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The Texans fell to 0-2 for the second time in three seasons on Monday night in a game where they didn鈥檛 convert either of their red-zone opportunities. They had a second down at the 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter and came up empty after Nick Chubb was stopped on first down, then Stroud threw incompletions intended for Nico Collins on the next two plays.

Stroud was 13 of 24 for 207 yards and a touchdown on a night when he was sacked three times and hit six other times while often operating under heavy pressure. Coach DeMeco Ryans thought Stroud did some good things but noted that he and everyone else must play better for the offense to be effective.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a collective effort,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e go 2 for 9 on third down, what do we expect? If we can鈥檛 get the ball in at the goal line, what do we expect is going to happen? Everybody on offense has to make plays.鈥�

Stroud is frustrated with his team鈥檚 inability to finish drives and was asked why he thinks the Texans have struggled offensively through the first two games.

鈥淲e can say a bunch of different things of what could have went right,鈥� he said. 鈥淎t the end of the day, it鈥檚 about winning games and those plays that are in between, those are the plays that you end up winning or losing on in my opinion. In my opinion that鈥檚 what we got to get better at, making more plays and sustaining drives.鈥�

Despite the tough start, the Texans aren鈥檛 panicking and insist they鈥檒l find a way to get on track. Their optimism is aided by the fact that when they opened the 2023 season 0-2, they bounced back to go 10-7 and win the AFC South.

鈥淚t鈥檚 no hole. We lost the game. We lost two games, games we should have won,鈥� Ryans said. 鈥淭o win games you got to play better. You鈥檝e got to coach better. It starts with me. I鈥檝e got to coach better. We鈥檝e got to play better and execute better. You got to go win games. You鈥檙e not going to be given games. So, we got to find a way to make those plays.鈥�

What鈥檚 working

The special teams’ play gave the Texans a chance to win Monday night despite the struggles on offense. The Texans blocked a punt with about 6 1/2 minutes left and made a field goal on the ensuing drive. Rookie Jaylin Noel returned a punt 53 yards later in the fourth to set up a touchdown that gave the Texans the lead before the Bucs rallied for the win in the final seconds.

Noel had three kick returns and three punt returns for 145 yards, which was the fifth-most total return yards by a rookie in franchise history.

What needs help

Along with the problems in the passing game, the Texans also have struggled to run the ball with running back Joe Mixon out for at least two more games because of a foot injury. Starting running back Nick Chubb managed just 43 yards on 12 carries and Woody Mark added 14 yards on three carries.

鈥淥verall, just not good enough in the run game,鈥� Ryans said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e getting knocked back at the line of scrimmage, then you can鈥檛 get the play started. We鈥檝e got to look at it all and see how we can get it fixed.鈥�

Stock up

Veteran defensive end Danielle Hunter had two sacks and forced a fumble Monday night to become the first Texans to do so since 2023. His performance gives him 101 1/2 sacks in his 10-year career.

Stock down

Houston鈥檚 offensive line, which has four new starters this season, has failed to effectively protect Stroud or block well in the running game. Ryans said there were some 鈥渃ommunication issues鈥� Monday night and that they have to do a much better job of picking up blitzes.

Injuries

WRs Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios have yet to play this season because of hamstring injuries, and it鈥檚 unclear if they鈥檒l return Sunday. 鈥� C Jake Andrews missed Monday鈥檚 game with an ankle injury.

Key number

The Texans have converted just four of 19 third-down opportunities combined in their first two games.

Next steps

Houston must find a way to get its offense moving and clean up its mistakes as the team prepares for its first AFC South game of the season, a visit to Jacksonville on Sunday.

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