How Houston Texans can let CJ Stroud cook without getting burned
PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT
10 October 2023
CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans passing game has been a pleasant surprise after 5 weeks into the 2023 season. Stroud is currently third in the NFL in passing yards, and looks impressive on a weekly basis.
However, the running game has been a constant issue this season, with the team unable to move the ball efficiently on the ground. Considering the team's success with the passing game, should the team abandon their self-proclaimed run-first mentality and let Stroud “cook” through the air?
Also, with so much money spent on the offensive line, why can't the Texans run the ball with any success? Do we need to be patient, and let the linemen returning from injury develop chemistry? Are the running backs capitalizing on the blocking in front of them?
Head coach DeMeco Ryans said at his Monday presser that he thinks the o-line did a great job of run blocking against Atlanta. But it didn't look like there was much room to run, and several running plays were blown up in the backfield, even when running sweep plays to Tank Dell.
So how should the Texans proceed?
Be sure to watch the video above as we break it all down!
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Presented by Coors Light.
LaMelo Ball had 34 points and 11 assists in his return from an ankle injury and Grant Williams made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 40 seconds left to give the Charlotte Hornets a 110-105 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.
Jalen Green scored five quick points to tie it before Williams put the Hornets on top with his step-back 3 to make it 106-103. Ball, who was playing in his first regular-season game since Jan. 26, added two free throws after that to secure the victory.
Green led Houston with 28 points and Alperen Sengun added 25 points and 18 rebounds in his return after missing the last 19 games of last season with a severely sprained ankle.
Takeaways
Hornets: This team has been plagued by injuries in recent years and the problems continued in the opener with young star Brandon Miller sitting out the second half with soreness in his left hip. They’ll need to keep him, Ball and Miles Bridges healthy if they hope to return to the playoffs after an eight-year drought.
Rockets: They need to play more consistently for four quarters after leading by double figures for most of the first three quarters before letting the Hornets get back into it late.
Key moment
The Hornets used a 10-0 run that spanned from late in the third quarter to early in the fourth to close the gap and put themselves in position for the win after trailing for most of the game.
Key stat
Houston shot 36.9% from the field while the Hornets made 44.7% of their shots.
Up next
The Rockets host the Grizzlies on Friday night and the Hornets visit Atlanta.
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