How statement upset win over Bengals pushes Stroud, Texans expectations to new heights

TEXANS ON TAP

Coming off a huge upset win over the Bengals this Sunday, CJ Stroud is now firmly in the MVP conversation with the team at 5-4, one game behind the Jaguars in the AFC South.

Stroud also leads the NFL in passing yards per game, and TD to Int ratio. And man is this offense fun to watch. Nobody pushes the ball down the field more effectively than Stroud and the Texans. So let's give some credit to the pass catchers.

With wide receiver Nico Collins missing the game due to injury, Stroud connected with Noah Brown 7 times for 172 yards. Brown's performance over the last 2 weeks has been incredible.

In fact, the Texans have 2 of the top 3 receivers when it comes to yards per catch. Brown is first with 20.9. Nico Collins is third at 17.5. Brown is also 10th in the league when it comes to yards per game (87.8).

One of the other factors that helped the Texans secure a victory this Sunday was their improvement in the running game. The Bengals struggle to stop the run, and Devin Singletary was able to capitalize with 150 yards on 30 attempts.

Finally, let's discuss the defense that was able to go into Cincinnati and beat Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase. DeMeco's crew was able to sack Burrow 4 times, and Sheldon Rankins had three of those sacks. He also just missed another with about 3 minutes left in the first quarter.

The game actually shouldn't have been this close, as Stroud made a big mistake trying to force a ball to Tank Dell late in the fourth quarter, which resulted in an interception.

Thankfully, the Texans were able to keep the Bengals out of the end zone as Tyler Boyd dropped a touchdown, which led to a Bengals field goal.

It sure is nice to be able to learn from mistakes while still winning the game. And without that poor decision, we don't get to see Stroud finish another game-winning drive, leading his team to victory in back-to-back weeks.

Be sure to watch the video above as we break down what this win means for Stroud and the Texans moving forward.

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The Texans made some big upgrades to the offense! Composite Getty Image.

The Texans made their first splash of the 2025 NFL Draft by trading back from pick No. 25 to No. 34 overall, landing Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins early in the second round. The move down with the Giants gave Houston flexibility—and still brought them a potential weapon with rare physical tools.

Higgins comes in at 6'4", 214 pounds, with a 4.47 forty and a 39-inch vertical. That size-speed combo makes him a strong candidate for an X receiver role or a power slot option, where he could carve out a significant target share. While he can win from the boundary, the mismatch potential inside might unlock more of his upside.

Fantasy Pros analyst Derek Brown sees Higgins as a developing player in the mold of former Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas. Higgins ranked 20th in yards per route run vs. man coverage, showing he can create separation against NFL-style looks. He’s forced 25 missed tackles over the past two years, though he’s not exactly a YAC monster—averaging 4.5 yards after catch per reception. For comparison, Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan posted 5.5 YAC per catch for his career and had more missed tackles forced in 2024 alone than Higgins managed across two seasons.

Still, Higgins’ physicality and potential as a power slot make him a fascinating fit for Houston’s offense. If he had played at a higher-profile program, some scouts believe he might have cracked the first round. He’ll need to improve his release off the line and consistently play to his size, but the traits are all there. With Jaylin Noel as his teammate at Iowa State, Higgins didn't always have the spotlight—but in Houston, he might just grow into it. He possesses similar traits to Nico Collins, which could come in handy considering Collins tends to miss time due to injury every season.

Here's what NFL.com's Draft Analyst Lance Zierlein thinks about Higgins via NFL.com:

Big inside/outside wideout with modest athletic attributes but outstanding ball skills that make him a projectable NFL prospect. Higgins needs a more limited route tree but can operate on all three levels in the right scheme. He’s smooth but physical in his routes and does a nice job of creating pockets of separation with force and strength. He has mismatch qualities from the slot with body control and a catch radius that make him a menace on jump balls downfield. He won’t outrun cornerbacks and is nothing special after the catch, but his size, ball skills and competitiveness create a profile of production as a future contributor in three-wide sets.

With their second pick in Round 2, the Texans traded up to No. 48 to select Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery, sending picks No. 58 and 99 in the deal.

Ersery, a 6'6", 331-pound tackle from Minnesota, was named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year after a standout college career. A three-year starter at left tackle, Ersery consistently anchored the Gophers’ line and proved his talent by holding his own against top competition, including the top pass rusher in the 2025 Draft, Abdul Carter. Off the field, he's a gamer who enjoys Madden and Call of Duty.

Here's what Zierlein had to say about the Texans' new offensive lineman via NFL.com:

Three-year starter at left tackle with good power. Ersery is not a natural bender, which creates disadvantages with leverage and when attempting to mirror moving fronts. He’s well-versed in Minnesota’s outside zone attack, but might be more consistent in power, inside zone and hat-on-hat matchups. He’s huge, but he sets with good quickness to the rush, using his length and hand strength to gather it or lock it out. His anchor is derived from his upper half, which opens him to hand counters. Ersery has the potential to become an average starting tackle on the right side, but his success will be tied to matchups across from him.

Be sure to watch the video below as the crew from Texans on Tap reacts to the picks live on YouTube!

*ChatGPT assisted.

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