HOUSTON — C.J. Stroud will make his return for the Houston Texans together with his group within the warmth of the playoff race getting into Week 13.
The third-year quarterback missed the previous three video games after struggling a concussion in Week 9, however Houston (6-5) has clawed its method again and is rolling compared to the awful night time of Sept. 21, when it was coming off a 17-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and sat 0-3.
Stroud characterised what the Texans had been capable of do in his absence as “wonderful.”
“You see guys step up and begin to take extra on the plate and rise to the event,” Stroud stated. “In fact, we did not begin off one of the best. However we all know what sort of group now we have. We’re very proficient.”
Historical past suggests making the playoffs would take a very historic feat to defy the chances — with the 2018 Texans being the final group within the NFL to take action.
Houston is hoping that historical past will repeat itself.
Since Week 3, the Texans have the fifth-most wins (six), sit tenth in factors per sport (25.6), are permitting the third fewest factors per sport (16.4), lead in defensive EPA (60.47) and permit the fewest yards per sport (245).
Now, Houston is 2 video games behind the Indianapolis Colts (8-3) and one behind the Jaguars (7-4), with the Colts up subsequent on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
A win towards the Colts would make the AFC South race that rather more intriguing contemplating that the Texans and Colts play once more in Week 18.
“The Colts, you’ll be able to see they have been a really explosive offense,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans stated. “That is what’s powered them this yr. I believe [quarterback] Daniel Jones is enjoying the best that he is performed in his profession. So, [Colts coach] Shane [Steichen] has carried out job of placing them in positions, placing guys round them to essentially make the performs he must make. So, you’ve gotten explosive receivers on the out.
Per ESPN Analytics, the Texans have a 38% likelihood to make the playoffs and solely 9% to win the division. But when they sweep the Colts, their numbers improve to a 74% likelihood to make the playoffs and 40% likelihood to win the division.
In Week 9, Stroud suffered his harm in a 18-15 loss to the Denver Broncos that dropped them to 3-5, however backup Davis Mills stuffed in properly. Houston went 3-0 with Mills, together with the second-biggest comeback in group historical past towards the Jaguars with the fifth-year quarterback accounting for six touchdowns with just one interception.
Since Week 10, wideout Nico Collins is fifth within the receiving yards (283). The offensive line has blocked higher as Mills was pressured on solely 31.5% of his dropbacks, 14th-fewest amongst starters based on Subsequent Gen Stats.
In a 23-19 win over the Buffalo Payments in Week 12 on “Thursday Night time Soccer,” Mills was solely pressured on 16.1% of his dropbacks — the bottom for a Texan quarterback this season.
The Texans have rolled by means of a number of totally different combos on the offensive line, nevertheless it seems they’ve settled on the lineup of left deal with Aireontae Ersery, former proper deal with Tytus Howard at left guard, heart Jake Andrews, proper guard Ed Ingram and proper deal with Trent Brown.
If that combo can maintain Stroud up proper, he ought to be capable to discover his open targets constantly — as he has a passer ranking of 98 when he isn’t pressured, based on Subsequent Gen Stats.
“All the fellows up entrance have been enjoying fairly effectively as of late,” Howard instructed ESPN. “Simply attempting to construct off that and stack the optimistic and getting higher each week. … Simply gonna be capable to make it clearer for [Stroud], maintain up for him, so he can see the whole lot. I do know he will hit the bottom working as quickly as he will get again.”
The Texans’ protection has been one of many league’s finest. It permits the second-fewest factors (16.5 per sport) and fewest yards (264.3). So Houston shall be counting on Stroud to assist maintain the offense rolling.
“[Stroud’s] performed effectively for us,” Ryans stated Wednesday. “He is carried out some very nice issues in the case of delivering the soccer the place he must be. He is among the best within the league at doing that. So we’re hoping that when he will get again, he can get on the market and assist us.”
