Houston Texans NFL Energy Rankings: Week 14

One other week in November down, and one other week the place countrywide confidence in Houston’s soccer workforce appears to be ready. It was with nice mercy that the Houston Texans retired the Jacksonville Jaguars of their slim, 23-20 defeat. Although this makes for a season-sweep of the Jaguars and a large lead within the division race, Houston’s inventory continues to dip every week. Two weeks in the past, it was all about their lack of ability to attain within the second half; final week, it was about their practice wreck of a sport towards Tennessee; and this week, it’s all about linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and his poorly timed soiled hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

It’s now anticipated that Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair can be suspended for the hit that he delivered Sunday to Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence. The one query is for the way lengthy. pic.twitter.com/P8phFecS02

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2024

This hit would give Lawrence a concussion and lead to Al-Shaair, considered one of Houston’s greatest linebackers, receiving a three-game suspension within the last month of the season. This comes at a very difficult time for Houston, as effectively, seeing as their subsequent opponents are the Miami Dolphins, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens. By some means the Texans have made a victory really feel like a curse, and their positioning within the playoffs is now extra suspect than ever. I’ve to confess, I used to be initially irritated to see so many pundits holding Houston in the course of the pack after this win, however after desirous about it and seeing the remaining schedule, I’ve discovered myself agreeing with them. C.J. Stroud now not has time to search out his footing in 2024, he has to determine it out this week, or witness the collapse of this season on the bitter finish.

Right here’s the place the Texans are ranked coming into Week 14 of the 2024 NFL Season:

NFL.COM:

12. Houston Texans (8-5) (Final Week: 12)

The Texans reached their Week 14 bye within the nick of time. At 8-5, they’re in respectable form however have sputtered total prior to now month and a half. Houston had cleaner offensive execution on Sunday, taking part in its first turnover-free sport since Week 7. However this time, as an alternative of getting heat offensively early after which cooling off late, the Texans did their greatest work within the second half, at the same time as they escaped with a slim victory over the Jaguars. The protection stored its streak alive of video games with at the least one turnover pressured, extending it to eight, however that was not a terrific efficiency towards a Jags workforce that was led by Mac Jones for a lot of the day, after Azeez Al-Shaair’s unlawful hit knocked Trevor Lawrence out of the sport — and can now price Al-Shaair the following three video games. Houston nonetheless must discover a strategy to play an entire 4 quarters, particularly towards a lower-rung workforce. The Colts don’t seem like fading simply but. Proper now, the AFC South champs could be the No. 4 seed within the playoffs, which might possible imply taking part in the Chargers or the second-place AFC North workforce — and at this level, I believe the Texans could be dwelling underdogs towards both.

– Eric Edholm

ESPN:

11. Houston Texans (8-5)

Week 13 outcome: Beat the Jaguars 23-20

Week 13 rating: 12

First-time Professional Bowl nominee: Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.

Stingley has performed at an All-Professional stage with moments of dominance. He has held two groups — the Cowboys (3.5) and Jaguars (zero) — to a cross score of lower than 5 when throwing towards him this season. Amongst cornerbacks with at the least 300 snaps, he has allowed the fourth-lowest score when focused (57.8) and the second-most cross deflections (15). Stingley was a Professional Bowl alternate final season, however he’s trending towards being a Professional Bowler and an All-Professional with these numbers.

– DJ Bien-Aime

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:

15. Houston Texans (8–5)

Final week’s rating: No. 15

Final week’s outcome: beat Jacksonville, 23–20

This week: bye

If you wish to learn my tackle the Azeez Al-Shaair state of affairs, you are able to do so right here. Solely two different quarterbacks threw into extra tight home windows than C.J. Stroud did on Sunday, and I’m attempting to resolve whether or not that’s as a result of his receivers should not getting good separation or if he’s merely not seeing it proper now. And I believe my takeaway is that Houston is doing rather a lot offensively to guard Stroud given the struggles of the offensive line, which merely ends in fewer out there extensive receivers. Stroud acquired smoked on his first try on a superb covert blitz from Devin Lloyd that just about resulted in a sack however he nonetheless managed to eliminate the ball. I believe he’s nonetheless a plus-player for Houston and continues to be making some glorious throws regardless of the circumstances.

