The Houston Texans are 2-5 and heading into their bye week after a 27-21 overtime loss to the Giants, a far cry from the Super Bowl hype that followed them into their 25th season. The strangest part? The offense has been steadily improving. C.J. Stroud ranks fourth in the NFL with 1,867 passing yards and has thrown just one interception, and the additions of Marvin Harrison Jr. and a healthy Tank Dell give Houston real firepower.

The defense is the story. A unit that led the league in yards allowed last season and returned nearly every starter has dropped to 18th in yards and 19th in points. General manager Nick Caserio didn’t mince words, saying the team is the worst in the league at tackling. Too many missed tackles and too many explosive plays allowed have sunk a group that was supposed to be the foundation of this team.

Now comes the reset. DeMeco Ryans has two weeks to get his defense back to the physical, sound identity that made him a rising star, and the season isn’t lost yet in a wide-open AFC. Ellis County football fans know a thing or two about second-half comebacks, so we have to ask: what would you change during the bye? Let us know on our socials.