The Houston Texans’ playoff dreams might be slipping away after a brutal loss to the Denver Broncos. In this defeated Monday , we dive into: 🏈 CJ Stroud’s concussion — how his absence completely derailed the offense. 🚨 Red zone nightmares — 0-for-3, including two failed trips inside the 2-yard line. 🤦 Offensive collapse — Higgins and Noel COMBINED for one target?! 💪 Defensive heart — holding Denver 33 yards below their rushing average and limiting YAC. 🧠 Coaching concerns — did Nick Caley’s inexperience show in the second half? The Texans defense gave everything they had — but can Houston survive without its QB1? Are the playoff hopes officially gone, or is there still a flicker of life left?

This is it — make or break time for the Houston Texans. 👀 As they prepare to face the Denver Broncos, we take an inside look at the numbers that could define Sunday’s showdown. Denver ranks among the NFL’s best in YAC yards, while Houston’s defense has quietly been one of the top units at limiting yards after the catch — meaning the second and third levels of the defense have to play BIG. 💪 Plus, when Christian Kirk returns, should the Texans prioritize him over rookie Jaylin Noel? Both have flashed, but Noel has given this offense explosiveness and big-play energy downfield that’s hard to ignore. And finally — a temperature check on Texans fans 🔥: belief or doubt? Houston’s playoff hopes hang in the balance, and if they lose Sunday… they’ll only prove the doubters right.

The Locked On Texans x Locked On Broncos Crossover Special is here — and it’s getting HEATED! 😎 Can Houston’s defensive front neutralize the Broncos’ O-line and make Bo Nix fold under pressure (without even blitzing)? Will CJ Stroud stay upright against Denver’s pass rush? The Broncos will be without Patrick Surtain II, while Nico Collins returns to join a Texans WR group that’s starting to find its groove. But can Houston’s secondary contain the YAC king, Troy Franklin? We’re breaking down ALL the key matchups, storylines, and hidden X-factors that will decide this AFC showdown. 👀 Tune in, hit subscribe, and tell us in the comments — who wins the battle: Bo Nix under pressure or CJ Stroud protected perfection?

The numbers might fool you — but the film doesn’t! Woody Marks has become a quiet X-factor in the Houston Texans offense. Despite an average depth of target at just 2 yards, Marks has turned 156 of his 165 receiving yards into YAC, ranking 16th in the league in that category — even though he’s only 30th in passing snaps! 👀 In this episode of Locked On Texans, John Hickman breaks down why Marks’ impact goes way beyond the box score and why Houston MUST keep him involved in the offensive game plan moving forward. Plus, special guest Stan Norfleet stops by to talk about: 🏈 The current state of the Houston Texans ⚙️ What’s working (and what’s not) on offense 🧩 Why the upcoming matchup vs. the Denver Broncos is a must-win if Houston wants to stay in the playoff race Tap in for Texans talk you won’t get anywhere else!

In this episode of Locked On Texans, we break down the concentrated effort by CJ Stroud and Nick Caley to get the ball out fast and how it’s keeping the Texans offense ahead of the sticks — just like they’ve preached since training camp. 📊 Quick Game Stats That Tell the Story: Short center of the field: 11/11, 129 yards, 6 first downs, 2.15s to throw (best past LOS) Short range (0–9 yards): 20/22, 187 yards, 11 first downs, 2.28s average time to throw Plus: 🏈 Exclusive EJ Speed interview — the Colts LB shares his thoughts on CJ Stroud, the outside noise, and the game plan for slowing down Christian McCaffrey. 🎙️ DeMeco Ryans at the Monday presser — hear what the Texans head coach said about blocking out the noise (good or bad). Is he right to feel that way?

VICTORY MONDAY, HOUSTON! The Houston Texans beat the San Francisco 49ers, and it’s time to celebrate on Locked On Texans x Locked On 49ers — CROSSOVER EDITION! 🎙️ CJ Stroud went OFF with a 300+ yard performance, controlling the tempo, shredding the 49ers’ defense, and showing why he’s one of the NFL’s elite young quarterbacks. The Texans’ offense played clean, confident, and explosive — 0 sacks, only 10 pressures, and an established run game that kept the Niners guessing all night. The rookies showed OUT, especially:✅ Woody Marks, delivering juice, balance, and attitude on the ground✅ Aireontae Ersery, who didn’t allow a single pressure — stonewalling San Fran's pass rush And on defense? The guys ate.✅ Held Christian McCaffrey under 70 total yards✅ 2 sacks + constant pressure✅ Took away explosive plays and forced Mac Jones into a box Say what you want about the 49ers — they came in 5-2, but Houston came in hungry, surrounded by noise… and responded by PUNCHING A GOOD TEAM IN THE MOUTH. This is how you make a statement.This is how you shut up a narrative.This is how you celebrate Victory Monday.

