HOUSTON (AP) When the Houston Texans were crushed by the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday, they most definitely didn’t look like a postseason team.
The AFC South champions are aware that they must improve significantly in order to be competitive in the postseason, as they have just one game remaining before the playoffs start.
We’re not like that. Coach DeMeco Ryans stated that’s not what we stand for. It’s not Texans football what we play on the field. Anyone who wants to recover from it must examine themselves and make sure they are playing with exceptional energy and execution.
Houston’s most lopsided loss of the season was a 29-point setback against the Ravens. The team’s only touchdown came on a safety in the second quarter, while the defense allowed a season-high 251 yards of rushing while shutting out the offense.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud described his performance as one of the worst games of his career, missing multiple throws and throwing an interception. He was questioned about how he and the team might overcome such a difficult defeat.
“That’s our only option,” he remarked. It all depends on how you react because there is nothing in life that you can go back and change. The only way out of the abyss is up. Thus, there is still a great deal of hope. We secured our division at the conclusion of the day. There is still a chance for us to make the playoffs.
The Texans (9-7) dropped to 50.94% this season, which is 26th in the NFL, after going 0 for 2 in the red zone on Wednesday.
They had a first down at the 10-yard line on Wednesday, which gave them an opportunity to narrow the advantage or even tie the game after their safety. Before the drive stalled, Joe Mixon ran for seven yards on first down.
Stroud’s incompletion set up fourth-and-four after he was downed for a 1-yard loss on second down. Mixon was stopped at the 1-yard line after Stroud fired a short throw to him, giving the Ravens the ball back.
To make it 17-2, Lamar Jackson then led a 99-yard drive that culminated in a 9-yard touchdown pass.
What’s working
In this disaster, not much was going well. Dameon Pierce’s 45-yard kickoff return in the second quarter, which initiated the drive that resulted in Mixon’s stop on fourth down, was about the only positive development for the Texans on Wednesday. The average return for the second-year athlete is 38.1 yards.
What needs help
Mixon had 26 yards on nine attempts, but the Texans only managed 58 yards of rushing against the Ravens. In four of its last five games and three in a row, Houston has failed to exceed 100 yards rushing. Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs are out for the season due to knee injuries, so Stroud is dealing with a weak receiving group. The Texans need to improve their rushing game to relieve some of the load.
Stock up
WR In the first game without Dell, John Metchie took on a larger role in the offense and led the club with five receptions for 48 yards. Metchie, who missed his whole rookie season due to cancer treatment, has the second-most yards in his three-year career.
Stock down
Mixon was restricted to less than 30 yards rushing on Wednesday for the second time in three games. Six of his first eight games of the season saw him run for at least 100 yards. However, he has struggled ever then, just making it to 100 yards once in five games.
Injuries
G It’s uncertain if Shaq Mason will be able to play in the upcoming game after hurting his knee against the Chiefs on Wednesday. Due to a foot injury, C/G Juice Scruggs missed his fourth consecutive game.
Key number
59.2 In the defeat, Stroud’s passer rating of 59.2 is tied for the third-worst of his career.
Next steps
The Texans now have a long rest before finishing the regular season at Tennessee next weekend after playing three games in 11 days. Stroud will attempt to improve by using this setback.
He stated that if there aren’t any rainy days, there won’t be any sunny ones. Even though it’s raining today, the sun will rise tomorrow. Next week, we’ll try this again to keep the momentum going.
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