No Room for Error: C.J. Stroud, Texans Must Deliver in Week 3
Following Monday’s heartbreaking 20-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Houston Texans (0-2) turn their attention to the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1). Dating back to the start of the 2018 season, Houston has won 12 of the last 14 against their AFC South rivals, including a sweep last season.
If the Texans hope to continue their winning ways against Jacksonville, players on the offensive side of the ball are going to need to turn things around on Sunday.
Texans players under the most pressure to help bounce-back from another loss
C.J. Stroud admits he need to improve
In their two losses, Houston’s offense has managed just 28 points, the worst in the NFL. Leading the offense is Stroud, who has thrown for 395 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also holds an 85.0 passer rating, one of the lowest among quarterbacks with two starts.
Asked by reporters this week what he can be better at, Stroud had a simple response, “I don’t know, everything?”
"I could always be better," he continued. "I told DeMeco [Ryans] today if there's anything he sees or anybody sees I can be better in let me know. My process has been really good lately. I see the field well. Putting the ball where it’s supposed to be with the coverages and what not. Some things is just I didn’t really get a ton of reps with some of the guys were getting in the game at receiver. That's a little bit of a challenge. I think that's one of my biggest things is just being a coach on the field and taking that step, that's an area I can grow in."
Offensive Line woes need to be solved fast!
A big reason for Stroud’s early struggles could be the play of the offensive line. After Stroud was sacked 52 times last season, Houston decided to rehaul its line this offseason – bringing in veterans Ed Ingram, Laken Tomlinson, and Cam Robinson, and drafting tackle Aireontae Ersery.
Unfortunately, this year’s unit might be worse. Through the team’s first two games, Stroud has consistently been under pressure on dropbacks and has already been sacked six times.
But what did we really expect? Prior to the start of this season, multiple publications, including Pro Football Focus, ranked Houston’s offensive line among the worst in the NFL.
The addition of former Cleveland Browns tight end Brendan Bates this week may help. Bates, who was claimed off the Browns' practice squad, is known for his ability to block.
Texans should rely more on Nick Chubb
With last year’s starter Joe Mixon on the PUP list, former Browns star Nick Chubb has received the bulk of the carries in his absence. Chubb has rushed 25 times for 103 yards (4.1 yards per rush) across the first two games. This included a rather easy 25-yard touchdown run Monday night against the Buccaneers, which has people questioning whether it was intentional or not.
If the Texans can get Chubb going, this should open the passing game for Stroud to find Nico Collins and others. After two straight 1,000-yard seasons, Stroud has connected with Collins just six times for 77 yards to begin this season.
A win against the Jaguars on Sunday is crucial. Per ESPN Insights, only one team has started a season 0-3 and gone on to make the playoffs this century. That team? The 2018 Houston Texans.
Cowboys Leaning Toward Not Playing Jadeveon Clowney in Week 3 Against Bears
The Cowboys finally got pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney to The Star this week, but whether we see him on the field when Dallas plays the Bears in Chicago this week is another story. Clowney, who was released by the Panthers in May, has not had a training camp but has said he’s ready to take the field.
After owner Jerry Jones said there’d be a chance Clowney plays earlier in the week, his son and team VP Stephen Jones said it’s not quite sure that will be the case.
“Right now, it’s gonna be a gametime decision,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Friday. “But we’re seeing how he does, he did more today. I know Jerry mentioned he’d have a chance to play but after practice, and talking about it today, it’s probably a final gametime decision but leaning toward him not playing this week.”
Jadeveon Clowney Arrested
Clowney, it was revealed this week, was arrested on a trespassing charge shortly before signing with the Cowboys. The incident occurred on September 12 back in his hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and the charge was a misdemeanor. Clowney was apparently trying to park in a lot that was closed and said he was detained for about 20 minutes.
He termed the situation, “frustrating.”
“Nobody knows what happened, they just going off (the report) and (police) always get the last say,” he said. “It happened and it was just a parking situation more than anything, and it escalated and if you know anything about South Carolina and where I’m from, you know how that can go. It can go left very fast and it went left.”
Cowboys Could Have Clowney on the Field
As for playing, Clowney that being a pass rusher is not all that complicated. “It’s just football,” he said. He feels ready to play, but will kick back if the Cowboys want to give him another week.
“I’ve been practicing, we’ll see how it goes,” Clowney said. “It’s not my first time. I’ve done it about three times. Whoever they got playing man, I’m just looking forward for the opportunity to get out there and get going.”
Cowboys Defense Badly Needs Improvement
Obviously, the Cowboys need to improve their defense after giving up 450 yards passing to Russell Wilson and the Giants last week. Their pass rush currently ranks 17th in the NFL by Pro Football Focus grades, and their injury-riddled secondary ranks 22nd.
“The pass rush is going to get better,” Jones said. “We’re not going to solve it overnight with one player, but getting Clowney in, I think, helps it.”
The overall defense should get better, too.
Said Jones: “I think it is a work in progress. Obviously, you can’t do that, give up the yardage we gave up and the points we gave up, the big plays, the explosive plays. Everybody on the staff, our team, the organization is aware you don’t win many football games doing that. We’ve got one of the best in the business in Matt Eberflus and I’ve got all the confidence in the world we’re gonna do what we need to do to shore that up.”
