I will say that I had the Texans going 1-2 after the first three games, but the last two games went nothing as I expected. After letting the Colts’ offense march up and down the field last week, this Houston Texans team demolished a Jacksonville Jaguars team that was supposed to walk away with this division.
This game did not start out great with a three-and-out and a fair catch interference penalty that gave the Jags excellent field position. A dropped touchdown catch, a would-have-been first down, and then a Brandon McManus missed 48-yard field goal, opened the door for Houston. The Texans took that momentum and never really gave it back. Each time Jacksonville thought they had a shot, Houston shut it down.
The highlight of the game for sure was the 85-yard kick return by fullback Andrew Beck. What started out as almost a disaster became the dagger that put the Jaguars away. That return along with a blocked field goal earlier by Will Anderson Jr. completed a truly dominant performance by the Texans in all three phases of the game.
Texans who SLAYED
2023 Draft Class
Houston Texans 2023 NFL Draft – Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
What a draft by the Houston Texans. Five of the Nine draft picks made back in May started this game and played a big role in the victory. Including fifth and sixth-round picks Henry To’oTo’o and Jarrett Patterson. To’oTo’o started at linebacker and tied for the team lead in tackles and had a pass deflection. Patterson started at center for an offensive line that finally went a game without giving up a sack. Plus it was against a pass rush that has two former top-seven overall picks, Josh Allen and Travon Walker, who had a combined four sacks in the first two games.
The way C.J. Stroud has played, people might begin to argue that he should have been the number-one pick, but Houston fans sure are glad he wasn’t. He has not thrown an interception in his first 121 pass attempts, and that is an NFL record for the first three games for a rookie. He has looked very impressive, and his accuracy and quick decision-making have transitioned flawlessly to the NFL. He has improved each week so far and just outplayed former number-one overall pick and MVP dark horse Trevor Lawrence. The Texans’ pass game is miles ahead of what it has been the last few years, and a large part of that is Stroud.
Stroud’s favorite target for this game was third-round draft pick Tank Dell. Dell is quickly becoming a fan favorite with his big play ability. Five catches for 145 yards and a 68-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to really put the game away. A slightly underthrown ball on the Texans’ first touchdown drive went for 46 yards, but if Stroud threw it 1-2 yards further, that would have been a touchdown. An impressive catch with three defenders in the area that Dell made look easy. Becoming a weapon on all three levels has jumped this receiver core from being questionable to being a solid 1-2-3 combo with Dell, Nico Collins, and Robert Woods.
Neither team recorded a sack, but Will Anderson Jr. still was able to get some pressure on Trevor Lawrence with two QB hits, and he also made some good stops in the run game. To go along with that, he blocked the field goal that really swung the momentum the Texans way in the first half and helped with a first-half shutout. Anderson has been a little up and down this season, being a little too aggressive at times. There is no doubt that he has the talent and skill set to be a force in this league.
Blake Ca$hman
Texans LB Blake Cashman (53) and S Jimmie Ward (1) – Mike Carlson/Getty Images
With starting linebacker Denzel Perryman out with a wrist injury, someone needed to step up. Henry To’oTo’o did his part, and Blake Cashman did even more. Finishing the day with six total tackles, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and an interception, Cashman had a huge day in stopping the Jaguars offense.
It is no secret that the Texans have been riddled with injuries this season. The “next guy up” mentality has not worked out until this week. A lot of guys played their best games, and it showed. Cashman only played 63% of the snaps on defense, but made the most of it. From the beginning he was flying around. Even running stride for stride with Calvin Ridley on his dropped touchdown on their first drive. If Cashman isn’t on Ridley like that, then I think he definitely makes that catch. As long as role players like Cashman can show up when it counts the Texans will have success.
Texans who BOMBED
Run Game
Jaguars LB Foyesade Oluokun (23) & Texans RB Dameon Pierce (31) -John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The run game did slightly improve from the week prior where the Texans averaged 2.0 yards a carry as a team. However, it is still the weakness of this offense when coming into the season most hoped this would be what takes some weight off of a rookie quarterback. Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary have combined to average less than three yards a carry in the three games this season. Pierce looked better on some carries, lowering that shoulder and gaining a few extra yards, but he still finished with 31 yards on 14 carries. For a guy who averaged over four yards a carry last year that is nowhere near what is expected.
Of course a large part of that is the injuries to the offensive line. Even with four starters being out the guys that the Texans are putting out there are not just guys off the street. Three of the four linemen filling in were starters on an NFL roster for at least one season. Hopefully Laremy Tunsil is able to come back for the next game and open up some lanes for Pierce and Singletary. If the run game is able to get going, then this offense can really make some noise.
Where in the world is Dalton Schultz?
Texans QB C.J. Stroud (7) & TE Dalton Schultz (86) – Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Dalton Schultz was supposed to be a somewhat big free agency signing, agreeing to a one year deal after spending his first five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. In his first three games in a Houston uniform he has 7 catches on 14 targets for 47 yards, with 3 drops. The drop in this game was an easy touchdown catch that bounced right off of Schultz’s hands. This led to a Texans field goal. In this game, it had no effect on the outcome, but for a guy that has no impact on the passing game this year it was a big missed opportunity.
Schultz was a free agent in the offseason looking for a payday. He signed late into free agency after not getting much attention from teams. Last year, on the franchise tag, he was a top five paid tight end. This year he is 21st in cash within his position. He was signed to be a safety valve for Stroud to pick up first downs and keep the chains moving. Also, to be serviceable as a run blocker. I feel he has done neither, and often struggled blocking in his years with the Cowboys.
Second year tight end Teagan Quitoriano had an uptick in snap percentage to try and help the run game, and I think he did well. Brevin Jordan is looking like a better pass catching option, and he and Quitoriano have combined for 5 catches for 51 yards and a touchdown on six targets. Schultz needs to step his game up, or he could be replaced, and struggle to find a team to give him a long-term contract in the offseason.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud (7) – Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
This was a much needed win for the Texans and was the first for head coach DeMeco Ryans. To do it against a division rival, and in this fashion, makes this victory extra sweet. Houston is now second in the division and one game back from the Colts. There is a tough three games ahead facing three 2-1 teams in the Steelers, Falcons, and Saints. Houston is looking to be healthier with Jalen Pitre expected to practice, and hopefully Tunsil and Perryman can come back too. Then Tytus Howard and Juice Scruggs in week 5 to beef up that offensive line.
