Saturday, November 4, 2023

Houston Texans Week 9 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 9 roundup for the Houston Texans in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 23

Possible Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate C.J. Stroud has blown away expectations while leading the Texans to last season's win total (three) through seven games. He hasn't been only good for a rookie, he has been one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. Stroud has thrown for nine touchdowns (tied for 16th in the NFL) and 1,800 yards (13th) while setting the NFL record for most pass attempts without an interception to start a career (186). -- DJ Bien-Aime

NFL.com -- Rank: 16

This was a tough way for the Texans to come out of the bye, losing in the final minutes of a game they led for virtually the entire fourth quarter. The defense has done its job since the start of October, even if it couldn't get off the field in the final six-plus minutes on Sunday, with four late penalties doing them in. But the bigger issue is that the offense has leveled off following C.J. Stroud's hot start. The Texans' lack of a threatening rushing attack meant the Panthers could drop seven and eight, play zone and force Stroud to take checkdowns all game. This is where first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik can try to help his rookie quarterback out a little more with creative scheming, although the Texans clearly still have offensive-personnel limitations.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 17

C.J. Stroud and the offense struggled for the first time this season in losing to the Panthers. That's to be expected for a rookie quarterback, but now it's time to see how they respond.

USA Today -- Rank: 22

Hoping to salvage a .500 season against the NFC South as they conclude a four-game sprint through the division with Sunday's visit from the Bucs.

The Athletic -- Rank: 22

Something scary (for them): An offensive drought

After averaging 24 points per game in the first month of the season, Houston is averaging 17.3 points per game in its last three. Rookie C.J. Stroud has a passer rating of 84.8 in that span, which is lower than Kenny Pickett, Bryce Young and Tyrod Taylor, among others. No one is worried about Stroud in the long run, but the Panthers held him to a season low in yards (140) on Sunday.

FOX -- Rank: 13

The difference between first and last is often small in this league — so the difference between .500 and winless can be microscopic. In this case, the Panthers defense was able to show that, while C.J. Stroud has been phenomenal to start his career, you can still flummox a rookie quarterback with the right game plan.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 18

Everything was off about the Texans' offense on Sunday. C.J. Stroud had his quietest game as a pro. The running game, now split between Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary, was ineffective. None of the Texans' pass catchers showed up. All against a bad Panthers defense. It's a reminder that the Texans have a long way to go, despite promising signs this season.

PFT -- Rank: 17

They need to learn how to win the games they should.

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