Can Houston Texans Stars Bounce Back From Sophomore Slump?

BetTexas.com used Pro-Football-Reference.com to track the AV of players who experienced notable sophomore slumps during their NFL careers to see if Houston Texans players C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson can bounce back during the 2025-26 NFL Season. Our data is based on 12 notable stats for players who experienced a sophomore slump, including players from the past such as Tim Couch and more recent players like Christian Watson.

Can You Bounce Back From A Sophomore Slump?

Avg. Sophomore Slump AV	Third Season AV	Avg. Difference
6	9	+3

Despite Houston’s win total staying the same in 2023 and 2024 (10-7), there’s no denying that the Texans’ offense fell off a bit last season, with the AFC South stalwarts throwing for fewer yards (3,526, from 4,173 in 2023) and scoring less points per game (22.0 in 2024, versus 22.7 in 2023).

Overall, Houston’s offensive production, points wise, fell five spots leaguewide, going from 13th overall to 18th in the 32-team league under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who was fired by the club on Jan. 24.

C.J. Stroud Stats

First Year AV	Second Year AV	Expected Third Year AV
14	11	14

Part of the reason why Slowik was dismissed from the Space City was the drop in production from the club’s 2023 first round pick, as Stroud’s AV total dropped from 14 as a rookie to 11 last season, with his passing yardage total dropping from 4,108 yards to 3,727 yards while his touchdown total dropped by three from 23 to 20 and his interception count more than doubled, from five as a rookie to 12 as a sophomore in the league.

Based on the projections laid out above, Stroud’s third season in the league should see him return to the type of AV production seen in 2023, with an expected total of 14 in 2025, bumping his career total to 39 AV in 49 career games (should he suit up in all 17 of Houston’s regular season contests).

Will Anderson Stats

First Year AV	Second Year AV	Expected Third Year AV
10	8	11

On the defensive side of the ball, the other Texans star that suffered from a sophomore slump was defensive end Will Anderson, who went from being a Pro Bowler in 2023 with 10 AV and seven sacks to a year with 8 AV and less productivity in many areas of the game.

While Anderson’s sack count increased year-over-year, from eight as a rookie to 11 as a second-year professional, his tackle count (37, from 45), and QB hits count (19, from 22) were down slightly in 2024.

Luckily for the first round pick out of Alabama, we expect Anderson to return to form this fall, with an expected third year AV total of 11 in 2025, with the 23-year-old guiding Houston’s defense back to the type of success that football fans in the Texas football hotbed have come to expect in recent years under head coach DeMeco Ryans.

Bookmark the Texans Super Bowl Odds ahead of the season.

USA Today photo by Denny Medley.

Author

Christopher Boan

Christopher Boan is a writer with BetTexas.com, covering state issues. He has covered sports and sports betting in Arizona for more than seven years, including stops at ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly and the Green Valley News.