Texans Showing Steady Improvement After Dismal Start
Texans Turning Things Around After 0-3 Start
The Houston Texans have won consecutive games heading into their Week 6 bye, providing a much-needed boost of confidence after an 0-3 start to the season. Following a surprising shutout of the Tennessee Titans and a 44-10 blowout of the Baltimore Ravens, the Texans have shown they are capable of competing in the AFC South division.
"We can't go back and change the past, but we can control the future," said Texans general manager Nick Caserio. "The guys have done a good job of focusing on the task at hand and making progress each week."
Rookie QB Stroud Shining Bright
A big reason for the Texans' recent turnaround has been the strong play of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Over the past two games, Stroud has thrown for 477 yards, 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, cementing his status as the team's quarterback of the future.
"He's made some, call it younger player mistakes, which that comes with the territory," Caserio said. "Good kid, good attitude. Builds on some of the things that he continues to do well."
Stroud's poise and decision-making have been particularly impressive, drawing praise from analysts around the league. After the Texans' win over the Ravens, Stroud spoke about his faith, saying "God gets the glory – win, loss or draw."
Defense Stepping Up
While the Texans' offense has had its ups and downs, the defensive unit has been a consistent bright spot. Anchored by a dominant edge-rushing duo of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, as well as standout linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, the Texans' defense has been one of the best in the NFL.
"Their defensive side of the ball has remained an all-around force," said former NFL quarterback and analyst Travis Kelce. "Upfront, the Texans have a dominant edge rushing duo, a high-end linebacker commanding the middle of the field, and a talented secondary."
Playoff Chances Still Murky
Despite the Texans' recent success, their playoff chances remain uncertain. At 2-3, they still face an uphill battle to contend in the AFC South, where the Titans and Jaguars have also found early-season success.
"The numbers indicate the Texans still face an uphill playoff battle," wrote Sports Illustrated. "After starting 0-3, their chances of making the postseason were extremely bleak. Even with the two straight wins, their playoff odds remain long."
TL;DR
- The Houston Texans have won consecutive games after starting the season 0-3, providing a much-needed boost of confidence.
- Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has been a major catalyst for the Texans' turnaround, throwing for 477 yards, 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions over the past two weeks.
- The Texans' defense has been a consistent bright spot, with a dominant edge-rushing duo and a talented secondary.
- Despite the recent improvements, the Texans still face an uphill battle to make the playoffs, as their 2-3 record leaves them in a tough spot in the AFC South.