The Houston Texans suffered their second loss of the 2024 season in Week 7, as they were defeated 24-22, thanks to a game-winning field goal by Packers‘ promising placekicker Brandon McManus. The game was highlighted by the Green Bay defense being able to contain the Texans’ playmakers.
Normally known for having an awesome, offensive attack, C.J. Stroud only attempted 21 passes in the contest. He completed just 10 of those throws for a meager 86 yards. Following the battle with The Pack, Stroud addressed his team’s stagnant performance on offense.
Texans Quarterback Discusses Team’s Performance
Following the Texans’ (now 5-2, 1st in AFC South) hapless aerial effort against the Packers (5-2, 2nd in the NFC North), the team’s leader offered a very straightforward response.
“A lot of things didn’t go right offensively,” said Stroud. “We just really didn’t get in a rhythm early. We missed some opps (opportunities). I thought we ran the ball really well, but just weren’t clicking in the passing game.”
Texans running back Joe Mixon carried the ball 25 times for 125 yards, scoring the Texans’ only two touchdowns. His productivity helped keep his team in the game down to the bitter end. The former Bengal has racked up 401 yards and four touchdowns in the early stages of the season, despite battling some nagging injuries.
“[We] just couldn’t find a rhythm so we have to go watch the film, figure out what went wrong, and try to just get better,” Stroud explained further. “Actually, do get better. There is no try. Just get back to practice and work harder.”
The Texans passer also stressed that the team needs to get Tank Dell more involved in the offense. The 5’8″ firecracker has shown flashes of explosiveness early in the 2024 NFL season.
“We have to find a way to try and get [Dell] the rock early and often and then go from there,” said Stroud. “It has to be a focus for us, not only just him, but the whole offense clicking early. That is really my job, to get the ball out on time and to where it is supposed to go. So yeah, that definitely has to be fixed.”
Game Planning for Upcoming Opponents
Texans Coach DeMeco Ryans echoed Stroud’s sentiment in his post-game comments.
“Our keys to victory this week was executing and finishing, and we didn’t execute well enough,” Ryans said. “All the way across the board, we didn’t execute well enough, and we didn’t finish the game. I credit the Packers. They finished it the right way. Made the plays when they needed to make it, and they finished the game the right way. For us to play how we played offensively is just not good enough for us. We have to play better. Guys have to execute better. Have to step up.”
Considering Stroud’s success in the league, it’s doubtful that the Texans will have less than 100 passing yards in a game again this year. By season’s end, the loss to Green Bay may end up being just an anomaly. But with star wideout Nico Collins currently out of action, the team will rely heavily on the strong ground game with Joe Mixon, and continue to try and establish new targets on offense.
The Texans will host AFC South rivals, the Indianapolis Colts, in Week 8. Indy is 4-3 on the year and right behind Houston in the standings. This could be a ‘statement game’ for both teams.
Main Photo Courtesy of Jeff Hanisch – Imagn Images
