'Can’t Shoot Ourselves In The Foot!' C.J. Stroud and Jalen Pitre Reveal Houston Texans Week 6 Mindset
Receiving the ball down by six points with just under seven minutes to play in their Week 5 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons and giving it back up by one with just under two to play seemed like a winning equation for the Houston Texans.
Coach DeMeco Ryans' squad, with its back against the wall, took 11 plays and five minutes to score a touchdown late in the fourth, as C.J. Stroud found Dalton Schultz for a first-year Texan connection to take the lead.
But Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo had other plans.
His walk-off 37-yard field goal disrupted Houston's winning streak and put a wrench in its chances of remaining tied for first place in the AFC South. But according to Stroud, it wasn't Koo who was to blame for the Texans' shortcomings. It was themselves.
"I think this game will teach us that we can’t shoot ourselves in the foot and expect to win close games," Stroud said.
Learning for a young Texans team is crucial, and given how "new" they are, from Ryans to Slowik to Stroud and even Will Anderson. Jr., it's not surprising that they still have a ways to go before finding a groove and truly turning things around.
Texans second-year safety Jalen Pitre is confident that Houston can get there.
Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) celebrates with cornerback Ka'dar Hollman (20) and cornerback Steven Nelson (21) after a fumble recovery against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes Benz Stadium
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
"[We're] going to continue to push forward," Pitre said following the Texans' loss to Atlanta. "Continue to improve on the things that our coaches want us to improve on ... [like] the finer details of our job. We're going to continue to improve."
Stroud commented on his team's offensive performance, stating that with the chances they were given, more points should have come.
"We had plenty of times to score points and it’s on me to execute our offense at a higher level," he said. "So, we’ve got to get back to the drawing board, but I definitely think we can learn from this."
But while Stroud may take the blame himself, the defense had a role in it, too.
Giving up a 10-play drive to close out the game certainly isn't a recipe for success, especially with the game on the line. But at the same time, trying to pinpoint just one drive or one play isn't productive.
Heading into Week 6, the Texans will focus on their entire performance against Atlanta. They'll take time to regroup, refocus and lock in, especially since taking a victory into their bye would do wonders for their momentum.
Facing the New Orleans Saints will be their chance to do so, leaving it up to Ryans' squad to put their words of improvement into action.
Kickoff from NRG Stadium is set for 12 p.m. CST.
