This one feels like a playoff game — and the Houston Texans know it. With major AFC playoff implications on the line, Houston faces one of its biggest tests of the season against the Los Angeles Chargers. But here’s the challenge: Trent Brown is out Rookie Aireontae Ersery’s status is questionable So how does Houston still create an edge? It starts with the same formula that’s carried them all year: run the football, control the time of possession, and win the small moments. We break down how the Texans offensive line MUST attack the edge of the Chargers’ defense, why the tight end unit could be a major factor, and whether this sets up a sneaky Cade Stover value game. From there, it’s about discipline and details: No penalties Strong special teams Limiting missed tackles And then the big question: Which running back steps up? Should we see more Nick Chubb in this matchup? I think so — and here’s why. Plus, we’re joined by Texans center Jarrett Patterson for an in-depth interview on building cohesion up front, learning from Tytus Howard, and what it takes to grow as an offensive line unit when the stakes rise. We also react to social media comments and tap into what Texans fans have been buzzing about all week. This isn’t a must-win — but it’s a moment. A measuring stick. A test of whether Houston is ready for what’s coming next.

This one has all the drama written on it. The Houston Texans head into a massive showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers facing their biggest challenge yet — surviving one of the NFL’s most dangerous pass rushes without their two starting offensive tackles. Can Houston protect the quarterback long enough to win? Or does this matchup spell trouble? We break down the biggest key matchups and storylines heading into Texans vs Chargers, including: How Houston can withstand the Chargers’ relentless pass rush Why time of possession may decide this game Can the Texans’ defense rise to the moment again? Is this a Justin Herbert bounce-back game, or will Houston’s defense shut him down like they did in last season’s playoffs? Plus, game predictions and what has to go right for Houston to pull off a road win — and why it could be an uphill battle if they can’t control the clock. Straight talk. Real matchups. No fluff.

Let’s be real — #StopBlameNickCaley. Houston didn’t need a new play-caller against the Raiders… they needed CJ Stroud to be better, and this time, he came up short. But how did it happen? And more importantly — are these issues fixable as the Texans push forward? We break down exactly where Stroud struggled, what went wrong in the execution, and why this isn’t about panic — it’s about growth. 🔥 Plus, an exclusive 1-on-1 interview with Texans DT Daquan Jones Jones takes us inside the game plan heading into the Raiders matchup, shares thoughts on Ashton Jeanty, and reflects on his journey since arriving in Houston and becoming a leader on this defense. And don’t overlook the real difference-makers… 🏈 Calen Bullock and special teams were MASSIVE in Houston getting the win. Was this Bullock’s best non-interception game of the season? We break down why his impact went far beyond the box score. Straight-up analysis. No sugarcoating. No scapegoating.

Houston got the win… but not the way anyone drew it up. The Texans escape with a hard-fought victory against a 2-win Raiders team, and while the scoreboard shows a “W,” the tape tells a much messier story. Las Vegas took away Houston’s run game, neutralized one of the Texans’ biggest weapons, and completely disrupted the play-action attack. Let’s be clear — this is not about blaming Jordan. The offensive line actually did a solid job protecting the quarterback. CJ Stroud wasn’t sacked once. But despite the clean pocket, Stroud played like he felt pressure that wasn’t there — and that matters. He has to be better. Period. The Raiders struggled to generate consistent pressure, yet still finished with 6 tackles for loss. Houston managed just 3.2 yards per carry, continuing a troubling trend: When the Texans rush for under 100 yards, they average just 17 points per game On defense, the issues are starting to stack up. For the second straight week, Houston gave up explosive plays: 6 plays of 10+ yards 3 plays of 30+ yards The absence of Azeez Al-Shaair was felt, and the lack of depth at defensive tackle continues to show. Still, there were positives — including 7 defensive drives of five plays or fewer, proving this unit can still clamp down when it locks in. We’ll also take a step back and reflect on what this 7-game winning streak truly means for the Texans — from DeMeco Ryans’ leadership to the belief inside the locker room and coaching staff. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t clean. But Houston found a way.

New faces. Same expectations. And the Houston Texans defense is still looking to dominate. With injuries piling up along the defensive line, Houston had to reload fast—and now the spotlight is on Naquan Jones and Marlon Davidson. Can these two be the answers for an injury-riddled defensive tackle unit that still expects elite results? 🔍 Naquan Jones Logged snaps against Arizona and made his presence felt An all-hustle interior defender who does his job—every snap Strong against the run Consistent double-team splitter Quick feet that shine vs. zone runs Comfortable taking on double teams Is he one of those “can’t send him back” guys? And can he step into the Mario Edwards–type role for this Texans defense? 🔍 Marlon Davidson Former second-round pick Fresh opportunity, fresh expectations What can he realistically provide inside for Houston right now? PLUS 🔥 🎙️ EXCLUSIVE one-on-one with Tytus Howard We talk about: What’s been most surprising about this Texans six-game win streak The mindset inside the locker room Why expectations haven’t changed—even with new faces stepping in This episode is all about Texans defense, depth, dominance, and belief. If Houston’s interior holds strong, this team’s ceiling gets even higher.

