HOUSTON — Following a challenging outing against the Green Bay Packers, C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are in search of solutions to revitalize their passing game. Despite showcasing a powerful passing attack throughout the season, the Texans were unable to find their rhythm on Sunday at Lambeau Field, resulting in a narrow 24-22 defeat that ended their three-game winning streak.
Stroud’s performance was below his standards, as he threw for a career-low of just 86 yards, completing 10 of 21 passes, and for the first time this season, he did not register a touchdown. The second-year quarterback faced intense pressure, being sacked four times and hit on seven occasions, which contributed to his struggles.
“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” said head coach DeMeco Ryans. He emphasized the need for improved communication and detailed execution among players as the team assesses the situation through film study.
In their previous week’s game against the New England Patriots, the Texans had an explosive outing, scoring a season-high 41 points and Stroud throwing three touchdown passes, even without top receiver Nico Collins, who is sidelined for a minimum of four games due to a hamstring injury.
On Sunday, the Texans struggled to make the most of their receiving corps. Stefon Diggs caught five passes but only gained 23 yards. The team anticipated Tank Dell stepping up with Collins absent, yet he was targeted four times without making a catch. Stroud stressed the importance of integrating Dell more into their game plan.
“We have to find a way to get him the rock early and often,” Stroud noted. “It has to be a focus for us; not just for him, but the whole offense needs to click early. It’s my responsibility to ensure the ball is delivered on time and accurately, so we need to address that.”
One positive aspect for the Texans is their defensive performance, which has seen an uptick in turnovers. Over the last two games, the Texans have forced seven turnovers after going three games without causing any. They capitalized on three turnovers against the Packers, leading to 16 points, and previously netted 17 points off four turnovers against the Patriots.
Stroud’s revival is essential for the Texans’ success as they continue their season. Prior to Sunday’s game, the reigning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was averaging over 262 passing yards per game, instilling confidence in his ability to fix the recent woes.
Ryans acknowledged the offensive line’s role in Stroud’s performance, indicating the coaching staff aims to enhance their protection during this week’s preparations.
In terms of individual performances, running back Joe Mixon stood out in his second game back after an ankle injury, tallying 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers. He expressed optimism that the team will bounce back if they eradicate mistakes.
“I’m not worried at all,” Mixon stated. “We have a good football team. At the end of the day, we are our own worst enemy.”
Conversely, Tank Dell’s struggles have raised concerns regarding his contributions. The second-year wideout, who had an impressive rookie year with 709 yards and seven touchdowns, has not matched that performance thus far, managing only 194 receiving yards and one touchdown over six games this season.
Injury concerns lingered for the Texans as well. Key players including linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), cornerback Kamari Lassiter (shoulder), and safety Jimmie Ward (groin) missed Sunday’s game, with their potential return this week uncertain.
On a more positive note, safety Calen Bullock recorded his third interception of the season, tying for the franchise record for most interceptions by a rookie in the first seven games, and he currently leads all NFL rookies in interceptions this season.
Looking ahead, the Texans, now at 5-2 and leading the AFC South, will face the second-place Colts (4-3) next Sunday. The Colts have been on a roll, winning two consecutive games and four of their last five.