Wow! What a huge win for the Houston Texans. We're three games into Stroud's NFL career but the magnitude of this win cannot be overstated. The Texans were 0 - 2 on the season and only six teams have made the playoffs after starting a season 0 - 3. I've said before that if the Texans hope to make a run at the playoffs, it'll have to come by way of a division title.
I may have to reconsider my stance on that though. The Jets are falling apart, the Chargers continue to be the Chargers, the Jaguars and Steelers don't appear to be what we thought, and the Bengals haven't won a game yet. Maybe, just maybe a wildcard can come from the AFC South.
Besides, the Texans are still very much a threat within the division to take the title but with last week's lost to the South leading Colts, they'll need to steal the next one from them. Bottom line here is the Texans are better than most expected them to be and should be competitive throughout the season.
C.J. Stroud with another terrific performance
C.J. Stroud is making a case so far for NFL Rookie of the Year. I know we are only three games into the season but he's looking like the real deal. He threw an interception in Week One and hasn't thrown one since. Stroud has been delivering and the Texans are looking like geniuses for selecting him with the second overall pick.
Stroud completed 20 of 30 pass attempts for 280 yards, with two touchdowns. He aslo added 14 yards rushing on three carries. On the season he's completed 64.5 percent of his passes, for 906 yards and four touchdowns. He's averaging over 300 passing yards per game and has looked like anything but a rookie.
Houston Texans' run game continues to be a problem
The Texans have not been good with their rushing attack through three games but a lot of that can be attributed to their offensive line. The team again averaged less than four yards per carry again, with an average of 3.3 yards. Devin Singletary led the team with 41 yards on nine carries, but Dameon Pierce managed only 31 yards on 14 carries.
The Texans need to get healthy across their offensive line and find a way to get better in their run blocking. While Stroud and the Texans passing game is playing well, teams are going to start dropping seven in coverage and gameplan to stop their passing game, if Houston can't get their run game going.
Tank Dell is special
Nico Collins was only targeted three times in this one, likely due to the Jaguars defensive coverage focusing on him but the Texans are showing they have other weapons in this passing attack. Tank Dell was targeted seven times, catching five. He had 145 yards, including a a 68-yard touchdown.
Here are some wild numbers for Texans fans. Dell is on pace for 85 receptions, 1,422 yards and 11 touchdowns. If this is where he's headed, he and Stroud might finish one and two in NFL Rookie of the Year voting. Regardless, this connection between Stroud and Dell is real and fans will enjoy watching them for years to come.
Houston Texans were opportunistic
The Jacksonville Jaguars outgained the Texans in total offense, passing and rushing. They had more first downs, fewer penalties and averaged a full yard more per rushing attempt. This game came down to four plays for the Texans, that led to the upset win.
The Texans turned both turnovers into a field goals and the first half fumble was deep in Houston territory. Jacksonville missed a field goal and had one blocked, both in the first half too. Houston's fullback Andrew Beck added an unlikely 85-yard kickoff return for six, becoming the heaviest player in NFL history to return a kickoff for a touchdown.