C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are at a crossroads, and head coach DeMeco Ryans is not sugarcoating the reality. After a crushing 26-23 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday night, Ryans delivered a pointed critique of C.J. Stroud, the Texans’ rookie quarterback, who played a significant role in the team’s inability to seal the deal after a promising first half.
“C.J. Stroud: Not good enough. Turning the ball over on the first play and turning the ball over in the red zone isn’t winning football,” Ryans said, via Cody Stoots on X. The blunt assessment came in the wake of Stroud’s two critical turnovers, one of which occurred on the first play of the second half and the other in the red zone, stalling the Texans’ chances of holding onto their halftime lead.
A Tale of Two Halves
The Texans entered halftime with a commanding 23-7 lead, looking poised to hand the one-loss Lions their second defeat of the season. But the second half was a different story. Houston failed to score a single point after the break, while Detroit capitalized on the Texans’ mistakes, storming back to win the game 26-23. This inability to finish strong has been a recurring theme for the Texans, who have now scored just 12 second-half points over their last four games.
For a team that sits atop the AFC South with a 6-4 record, these second-half collapses are a troubling sign. It’s a trend that Ryans and his staff must address if Houston hopes to make a push for the playoffs.
Stroud’s Sloppy Start to the Second Half
Stroud’s struggles were painfully apparent in the third quarter, starting with an interception on his very first pass of the half. It was a moment that set the tone for the remainder of the game, frustrating Ryans, who emphasized how critical it is to come out strong after halftime.
“It’s not good enough, turning the football over there, especially in the red zone or coming out,” Ryans remarked in his post-game address. “We talk about getting started in the second half, but to come out and turn the ball over the first play of the second half, it’s not winning football.”
This wasn’t an isolated incident for Stroud. Earlier in the season, he struggled with turnovers in a Week 3 loss to the **Minnesota Vikings**, where he threw multiple interceptions and was sacked four times. While Ryans has acknowledged improvements in the offensive line since then, the spotlight remains on Stroud and his ability to avoid costly errors.
Offensive Line Shuffling Offers Some Hope
Despite the loss, Ryans did point out some positive developments on the offensive line. The Texans made some adjustments, bringing in Jarrett Patterson at center and moving Juice Scruggs to guard. Ryans expressed satisfaction with the way the new configuration held up, praising the line’s ability to protect Stroud and allow for some offensive production, despite the turnovers.
“I think our guys protected well. We had Patterson in at center and moved Juice over to guard. Communication was good, and I thought the guys protected well enough for us to make some plays. So, I thought the mood was good,” Ryans explained.
However, while the protection was better, it wasn’t enough to prevent the critical mistakes from Stroud. The young quarterback will need to capitalize on the improvements in front of him to avoid repeating those errors as the season progresses.
A Crucial Test Against Dallas
Looking ahead, the Texans face a major test next Sunday when they take on the Dallas Cowboys, a team known for its fierce pass rush led by Micah Parsons and a defense that ranks among the league’s best. With Stroud’s performance still in question, the pressure on him to rise to the occasion has never been greater. If the Texans are going to maintain their position atop the AFC South and secure a playoff spot, they’ll need their rookie quarterback to clean up his mistakes and become more consistent in critical moments.
Ryans’ blunt feedback signals that this is a pivotal moment for Stroud’s development. He has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but the mistakes he made against Detroit—especially the turnovers—can’t continue if the Texans hope to stay competitive in the stacked AFC.
The Bottom Line: Can Stroud Grow Quickly Enough?
For the Texans, the clock is ticking. They’re still in prime position to make a postseason run, but their inconsistency—particularly in the second half of games—has to be addressed. Ryans’ direct approach with Stroud is an attempt to push his young quarterback to learn from his mistakes and take the next step in his development.
As the Texans prepare for the Cowboys, the weight of the game looms large for Stroud. A strong performance will not only solidify his place as the future of the franchise but will also show the team and its fans that this offense can close out games when it matters most.
For now, the Texans remain atop the AFC South, but their playoff hopes—and Stroud’s growth as a quarterback—depend on whether they can fix their second-half woes and clean up the mistakes that cost them a winnable game against Detroit.
