C.J. Stroud isn’t the only person at fault for the Houston Texans’ 26-23 loss against the Detroit Lions on ‘Sunday Night Football’ at NRG Stadium.
Despite forcing five interceptions, the Texans’ defense allowed Lions quarterback Jared Goff to mount a pair of touchdown drives in the second half.
They gave the Lions ample room to mount a 16-point comeback behind the leg of kicker and former Texans player Jake Bates.
Even with an 8-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter, Houston’s inability to emphasize the run game with Joe Mixon, who averaged less than 2.0 yards per attempt.
But Stroud, who threw two interceptions, admitted he could have done more and took ownership of the heartbreaker at home.
“I got to be better in those moments,” Stroud said Sunday evening. “It’s really just got to go down and score in the red zone and defense is getting the turnovers like they were, so got to be able to reward them with points.
“I’m the one to blame when it comes to that. Turn the ball over in the red zone.”
The first half of hope led to a second half of sorrow. Stroud, who connected with John Metchie III for a 15-yard touchdown with 12 seconds remaining in the first half, was in his element.
He had only missed three passes and notched up over 175 passing yards.
CJ Stroud’s TD drive in 42 seconds before the half. When you allow him to cut it loose, good things happen pic.twitter.com/44iFIz3Pq6
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) November 11, 2024
But games aren’t won in the first half. As the Texans headed out for the third quarter, momentum shifted from the east over to the west.
Stroud tossed two interceptions, both forced by Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III, to begin the second half. His second interception came on a play to the end zone on a pass intended for wide receiver Tank Dell.
“If you take those plays away, and I throw Tank a good ball on that one play, the game is flipped over,” Stroud said.
Goff, who lost ground in the MVP race, kept the offense afloat enough in the second half to win a gusty road game. Detroit improved to 8-1 and kept its lead in the NFC standings as the conference’s top contender.
CJ Stroud:
“I feel like this game was on me. Just gotta make throws. Can’t turn the ball over in scoring position. I blame this on me. I gotta be better in those moments.” pic.twitter.com/pQmiUwBEHA
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) November 11, 2024
The Texans, who now fall to 6-4, find themselves on the wrong side of history, becoming the second team since 1933 to lose a game in which they caught five interceptions and led by at least 15. Previously, teams were 373-1-1 when leading by at least 15 and snagging five interceptions.
“Definitely should have won this game,” Stroud said. “My job is to lead the offense to score points, and I didn’t do that today.
“We really should have put them away after the first half. It’s really on the offense.”
Nobody has to deal with third-and-long more often than C.J. Stroud
Most plays run on 3rd-and-10+ this season:
Stroud – 50
Deshaun Watson – 37
Aaron Rodgers – 37
Caleb Williams – 36
Daniel Jones – 35 https://t.co/Y8BUJL0Qd6 pic.twitter.com/Kgpzc80nMY— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) November 11, 2024
Stroud finished 19-of-33 for 232 yards, one touchdown and those two interceptions.
“It’s not good enough. Turning the football over there, especially in the red zone, or coming out,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We talked about getting started in the second half, and we talked about being better in the second half.”
The Texans will have eight days to regroup before traveling to AT&T Stadium to take on a struggling Dallas Cowboys squad on Monday Night Football.
