![\"Houston](\"https:\/\/platform.battleredblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2026\/10\/gettyimages-2300315576.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHouston Texans players celebrate a touchdown during the NFL London Games match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday October 18, 2026. (Photo by Bradley Collyer\/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Coming into the season, if Houston struggled, you figured it because of the continued struggles of CJ Stroud. His 2025-26 playoff performance stunned most. While his draft-mate Will Anderson Jr. got the big second contract, Stroud just got the 5th year option pick-up. As of now, Stroud is putting much of the negative press behind him. The Texans are 8th in total passing yards, with Stroud 5th in passing, with only three turnovers against him (2 of those came in the first game against Buffalo). WR Nico Collins is still Stroud\u2019s primary offensive weapon. When he missed two games due to injury, the offense could only generate 2 total TDs. 2nd-year receiver Jaylin Noel was having a breakout season but suffered a season-ending injury against the Giants. Dalton Schultz is still a solid receiving TE, but the rest of the receiving corps, to include newly acquired Marvin Harrison Jr are mostly just…there.<\/p>\n
As for the previously maligned running game…it is not better. Aside from the opener against a porous Bills defense and the London game against Jacksonville, the team struggled to rush for more than 80 total yards\/game. David Montgomery, outside of his 3 total touchdown effort in Week 1, has offered nothing of significance and missed two games due to injury. Woody Marks resumed the RB1 role, but he, nor any other back on the roster, has rushed for more than 66 yards in a game, and the squad\u2019s longest single run on the season is 25 yards. The offense line has not been particularly effective in run-blocking, with the pass-blocking only slightly better. Play-calling consistency and philosophy are also up for debate. Remember the talk about 12 formations? Houston is using them, but they can\u2019t quit the heavy formations with the extra O-lineman, with less-than-ideal results.<\/p>\n
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 11: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n Offensive MVP: QB CJ Stroud.<\/p>\n He is the one constant on the offense. While not perfect, he has put Houston in position to win almost all of its games, leading the team to take a late 4th quarter lead or tie in 6 of the 7 games played.<\/p>\n Also considered: WR Nico Collins, WR Jaylin Noel <\/p>\n HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 20: Guard Wyatt Teller #75 of the Houston Texans readies to block during the NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals on September 20, 2026, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by David Buono\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Offensive LVP: G Wyatt Teller.<\/p>\n Signed to offer competition for the starting line, he slated into the RG slot when Ed Ingram went out with injury. His performance has not been…quality. Especially in run-blocking, which is a critical evaluation point for that position, Teller hasn\u2019t lived up to his (relatively) modest contract. Not that Ingram has lit up the running game when he\u2019s been in, but if Ingram is out and Teller has to play, don\u2019t expect a lot of goodness to come from that side of the line. Really, the entire run-blocking scheme is up for debate.<\/p>\n Also considered: RB David Montgomery<\/p>\n HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 13: Houston Texans defenders celebrate after stopping quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills on a fourth down sweep during the NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills on September 13, 2026, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX.(Photo by David Buono\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Usually, strengths quickly devolving into weaknesses only happen in comics and politics. Consider the Texans\u2019 defense. They were #1 in yards allowed, #2 in points allowed and generally atop almost all defensive metrics in 2025. In 2026, not so much. In particular, the pass defense, which was #6 in pass yards allowed in 2025, now ranks 27th. In explosive plays allowed, the team is second-worst. Secondary players have only 2 INTs (3 total for the team), far off the pace for 17 INTs (19 team total) they set last season. At least until the Giants game, the run defense was solid. The defensive line is a mixed bag, for while Anderson and Hunter still bring the pressure (11.5 combined sacks\/15.5 TFLs), the rest of the line has been so-so. The LB unit is fighting injuries and inconsistency. However, the secondary is most hurting the squad. Between regression, injuries and poor communication, this secondary reminds fans more of the 2010 defense vs. the lockdown-unit of 2025.