SB Nation Reacts Outcomes: Stroud Nonetheless Slumping

Week 16 is right here and the Texans face their hardest match but. They face the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs who’ve solely misplaced one sport all season. The Chiefs will play with an injured Patrick Mahomes, however that shouldn’t cease them from placing up a battle in opposition to the back-to-back AFC South champs. It’s a sport with main implications for seeding. Not solely that, followers are brimming with confidence after a win in opposition to the Miami Dolphins. One other victory, this time over the very best group in soccer, would ignite a Texans fanbase like we’ve not seen in a decade.

First up, we requested the Texans fanbase their confidence degree on the path the group is heading in.

That’s a six % improve from earlier than the Miami Dolphins sport. 3⁄4 of followers agree that Houston is on the up-and-up, which is a incredible feeling all issues thought of. This offense has sputtered all through the season, however the protection has been stellar. The group is getting more healthy with the return of Christian Harris and the secondary is taking part in out of their minds. They’ll want to take action to compete with a 13-1 Kansas Metropolis Chiefs group.

Now that the Texans have clinched the AFC South, Second query requested followers to choose who they most wish to play within the Wild Card Spherical of the AFC Playoffs.

Contemplating the polling concluded earlier than the Thursday Night time Soccer sport that includes the Broncos and Chargers, this prediction holds additional true. Nearly half of followers agree that the Broncos are the group they most wish to face. Their loss to the Chargers will make it tough; Houston is pretty locked into the fourth seed and the Broncos loss places them higher in vary to be the seven seed as an alternative of the fifth.

The principle deciding issue now can be Houston’s matchup with Baltimore subsequent week. If Houston can declare victory and the Chargers win, Houston could possibly stave off a primary spherical matchup with the mighty Ravens.

Final on our checklist of questions for the followers was if QB C.J. Stroud has formally exited his “sophomore slump”.

Stroud’s two sport streak with out an interception is promising, however not sufficient to persuade the vast majority of Texans followers. Stroud is undeniably having a worse second season than his rookie yr. He’s thrown 9 interceptions this season to his 5 final yr and has six much less touchdowns than in 2023. Nearly each conceivable metric and stat is behind this yr in comparison with final. Whereas the final two video games have proven an improved efficiency, it hasn’t been sufficient to modify the flip for followers and the group. An enormous sport in opposition to the Chiefs will exhibit if Stroud has formally exited the sophomore droop.

Total, Texans followers are comfortable to see the group has as soon as once more received the AFC South. The Texans are actually one title behind tying the Indianapolis Colts with 9 AFC South titles. Humorous sufficient, the Texans have solely received the AFC South title in back-to-back seasons. HOUSTON TEXANS (7): 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018. 2019, 2023, 2024

The group is wanting up and followers have taken discover, whereas not the whole lot is sunshine and rainbows, significantly on the C.J. Stroud entrance, Texans are optimistic and hoping for a straightforward highway by the AFC Championship sport.