-
Dj Bien-Aime
HOUSTON — CJ Stroud will return to the Houston Texans with his team in the heat of the playoff race in Week 13.
The third-year quarterback missed the last three games after suffering an injury in Week 9, but Houston (6-5) has bounced back and is moving forward compared to a disappointing night on Sept. 21, when it lost 17-10 to the Jacksonville Jaguars and was 0-3.
Stroud described the work the Texans have done in his absence as “amazing.”
“You see guys step up and start taking more on the plate and taking advantage of opportunities,” Stroud said. “Of course, we didn’t have a good start. But we know what kind of team we have. We are very talented.”
History suggests that making the playoffs would indeed be a historic accomplishment to overcome the odds – the 2018 Texans would be the last team to do so in the NFL.
Houston is hoping history repeats itself.
Since Week 3, the Texans have the fifth-most wins (six), are 10th in points per game (25.6), are allowing the third-fewest points per game (16.4), lead in defensive EPA (60.47) and are allowing the fewest yards per game (245).
Now, Houston is two games behind the Indianapolis Colts (8-3) and one game behind the Jaguars (7-4), with the Colts next playing on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
A win against the Colts would make the AFC South race more interesting, given that the Texans and Colts will play again in Week 18.
“The Colts, you see they have a very explosive offense,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “That’s what’s fueled them this year. I think (quarterback) Daniel Jones is having the most productive play of his career. So, (Colts coach) Shane (Steichen) has done a good job of putting him in positions, getting guys around him to really make the plays they need to make. So, you’ve got explosive receivers on the outside.”
According to ESPN Analytics, the Texans have a 38% chance of making the playoffs and only a 9% chance of winning the division. But if they beat the Colts, their numbers increase to a 74% chance of making the playoffs and a 40% chance of winning the division.
In Week 9, Stroud suffered an injury in an 18–15 loss to the Denver Broncos, dropping him to 3–5, but backup Davis Mills played well. Houston went 3–0 with Mills, including the second-largest comeback in team history against the Jaguars, in which the fifth-year quarterback threw for six touchdowns with only one interception.
Since Week 10, wideout Nico Collins ranks fifth in receiving yards (283). The offensive line blocked better as Mills was pressured on only 31.5% of his dropbacks, which is 14th lowest among starters according to Next Gen Stats.
In a 23–19 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 12 of “Thursday Night Football”, Mills had only 16.1% of his dropback pressures – the lowest for a Texans quarterback this season.
The Texans have rolled through a few different combinations on the offensive line, but they appear to have settled on a lineup of left tackle Arionte Arceri, former right tackle Titus Howard at left guard, center Jake Andrews, right guard Ed Ingram and right tackle Trent Brown.
If that combo can put Stroud in the right positions, he should be able to find his open targets consistently — because he has a passer rating of 98 when he’s not under pressure, according to Next Gen Stats.
“All the guys have been playing really well lately,” Howard told ESPN. “Just trying to build on it and accumulate positive things and get better every week. … Just to be able to articulate it for (Stroud), hold it for him, so he can see everything. I know as soon as he comes back he’s going to run fast.”
The Texans’ defense has been one of the best in the league. It allows the second fewest points (16.5 per game) and fewest yards (264.3). So Houston will rely on Stroud to help keep the offense running.
“(Stroud) played well for us,” Ryans said Wednesday. “He’s done some really good things when it comes to getting the football where it needs to be. He’s one of the best in the league at doing that. So we’re hoping once he gets back, he can get in there and help us.”
<a href=