The Houston Texans have unfortunately stumbled out of the gate of the 2025 season, beginning 0-2 after heartbreaking losses to both the Los Angeles Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is their worst start since 2023, where they also started 0-2.
In both contests, the defense held serve for the most part, only allowing 14 to L.A. and 20 to Tampa.(It was 14 for the majority of the game before Baker engineered the game winning drive in the fourth for the final score.)
However, the Texans offense didn’t do their part to help secure the victories, scoring a measly 9 points in game one and a disjointed 19 in the second. Their 28 points through two weeks ranks dead last in the NFL behind other 0-2 teams in the Panthers and Titans.
That’s not the kind of output that Head Coach DeMeco Ryans had in mind for new coming offensive coordinator Nick Caley in year three of quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Speaking of C.J., his performances have been uneven at best to start the season. His 395 total passing yards so far have him ranked 30th, only in front of the Cardinals’ Kyler Murray (383) and oddly Tampa’s Baker Mayfield (382).
His lone touchdown pass Monday night has him tied with Tyrod Taylor and Cam Ward for second fewest among qualified signal callers (Jalen Hurts has 0. Thank you ‘tush push’).
To be fair, the offense has not had the services of three key pieces to start their campaign. That being because of injuries to starting running back Joe Mixon (foot) and newly acquired wide receivers Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios (hamstrings). That’s a 1,000 yard rusher and a 700-1,000 yard receiver (Kirk) that’s been missing from the offensive side of the ball.
However, a news break happened yesterday that could be key to turning the season around in quick fashion. And that being, according to multiple sources, the Houston Texans expect to receive wide receivers Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios back for their week three road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It may not be a hot take to say that week three might be a virtual “must win” for the Texans, as they cannot risk falling to 0-3 if they’re truly aiming to step into “AFC Elite” status. Especially, when their division counterpart in the Indianapolis Colts have started 2-0 on the strength of unexpected quality performances by their new QB Daniel Jones (588 yards (second in NFL), 2 TD’s, and 111.1 passer rating (seventh in NFL)).
With the return of their WR2 in Kirk and quality depth piece in Berrios, C.J. and Caley may finally be able to turn the corner and establish a consistent rhythm in the passing game.
The Texans traded a ‘26 seventh rounder to the Jaguars for Kirk. He was envisioned to be a veteran slot option who could also stretch the field on any defense. In signing Berrios during free agency, they are provided with quick receiver who also can double up as a kick returner if called upon. Braxton also grabbed a 14-yard receiving touchdown against the Vikings in the preseason from Davis Mills.
With their reintegration, hopefully they can help a sputtering pass unit that is currently ranked eighth worst in receiving yards (395) and fourth worst in touchdowns (1).
I fully expect the Texans to come out aggressive and attempt to reestablish an offensive identity in week three. Let’s just hope that converts to a much needed W in Jacksonville, and serves as a reminder to the league that the Texans are not a team to take lightly when considering the power hierarchy in the AFC.
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