Is Texans star second-year QB C.J. Stroud in a slump? 

 "[We] definitely should have won this game," he said. "My job is to lead the offense to score points, and I didn't do that today. We really should have put them away after the first half. It's on the offense." 

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans agreed with Stroud's candid assessment of the offense and his play.

"It's not good enough. Turning the ball over, especially in the red zone or coming out," Ryans said. "We talked about getting started in the second half. But to come out and turn the ball over on the first play of the second half and to get it in the red zone where we have points and turn the ball over, that's not winning football." 

The Texans (6-4) have lost two of their last three games. During this stretch, Stroud has completed 55 percent of his passes for 708 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. 

Stroud's struggles are probably tied to shaky play from Houston's offensive line. Through 10 starts, he has been sacked 34 times, the second most in the league behind Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams. 

Houston's injury-riddled receiving corps could be compounding his problems. WR Stefon Diggs suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 8 against the Colts. Fellow wideout Nico Collins — who has missed five games with a hamstring injury — was recently activated off injured reserve but didn't return against Detroit. 

Stroud's play must improve, or Houston may not clinch one of the top seeds in the AFC playoffs. If the season ended Monday, the Texans would hold the No. 4 seed and host the Baltimore Ravens (7-3) in the wild-card round.

Perhaps Stroud will rebound in Monday's road game against the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas (3-6) has lost four straight and ranks second to last in the league in points allowed (28.8).