C.J. Stroud keeps giving the Texans enough to win. Houston keeps finding ways not to.
That was the story again Sunday in Arlington, where Stroud turned in one of his sharpest games of the young season and still watched the Texans fall 34-30 to the Dallas Cowboys and slip to 0-4. He finished 21 of 31 for 347 yards and two touchdowns, with no turnovers, and Pro Football Focus credited him with a 92.3 overall offensive grade and a 92.0 passing grade.
The production was real and obvious. Stroud completed nearly 68% of his throws, averaged 11.2 yards per attempt and kept the offense pushing the ball downfield. He also found Nico Collins seven times for 118 yards and two touchdowns in Collins’ return after a two-game absence.
Houston had a chance to close it out, too. The Texans went ahead 30-27 on an 87-yard touchdown drive with a little more than two minutes left, and Stroud was central to getting them there.
All they needed after that was one stop. Dallas answered with a 74-yard game-winning drive and scored with 40 seconds remaining.
That is not the kind of finish that belongs on Stroud’s shoulders.
He was also working with an offense that got almost nothing going on the ground. Houston’s running backs combined for 46 yards on 16 carries, which left the passing game carrying most of the load. Stroud handled it.
That has been the pattern for most of the season. Through four games, he has thrown for at least 274 yards in three of them, has yet to throw an interception, and now has two 300-yard outings. Against Dallas, he posted his best passer rating of the year at 126.7.
The Texans have plenty to fix, and 0-4 makes that impossible to ignore. But Stroud has not been the problem. If anything, he has been one of the few reliable things Houston can count on while the rest of the roster has fallen short.
If the Texans are going to climb out of this hole, they already know where to start. Stroud is giving them something to build on. Now the rest of the team has to meet him there.
In Other News...
Texans Suddenly Linked To A Receiver Move Fans Will Obsess Over
The receiver market just got a lot more interesting for teams with an eye on upgrading before the deadline, and Houston is suddenly being mentioned in the middle of it. Marvin Harrison Jr. has reportedly been informed by Arizona that he will be traded and will be inactive for the Cardinals' upcoming game, with ESPN insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport reporting the deal will not be completed until after Sunday's games.
For the Texans, the link is obvious enough to get attention, even if nothing has been confirmed. A move for a player with Harrison's profile would fit the kind of swing teams make when they think they are close, and it is exactly the sort of rumor that can take on a life of its own in Houston. For now, though, it remains speculation, with the actual destination still waiting to be revealed. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Suddenly Have A New Concern Ahead Of Titans Showdown
Aireontae Erserys status became a late-week concern for the Texans after the starting left tackle missed Fridays practice because of an illness ahead of Sundays matchup with the Titans. Houston is still searching for its first win of the season at 0-4, and any change up front is especially worth watching for an offense that has already had plenty to sort through.
Erserys availability is still uncertain, leaving the Texans with the possibility of having to reshuffle their offensive line on short notice. Against a Tennessee front that can make life difficult, Houston would prefer as much stability as possible in front of its quarterback, and this situation adds another layer of pressure heading into a game the Texans badly need to find a way to win. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Depth Chart Just Got More Complicated Before Titans Game
The Texans Week 5 preparation for Tennessee got a little busier after a flurry of roster moves that reshaped the bottom and middle of the depth chart. Houston activated second-round pick McDonald and veteran safety Stewart from injured reserve, then elevated Hall from the practice squad for his season debut as the team continues to sort out which pieces are ready to help right away and which are still being eased back in.
Houston also released Gronowski and Oliver from the 53-man roster, with both expected to land back on the practice squad, while Murray remains on the active roster and could factor into the defense with a starting role. For a team trying to settle its mix heading into a divisional game, the question now is less about who is available than how quickly all of these moving parts can be put into place. [Read more 🡒]