Sunday afternoon isn’t a walk in the park for the Houston Texans — and the Las Vegas Raiders are bringing real problems to NRG Stadium. The Raiders’ defense is far from soft. Their outside corners are quietly having strong seasons: Eric Stokes is playing his best football since entering the league Rookie Darien Porter has allowed just 200 receiving yards all season And it gets tougher. Vegas stacks the box 61% of the time, and when they do, they allow just 2.92 yards per carry. That’s a major red flag for Houston, because when the Texans face a stacked box, they’re averaging only 2.62 YPC. That math doesn’t lie. So how does Houston combat it? This game may come down to one thing: the tackles holding up. If they play clean and physical, we could finally see the best version of the Texans’ rushing attack. Plus, one matchup could tilt the entire game in Houston’s favor — Dalton Schultz vs Devin White. If the Texans exploit it correctly, it could be a BIG-time advantage. And then there’s the question fans are whispering about… Could Jahwar Jordan be the next Arian Foster? Or is that asking way too much, way too fast? Oh — and don’t forget: the Texans defense is looking to dominate. If Houston wants this win, it starts with physicality, pressure, and setting the tone early.

The Houston Texans are rolling… and the Las Vegas Raiders might be walking into a nightmare. Even if you’re not a gambling person, Houston being a 14.5-point favorite is eye-opening — and maybe too tempting to ignore. In this Locked On Texans episode, we break down the biggest storylines heading into Texans vs Raiders, featuring insight from the Locked On Raiders crew. 🔥 The main event: A struggling Raiders offense vs the best defense in the NFL Why Las Vegas has looked completely out of sync How a bad offensive line and zero rhythm could spell disaster against Houston 🛑 Can the Texans defense dominate again? After allowing Trey McBride to have a big game last week, all eyes are on how Houston plans to slow down Brock Bowers, the Raiders’ most dangerous weapon. What adjustments need to be made? Who wins the key matchups? 📊 We also cover: Key Texans vs Raiders matchups What Vegas has to do to survive Why this game could get ugly fast Final score predictions

It wasn’t pretty early… but Nick Caley has settled in — and the growth is impossible to ignore. After a rocky start in his first season as Texans offensive coordinator, Caley has made real, in-season adjustments despite being dealt a brutal hand. No Joe Mixon. No Tank Dell. A wildly inconsistent year from Christian Kirk. And yet? The offense looks more organized, more intentional, and more prepared than it did in September. So here’s the big question: 👉 Should the 2025 Houston Texans season be viewed as the FOUNDATION for what’s coming next? Caley has the building blocks: A franchise left tackle to anchor the offense Cole Popovich beside him to develop the offensive line Proven evidence that he can adjust on the fly With three games left in the season, what do you NEED to see more of? The wide receiver unit stepping up? Or cleaner game operations across the board? Because the penalties, mental mistakes, and self-inflicted wounds have to stop. And while the offense finds its footing… the defense has been flat-out dominant. The Texans currently boast the #1 defense in the NFL, which leads to another massive conversation: 👉 How many potential All-Pros are on this unit right now?

The Houston Texans handled business at home and took care of the Arizona Cardinals — but don’t let the final score fool you. For DeMeco Ryans and this Texans defense, the standard was NOT upheld. And the film makes it clear why. Missed tackles. Bad technique. Too many clean windows. The Cardinals completed 11 passing plays of 10+ yards, and that’s a real issue for a defense built on discipline and violence at the point of attack. Coach Ryans wants it cleaned up — fast. Meanwhile… CJ Stroud gave you EXACTLY what you needed to see. No turnovers. No unnecessary sacks. Quick decisions. Taking what the defense gave him. The flow of the game fit perfectly into Stroud’s hands, and he managed it like a vet. Houston put up 17 points in the first quarter and added 7 in the third — the two quarters where this team has struggled most. That’s growth. That’s execution. Plus: What this performance says about Stroud’s command of the offense Can Jawhar Jordan become the complementary back Houston needs with Nick Chubb out? Why the offensive line deserves respect Dalton Schultz appreciation hour 🫡 The Texans are winning — but the margin for error is shrinking. Let’s talk about what’s real, what needs fixing, and what’s next for Houston.

The numbers don’t lie… the Arizona Cardinals might not win much, but they fight. Hard. This is a team that lives in one-score games, and if the Houston Texans want to avoid late-game chaos, they’ll need to take advantage of a weakened Cardinals defense early and often. So what must Houston do? 👉 Attack a vulnerable defense 👉 Pressure the Cardinals’ pass-happy offense 👉 Win early downs and force uncomfortable throws And let’s be honest… For the love of the football gods, can this Texans offense PLEASE build an extended lead? No more nail-biters. No more cardiac Sundays. Can they do it? I think they absolutely can — and will. Big day incoming? Jayden Higgins… Christian Kirk… Are we loading up for breakout performances? Plus — we dive into a topic Houston fans aren’t done arguing about: Nick Caserio. Should his fate be tied to this season’s win/loss record? Or has his inability to build a truly complete offensive line already written the ending? It’s fun, it’s fiery, and it’s straight-up Texans football talk. Tap in for drama, analysis, and honest conversation — new fans welcome, longtime fans appreciated.

