Texans Are 0-4, but Is It Too Late? Cowboys Fallout, DeMeco's Defensive Changes and the Road Ahead

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The Houston Texans are 0-4 following another frustrating loss, this time 34-30 to the Dallas Cowboys in a game they had every opportunity to win. The offense was explosive, C.J. Stroud played some of his best football of the season and the defense largely controlled the first half. Unfortunately, many of the same issues that have plagued Houston throughout the first month showed up again, and the Texans now find themselves in a hole that only one team in NFL history has ever escaped to make the playoffs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOLAieMaYE4&t=2854s

There is plenty of blame to go around, from defensive communication issues and poor special teams to an ineffective running game, costly penalties and questionable coaching decisions. But as frustrating as the start has been, I don't believe the Texans are nearly as bad as their record suggests. They've been competitive in all four games, have a franchise quarterback playing good football and still possess some of the best defensive talent in the league.

More importantly, there are reasons to believe things could improve. DeMeco Ryans announced this week that he's taking back defensive play-calling duties from Matt Burke, several injured players are getting closer to returning and the upcoming schedule presents a legitimate opportunity to start stacking wins.

That doesn't mean the problems disappear or that making the playoffs is suddenly likely.

Houston has already put itself in a position where it has almost no margin for error. But before writing off the season entirely, I think it's worth looking at what went wrong against Dallas, what changes are being made and whether this team still has a realistic path to turning things around.

The Defense Wasn't Bad All Game. Dallas Adjusted and Houston Didn't.

One of the more frustrating aspects of Sunday's loss was that Houston's defense actually played pretty well in the first half. The defensive front was disruptive, the Cowboys struggled to consistently move the football and the Texans managed to keep Dallas in check despite some unfavorable field position.

The second half was a different story, and I don't think that's entirely coincidental.

Several Cowboys players and coaches talked afterward about increasing the tempo coming out of halftime. Dallas guard Tyler Booker specifically mentioned that playing faster helped prevent Houston from making substitutions and allowed the Cowboys to dictate the style of play. That's significant against a defense built around its pass rush, particularly when Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are the players you least want to allow back onto the field once they've come out for a breather.

Dallas also appeared comfortable taking advantage of Houston's softer coverage looks. The Texans seemed intent on limiting explosive plays, often using quarters coverage and keeping things in front of them, but Prescott was willing to take the underneath completions and move the chains. When Dallas increased its pace and continued attacking favorable matchups, Houston struggled to find an answer.

The most obvious example was CeeDee Lamb.

According to PFF, Lamb played 22 snaps in the slot against Houston, accounting for 44.9% of his usage. That was easily his highest slot usage of the season, with his previous high being just 13 snaps and his average entering the game sitting at 33.3%.

Dallas clearly made an effort to move Lamb around and get him away from Derek Stingley Jr., and Houston largely allowed it to happen.

Stingley had played only one snap in the slot all season entering the game and played zero against Dallas. While that illustrates how little Houston has asked him to travel this year, it's not something the Texans have never done. Stingley played 10 slot snaps in 2025 and 15 in 2024, including individual games where he moved inside multiple times.

The results against Lamb made the lack of an adjustment even more frustrating. When Stingley covered him, Lamb caught two of four targets for 17 yards. Against every other Texans defender, he caught 15 of 16 targets for 172 yards and a touchdown. Most notably, Lamb caught all four of his targets against Jalen Pitre for 44 yards and the game-winning touchdown.

I'm not arguing that Stingley needed to shadow Lamb on every snap. Dallas has other weapons, including George Pickens, and moving Stingley can create different challenges elsewhere in the secondary. But when your season is effectively on the line and one receiver is consistently finding favorable matchups, I'd like to see a little more urgency in changing the equation.

Houston could have mixed in more dime personnel, used another coverage-oriented nickel, moved Pitre to safety in certain packages or simply allowed Stingley to follow Lamb in critical situations, particularly on third downs. Even if Dallas eventually countered those adjustments, at least Houston would have forced them to find another answer.

Instead, the Cowboys largely dictated the matchups and Houston struggled to respond. That's been one of my recurring frustrations with Ryans' coaching approach. He trusts his system and his players, which is generally a good thing, but there are situations where the head coach needs to intervene rather than waiting for execution to improve.

