C.J. Stroud faced criticism after the Texans struggled in their last few games, losing three out of four following a strong start to the season. Despite this, Stroud stayed confident, and his solid performance last Sunday led the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars, putting them two games ahead in the AFC South.
“When he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.”
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville, bringing his total to 3,117 passing yards this season, ranking fourth in the NFL.
This performance came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee, which was the Texans’ third loss in four games. Those two interceptions increased his season total to nine, which is four more than he threw as a rookie. However, the Texans aren’t worried about this and believe Stroud has made progress in his second year.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “There are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy he’s our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. … Wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
Despite several key injuries on offense, the Texans are still in a good position to win their division for a second consecutive season. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury, and top receiver Nico Collins was out for five games with a hamstring injury. They also lost Stefon Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowler, for the season after he tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, along with four touchdown receptions. His performance in his first season in Houston, following a trade from Cincinnati, has helped the team overcome the injuries to their receivers. He ranks third in the NFL with an average of 88.7 rushing yards per game and has surpassed 100 rushing yards in seven games.
Stroud has often praised Mixon for his contributions on and off the field.
“He’s a servant, a helper,” Stroud said. “That’s ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? That’s ultimately what the game of football is.”
On defense, Danielle Hunter has been a standout for Houston. After spending eight seasons in Minnesota, the defensive end joined the Texans this year and has been key in helping the team lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss, collecting 15 of them this season, which ties for third most in the league.
He also leads the Texans with 10½ sacks, contributing to their second-place ranking in the NFL with 42 sacks.
Hunter has been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9½ sacks.
Ryans mentioned that the team needs this week’s break, especially after starting the preseason on August 1 with the Hall of Fame game. “It’s here and we’re going to take advantage of it,” he said. “We’ve been going at it for a long time.”
The Texans will use this time to recharge before facing a tough schedule after the bye. They host Miami on December 15, travel to Kansas City on December 21, and face the Ravens on Christmas Day.
“It’s Christmas and all that, but we can’t worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,” Caserio said. “And then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. … We’re either going to earn it or we’re not. Not to oversimplify it, but that’s the truth.”
The Texans will play those games without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who was suspended for three games for a dangerous hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which caused a concussion. Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for the Texans’ final regular-season game against Tennessee.
