Hi everyone! Preseason is here, and it is time to swap ball caps here at Cap & Trade. I also want to take the time to introduce a new contributor to Cap & Trade, TexansJacob. Jacob’s first entry is a summary of the Panthers vs. Texans preseason game. Enjoy and welcome Jacob.
In a 20-3 win over the Panthers, there was plenty to like from Houston. We got our first glimpse at the Texans’ 1st team offense and defense (excluding players with injuries), with plenty to like from both units. As always with preseason football, you do not want to fully “drink the kool-aid,” but some things we saw, especially from the offensive unit, have me very encouraged and optimistic about that unit.
Coming into 2025, the Texans’ main concern was the offensive line, and for very valid reasons. They acquired multiple players this offseason with experience that had struggled in previous stops, along with rookie OT Aireontae Ersery, whom we will discuss further later. The combination of injuries to Texans OL starters like Cam Robinson and Tytus Howard, along with projected offseason starting RT Blake Fisher having a rough go of things in week 1 (32.8 PBLK Grade & 4 pressures allowed) would have made most believe the Texans were in for a rough early go of things vs Carolina but quite the opposite happened.
The Texans’ first-team OL group allowed zero pressures in their 25 snaps, where C.J. Stroud was pressured just once, which was the Texans’ 2nd & goal play that Stroud tried to create out of structure. The Texans also ran for an average of 5.7 YPC with this first team OL in, with Nick Chubb and Woody Marks both combining for nice runs. Chubb especially impressed me with some good cuts, allowing the Texans to stay ahead of the chains and taking no negative runs like they did in 2024-25. The optimism for that unit doesn’t just end at the starting 5, however, backups like Juice Scruggs and Zach Thomas had bounce-back performances after rough games vs Minnesota. They controlled the right side of the Texans’ OL with the 2nd unit, allowing zero pressures in their collective 35 snaps.
Part of that first team OL was rookie OT Aireontae Ersery, who slid over to LT with the recent injuries to Cam Robinson. Ersery played well allowing zero pressures in 16 dropbacks via PFF, He also had a 69.5 RBLK grade and a 82.9 Gap RBLK grade. Ersery has had a very impressive preseason for the Texans still allowing 0 pressures in 21 total dropbacks. Ersery is a lock to start at one of the tackle spots depending on what the Texans do with Cam Robinson/Tytus Howard but he will likely play a big role for Houston’s new revamped OL.
The Texans offense has to be pleased from what they saw in their revamped WR room as well, we know Nico Collins is going to play at a high level week in and week out; so there is no surprise with his effectiveness including a potential deep ball that Stroud missed, but the other players at WRs stepped up and made plays as well. Christian Kirk made his Texans debut, making some nice plays underneath in the quick game from Stroud, along with a first-down catch from Jayden Higgins. Xavier Hutchinson & Justin Watson both had a first down catch from Davis Mills, who has both played themselves into likely roster spots with their play this camp and now the John Metchie trade.
Woody Marks was another offensive player for the Texans who continues to impress this preseason. In week 1, it was his pass protection, and now in week 2, it was his rushing ability. Marks got two runs behind the Texans’ starting OL, which went for 12 and 7, leaving him at 9.5 YPC there. He finished the game with 5.7 YPC and 4.86 YCO/A per PFF. Yards Marks will likely be buried in the RB room early, depending on Mixon’s status, but could play himself into a role with the versatility he has shown in that RB room.
Moving on to the Texans’ defense, this unit was pretty much what we expected. Will Anderson Jr, Danielle Hunter, and Tim Settle each had two pressures in limited snaps against a good Panthers OL. Derek Stingley Jr. had an interception (which was called back) and a pass break-up on the first 3rd down of the game, and led by him, the Texans didn’t allow a completion to the Panthers’ first team offense. The Texans LB group had a great showing as well, led by 3rd year LB Henry To’oTo’o, who led the Texans with a 93.3 PFF Grade and three run stops in just 19 snaps. Jake Hansen also added three run stops for the Texans, who were able to hold Carolina to just 3.4 YPC and the first team offense to just 2.0 YPC.
The Texans’ CB depth, who had some issues in Minnesota, had a bounce-back game as well in week 2. Jaylin Smith and Damon Arnette both had INTs, along with CBs like Tremon Smith & D’Angelo Ross, allowing zero receptions in this game. Ross was close to another INT in this game as well. The Texans will likely get another look at this group in Preseason Week 3, but some interesting questions loom on who the Texans keep from this group.
Overall, there is plenty to be excited about in what was a very dominant showing for the Texans’ first team against a likely improved Panthers team after a pretty even joint practice. Stroud and the offense had a clean operation and stayed ahead of the chains against most of the first team Panthers defense and scored a TD in their redzone drive, the defense forced two three and outs from Bryce Young and the Panthers’ 1st team O, including a Mario Edwards Jr. sack, and the Texans’ rookies are showing up. Things are looking up for the Texans early!