DeMeco Taking Back the Defense Could Be a Significant Development

That brings us to what I consider the biggest development of the week.

When asked about Houston's defensive communication issues, Ryans voluntarily announced that he would be taking back defensive play-calling duties from Matt Burke.

"If there's a lack in communication, I look at myself first," Ryans said, explaining that he wanted to streamline communication and personally take responsibility for getting the defense corrected.

I think this is a very positive development, and not necessarily because I expect the defensive playbook to dramatically change.

When people discuss changing defensive play callers, the conversation usually revolves around schemes, coverages and blitz percentages. But there is a lot more to calling a defense than deciding what play to run on Sunday.

The person calling the defense is naturally going to be more hands-on throughout the week. He's more involved in the meetings, the installation, the drills, the individual corrections and making sure every player understands exactly what he's supposed to do. There's a level of oversight and accountability that comes with being directly responsible for the unit.

Will Anderson Jr. explained that difference particularly well this week.

"DeMeco brings that style of coaching where he's going to call you out. He's gonna make sure that you know exactly what you're gonna do, what you need to do and what you didn't do," Anderson said.

He also noted that players naturally respond differently when the head coach is directly involved, while making it clear that his comments weren't intended as criticism of Burke.

That distinction is important. The defense can still be Ryans' baby while he delegates responsibilities to other coaches, but every minute he spends elsewhere is a minute he isn't directly involved with those finer details.

I wonder whether some of that has contributed to the communication and mental mistakes we've seen through four games.

Burke assumed greater responsibility during last season, making this potentially his first full offseason with a larger role in installing and coaching the defense. I don't know how responsibilities were divided behind the scenes, but it's fair to question whether the change in coaching structure has played some role in the early struggles.

There is also the matter of how opposing offenses have attacked Houston.

Anderson acknowledged this week that teams are attacking the Texans differently than they did last season and that Houston has adjusted some of its defensive calls in response. He also explained that some communication breakdowns come from players failing to relay calls or believing they're playing different responsibilities.

That lines up with some of what I've seen on film. Houston has appeared to incorporate different coverage approaches, including a significant amount of Cover 3 early in the season, and the communication problems haven't been isolated to one player or position group.

Reed Blankenship has received plenty of attention as the new safety, but I've seen potential communication issues involving linebackers and defensive backs alike. In match coverage, responsibilities can change based on route distribution, so what looks like one player blowing an assignment isn't always as straightforward as it appears.

I also think some of this should naturally improve with experience. The more offenses stress Houston's coverage rules in different ways, the more examples the coaching staff has to teach from and the quicker players should recognize those looks.

Still, the mistakes have been costly, and at 0-4, Houston can't afford to wait several more weeks for everything to click.

Ryans is one of the best defensive minds in football, and I suspect his increased involvement will make a meaningful difference. It won't magically fix every problem, but I expect the communication, accountability and overall attention to detail to improve. I also think we'll see some differences in the play-calling itself, whether that's being more aggressive in certain situations, changing coverages to address specific matchups or having a better feel for what to call in critical moments. I'm not necessarily expecting an entirely different defensive scheme or game plan each week. To me, the biggest improvement could come from better preparation, coaching the finer details and making the right adjustments when they're needed.

It's also an interesting reversal from last season. Ryans delegated defensive play-calling responsibilities in part so he could devote more attention to the struggling offense. Now that the offense is showing signs of improvement, he's having to step back in to get his defense corrected.

The Offense Is Improving, but Houston Still Needs to Embrace Its Strengths

One of the biggest positives from Sunday was Stroud's performance and the overall improvement in Houston's passing game.

The Texans scored 30 points against Dallas despite another ineffective rushing performance, inconsistent field position and several costly mistakes. Stroud protected the football, attacked downfield and showed the decisiveness and aggressiveness that have made him successful throughout his career.

Nick Caley deserves credit for calling a better game, particularly with more early-down play action and opportunities to attack vertically. Houston generated several explosive plays, including a 52-yard completion to Jaylin Noel that featured late motion, multiple deep routes and excellent pass protection.

But the performance also reinforced something I've been saying for a while: the Texans need to lean into what their offense actually does well instead of continually trying to force the identity they want it to have.

