C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans had high hopes for the season, and they are still on track to meet them.
However, their 6-2 start hasn’t been easy or smooth. The team, which leads the AFC South, recognizes this challenge.
“I think it’s a goal we had was to start fast and I believe that we’ve been putting on some good ball,” Stroud said, “but we have a lot to still clean up.”
They have won four out of their last five games, with their only loss coming from a last-second field goal at Green Bay on October 20. Their next game is on Halloween night against Aaron Rodgers and the struggling New York Jets (2-6), who have lost five games in a row.
“It’s just exciting times,” Stroud said. “It’s coming into the two hardest months of ball is November and December.
We get to end October on a prime-time game and it’s going to be a great matchup against the Jets and we’ve got to be able to be ready and try to finish October the right way.”
Unfortunately, they will be missing two of their key offensive players. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs tore the ACL in his right knee and will be out for the season, while receiver Nico Collins is still on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.
“A lot of the guys have to step up, pick up the slack,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “It is definitely a blow to us.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers and the Jets come into the game at MetLife Stadium after losing 25-22 to New England just four days earlier, leaving their fans upset and their hopes of ending a 13-year playoff drought looking slim.
And it’s only halfway through the season.