The Houston Texans will enter the 2025 NFL Playoffs coming off their second straight AFC South title. Head coach DeMeco Ryans had utterly revitalized a franchise that was coming off three straight postseason absences. The Texans will now face the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Chargers as they attempt to win their second playoff recreation below their head coach. Regardless of this success, it has been a making an attempt season at occasions for quarterback CJ Stroud and firm.
The Texans have picked up some eye-opening losses all through the season such because the 31-2 house blowout to the Baltimore Ravens and the midseason defeat to the lowly New York Jets. These defeats got here after Houston began the season at 6-2, wanting like a contender for a top-two seed within the AFC. Nevertheless, the inconsistencies on each side of the ball led to a middling finish to the season, with the workforce going 10-7 total.
Some folks nonetheless contemplate the Texans to be Tremendous Bowl contenders regardless of these struggles at sure factors this season. Nevertheless, there’s a main weak spot that may seemingly be the explanation this workforce is at house in early February. Right here is our choose for Houston’s deadly flaw.
The Houston Texans’ offense is their deadly flaw
The Texans’ offense has had a disappointing season after being a pleasing shock final 12 months. Regardless of the shortage of gaudy stats in 2023, coming into a season with a defensive first-year head coach and rookie quarterback is normally not a profitable recipe within the NFL. That was not the case for this franchise which was additionally coming off a 3-13-1 season total in 2022. Ohio State star quarterback CJ Stroud was a revelation for the Texans instantly, dominating the Rookie of the 12 months race for many of 2023.
The Rancho, Cucamonga native accomplished 63.9% of his throws for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns. Stroud solely threw 5 picks whereas setting a league file for many makes an attempt with out an interception to begin his profession at 186. Total, the Texans averaged 22.2 factors a recreation final 12 months which ranked thirteenth within the NFL.
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The passing offense put up 245.5 yards per contest, which was ok for seventh. Sadly, each these averages have taken a dip in 2024. The extra noticeable of the 2 has been by way of the air. The CJ Stroud-led offense is barely placing up 207.4 passing yards a recreation this season. Houston’s quarterback has regressed statistically in his sophomore season as star wideouts Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs have been much less obtainable than in earlier seasons.
In Diggs’ case, the four-time Professional Bowler is out for the season with a knee harm he picked up in Week 8 towards the Colts. Collins has recorded his second 1,000-yard season regardless of taking part in simply twelve video games this 12 months. At working again, the Texans upgraded this season, including former Bengals star Joe Mixon this offseason. Mixon has not been a disappointment by any means.
Regardless of an improved floor recreation, the Texans have struggled closely to transform within the pink zone. Houston is barely scoring when contained in the 20 49.12% of the time, which ranks towards the underside of the NFL. The important thing heading into this recreation can be each pink zone and third down conversion fee.
The Texans are lackluster in each classes, regardless of being among the many finest in time of possession. With a protection that has at occasions been vulnerable to bodily dashing assaults, this workforce can get worn down with an offense that is not in rhythm.
Total, the Los Angeles Chargers share a few of Houston’s weaknesses heading into this matchup. This recreation is primed to be a defensive slugfest with two elite, younger quarterbacks who’ve the potential to interrupt out. Nevertheless, the offensive inconsistencies that DeMeco Ryans’ workforce has proven all through the season, present that this workforce will not be fairly able to go on a Tremendous Bowl run.
To win 4 straight postseason contests, a workforce wants to have the ability to win defensive slugfests, high-scoring shootouts, and all the things in between. The Texans haven’t proven that form of versatility in 2024 to win their first title in franchise historical past. Nevertheless, there nonetheless is an opportunity for this franchise to win a couple of video games within the 2025 NFL Playoffs.