It’s crossover time! Locked On Texans x Locked On Cardinals — and this one is FUN, dramatic, and loaded with everything you need heading into Texans–Cardinals week. The big question: Is this a trap game… or do the Texans truly hold ALL the Cards? Houston and Arizona are on completely different trajectories, and this matchup could highlight that even more. We dive into every angle: 🔥 Can Arizona’s weak run defense spark Houston’s struggling ground game? The Cardinals have been leaking rushing yards all season, and this might be the perfect opportunity for the Texans to build momentum on the ground. 💥 Will the Texans D-line feast? No Paris Johnson for the Cardinals means BIG trouble. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter could be in for a multi-sack performance, and we break down exactly why the Texans’ dominant defensive front has the advantage. 🏈 Keys to victory, biggest storylines, and our full game predictions We’re talking matchups, coaching, momentum, and the exact blueprint Houston needs to walk off with another win. It’s entertaining, dramatic, and packed with football insight — the perfect Crossover Thursday energy.

The Houston Texans aren’t just winning games… they’re evolving. This episode, we take an inside look at what’s fueled this win streak and the major improvements we’ve seen all season long under DeMeco Ryans, the ultimate Development Coach. Let’s keep it real: Last year through 15 weeks, Houston allowed 45+ sacks. This year? 30. That’s not a small step forward — that’s a full-on transformation. And it gets even crazier… The number of 4th–7th round picks who have blossomed into career-best players under DeMeco Ryans is unreal. Guys who were once overlooked are now becoming weekly difference-makers. This coaching staff? Different level. Then we take an early look at the Arizona Cardinals, a team with: 🔥 A poor run defense 🔥 Issues stopping explosive ground games 🔥 Tons of sacks and sack yards allowed Translation? It could be the perfect opportunity for Woody Marks and company to get rolling again — AND for Houston’s front seven to feast. Finally, we close out the show with your YouTube comments to tap into the pulse of Texans Nation. What are the fans feeling during this run? What’s the vibe heading into this next stretch? Let’s talk about it.

On today’s episode of Locked On Texans, we’re diving DEEP into the defensive clinic Houston put on Sunday night. This wasn’t just a good game. This was Demeco Ryans’ masterpiece — a complete shutdown of a Kansas City offense averaging 25 points per game. Here’s how the Texans did it 👇 🔥 Texans Defensive Dominance: Held Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to 10 points Only 70 YAC yards allowed — KC’s 3rd lowest of the season Just 8 passing first downs, the second lowest they’ve had all year Mahomes finished with a negative EPA per dropback (-0.41) This defense didn't bend. It flat-out slammed the door shut. But offensively? Different story. Houston scraped out 2.6 yards per carry, and Marks finished with 68 yards on 26 carries. And in the second half? We saw exactly what went wrong… Chris. Jones. Happened. Houston had -2 rushing yards on 4 carries in the third quarter. Marks’ yards before contact? -1.75. He wasn’t getting met at the line — he was getting met in the backfield. When the passing offense stalled, the run game couldn’t bail them out. But even on a tough night offensively, the Texans’ defense carried them across the finish line. So we have to ask… 👉 Should Demeco Ryans be in the Coach of the Year conversation? 👉 Should Matt Burke be considered for Assistant Coach of the Year? Tap in for the most in-depth, straight-up breakdown of Houston’s statement win.

The Houston Texans have DONE IT AGAIN — and this one hits DIFFERENT. For the first time since 2020, Houston finally bulldozes the roadblock that’s haunted them for YEARS. The demons? EXORCISED. The streak? FIVE straight wins. And the statement? LOUD. The defensive tackle unit deserves its own parade. From Tommy Togiai, Sheldon Rankins, Denico Autry sliding inside, and Mario Edwards, the interior was a nightmare for Patrick Mahomes and the entire Chiefs offense. Here’s the chaos they caused: 17 total tackles from the DT room 2 sacks from the big fellas Chiefs’ inside run game (guard to guard): 14 carries, 40 yards. Just 2.8 YPC. That’s how you make Arrowhead energy disappear… even when you’re nowhere near Kansas City. No complaints here — but we DO have questions. When crunch time hit, the ball came OUT of CJ Stroud’s hands. Fourth quarter play calls: 16 runs 4 passes Is CJ Stroud officially a game manager? And is that even a bad thing if the Texans keep stacking wins and chasing a Super Bowl run?? Plus — let’s talk about why beating the Chiefs hits SO GOOD for Houston fans: The Texans didn’t beat themselves. They took down a team that’s haunted them for half a decade. And now… they likely won’t have to travel to Arrowhead anytime soon. Tap in for all the drama, the celebration, and the straight-up football talk.