November 10, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans reacts during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
These are the problems of the second half. Houston has scored an offensive touchdown in the last 30 minutes since beating the New England Patriots in Week 6. Is it a CJ Stroud thing? Not quite, but his sales aren't helping matters. The loss of Nico Collins and later Stefon Diggs only stunted Stroud's growth and limited his consistency in the passing attack. The gameplay was also disappointing at best.
It's hard to blame a defense that ranks in the top three in sacks and top five in passing yards allowed, but the unit is being asked to step up and “one more” about six times per game Drive”. Cooper Rush only reached the end zone once, but also threw for 354 yards. Will Levis threw an interception that led to a pick-six by Jimmie Ward, but he also connected on four passes for 25 yards, including two touchdown passes. It's also such a coincidence. Name the last time a team shuts down a quarterback five times and loses a game. I'll save you the trouble; 1970.
The Texans win this division because no one else wants to find an identity. Two years ago this was a department that was a laughing stock. It still is, but a team has improved enough to look decent.
