C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are searching for solutions after their passing game struggled in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Houston’s passing attack had been strong all season, ranking fifth in passing yards per game during their first six games. However, on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Stroud managed only 86 yards, which is a career low, in the 24-22 defeat that ended their three-game winning streak.
Stroud completed 10 of 21 passes and didn’t throw a touchdown for the first time this season. The second-year quarterback faced pressure throughout the game, getting sacked four times and hit seven times.
“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we watch the film, we’ll see what happened, starting with me, the communication, and just guys focusing on the details of the job.”
The Texans scored a season-high 41 points in a win against New England the week before, where Stroud threw three touchdown passes despite missing star receiver Nico Collins.
They couldn’t replicate that performance on Sunday, as Collins was out for the second of at least four games due to a hamstring injury that put him on injured reserve.
Stefon Diggs led the team with five catches against the Packers, but they totaled only 23 yards. Tank Dell, who was expected to step up with Collins out, was targeted four times but didn’t make any catches.
Stroud talked about the need to involve Dell more in the offense.
“We have to find a way to try and get him the rock early and often and then go from there,” he said. “It has to be a focus for us, not just him, but the whole offense clicking early. That is really my job to get the ball out on time and to where it is supposed to go. So yeah, that definitely has to be fixed.”
