The Land Lock Week Ten Grades for the Texans Loss to the Lions

A hot start gave way to a horrible finish

Landry Locker will post his grades for the Texans after the game each week. Here are the grades for week ten. Follow Landry on YouTube.

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This was perhaps the most painful loss of the DeMeco Ryans era, which is unfortunate because his defense put together an amazing effort.

This was the fourth straight week the Texans didn’t score a touchdown in the second half of a game, failing to score a single point. 

It was another wasted elite defensive effort. This loss puts Bobby Slowik on a steaming hot seat among the fanbase. 

This was as bad of a choke job as you’ll see. #MomsSpaghetti

Here are this week’s Land Lock grades.

Quarterback: C-

C.J. Stroud made some plays, but when you throw the interceptions he did in a half in which the offense failed to score a point then that’s a bad look.

The pass blocking was much better, but the offensive line is still bad. Sadly, this might be as good as they can be. He even had his own tackle, Tytus Howard, rip the ball out of his hands while he was being sacked, one of the most embarrassing, viral plays in franchise history.

The return of Nico Collins should help, but the offensive line and game-planning aren’t ideal.

He took the blame for the loss after the game, which displays good leadership, but might be a little much. His surroundings aren’t ideal.

Running Backs: B

Joe Mixon had 25 carries for 46 yards, which is unimpressive, but at no moment did it feel like there was a possibility of more yardage and on some of his short runs, it felt like he was getting more than he should have. 

He also had a huge 36-yard reception and touchdown.

This game felt like the offensive line changes resulted in trading crappy pass blocking for crappy run blocking.

Wide Receivers: C-

John Metchie had the best game of his career, with three of his five catches coming on one drive, capped off with a touchdown at the end of the second quarter.

Tank Dell was meh and failed to build on last week’s performance.

Xavier Hutchinson and Robert Woods had a combined three catches for seven yards, which is on par with what we have seen this season. The decision to release Noah Brown looks worse and worse as the weeks go by.

If not for Metchie’s one drive this group would have gotten very close to an F.

Tight Ends: B

The tight end position is very unproductive and near the bottom of the league, why is that? Talent? Game plan? Both?

Dalton Schultz had three catches for 66 yards, which is his most productive game of the season yardage-wise. It’s hard to understand why he isn’t a more utilized part of this offense, especially without Nico Collins in the lineup.

Cade Stover appeared to miss another catchable pass from Stroud. I say appeared because NBC didn’t show the replay. 

Offensive Line: F-

The pass blocking was better, but the run blocking was bad. Sadly, this could be considered a good performance for this unit. However, when you have an offensive lineman strip the QB it’s an automatic F, no matter what.

Defensive Line: B

The Texans defensive game plan centered around stopping the run and making Jared Goff a pocket passer. 

It was executed beyond well and the defensive line contributed to Goff’s interceptions despite not getting a sack.

They performed well enough to win without their best player, Will Anderson.

Linebackers: B

Henry To’o’To’o had an interception and an up-and-down game. 

The performance as a unit was a lot like the defensive line. They played well enough to win and contained one of the best running games in the league.

Defensive Backs: A+

The defensive backs had four combined interceptions and it could have been five if Derek Stingley had made one of his vintage catches, which he normally makes look easier than it is. 

Jimmie Ward was all over the place and added an interception on his first drive back and the first drive of the game.

Jalen Pitre was a force at the line of scrimmage and tipped Ward’s interception. 

Kamari Lassiter had two interceptions and was clearly missed when he left the game with a concussion.

Calen Bullock had another interception.

The defensive backs were beyond solid and deserved a better fate.

Special Teams: B

Outside of Ka’imi Fairbairn’s long miss and a very, very rare Jon Weeks snap the special teams were solid in every area.

Coaching: C

The defensive game plan was elite, and the offensive game plan and decision-making were trash. We will meet in the middle of A and F, and give coaching a C.

Bobby Slowik’s inability to resemble someone who can adjust and have a clue during basic situations is one of this team’s biggest problems.

At one point he ran the ball on third and 10 to settle for a long field goal. He also didn’t throw on second down on the final play before the two-minute warning, which is the perfect time to throw for anyone with a clue.

The fact this is weeks after the disaster in Green Bay makes it even more frustrating, troubling, and problematic. Slowik has had a massive role in ruining multiple elite performances by the defense.

The return of Collins will help the offense, but the problems are deep and one has to wonder if any changes can, or will be made. This team looks like a team that’s overseen by a defensive mind.

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