Jordan McKendrick/ Houston Texans The Houston Texans faced a monumental opportunity on Christmas Day—a standalone Netflix game against the Baltimore Ravens, a chance to prove their legitimacy to themselves, their fans, and the national audience. Instead, the Texans fell short in spectacular fashion, suffering a blowout loss that highlighted the same offensive issues that have plagued them all season. While a competitive loss might have cemented their status as contenders, this defeat served as a harsh reminder that Houston has significant work to do before joining the league's elite. Offense Implodes on National Stage C.J. Stroud, last year's Rookie of the Year, endured what was arguably the worst game of his young career. Under relentless pressure, he was sacked five times for a loss of 37 yards and struggled with accuracy and decision-making. The Texans' offensive line, a recurring issue all season, failed to hold up against Baltimore's pass rush, and the running game was completely stifled by the Ravens' top-tier run defense. Stroud's struggles seem to stem from multiple factors: an offensive line he cannot trust, a sped-up internal clock that forces rushed mechanics and decisions, and possible lingering injuries he hinted at postgame, though he refused to use them as an excuse. Compounding matters, this was Houston's third game in 11 days—a grueling stretch for a young team with the latest bye week in the league and an extra game due to their Hall of Fame preseason appearance. Some speculate that the recent devastating injury to Tank Dell, who tore multiple knee ligaments against the Chiefs, has also taken a mental toll on Stroud. The Texans' receiving corps has struggled with miscommunications, dropped passes, and route-running mistakes all year but was even more of an issue without Tank Dell. Bobby Slowik’s Scheme Under Fire Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik's scheme has been another focal point of criticism. Defenses have adjusted to his sophomore-season tendencies, exploiting weaknesses in pass protection rules, stunts, and simulated pressures. Predictable play calling and poorly designed route combinations have left Stroud with limited options, especially against elite defenses like Baltimore’s. Defensive Letdown in the Trenches On the defensive side, the Texans faltered early against Baltimore’s top-ranked rushing attack. Derrick Henry consistently found massive holes, often going untouched for five or more yards. While the defense eventually tightened up, the offense's inability to generate any momentum or points put undue pressure on the unit, leading to a lopsided result. Perspective and Playoff Picture Despite the frustration, it’s crucial to keep perspective. This is only the second year post-rebuild under head coach DeMeco Ryans, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, and quarterback C.J. Stroud. Expectations soared after last year's success, where an average defense complemented an above-average offense. This season has flipped that script, with an above-average defense forced to carry a struggling offense. The Texans have clinched their second consecutive AFC South title and are locked into the fourth seed in the playoffs, likely facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round—a winnable matchup. A victory would send Houston back to Kansas City, where they lost in the regular season but gained valuable experience in a playoff-like atmosphere. The return of key players like middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and the addition of Diontae Johnson to replace Tank Dell offer hope for improvement. There’s also the possibility that Houston’s game plan against Baltimore was intentionally vanilla, knowing they may face the Ravens again in the postseason. Looking Ahead While this loss dims hopes for a deep playoff run, it doesn't negate the progress made by this young team. The foundation is strong, with core players like Stroud, Will Anderson Jr., Derek Stingley, Kamari Lassiter, Calen Bullock, and Nico Collins poised to lead the franchise into contention in the near future. Building a true contender takes time, and the Texans are ahead of schedule. While setbacks like this sting, they are part of the process. With lessons learned from this loss and the promise of a bright future, Houston fans have reason to believe that the Texans' best days are still ahead.