Houston wants to be a physical, run-first team that controls possession and leans on its defense. The problem is the offensive line hasn't consistently created running lanes, and David Montgomery and Woody Marks are routinely being contacted at or behind the line of scrimmage. Both backs have shown ability when given opportunities, but it's difficult to evaluate them when they're having to beat defenders just to get back to the line.

Dallas also seemed to have a pretty good idea when Houston wanted to run. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged afterward that his staff had identified offensive "tells" they felt comfortable using to bring run pressures.

Some of those tendencies appear as simple as personnel. When Jared Wayne is the only receiver on the field, defenses can make a pretty educated guess about what might be coming. There also appear to be tells at times in offensive line alignment and depth.

The Texans are making an already difficult job even harder by allowing defenses to anticipate what they're trying to do.

That's why I would like to see Houston continue emphasizing spread formations, tempo, early-down passing and play action. Stroud is at his best when he can see the field, play fast and attack. The offensive line benefits from spreading defenses out, and Houston's receiving personnel fits that style considerably better than trying to overpower opponents with heavy formations.

The Texans can still run the football, but maybe they need to use the passing game to create better opportunities for it rather than repeatedly trying to establish the run first.

Interestingly, Stroud seems to be pushing for some of these changes himself. After Indianapolis, he talked about needing to be more aggressive. Following Dallas, he acknowledged that Houston needed to find things in the running game that fit its personnel and give the backs a better chance.

There may be a small silver lining in this start if it forces the Texans to put more responsibility in their 25-year-old franchise quarterback's hands.

Nico Collins Needs to Be Used More Like CeeDee Lamb

Another takeaway from Sunday was the contrast between how Dallas used Lamb and how Houston used Collins.

Lamb played 67 of Dallas' 78 offensive snaps, roughly 86%, while Collins played just 38 of Houston's 55, approximately 69%. Some of that could be attributed to Collins returning from injury, but he played only 57 of 79 snaps in Week 1 against Buffalo, roughly 72%, so I'm not convinced this is entirely an injury-management issue.

I've noticed a recurring tendency for Houston's receivers, including Collins, to run deeper routes and then jog off the field for a breather. The Texans substitute and continue with the next play, seemingly regardless of the situation or how removing their best receiver changes what the defense has to defend.

Collins wasn't even on the field for Houston's final Hail Mary attempt against Dallas.

That play probably wasn't going to work anyway, but it's another example of the little details that have frustrated me throughout this start.

Dallas made sure Lamb was on the field, moved him around and consistently created opportunities for him. Houston needs to take a similar approach with Collins. Get him into the slot more, manufacture easier touches and reduce some of the constant outside clear-out work that leads to him coming off for a breather.

The offense looks significantly different when Collins is available, and with Tank Dell's return still uncertain, Houston needs to maximize the production of the weapons it currently has.

Special Teams, Penalties and Game Management Still Matter

The improvement on offense doesn't erase the other issues that contributed to Sunday's loss.

Special teams remains a major concern. Anderson's blocked field goal was a tremendous play, and Houston finally generated a good return of its own, but the overall performance was still disappointing.

Dallas opened the second half with a huge kickoff return that essentially handed Prescott and the Cowboys the football around midfield. Houston has also struggled with poor starting field position, questionable punt-return decisions and penalties throughout its coverage and return units.

For a team constantly involved in close games, those hidden yards matter. Frank Ross has a strong track record, but the unit has not performed well enough through four weeks, and it needs to improve quickly.

The penalties are another recurring issue. There were certainly questionable calls against Houston on Sunday, including several in critical situations, but that doesn't excuse the broader pattern of undisciplined football. The Texans continue committing penalties that extend drives, erase positive plays and put their own offense behind the sticks.

At some point, that falls on coaching.

The same applies to end-of-game management. Ryans frequently talks about how NFL games are close and how his team needs to find ways to finish, but finishing involves more than simply asking players to make one more play.

There is a chess match during the final two or three minutes involving timeouts, clock management, possession and how much time you're leaving the opponent. Against both Indianapolis and Dallas, Houston ultimately got the football back with no timeouts and very little realistic opportunity to answer.

