HOUSTON — After completing their second consecutive season with a loss in the divisional round of the playoffs, quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are convinced they are “very close” to progressing to the AFC championship game for the first time.
The challenge ahead lies in determining the necessary steps required to reach that goal.
For Stroud, the focus will be maintaining a specific mentality that he has carried since his collegiate days at Ohio State.
“From the start of the offseason program, we have to establish a standard. That standard must be … I’m not going to be the one to hinder this team. I’m committed to leading this team to victory,” he stated. “Whether it’s Week 1 or the AFC championship, that standard must endure from training camp onward. I believe that is essential for us to overcome this obstacle.”
The Texans faced a 23-14 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs, marking their sixth loss in the divisional round and their second at Arrowhead Stadium.
Coach DeMeco Ryans, who boasts an 11-8 record over his first two years with the team, emphasizes that minimizing errors should be the top priority for the squad.
“The teams that remain in contention are simply not the ones that shoot themselves in the foot,” he said. “They position themselves well to play complementary football effectively. That’s why they are still in it. To get to that level, we need to execute our responsibilities consistently.”
Stroud managed to throw for 245 yards but faced relentless pressure, including eight sacks during the game. Additionally, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn struggled, missing a 55-yard field-goal attempt, an extra point, and having another field-goal attempt blocked with under two minutes remaining. That blocked kick could have narrowed the scoring margin and kept Houston’s comeback aspirations alive.
Despite the postseason exit, the Texans triumphed in the AFC South for the second consecutive year, decisively defeating the Chargers at home to advance against the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Will Anderson Jr., a defensive end who, along with Stroud, has contributed significantly to recalibrating this franchise’s trajectory, believes Houston possesses the right components to become serious title contenders, despite another premature playoff exit.
“We’re right there,” he remarked. “No matter what anyone says, this is an exceptional team. We have our quarterback and all we need. We just have to keep building and persevering.”
When it comes to bolstering the roster, the Texans may need to consider adding a wide receiver this offseason, particularly with Stefon Diggs hitting unrestricted free agency and Tank Dell recovering from another severe leg injury.
Diggs recorded 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns during eight games this season following a major trade from Buffalo, but ultimately ended his season due to a knee injury.
Stroud has expressed a desire to see Diggs return for the next season, although it remains uncertain if the Texans will attempt to re-sign the 31-year-old star.
Dell, meanwhile, is facing an extensive recovery process after suffering a torn ACL and a dislocated knee during the December loss to Kansas City. This setback comes after he had already fractured his fibula in a game against the Broncos during the 2023 season.
Having been Houston’s second-leading receiver, Dell notched 667 receiving yards and three touchdowns. When asked whether Dell’s latest injury could affect his availability for the upcoming season, Ryans replied, “We will continue to evaluate Tank and monitor his progress. It is premature to assign a timeline. We will allow him the necessary time for recovery and assess how the rehabilitation progresses.”
Strengthening the secondary was a highlight of Houston’s performance this season, primarily due to the impressive contributions from Derek Stingley and the emergence of rookie players Calen Bullock and Kamari Lassiter.
Stingley, selected third overall in the 2022 draft, rebounded from two seasons plagued with injuries, achieving first-team AP All-Pro recognition. He ranked second in the NFL during the regular season with 18 passes defended and recorded two interceptions in Houston’s wild-card playoff victory.
Lassiter, a second-round draft pick from Georgia, started 14 games, securing three interceptions during the regular season and adding another against the Chargers, while Bullock, selected in the third round from Southern California, also racked up five interceptions, tying Stingley for the team lead.
“We’ve got one of the finest secondaries in the league, and it’s also young and extraordinarily talented,” Bullock stated. “This bodes well for our future, especially with the plays we made this year.”
As they head into the offseason, the Texans will aim to enhance their offensive line after allowing 54 sacks throughout the regular season, in addition to another 12 in the postseason.
“In the playoffs, you must win your individual matchups. That’s what the game always boils down to,” Ryans explained. “There has to be a sense of pride in who you are blocking to ensure the quarterback has a chance to make plays.”
