NFL Panic Meter: The Texans are failing C.J. Stroud, not the other way around
The Houston Texans had a curious offseason plan to build around their young franchise quarterback, C.J. Stroud.
The Texans didn't like their offensive line last season, and they shouldn't have. It might have been the worst line in the NFL. So they made changes, including trading their best lineman, left tackle Laremy Tunsil. It's fine to dismantle a bad line, but they didn't do a ton to fix it. Their plan was to pick up players who struggled elsewhere and use a mid second-round pick on tackle Aireontae Ersery.
The Texans also lost two of their three receivers from last season. Tank Dell suffered an awful knee injury that will keep him out for all or most of the season, and Stefon Diggs left in free agency. They did use an early second-round pick on Jayden Higgins and a third-round pick on Jaylin Noel, but it's tough to depend on rookies, especially those picked outside of the first round. The Texans did get Christian Kirk from the Texans for a 2026 seventh-round pick, but there's a reason he was available at that price. Kirk hasn't played yet due to injury. Their receiving corps unsurprisingly looks subpar.
When a team gets a good quarterback on a rookie contract, normally that team pours resources into building around that quarterback. The Texans have done some things, but watching them to start this season, it's clearly not enough.
Houston's offense looks broken. The Texans have scored two touchdowns on 18 possessions, not including a kneeldown, and one of the touchdowns came on a short drive after a long punt return. Generally, a quarterback playing poorly in that stretch would deserve some criticism, but Stroud really doesn't deserve it.
For the second straight season, Stroud isn't getting much help. The line is bad again; by Pro Football Focus' rankings it's the worst in the NFL. No receiver, including Stroud's lone ally Nico Collins, has more than 77 yards this season. Nick Chubb hasn't been bad but the Texans have just 139 rushing yards not counting Stroud's scrambles. There's a reason Houston is 0-2, and it's not its defense. Or its quarterback either. The offensive line, running game and receiving corps are all well below average. That's not good.
Stroud hasn't replicated his rookie season, when he was excellent, but that seems to be an organizational issue. The Texans were given a gift with Stroud in the draft, and they're screwing it up. Quarterbacks get too much credit or blame for their team's record. Don't make that mistake with Stroud. Other than Collins, Stroud simply doesn't have enough help.
Panic meter: Extremely high, in the short and long term
Cowboys defense craters
The Cowboys weren't that bad on defense in Week 1, even in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. They were bad against the New York Giants in Week 2.
Through two weeks both of their starting cornerbacks, Trevon Diggs and Kaiir Elam, are among the top 15 in receiving yards allowed this season according to PFF. That will happen after giving up 450 yards to Russell Wilson.
Of course, not having Micah Parsons doesn't help. The Cowboys have just four sacks in two games, and only eight teams have less than that. The Cowboys shouldn't be this bad on defense all season, but we'll find out if they make Caleb Williams and the Bears look good on Sunday.
Panic meter: Still early, but it might get ugly
Mike McDaniel's hot seat
This is not a good time for the Miami Dolphins to have a trip to Buffalo. The Dolphins face the Bills on Thursday night and they're a huge underdog. Miami has looked bad, particularly on defense. It's very early in the season, but a blowout loss at Buffalo in a prime-time television window might be really bad news for McDaniel, especially with owner Stephen Ross having a few extra days to consider the future before the Dolphins' next game. It would be very early to make a move at head coach, but we'll see how bad it gets on Thursday night for the Dolphins.
Panic meter: Very high, and might get higher after Thursday
Chiefs looking at 0-3?
The Chiefs have lost two tough games. The Chargers look very good this season and the Eagles are the reigning Super Bowl champs. The problem isn't losing to good teams. It's digging too deep of a hole in a good division, especially before Rashee Rice returns to help fix the offense. The good news is the Chiefs get the 0-2 Giants this week, but New York is coming off a good offensive game at Dallas and they'll be dialed in for a prime time spot on Sunday night. The Chiefs need this one with the Ravens, Jaguars and Lions on deck to close out Rice's suspension.
Panic meter: Not high for Sunday, but don't lose to the Giants