CJ Stroud comes into Week 2 with one clear path to success against the Bengals, and one obvious trap he has to avoid.
The upside starts with Cincinnati’s coverage. In Week 1, the Bengals leaned on man coverage on 36.1% of their coverage snaps, the third-highest rate in the NFL, and that defense still gave up 7.8 yards per play, according to NextGen Stats.
That kind of look could suit Stroud, who has thrown 20 of his 25 career interceptions against zone coverage. If the Bengals don’t change much, Houston should have chances to attack.
That opens the door for Stroud to work the middle of the field again, especially after what he did against the Bills. On Sunday, he completed 14 of 19 passes on in-breaking routes for 173 yards and a touchdown, also via NGS.
Baker Mayfield had success there too against Cincinnati, going 4-of-5 on throws to the middle of the field. That’s an area the Texans can try to lean on.
But the warning sign is right in front of Houston: protect the football. Stroud’s biggest issue against Buffalo wasn’t missing throws, it was the sacks that turned into fumbles. He lost the ball in the first quarter on a sack, leading to a field goal, then coughed it up again on the Texans’ final drive when they needed a touchdown to win.
That matters even more because the Bengals showed they can create those mistakes. Cincinnati beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-27 and forced Baker Mayfield to fumble twice.
They also forced one from running back Bucky Irving. Stroud will need to be sharper in the pocket if Houston wants to avoid handing Joe Burrow extra chances.
Stroud addressed the challenge on Wednesday.
"Their D-line is really good," Stroud said. "Dexter Lawrence is one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL with BJ Hill.
Jonathan Allen's playing some really good ball as well. I think their ends are good as well, their linebackers are young, they fly around and make a lot of plays.
Their back end has been playing together for a while (in the) same system. They looked good against Tampa and made a lot of plays, had a lot of turnovers, and I think they do a good job, so we definitely have to be on our P's and Q's."
Houston could also use more from its tight ends in the passing game. Dalton Schultz caught 4-of-8 targets against the Bills, and his 50% catch rate was tied for the lowest on the team. The other three tight ends - Marlin Klein, Foster Moreau and Cade Stover - combined for four catches on four targets.
In Other News...
Texans Just Sent A Telling Signal About Their Week 2 Offense
The Texans made a quiet but telling move ahead of their Week 2 matchup with the Bengals, reshuffling the back end of the roster by parting ways with quarterback Mark Gronkowski from the practice squad and bringing in wide receiver Bryce Oliver. Gronkowski had been serving as Houstons third quarterback, but the addition of Oliver gives the team an extra body at receiver and pushes the practice squad in a different direction.
Oliver arrives with some NFL experience after time on the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns practice squads, and he has appeared in 13 league games. For Houston, the move reads like a small personnel tweak on paper, but it also hints at where the staff wants more flexibility as the offense gets ready for Sundays test against Cincinnati. [Read more 🡒]
CJ Stroud Is Already Fueling A Texans Receiver Storyline
C.J. Stroud did his part to keep the Texans wide receiver conversation moving after Kayshon Bouttes debut, publicly praising the newcomer even after a modest first outing in Houston. The receiver arrived via trade from the New England Patriots and quickly became part of a room that is still taking shape as the Texans settle in for the early part of the season.
With Week 2 against the Bengals on deck, Boutte already looks like a player whose usage bears watching. Houston is still sorting out roles in the passing game, and Strouds endorsement only adds to the sense that Boutte could have a larger footprint soon, even if the first game only offered a brief glimpse of what the Texans may want from him. [Read more 🡒]
DeForest Buckners Return Could Change Everything For The Colts Defense
DeForest Buckners path back to the Colts defensive front has already become one of the more encouraging developments of their camp, especially after the veteran lineman admitted he had even thought about retirement because of the toll of multiple injuries. Instead, Buckner is now back to full participation, and coach Shane Steichen has made clear how much that matters, not just for Buckners health but for the tone he sets in the middle of the defense.
For Houston, the ripple effect is hard to miss. Texans fans know how much a sturdy interior rush can complicate life for C.J. Stroud and an offense trying to find rhythm, and DeMeco Ryans has already shown he is willing to defend his quarterback when the bigger issue is elsewhere, pointing to defensive breakdowns rather than leaning on Strouds turnovers after a recent loss. If Buckner truly looks like himself again, the Colts may have a different kind of leverage in the AFC South race. [Read more 🡒]