Each year, the NFL has at least one breakout team, and in 2023, it was the Houston Texans. Led by a historically good rookie season from QB CJ Stroud, the Houston Texans won 10 games, the AFC South, and won a playoff game. It was enough for me to peg them as my Super Bowl pick in 2024.
And in 2024, they’re 5-2. The main issue here is that while Houston is atop their division and among the best teams in the NFL, they haven’t been particularly good on either side of the ball. This could be a good thing, though, as the Texans being 5-2 despite not playing all that well could mean they’re set to explode if they can figure something out.
Well, their main issue is their offensive line, which has just not played well at all. CJ Stroud has been sacked 20 times this year. He’s currently on pace to be sacked 49 times this year. Had he played all 17 games in his rookie season, he’d have been on pace to take just 43 times, so even as he develops into year two, he’s being sacked more.
PFF credits left tackle Laremy Tunsil with a whopping 12 penalties committed, which is just an insane figure. Guard Kenyon Green has been credited with seven penalties of his own and three sacks allowed, also according to PFF.
No matter how you slice it, the Texans’ offensive line is just a liability, and the unit could prevent them from winning it all.