While second-year QB CJ Stroud did have a bit of a sophomore slump, the Texans managed to duplicate their 10-7 record from his rookie season. They won the AFC South and have now won a playoff game in back-to-back seasons. Every team has injuries, and it always feels like an excuse, when they are brought up; but injuries were a big factor this season for the Texans. The receiving core of the team combined to miss 17 games.
QB
Stroud did regress some, but that can be attributed to the injuries that plagued his WRs. His completion % was eerily similar each season, just under 64%. He passed for 3727 yds, which was about 400 yds less than 2023. His QB rating dropped from 100.8 to 87 this past year. He threw three fewer TDs, while his interceptions increased to 12. Despite the additional turnovers, their offense was nearly identical. Over the season they only scored five fewer pts, 372 to 377 in 2023.
RB
Joe Mixon rushed for 1016 yds over 14 games, averaging a respectable 72.6 per game. He did manage to score 11 TDs on the ground, along with a TD reception. He is a serviceable two-way back who caught 36 passes for 309 yds. But short of Mixon, there was no other serious ground threat. Dameon Pierce only managed 293 yds, but did average 7.3 yds per run.
WR
The Texans put together an impressive group of WRs. At the start of the year, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Stroud would again surpass 4000 yds, and possibly challenge 5000 yds. The trio of Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Stefon Diggs, are as good as any collection of WRs in the league. But they combined to miss 17 games, with Diggs missing nine games.
Defense
The Texans ended the year sixth in total defense. Their secondary was particularly strong, with 19 interceptions. CB Derek Stingley and S Calen Bullock led the team with five interceptions each.
Head Coach
Demarco Ryan is proving to be one of the better HCs in the league. He has back-to-back 10-7 records under his belt, two division titles, and two playoff victories. At 40 yrs old he’s one of the league’s youngest as well. With Stroud at the helm for many years to come, their partnership could become the next Belichick/Brady, or Reid/Mahomes.