The Houston Texans have an offensive identity crisis, and whatever this offense thinks it is… it isn’t working consistently. On today’s Locked On Texans Podcast, we dive into the confusion surrounding the Texans’ offensive struggles and ask the big question: 👉 What IS the offensive identity of the Houston Texans? Hear from CJ Stroud himself, as he shares his thoughts on where this team is mentally and what has to change. After a confusing and frustrating week following the loss to Seattle, Houston suddenly faces a must-win game on Sunday vs the 49ers — a matchup that feels like looking in the mirror. If the Texans are going to turn this around, CJ needs to be elite and elevate everyone around him. We also break down the current state of the Texans franchise and why this offseason needs to start with tough—but actually not-so-tough—decisions, beginning with the front office and GM direction.

The chess match is SET. 🧠🏈 DeMeco Ryans vs Kyle Shanahan. Texans vs 49ers. Houston is favored by 1.5, but can the Texans finally prove they can beat an elite NFL team? The 5-2 San Francisco 49ers, bruised by injuries yet still stacking wins, roll into this matchup as one of the NFL’s most battle-tested squads. On the other sideline, the healthy and hungry Houston Texans are searching for that signature victory. Can DeMeco crack the code of his former head coach—or will Shanahan remind the league who built the system first? In this Locked On Texans x Locked On 49ers crossover, we break down: 🔥 Key Matchups that will decide the game 🔥 How each coach attacks the other’s scheme 🔥 Why this could be a LOW-SCORING field-goal finish 🔥 Game predictions, X-factors, and which QB has the edge 🔥 What this game means for Houston’s identity moving forward 📌 Storylines We’re Watching Can Houston FINALLY beat a top-tier NFL team? Will the 49ers’ injuries open a door—or does Shanahan still have too many answers? Can DeMeco Ryans flip the script on the mentor who helped shape his coaching DNA?

The Houston Texans are spiraling, and the fanbase is starting to feel it. 💥 With the offense collapsing, Nico Collins in concussion protocol, and DeMeco Ryans refusing to make changes at OC, are Texans fans beginning to lose faith in DeMeco AND CJ Stroud? Today on the Locked On Texans Podcast, we dive into the biggest questions shaking H-Town right now: 🔥 Is DeMeco Ryans’ stubbornness costing the Texans the season? – Ryans says he’s NOT changing Offensive Coordinators and insists the blame should be on him. Admirable? Or alarming? Could this backfire with the locker room and the fanbase? 🔥 Is CJ Stroud still the Franchise QB of the future? – Or… should Houston at least consider life after Stroud if these trends continue? Has the league figured him out, or is this slump on coaching and scheme? 🔥 Life without Nico Collins = BIG trouble – With Nico in concussion protocol, who is stepping up? Nobody has proven they’re even a true WR2… so how does Houston survive without its WR1? 🔥 Fan Reaction: Are Texans fans DONE with this offense? – We read your comments, your tweets, and your frustrations. The pulse of the fanbase is LOUD.

The Houston Texans offense was painful, confusing, and straight-up complacent — and the players are admitting it. After a brutal offensive performance, questionable coaching decisions, and Tytus Howard calling out the team’s mindset, it’s time to ask a real question: 👉 Are the Texans even CLOSE to competing with elite NFL teams? Right now — the answer looks like no. Tonight on Locked On Texans, we break down the 3 PHASES of FAILURE that cost Houston big: 🚨 PHASE 1 — Offensive Line Chaos Rotating Laken Tomlinson and Juice Scruggs at LG for no clear reason? 28 pressures. 3 sacks. 4 QB hits. No run game. No rhythm. No identity. That’s how you sabotage an offense. 🚨 PHASE 2 — CJ Stroud’s Worst Night 4 of 15 on throws 10+ yards Multiple hero-ball misses No situational awareness in key moments CJ is a star — but Monday was bad. Really bad. 🚨 PHASE 3 — Nick Caley’s Play-Calling From run-run-run predictability to ignoring Dalton Schultz to no QB sneaks on 3rd and 4th and short… This was Houston’s most head-scratching play-calling of the season. The defense gave you 4 turnovers and you walked away with 13 points. That’s not winning football. That’s wasted opportunities. 💬 THE WORD OF THE WEEK: COMPLACENCY Tytus Howard flat-out said it: “We were complacent. No energy. We let the defense down.” Why does this team always need to get punched in the mouth before waking up? ✅ FINAL TAKE Defense — you were elite. Offense — accountability time. Coaches — look in the mirror. TAP IN! COMMENT: Who deserves the most blame — CJ, Caley, O-Line, or the overall mindset?