– Conor Orr

THE ATHLETIC:

13. Houston Texans (8-5)

Final week: 13

Sunday: Beat Jacksonville Jaguars 23-20

Worst-case situation: C.J. Stroud’s rookie yr was a mirage

The Texans’ second-year quarterback is twenty fifth in EPA per dropback (minus-.01) and twenty third (amongst certified QBs) in passer score (87.9) this yr. Since Week 7, he’s twenty seventh in touchdown-to-interception ratio with 5 of every. He was adequate to beat Jacksonville on Sunday (22 of 34 for 242 yards and a landing), however that’s not the usual by which Stroud and the Texans can be judged this season.

Up subsequent: Bye

– Josh Kendall

BLEACHER REPORT:

10. Houston Texans (8-5)

Final Week: 10

Week 13 Consequence: Gained at Jacksonville 23-20

The NFL is a results-driven enterprise, and in that regard, all is effectively in Houston. The Texans are 8-5 after downing the Jaguars on Sunday. With a two-game lead over flawed groups, the AFC South is probably going theirs.

Whereas addressing the media postgame, head coach DeMeco Ryans stated that proper now his largest concern is solely getting his workforce some relaxation after 13 straight weeks of motion.

“Yeah, it’s a win for us, a big win for us,” Ryans stated. “Now, we need a break. It’s been a long time. … It’s 13 weeks straight now. It’s been a long time and our guys, I think we felt that toward the end of the game. Our guys are gassed. The bye week is coming up at a perfect time for us.”

Nevertheless, the Texans have issues coming into the bye. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has backslid in his second season. The workforce will possible be with out linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair once they return to motion—he’s taking a look at a suspension after a vicious hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

These are issues for one more day, although. Proper now, the Texans simply want a breath.

Analyst’s Take

The Texans haven’t fairly lived as much as expectations this season, although they at the moment lead the AFC South by two video games. To be truthful, preseason projections beloved Houston’s prospects after seeing quarterback C.J. Stroud piece collectively probably the greatest rookie seasons in NFL historical past. Stroud hasn’t been fairly as environment friendly this fall. The offensive line has had its points at factors. Accidents performed their half as effectively, together with extensive receiver Nico Collins lacking 4 video games with a balky hamstring. However Collins is again within the lineup and as soon as once more taking part in like an elite extensive receiver, which makes every thing on offense function at a better stage. — Sobleski

– Gary Davenport, Maurice Moton, Kristopher Knox, Brent Sobleski

CBS SPORTS:

14. Houston Texans (8-5) (Final Week: 14)

They nonetheless don’t look proper on offense, so the remainder of the season must be about getting it going for the postseason. C.J. Stroud hasn’t been the identical man.

– Pete Prisco

YAHOO! SPORTS:

15. Houston Texans (8-5) (Final Week: 13)

The Texans maintain skating by. Beating the Jaguars by simply three factors, after Azeez Al-Shaair took out Trevor Lawrence with a grimy hit early within the sport, is one other in a protracted line of unimpressive wins. They have been purported to be a Tremendous Bowl contender and are nowhere close to that.

– Frank Schwab

USA TODAY:

14. Houston Texans (12): Now that LB Azeez Al-Shaair has been hit with a three-game suspension for his brutal hit on Jags QB Trevor Lawrence, a protection that was already suspect on the second stage could possibly be in deep trouble towards upcoming opponents (Dolphins, Chiefs, Ravens) that thrive whereas exploiting the center of the sphere.

– Nate Davis

PRO FOOTBALL TALK:

15. Texans (No. 17; 8-5): They nonetheless don’t seem like a workforce that may win an AFC playoff sport.

– Mike Florio

Picture by Mike Carlson/Getty Photographs

There’s nonetheless just a few author’s placing Houston across the #10 spot, however most have develop into snug placing Houston between #14-16. Fortunately, the Texans have caught a little bit of a break and at last arrived at their bye week, providing them a a lot wanted break in the course of the season to recuperate. Repairing the passing offense will definitely be a precedence, and so will changing Al-Shaair on the depth chart. Henry To’oTo’o has stepped up his sport this season, but when injured linebacker Christian Harris isn’t ready to make his return, we’re going to see important snaps go to both Jake Hansen and/or Neville Hewitt. It’ll be a tall order for them to wrap up gamers like De’Von Achane, Isaiah Pacheco, and Derrick Henry, that means it is going to be that rather more essential that Stroud finds some extra of that magic pixie mud that he was abusing in the course of the 2023 season. Houston continues to be in management, however the gentle on the finish of the common season tunnel appears to have gotten a complete lot dimmer.

What do you suppose, although? Is Houston about to enter the roughest sledding of their season, or will this last quarter of season go merrily? Tell us down within the feedback beneath!

GO TEXANS!!!!