The Houston Texans are facing tough times, particularly spotlighted through the struggles of their second-year quarterback, C.J. Stroud. After starting the season strong with a record of 5-1, the Texans find themselves grappling with offensive inconsistencies, culminating in their latest setback—a close 32-27 loss to the Tennessee Titans. This defeat marked their third loss in four games and raised pressing questions about the team's performance leading up to the playoffs.
C.J. Stroud, who had quickly risen to prominence during his rookie campaign, has not only acknowledged his share of responsibility for these recent challenges but has also highlighted the need for improvement. “It’s no secret, I haven’t been playing well personally, for my standard,” Stroud stated after the game. Despite posting 247 passing yards along with two touchdowns, he also contributed two interceptions—bringing his season total to nine, significantly up from five last year over 15 games.
Coach DeMeco Ryans has pinpointed the need to generate positive plays as fundamental to the Texans' recovery. Stroud's erratic performance aligns with Ryans’ observations of too many negative plays stalling drives. “We have to create positive plays,” Ryans explained. “Too many times, whether it’s run or pass, we have negative plays which kill our drive.” This issue was glaringly apparent; the Texans managed to accumulate only three points after halftime during the game against the Titans.
The quarter hasn't been without glimmers of hope. Notably, the Texans tied a franchise record with eight sacks against the Titans, showcasing defensive strengths led by Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., but the disconnect on offense overshadowed these achievements. The failure to convert on key third downs—only 23% success on Sunday—only exacerbated feelings of frustration. Coach Ryans remarked on the overall performance, “We didn’t own the line of scrimmage. You have to be able to control the line of scrimmage and run the ball, and we didn’t.”
The Texans' rushing game, too, proved inadequate, yielding just 40 yards against the Titans, with Joe Mixon's performance—his worst of the season—falling far below expectations. The Texas native mustered only 22 yards on 14 carries, highlighting the offensive line’s diminishing capacity to protect Stroud and facilitate effective runs.
Despite these setbacks, Stroud's leadership remains evident. He expressed determination to refine his gameplay, emphasizing, “I’ve got to just bebetter, and I knowthat.” His accountability positions him as both the face and the focal point of the Texans' rebuilding strategy, especially as they prepare for their upcoming match against the Jacksonville Jaguars. “You learn from this and you focus on the next game,” defensive end Hunter reflected post-game.
While challenges linger, Stroud isn't alone under the microscope. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik has found himself under scrutiny for play-calling decisions, which many critique as uninspired and inconsistent. Former NFL player Chris Long was particularly vocal during his recent podcast episode, indicating the offensive playbook needs revising: “It is broken offensively,” Long remarked. The Texans have seen impedance not only from Stroud’s challenges but also from injuries sidelining key players. This has left the offensive tempo feeling staggered and sporadic.
Additions like Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon initially promised to invigorate the Texans' gameplay, but without cohesive execution from the offensive line, their influence has been muted. Long pointed out the discomfort Stroud displays, stating, “His eyes are on the rush,” echoing sentiments of how mounting pressure often steals the rhythm of any quarterback. This joint struggle points to a widening gap between their defensive success and offensive lapses—something the coaching staff must address with urgency.
The Texans' pathway forward is undoubtedly steep, especially with upcoming contests against divisional rivals and playoff contenders. Stroud emphasized the necessity to shake off losses for future learning, highlighting, “I have to realize games can come down to me making plays.” The Texans' fans, hopeful for electric strikes as they approach December, are waiting for Stroud and his team to harmonize effectively and tap back to the magic of earlier this season.
The looming question remains: can C.J. Stroud bounce back and lead the Texans from this turbulent stretch, or will the weight of his struggles drape over the rest of the season? Time will tell as the Texans regroup against the Jaguars, and every player's performance, starting with Stroud, will be pivotal to their playoff aspirations. With several key injuries still unaddressed and the offensive cohesion under pressure, the Texans have just one goal—return to the competitive form they started the season with. Fans are eagerly anticipating whether Stroud will rise through adversity or if these challenges will continue to haunt the Texans offense.
