Houston Texans enter Week 9 with a 2-5 record after losing four of their first seven games. The Texans briefly appeared to be turning things around with consecutive victories over the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars, but their 27-21 overtime defeat to the New York Giants in Week 7 brought those hopes back down to earth.
Houston travels to face the Los Angeles Chargers on November 8. Los Angeles is also having a miserable season, sitting at 0-7 after losing to the Rams. The Chargers’ offensive struggles make this an appealing opportunity for Houston, although the Texans cannot afford to underestimate them.
Despite the poor record, some analysts still see potential in Houston. Its passing offense has been productive, but defensive regression and an unreliable running game continue to hold the team back.
Where the Texans Stand in National Week 9 Power Rankings
ESPN: 22(-1)
Bleacher Report: 20(+2)
FOX Sports: 20(+2)
CBS Sports: 23(-2)
Sports Illustrated: 25(-4)
What National Pundits Say About the Texans’ Power Rankings Before Week 9
“Historically, the Texans haven’t made many in-season trades. Zero have resulted in Houston receiving a game-changing player. The hope is Marvin Harrison Jr., who was acquired from the Cardinals in early October, could become exactly that. Thomas was at least the most effective player out of all the choices. In 2018, Houston started 0-3 and reeled off nine consecutive wins to finish 11-5. Houston acquired Thomas after five wins in a row, and in his first game, he had 61 receiving yards against his former team, the Broncos. He finished the season with 275 receiving yards for Houston with two touchdowns,” DJ Bien-Aime, ESPN.
“General manager Nick Caserio was blunt in his assessment of the Houston Texans’ defense after disappointing through the team’s first seven games. Houston’s offense has played relatively well, but the defense underperformed after finishing as last year’s top-ranked unit. Expect those previous problem areas to be points of emphasis coming out of the Texans’ bye week, especially with the winless Los Angeles Chargers next on the docket,” Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report.
“Here’s the good news for the Texans coming out of their bye: They’re in second place in the AFC South despite a 2-5 record. They’re 2.5 games out of a wild-card spot, but the point is that their division is pretty awful and they still have to play the two worst teams — the Titans and Colts — one more time each. They also get the Chargers, Ravens, Commanders and Eagles, so there are a lot of soft spots in the second half of their schedule. If they can get over their pre-bye loss to the Giants, they still have an outside chance to be OK,” Ralph Vacchiano, FOX Sports.
“It’s hard for many to see how this team is down this low in the rankings. Here’s why: the defense has been a mess. They can’t afford another loss or they might be done,” Pete Prisco, CBS Sports.
The defense has been Houston’s concern, while offense has shown enough potential to keep Houston competitive
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Texans’ defensive regression has become difficult to ignore. After finishing last season with the league’s top-ranked defense, Houston has struggled with missed tackles, poor communication and explosive plays allowed. General manager Nick Caserio openly acknowledged the problem, saying, “We’re the worst team in the league in tackling.”
C.J. Stroud has thrown for 1,867 yards and 11 touchdowns with only one interception through seven games. The Texans are averaging 23.6 points and 338.1 total yards per game, ranking 12th and 15th, respectively. Their passing attack has been particularly productive, generating 253.4 net passing yards per game. However, the running game remains a weakness, averaging just 84.7 rushing yards per game. Houston needs better balance to take pressure off Stroud.
Houston’s upcoming schedule provides opportunities to recover, beginning with the winless Chargers. The Texans also have upcoming matchups against the Browns and Colts, giving them a chance to build momentum. At 2-5, the Texans still have a mathematical path back into the playoff conversation, but another defeat could make that climb considerably harder.
More on the Houston Texans
- Where do the Texans Sit in AFC South Division Round Up Moving to Bye Week?
- DeMeco Ryans Says His Coaching Staff Stays All Season as Texans Sit 0-4 at Home
- Houston Texans Suddenly Have No Margin for Error at Wide Receiver
- Texans Stock Watch: Will Anderson Jr. Leads Struggling Defense with 7.5 Sacks