The Houston Texans just took a MAJOR hit — Christian Kirk is OUT, and now this offense enters Monday night with its most reliable slot weapon on the shelf. So the question is simple… 👉 Can the Texans survive without their true slot WR? In today’s episode of Locked On Texans, we break down exactly what Houston is missing without Kirk: 💥 A high-IQ receiver who understands the nuances and spacing of the offense 💥 The team’s third most dependable target behind Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz 💥 A true slot presence who opens up big-play opportunities and keeps coverages honest With Kirk leading the team in slot snaps (even after missing two games!), Houston now has a decision to make: Braxton Berrios in a full-time slot role? Dalton Schultz inside more? Or is this the week rookie Jaylin Noel finally gets his breakout moment? 👀 PLUS — don’t overlook special teams. Frank Ross has Houston winning the field-position battle all year long, and that could be a hidden weapon Monday night. We close with final predictions… and yes, I don’t think Houston will win — BUT what if they DO? This game could change everything

CJ Stroud is giving his flowers to the big men up front — and rightfully so! 🌹 The Texans’ current offensive line combo (including Juice Scruggs at LG) has quietly become one of the NFL’s most efficient units: 134 snaps played together Only 2 sacks allowed 2.2 seconds average clean pocket time (Top 2 in NFL!) 3.17 seconds average time to sack (Top 2 in last 3 games!) Plus, shoutout to Dalton Schultz & Harrison Bryant, who’ve held strong against an 85% blitz rate, allowing just 2 pressures and 1 sack! But can they keep that same energy against Seattle’s elite defensive front featuring Byron Murphy & Leonard Williams (7.5 sacks combined)? The Seahawks lead the NFL in stunt rate (36.3%) and rank 4th in pressure rate while sending four or fewer rushers 😳 We’ll break down: 🏈 What’s made this O-line click 🔥 How Stroud’s quick reads + protection scheme have evolved 💥 Why a trade for Breece Hall or Chris Olave could make sense — both for a playoff push and Houston’s long-term future

It’s Crossover Week! The Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks go head-to-head in a primetime battle of the trenches on Monday Night Football! 💥 In this Locked On Texans x Locked On Seahawks crossover episode, we break down: 🏈 How Houston can shock the world and take down Seattle 💪 The trench war — Will Anderson & Danielle Hunter vs Leonard Williams & Byron Murphy 🧠 Can Nick Caley’s offense protect CJ Stroud from Seattle’s interior pressure? 🔥 Is this the breakout game for Nico Collins with Seattle’s banged-up secondary? 👀 How can Houston contain JSN and limit Kenneth Walker’s big-play ability? ⚡ Plus, the Sam Darnold vs Texans defense matchup — who wins? It’s all about adjustments, attitude, and execution — and we’re breaking down how Houston can pull off the upset on the road.

The Seattle Seahawks offense has been on fire — averaging 28 points per game, 356 yards per game, and converting in the red zone at an elite 85% rate. They’ve been efficient on first down, where 70% passing completions, 15.4 yards per completion, and 7 of their 9 passing touchdowns come from early downs. 😳 So, what can the Houston Texans do to stop them? In today’s episode of Locked On Texans, we break down: Why Houston might need to blitz more on early downs 🧠 How Derek Stingley Jr. and the secondary can handle Seattle’s passing attack 💪 The importance of Calen Bullock and the safety unit staying disciplined 👀 Why CJ Stroud holding the ball too long could spell disaster ⚠️ And how Houston can turn Kenneth Walker’s explosiveness and Zach Charbonnet’s struggles into a defensive advantage Plus, we dive into the chess match behind the Texans' defensive game plan and whether Houston can find a way to get their season back on track with a statement win!

The Houston Texans face their biggest test of the season — the battle within the tackles. 💥 Can Houston’s offensive line hold up against one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive fronts? The Seattle Seahawks are sending only four rushers on 84% of dropbacks yet still generating a 37% QB pressure rate (4th best in the league) and leading the NFL with a 36.3% defensive stunt rate 😳 We break down: How the Texans’ offensive line can survive Seattle’s chaos up front 🧱 The scary-good combo of Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams (7.5 sacks combined) 💣 Why Sam Darnold has quietly become one of the NFL’s most efficient QBs 👀 (1st in EPA/play, Big-Time Throw Rate, ADOT, and Explosive Pass Rate) What C.J. Stroud and Bobby Slowik must do to exploit Seattle’s weakness — 240 passing yards & 10 TDs allowed through the air 📈 This is going to be a tough, physical, and defining matchup for Houston. Can the Texans protect their young QB and pull off the upset? Or will the Seahawks’ defensive storm be too much to weather?

The Houston Texans are officially in the playoff mix! Sitting as the 8th seed in the AFC, the question now is: can they climb even higher? 👀 In this episode of Locked On Texans, we’re breaking down: 🏈 How Houston stacks up against the rest of the AFC playoff contenders 🔥 Why Dalton Schultz deserves way more love — he’s been one of the Texans’ most reliable weapons on first and third downs 💪 The defensive tackle unit that’s quietly been the backbone of Houston’s improved run defense 💥 And what it’ll take for the Texans to finish strong and make a legitimate playoff push Plus — what role does Nico Collins play in unlocking Houston’s next gear on offense? Don’t miss the conversation — tap in, comment your AFC playoff predictions, and rep H-Town! 🚀