TEXANS REBIRTH

Here's how culture, expectations have shifted for new-look Houston Texans

Texans DeMeco Ryans
The Texans have the national media's full attention. Composite Getty Image.
Here's what the betting markets reveal about Houston Texans 2023 campaign

Imagine coming into the league to a football crazed city and state. Houston had their team taken away by that dastardly old Grinch, Bud Adams! Dom Capers and Charley Casserly couldn't get it done. Enter Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith. They brought in the first era of winning. When they were brushed aside, Bill O'Brien came in. He pushed Smith out for his own guys. There was some relevance and winning under O'Brien, but he got himself axed (along with his cronies). Still, the city was left starving for a consistent winner.

Nick Caserio came in and was seen by some as another New England guy the franchise was obsessed with. He had some hiccups to start because he was trying to clean up a mess leftover. Enter DeMeco Ryans. Now we're cooking with some good oil! Not only did he appeal to the fans by being a former franchise great, he was also the hottest coaching prospect this past hiring cycle. He spoke and carried himself like nothing this team had previously. Caserio was busy working to acquire the groceries DeMeco needed to cook with. NOW the culture has finally shifted!

Caserio bought himself some time with DeMeco's hire. The draft they put together infused hope with the new-found faith the fans had in the organization. After a 2-2 start, there's more than faith, hope, and a culture shift. The Texans have arrived as a team to be taken seriously. Don't believe me?

There's a reason why national shows are looking to talk to C.J. Stroud. He came in with the hype of being a top prospect and one of, if not the most accurate quarterbacks in his draft class. He's living up to the hype and breaking the mold of what's expected of rookie quarterbacks. Setting passing records is one thing, but he's leading his team. The story of him hosting dinner every night is very believable. When ESPN Houston/ NFL Network's Lance Zierlein talked about the dust up between C.J. and Texans OC Bobby Slowik during the draft process, he thought they wouldn't draft him. It led to them believing in him more because of his passion. Now it's paying off in spades.

Will Anderson Jr. is another guy they drafted out of need. They also wanted his attitude and leadership. Known as a lead by example guy from his time at Alabama, he's brought that same lunch pale work ethic to the Texans. Tank Dell was seen as too small by some. He's worked his butt off and has become one of C.J.'s favorite targets. These rookies have come in and shown what the future of this franchise will look like under this new regime.

Not only are they performing on the field, but they seem to be good guys off the field as well. All they seem to want to do is play football, practice, workout, and hang out with people who'll better them. C.J. and Tank were seen attending a UH football game with Case Keenum. C.J. was also at an all white party getting to know some high profile celebs, namely Tom Brady.

Final thoughts

There was an iconic scene in the movie Goodfellas. Billy Batts came home from prison. Tommy was a shoe shine guy before he went in. Now, Tommy is an up-and-coming mafia associate. Billy gives him a hard time and Tommy sets the record straight, not before getting offended. When Billy goes back at him, Tommy is ready to fight. The Texans are Tommy and the rest of the unbelieving world is Billy Batts. “I don't shine shoes no more” is what this team is now telling the doubters.

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The Texans will look to get back on track this Sunday against the Colts. Composite Getty Image.

C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are looking for answers after their passing game couldn’t get going in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Houston’s passing attack had been a strength all season, and the Texans ranked fifth in yards passing per game through their first six games. But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Stroud was limited to a career-low 86 yards in the 24-22 loss, which snapped a three-game winning streak.

Stroud was 10 of 21 and didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The second-year player was under duress for much of the day and was sacked four times and hit seven other times.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we watch the film, we’ll see what happened, starting for me the communication and just guys being on the details of the job.”

The Texans scored a season-high 41 points in a win over New England a week earlier in which Stroud threw a season-best three touchdown passes despite being without star receiver Nico Collins.

They were unable to replicate that success Sunday with Collins out for the second of at least four games after a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve.

Stefon Diggs led the team with five receptions against the Packers, but they only amounted to 23 yards. Tank Dell, who the Texans expected to step up with Collins out, was targeted four times but didn’t have a catch.

Stroud discussed the importance of getting Dell more involved in the offense.

“We have to find a way to try and get him the rock early and often and then go from there,” he said. “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.”

Ryans spoke about his confidence is getting Dell going.

What's working

The Texans have forced seven turnovers combined in their last two games after they hadn’t caused any in their previous three games.

Houston scored 16 points off three turnovers Sunday. The Texans had two interceptions and recovered a fumble on a punt. In their win over the Patriots, they scored 17 points off a season-high four turnovers.

What needs help

The Texans won’t get to where they want to be this season if Stroud doesn’t get back on track. Before Sunday, last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was averaging more than 262 yards passing a game, giving the team confidence that the problems in the passing game are fixable.

Ryans knows the line must give Stroud more time to throw and said the coaching staff will focus on improving in that area this week.

Stock up

RB Joe Mixon continued to shine Sunday in his second game back after missing three games with an ankle injury. Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, had 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay.

Mixon is confident the Texans will rebound this week if they quit making mistakes.

“Does it look I’m worried? I’m not worried at all,” he said. “Like I said, we got a ... good football team. At the end of the day, we are our own worst enemy.”

Stock down

Dell was unable to help Stroud get the passing game going. The second-year player had a solid rookie season with 709 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. But he hasn’t been able to build on that success this year and has just 194 yards receiving with one score in six games.

Injuries

LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and S Jimmie Ward (groin) all missed Sunday’s game and it’s unclear if any of these starters can return this week.

Key number

3 — Safety Calen Bullock had his third interception Sunday to tie Dunta Robinson and Jumal Rolle for most interceptions by a rookie in franchise history through the first seven games. He leads NFL rookies in interceptions this season and is tied for third-most among all players.

Next steps

The AFC South-leading Texans (5-2) return to division play Sunday when they host the second-place Colts (4-3), who have won two in a row and four of five.

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