The Houston Texans’ season came to a screeching halt in the Divisional Round-again. For the third straight year, and seventh time in franchise history, Houston reached this stage of the playoffs.
And for the third straight year, they couldn’t get past it. This time, it was a 28-16 loss to the New England Patriots that sent them home, and while the score might suggest a competitive game, the reality was far more frustrating for Texans fans.
Let’s be clear: Houston had its chances. After giving up an early touchdown, they answered with a field goal.
Then came a rollercoaster sequence-C.J. Stroud threw an interception, but the defense responded with a forced fumble that set up a touchdown.
Momentum was within reach. But from that point on, it all started to unravel.
The Texans went into halftime trailing 21-10, and while they trimmed the deficit to five in the third quarter, they never truly threatened to take control.
And that’s the story of this game: missed opportunities, self-inflicted wounds, and a complete breakdown in the trenches.
The Defense Did Its Job
Let’s start with the side of the ball that showed up: the defense. Holding any team to 248 total yards and forcing three turnovers in a playoff game is usually a recipe for success.
The Texans’ defense gave the offense every chance to stay in it. They created short fields, disrupted the Patriots’ rhythm, and made key stops.
But when the other side of the ball is sputtering, even a strong defensive effort can only carry you so far.
The Offensive Line Fell Apart
The offensive line, battered by injuries, was overwhelmed from start to finish. Tytus Howard, normally a guard, was forced to play right tackle due to Trent Brown’s absence.
Then Howard himself got banged up mid-game. Tight end Dalton Schultz was also out, which didn’t help the blocking situation.
But injuries or not, the line simply couldn’t hold up.
The Patriots’ front seven lived in the Texans’ backfield. The run game was non-existent-Woody Marks managed just 17 yards on 14 carries, and Nick Chubb added only 14 yards on four touches.
That’s 2.2 yards per carry as a team, and if you take away Stroud’s two scrambles, the number dips below 2. That’s not just bad-it’s a brick wall.
C.J. Stroud Struggled Under Pressure
Stroud didn’t have much help, but he didn’t help himself either. The second-year quarterback was under duress all game long, pressured on 21 dropbacks.
He was sacked three times, scrambled twice, and on the remaining 16 pressured throws, he completed just two passes and tossed three interceptions. When the pocket collapsed, so did his decision-making.
And even when he had time, things didn’t look much better. Stroud forced throws into tight coverage, missed open receivers, and struggled with timing.
His first-half stat line told the story: four interceptions, including a back-breaking pick-six to Marcus Jones. Yes, he was missing key weapons like Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz, but that doesn’t excuse forcing throws to Christian Kirk in double coverage.
Stroud finished the game 20-of-47 for 212 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions. That’s a 28.0 quarterback rating-a number that reflects just how off-kilter his performance was.
Across two playoff games this year, he completed just 42 of 79 passes for 462 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions. Add in two lost fumbles, and it was a postseason to forget.
A Pattern Emerging?
Now three years into his playoff career, Stroud has six touchdowns and six interceptions in the postseason. In the Divisional Round specifically, he’s managed just one touchdown pass in three games. He’s proven he can get the Texans to January, but whether he can take them deeper into the playoffs is still an open question.
Coaching Decisions Under the Microscope
Head coach DeMeco Ryans stood by his quarterback, even as the game slipped away. At halftime, with Stroud already having thrown four picks, Ryans told ESPN, “This team has his back.
The first half is over.” And while loyalty is admirable, the lack of adjustment was costly.
The Texans made almost no schematic changes in the second half. The offense continued to sputter, and the Patriots’ pass rush continued to feast.
There was no shift in protection, no creative playcalling to slow down the rush-just more of the same. That falls on the coaching staff.
Then came the critical decision late in the fourth quarter. Down by 11 with 4:17 left and facing 4th-and-18 from their own 21, Ryans chose to punt.
With just one timeout left, the odds of getting the ball back with enough time were slim. Predictably, the Patriots drained over two minutes off the clock, and when Houston got the ball back, it was too little, too late.
If you’re going to ride with your quarterback, that’s the moment to show it. Instead, the Texans played it safe-and paid the price.
The Bottom Line
This wasn’t a team that got outclassed in every phase. The defense gave them a shot.
But the offensive line crumbled, the run game vanished, and Stroud had his worst performance when it mattered most. Add in some conservative coaching decisions, and it’s no surprise the Texans are watching the AFC Championship from home-again.
The Texans have built a roster that can contend. But until they solve their protection issues, get more consistency from their quarterback in big moments, and show a little more adaptability on the sideline, they’ll keep running into the same wall in January.