:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25784866/2188101050.jpg?w=860&resize=860,0&ssl=1 "Houston Texans NFL Energy Rankings: Week 15")
Beginning guard Kenyon Inexperienced has returned to follow, too! Now, his impression on the offense is very controversial, however one other heat physique for the a lot maligned offensive line is a step in the fitting path. That place group particularly shall be below a microscope after this bye week, for his or her missteps have pushed a lot ire from Texans followers this season. In fact this ignores the elephant within the room that’s quarterback C.J. Stroud’s decline in wonderful quarterbacking, however…I’d actually quite proceed to disregard that elephant within the room. If I faux it’s not occurring, it’s not actual, proper?
Right here’s the place the Houston Texans are ranked getting into Week 15 of the 2024 NFL Season:
NFL.COM:
12. Houston Texans (8-5) (Final Week: 12)
The Texans might need crawled into the bye week with a slim win over the Jaguars, following a spell through which Houston gained simply twice in six video games. Nonetheless, the Texans have emerged from their week of relaxation in excellent form to not solely make the postseason but in addition win the AFC South, incomes a house playoff recreation in consequence. So why does it really feel so edgy with this workforce? The shut wins and losses towards subpar foes haven’t helped. The win over the Payments appears like historical historical past now. Fortunately, the Texans have some good measuring-stick video games down the stretch, beginning with Miami this week, with tilts towards the Chiefsand Ravens to observe. Amazingly, they will lose all three of these and nonetheless make the match, however that’s a path no Texan desires to take. If Houston can take down both Kansas Metropolis or Baltimore — or each — it’d give these Texans some actual confidence they will thrive within the playoffs. This hasn’t been the big-step-forward season many predicted, but it surely’s not too late to vary that.
– Eric Edholm
ESPN:
11. Houston Texans (8-5)
Week 14 outcome: Bye
Week 14 rating: 11
Most stunning rating: Quarterback C.J. Stroud leads the league in dropbacks below strain
Stroud has been pressured on 39% of his dropbacks (199), the third most within the NFL, and he has essentially the most passing yards below strain (1,053). That begins with the offensive line. It might make extra sense if the Texans hadn’t closely invested of their line, but it surely’s made up of excessive draft picks and costly contracts. Their O-linemen have a mixed cap hit of roughly $51 million this season, per Roster Administration System, which is fifth highest within the NFL. In 2023, Stroud was pressured on solely 35% of his dropbacks (sixteenth).
– DJ Bien-Aime
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:
15. Houston Texans (8–5)
Final week’s rating: No. 15
Final week’s outcome: bye
This week: vs. Miami
The Texans aren’t precisely a workforce on the skids—the workforce did survive towards Jacksonville the week earlier than the bye—however I’ve a tough time penciling in a win towards Miami at house. This Miami Dolphins workforce is remade and Houston has posted a web optimistic EPA for the offense as a unit simply twice since Oct. 20. Since Week 8, the Texans are twenty fourth in offensive EPA, twenty fourth in dropback EPA and twenty seventh in dropback success charge.
– Conor Orr
THE ATHLETIC:
13. Houston Texans (8-5)
Final week: 13
Sunday: Bye
Breakout participant: Cornerback Kamari Lassiter
The second-round decide doesn’t get as a lot consideration as a few of this yr’s different rookie cornerbacks, however he’s trying like a participant who’s on his technique to locking up move catchers reverse Derek Stingley Jr. for a very long time. Lassiter and Stingley are tied for second on the workforce with three interceptions and tied for sixth on the workforce with 41 tackles every.
Up subsequent: vs. Miami Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
– Josh Kendall
BLEACHER REPORT:
9. Houston Texans (8-5)
Final Week: 10
Week 14 Outcome: Bye Week
As Bucky Brooks wrote for NFL.com, second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud has performed his half in Houston’s struggles. However Stroud’s points transcend only a younger quarterback who isn’t taking part in properly.
“Whenever a quarterback struggles,” Brooks stated, “it is likely due to problems with the play caller, playmakers and/or pass protectors. “The 3 Ps,” as we name them on the Transfer The Sticks Podcast, usually have the largest impression on the QB’s efficiency — and that’s certainly the case with Stroud. The Texans’ schematic points, lack of playmaker availability and poor move safety have contributed to the younger signal-caller’s points. From opponents catching as much as offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s schemes to the revolving door of playmakers round Stroud to the poor play of the offensive line, the QB1’s current woes fall on the shoulders of the group.”
Analyst’s Take
The Texans haven’t any scarcity of offensive expertise, whether or not it’s Joe Mixon on the bottom or Nico Collins via the air. However the Houston offense has been out of sync of late, the protection simply misplaced its No. 1 linebacker to a three-game suspension. And Houston seems headed towards the AFC’s fourth seed, a Spherical 1 matchup with the AFC North runner-up—and a fast exit from the postseason. — Davenport
– Gary Davenport, Maurice Moton, Kristopher Knox, Brent Sobleski
CBS SPORTS:
15. Houston Texans (8-5) (Final Week: 14)
They arrive off a much-needed bye main the division, however they haven’t performed like a playoff workforce a lot of this season. The following 4 weeks must be about getting proper for the playoffs.
– Pete Prisco
YAHOO! SPORTS:
15. Houston Texans (8-5) (Final Week: 15)
The Texans are virtually a lock to win the AFC South as a result of there are not any viable challengers. Additionally they aren’t excellent themselves and sure on their technique to the AFC’s No. 4 seed. Maybe the silver lining is that they mainly have 4 exhibition video games earlier than the playoffs to determine issues out.The Texans are virtually a lock to win the AFC South as a result of there are not any viable challengers. Additionally they aren’t excellent themselves and sure on their technique to the AFC’s No. 4 seed. Maybe the silver lining is that they mainly have 4 exhibition video games earlier than the playoffs to determine issues out.
– Frank Schwab
USA TODAY:
15. Houston Texans (14): “Nobody embodies our program more than Azeez,” GM Nick Caserio not too long ago stated of (rightfully) suspended LB Azeez Al-Shaair. But is it value questioning if Caserio ought to’ve stored blossoming gamers like DE Jonathan Greenard and LB Blake Cashman quite than constructing this program across the likes of free-agent signings like Al-Shaair and growing old Danielle Hunter.
– Nate Davis
PRO FOOTBALL TALK:
14. Texans (No. 15; 8-5): The upcoming Christmas recreation towards the Ravens might be a preview of their playoff recreation.
– Mike Florio
AVERAGE RANKING: (Final Week: )
Picture by Mike Carlson/Getty Photos
The analysts seem to nonetheless be bearish on the Texans and their championship odds, their victory over the bye week having no affect on the zeitgeist surrounding their embattled offense. Not like earlier weeks, we’re now beginning to see repeated criticism levied immediately at Stroud, which simply goes to indicate you that the sophomore hunch is REAL.
All kidding apart, although, I feel the Texans can host, after which dismantle the Miami Dolphins. A small pile of one-score victories have granted the Houston Texans a layer of safety over this brutal last stretch of the season, however they are going to nonetheless must recover from this funk to ensure a spot within the playoffs. If Stroud can start his comeback towards Miami, Houston’s offense shall be in excellent form come January. After which lastly, FINALLY, everybody will be capable of agree they gained their bye week.
What do you suppose, although? Will Houston come out of this bye week trying like a brand new offense, or will they be the identical previous mess? Will C.J. Stroud outduel Tua Tagovailoa? Tell us down within the feedback beneath!
GO TEXANS!!!
