Battle Red Blog
The Day After the Day After…when the raw, immediate emotions from the aftermath of a game diminish into the realm of clarity and the proverbial (or literal) hangover no longer haunts the mind. With that, a review of Week 3:
The Red Zone is the Dead Zone for the Texans: Normally, teams want to get to the Red Zone (opposing 20-yard line to end zone). That is where most teams find life for their winning dreams. However, for the 2025 Texans, the Red Zone is about a live-giving as a Red Tide. That the squad only averages 12.7 points/game indicates that they don’t get to the Red Zone all that often. In particular, the Texans are more likely to turn the ball over in the Red Zone (4 turnovers inside the opposing red zone in 3 games) than points (1 FG against the Rams, 1 FG against the Bucs). In particular, the Texans suffered 3 turnovers inside the Jags Red Zone in the 4th quarter (a bad CJ Stroud pass picked at the Jags’ 19-yard line, Collins’ fumble at the Jags’ 18 yard line, and the Stroud INT at the Jags’ 4 to end the game). Granted, most of those plays started outside the Red Zone, but that they happened inside the Red Zone really hurts a struggling offense.
About CJ Stroud: Are all of the struggles of the offensive line for Houston starting to get to Stroud? It is entirely possible, and a game like this might be evidence that Houston might have some QB problems. Stroud does have an issue holding on to the ball too long, and when he gets sacked, he is among the worst at lost yardage. However, this game, it seemed like he was too locked in on Collins at times. Sure, Collins is the top receiving threat, so you do want to feed him, but not at the detriment of other receivers. His eyes are more apt to look for incoming pressure vs. scanning the field for open receivers. A more consistent running game would help. Yet, for all of Stroud’s issues this season, he has had the team in position to tie or win on the final offensive drive in every single game, something that he has done consistently in his career. The Ogunbowale fumble was not in any way on Stroud, nor was the defense surrendering the winning TD on the final drive against Tampa Bay. However, this game-ending INT does fall on his shoulders. While Josh Hines-Allen had a lot to do with that, Stroud’s drive to hit the home run pass had some blame in the events of that final play. Perhaps a more patient Stroud, not as frightened of the pass rush, would have seen a wide open Nick Chubb in the flat who would secure the 1st down and gain a few more yards. Since Houston still had one timeout, that play would get them closer and allow for perhaps a better option. Then again, a less...
