The vision that the Texans and star quarterback C.J. Stroud share entering the season hasn’t matched a tough reality and a difficult start for the defending AFC South champions.
For the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl selection, not being able to achieve the goals he set through two games has been hard to absorb. The offense has been stuck in neutral.
The Texans are the lowest-scoring offense through two games with just 14 points per contest.
They rank last in the NFL in red-zone offense and third-down efficiency. Despite firing offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and replacing him with Nick Caley, overhauling the offensive line and acquiring wide receiver Christian Kirk in a trade, the Texans’ offense simply isn’t clicking.
The Texans are the only team in the league that hasn’t scored a red-zone touchdown, going 0 for 3 through two games in an 0-2 start.
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Stroud Staying Positive
Stroud is staying the course, though. “We’re really close,” Stroud said. “We’re like one or two plays away from winning tight games against good teams and we’re only two weeks in. So, we’re still building, still growing, still getting used to playing with one another. So, we’re very close.”
“Of course, it’s not ideal. But you don’t cry about it and be a Debbie downer. I don’t know. There’s a time and place for that. I think two weeks in, can’t lose your mind, but also can’t be too relaxed. So, it’s a little bit of a balance.”
First AFC South Test: Jaguars
The Texans get a chance to right the ship Sunday. They have an important road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in their first AFC South game of the year. The Texans are two games behind the undefeated Indianapolis Colts in the division standings.
“I’m always putting pressure on myself to be urgent and try to get things done, I never want to let anything fester,” Texans first-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley said. “That’s how I’ve been. That’s how I was raised in this profession and that’s how I’ll continue to be. I don’t think anybody’s ever satisfied with anything. None of us are satisfied. We all want to play at our best. We have good people on this team coaches, players and that’s what we’re going to do. It’s a race to get to continue to get better.
“The process to me is as important as anything. That can’t be wrong, that’s got to be in line, and I feel confident in that. We just got to play more consistent. We got to play cleaner. We got to play with better fundamentals. I have to do a better job early on and getting us going, too. We can all collectively do that.
As long as we just keep working, I believe in what we’re doing, and I believe in the people in this building.”
A Head-Scratching Loss to Tampa Bay
Arguably, there was no more head-shaking moment about the Texans’ overhauled and ineffective offense than failing to score on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a head-scratching 20-19 loss Monday night at NRG Stadium despite three shots at their one-yard line.
“You can make a bunch of excuses, but we’re just not getting it done,” Stroud said. “At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.”
A promising drive early in the fourth quarter, one that could have grabbed the momentum back and reclaimed the lead, evaporated into nothing. Zero points.
After wide receiver Nico Collins picked up a first down at the Buccaneers’ one-yard line after being tackled by Jamel Dean, the offense couldn’t budge a stout defense. First, Chubb was stonewalled by massive Buccaneers nose tackle Vita Vea for no gain after left offensive guard Laken Tomlinson got shoved backwards.
A lob intended for Collins, a returning Pro Bowl wide receiver, was just a bit off and glanced off his outstretched hands incomplete. An overthrown pass on fourth down ended the drive.
What was that?
“We ran the ball, obviously, stuck in a run and didn’t really gain much on it at all,” Caley said. “Then, it got into a third down situation and at that point, have a lot of confidence in the guys that we have on the team. So, I called a red-zone, low red-zone play that we have a lot of belief in and it didn’t work out.
“I feel confident in the process. It gets to fourth down, same thing we call a low red zone, call it third or fourth down play. It didn’t work out the way we wanted. So, got to assess those things and move on and learn from it. I can do better. We all can do better. So, moving forward and trying to grow.”
Stats and Stroud Performance
Stroud has been sacked six times for 62 lost yards. He has completed 32 of 51 passes (62.7 percent) for 395 yards, one touchdown and one interception for an 85.0 passer rating.
Having slot receiver Christian Kirk, a proven complementary presence who can catch the football cleanly and make people miss in the open field, back from a hamstring injury should provide a boost to the offense.
“Christian is a really, really good player and a special person,” Caley said. “He’s smart. He’s versatile. So, we’re excited to get him back out there and go from there.”
The Texans have converted just 4 of 18 third downs, 1 of 2 fourth downs and are 0 for 3 in the red zone. That’s the difference between winning and losing.
They’re six points away combined in the opening two games.
Pressures and Adjustments
Stroud, a former second overall pick and consensus All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist from Ohio State, appears to be pressing a bit as he adjusts to a new offense and additional responsibilities and ownership of the offense.
“I can always be better,” Stroud said. “I told DeMeco the other day, if anything he sees or anybody sees I can be better in, let me know. I think my process has really been good lately. I see the field well, putting the ball where it’s supposed to be, with the coverages and whatnot.
“I didn’t really get a ton of reps with some of the guys we’re getting in the game at receiver. So, that’s a little bit of a challenge, but I think that’s one of my biggest things is being the coach on the field and taking that step, and it takes time. It’s not overnight.”
Stroud declined to detail his feelings on the slow start.
Being 0-2, especially for a playoff contender with ambitions of a Super Bowl, is hard to handle. “I’ll probably keep that to myself,” Stroud said. “I don’t really want to. It’s my business.”
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