Some of that is circumstance, but some of it is also game management. If the Texans are going to continue playing close games, they need to become better at managing those situations rather than simply hoping they're the team that makes the last play.

Reinforcements Are Coming, but How Much Will They Help?

One encouraging development this week was the opening of the 21-day practice windows for Tank Dell, Kayden McDonald and Braden Smith.

All three are welcome reinforcements for a team that has dealt with injuries and inconsistent personnel throughout the first month. That said, opening a practice window doesn't necessarily mean a player is returning immediately, and there are legitimate questions about both when each player will be available and how effective they'll be once they return.

Dell is especially intriguing because of what he could add to Houston's passing game.

The Texans have lacked consistent production and separation from their receivers beyond Collins, and Dell's quickness, route running and existing chemistry with Stroud could provide another dimension to an offense that is finally beginning to find its rhythm.

But after such a significant injury and a lengthy absence, it's difficult to know exactly what to expect from him or how quickly he can return to form.

Smith's potential return could also provide some much-needed stability and flexibility along the offensive line, while McDonald adds another option to the defensive interior. Neither should be viewed as an automatic solution to Houston's problems, but additional healthy bodies and competition are certainly welcome.

Azeez Al-Shaair is also expected to return against Tennessee, which could be particularly important given the communication issues and injuries at linebacker. His familiarity with Ryans' system, leadership and ability to help organize the defense should provide a boost, especially with Ryans taking back play-calling duties.

The Texans aren't suddenly going to be healthy or have every personnel issue solved, but they're at least beginning to get some help.

Can the Texans Actually Turn This Around?

Despite everything that has gone wrong, I still think the answer is yes.

That doesn't mean I expect Houston to go 13-4, as Brevin Jordan said Stroud challenged the team to believe was possible after the Dallas loss. It also doesn't mean the historical odds of making the playoffs from 0-4 should be ignored.

But the schedule does offer a realistic opportunity to get back into the conversation.

Houston travels to Tennessee this week to face an 0-4 Titans team. I don't think Tennessee is necessarily as bad as its record suggests, and division games on the road are rarely easy, but this is still a good opportunity for the Texans to get their first win and build some momentum.

After that comes Jacksonville in London, which could be a difficult matchup, followed by the Giants at home, currently expected to start backup quarterback Jameis Winston.

Then Houston faces a Chargers team that is also 0-4 and has looked the part, followed by Cleveland and another matchup with Indianapolis.

That's a stretch of games where Houston should have opportunities to win, particularly if the defense improves under Ryans, the offense continues building on what it showed against Dallas and the injured players begin returning.

The schedule alone won't save them, of course. The Texans have already lost several games they were capable of winning, so simply pointing to future opponents doesn't guarantee anything.

But I also don't think this is a team that needs a complete overhaul to start winning games. Houston has been competitive despite significant mistakes, poor special teams, an almost nonexistent running game and a defense that hasn't played up to its talent level.

If even a few of those issues improve, the results could change quickly.

The bigger question is whether the coaching staff can make the necessary adjustments before the season gets away from them completely.

The Outlook: There's Still Hope, but No More Room for Waiting

I still believe DeMeco Ryans can be the right head coach for this team, and I certainly haven't lost confidence in Stroud or the overall talent on the roster.

The frustration is that Houston entered this season expecting to contend, and four games later, the conversation has shifted to whether the Texans can salvage the year.

Ryans taking back defensive play-calling duties is an encouraging sign that he's recognizing the need to intervene. The offense showed meaningful progress against Dallas, and reinforcements are beginning to work their way back. There are legitimate reasons to believe this team can improve.

But the Texans also need to stop making things unnecessarily difficult on themselves.

They need to clean up the penalties, improve special teams, stop advertising their offensive tendencies and do a better job of putting their best players in positions to succeed.

Most importantly, they need to recognize what this team actually does well and lean into it rather than continuing to force the identity they envisioned before the season.

The 0-4 start has made the road to the playoffs extremely difficult, but it hasn't changed my belief that Houston has enough talent to be a good football team. The next several weeks should tell us whether the coaching staff can make the adjustments necessary to turn that talent into wins.

The Texans don't have to fix everything overnight. They do, however, have to start winning immediately.

And Tennessee is as good a place as any to start.