<\/p>\n HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys is called for intentional grounding as defensive end Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans have him wrapped up during the NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2026, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by David Buono\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Defensive MVP: Will Anderson, Jr.<\/p>\n 33 Total Tackles (17 Solo)\/7.5 sacks\/11.5 TFLs\/1 FF\/1 FR. If there were worries about falling off after securing his $50M\/year contract, those are no longer a concern.<\/p>\n HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Malik Nabers #1 of the New York Giants catches a pass against Kamari Lassiter #3 of the Houston Texans in the first half at Reliant Stadium on October 25, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n Defensive LVP: CB Kamari Lassiter.<\/p>\n Last season, you could\u2019ve called Lassiter the best CB2 in the league. This season, he is more a coverage liability. In addition to hurting the team defense, this performance is likely costing him a lot of money, as he approaches eligibility for a contract extension.<\/p>\n Also considered: S Reed Blankenship, who is continuing the trend of ex-Philly safeties playing poorly once in Houston. <\/p>\n FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 18: Special Team Coordinator Frank Ross of the Houston Texans takes a moment in the tunnel with Austin Brinkman #40 and Ka\u2019imi Fairbairn #15 of the Houston Texans before the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n Frank Ross\u2019 units generally rank in the top tier of special teams categories. However, this season, that has been inconsistent. The kick return coverage does not always reward the squad for forcing kickoffs, as seen with Indy, Dallas and Jacksonville. Ka\u2019imi Fairbairn is playing to his usually solid level for FGs, save a meh game against Cincinnati. His kickoff capabilities have been a little more mercurial. The punting unit is solid, but not spectacular. Brinkman had a bad snap against the Bengals when Houston missed that early FG. The return units haven\u2019t been all that special, although Noel before his injury did have his moments. Perhaps Tank Dell can step back into being a dangerous returner, especially on punts.<\/p>\n HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 04: Kicker Ka\u2019imi Fairbairn #15 of the Houston Texans kicks a field goal during the NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2026, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by David Buono\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Special Teams MVP: PK Ka\u2019imi Fairbairn.<\/p>\n Improving on kick-offs and his placekicking is consistent.<\/p>\n Also considered: Jaylin Noel. <\/p>\n Special Teams LVP: No obvious candidate here.<\/p>\n LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Ka\u2019imi Fairbairn of the Houston Texans kicks a field goal in the fourth quarter during the NFL London Series match between Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on October 18, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n BEST WIN: 34-31 over Jacksonville in London.<\/p>\n Only had two to choose from, so may as well go with the one over an opponent with a pulse.<\/p>\n WORSE LOSS: 19-17 at Indianapolis.<\/p>\n No shortage of options. Given the fire-sale of players going on with the Colts, losing to them like they did may really come back to hurt the Texans on so many levels.<\/p>\n Also considered: 34-30 loss to the Cowboys, \u2018cause…Dallas.<\/p>\n HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 13: Tight end Dalton Kincaid #86 of the Buffalo Bills points to the crowd after getting a first down after a long reception during the NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills on September 13, 2026, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX.(Photo by David Buono\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n KEY PLAY (SO FAR): Week 1, 2:10, 2nd Qtr, BUF Ball @ BUF 4, Josh Allen 38-yard pass to TE Dalton Kincaid to BUF 42.<\/p>\n Not a play highlighted in the TDATDA archives. However, when Josh Allen, long victimized at NRG\/Reliant, somehow landed a [KITTEN]-It ball deep to TE Kincaid with All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. on the coverage, it set the tone for the team\u2019s not just for that game, but for the first part of the season for the Texans. Last season, that is a play that Houston would pick off or at least force as an incompletion.<\/p>\n Also considered: Week 4, 6:59, 3rd Qtr, DAL ball at the HOU 4, 4th and Goal: Prescott pass incomplete. Penalty on Lassiter (Defensive Holding)<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n