Houston, You Better Fix Your Problems

Houston has been in the playoffs for a few weeks now. The problem is, they have lost five of their last eight games. Some of these losses have come to playoff teams like the Lions and Ravens, while other losses have been to less formidable opponents, such as the Jets and Titans. They got absolutely walloped last week against the Ravens, essentially shut out as they scored just two points. Demeco Ryans said his team’s only focus is the Titans this week. Nothing else. And it should be that way. This may be one of the most important games of the season for them. Are they going to be able to patch their holes? Or are they going to sink come playoff time? C.J Stroud must play better to start. He’s only got just over 1,000 yards passing, 7 TDs, and 5 INTs in his last five games. Previously against Tennessee, who is the 2nd best pass defense and overall defense in the league, Stroud had 247 yards and 2 TDs but also threw 2 INTs. He needs to be able to find success against a challenging defense, because that’s how it’s going to be come playoff time. Here is your game where you get to fix your mistakes, against a good defense, a week before the playoffs amidst a bad losing streak. The opportunity has presented itself. Go execute.

If they could do it once, they could in theory do it again. I think the stakes are a little different, Houston comes into this game knowing they must play well even though they’re already in the playoffs. Whereas the Titans, who are not in the playoffs, will be playing with ease and a little more calmness than their opponents. This may actually work in their favor, as they have a statistically outstanding defense to lean out. Mason Rudolph will most likely be getting the start this week again, and he’ll need to play well if they are to win, but I truly don’t know if they are good enough to sweep their division rivals. I obviously could be wrong here, as the Texans are not great on the road going 4-4 this year. Add their ongoing struggles, and, well… Let’s not go there quite yet, but there is a path for Tennessee here too. But I still like the Texans.