the Cowboys. Tim Warner/Getty Images

DeAndre Hopkins set the Texans up for plenty of success today but none bigger than his overtime dash to get the Texans into field goal range for the game-winning kick in the 19-16 win over the Cowboys. 

Hopkins beat his man catching the ball and spinning out of a tackle for a 49-yard gain on the biggest offensive play of the night. A few plays later the Texans kicked a field goal for a win. 

"I think it was man to man," he said. "Deshaun (Watson) put the ball on the money."

Hopkins joked his spin moves on the big play didn't make him dizzy but said he was trying to set the Texans up for a win knowing the team needed just a field goal. 

"I fumbled, but I knew I had to make a play," Hopkins said. "I wasn't trying to go down easy."

He contributed without making a play as well. In the fourth quarter with the game tied Hopkins flew into the end zone drawing a pass interference as he came up short on the catch. The penalty set the Texans up for a field goal to take the lead later in the drive. 

A rare Hopkins mistake led to a Dallas score. On the third play out of halftime, Hopkins caught a pass and was tangled up with the Cowboys defense, which ripped the ball from his hands. It would lead to the lone Dallas touchdown on the ensuing Cowboys drive. 

"I was just trying to make a play," he said. Hopkins said he felt like his progress was stopped so he tried to reach for more before the Dallas players dislodged the ball. 

Defense was also on the box score for Hopkins as well. He batted down the Cowboys final pass attempt in regulation helping to send the game to overtime. Hopkins stood in the end zone waiting for the Dak Prescott pass knocking it out and down to the ground amongst a big pile of players. 

All together Hopkins rattled off another impressive line. He caught nine passes for 151 yards. He made up for his mistake in the third quarter by drawing a big pass interference call and a huge overtime play to set the Texans up for the winning kick. 

He's almost unguardable at this point. Hopkins really isn't slowed in any way these days, getting open with even the stingiest defenses on him. He's arguably the most consistent wideout in football, succeeding even on a day when the offense sputters and has a tough time getting into a flow. 

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Jeremy Peña is having success hitting fourth. Photo by Kevin M. Cox/Getty Images.

The Houston Astros host the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night looking to keep momentum rolling and hand the Jays their fifth straight loss. First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m. EDT at Daikin Park.

Both teams enter the matchup with nearly identical records—Houston at 12-11, Toronto at 12-12—but they’re trending in opposite directions. The Astros have won six of their last ten and boast an 8-6 record at home, while the Blue Jays have dropped four straight and are just 4-7 on the road.

Ryan Gusto gets the start for Houston, entering with a 2-1 record, a 3.18 ERA, and 17 strikeouts across three appearances. He’ll go up against Bowden Francis, who brings a 3.13 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP into the game, along with 20 strikeouts in his four starts.

Jeremy Peña continues to spark the Astros lineup with three homers and three doubles, while catcher Yainer Diaz has added timely hits despite a recent slump. For Toronto, George Springer leads the team with a .333 average, and Bo Bichette has been steady at the plate, going 14-for-45 over his last 10 games.

The Blue Jays have found success when they out-hit opponents, going 10-3 in those games—but Houston’s pitching staff has held opponents to just a 2.86 ERA over the past 10 outings.

The betting line has Toronto as slight road favorites at -120, with Houston at +100 and the over/under set at 8 runs.

Here's a look at tonight's lineup. Cam Smith gets the night off in right field, with Zach Dezenzo filling in. It appears Dezenzo's thumb is fine after banging it up sliding into second base a couple of night's ago.


Image via: MLB.com/Screenshot.

Jake Myers is also getting the night off as Chas McCormick gets the start in center. And Mauricio Dubon is getting the nod, starting over Brendan Rodgers at second base.

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