Stroud throws 3 TDs as Texans roll past Commanders 31-10

Landover, MD - C.J. Stroud threw three touchdown passes, Houston scored on all five of its red-zone trips and the Texans ended a two-game slide with a 31-10 victory over the Washington Commanders in Week 14.

Houston entered the game at 9-3 but in need of a reset after consecutive losses. The Texans found it by building an advantage and steadily creating separation, with Stroud directing an offense that finished with 377 offensive yards and 20 first downs. Washington struggled to produce the same consistency, particularly on third down and inside the Houston 20.

Stroud completed 26 of 39 passes for a game-high 270 yards and finished with a 112.1 passer rating. His longest completion covered 25 yards, matching the game-long receptions recorded by Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz. Houston did not depend on a single target, but its most productive receivers supplied plenty of support.

Tank Dell posted a game-high 75 receiving yards, while Collins caught five passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. Woody Marks added five receptions for 36 yards and another score, giving Stroud production from the backfield as well as the perimeter. Houston's quarterback also connected with Kayshon Boutte for a touchdown.

"We stayed patient and kept giving different guys opportunities," Stroud said. "The red zone was especially important for us. When we got down there, we finished, and that's the kind of efficiency we want to carry forward."

The Texans scored four touchdowns and kicked one field goal on their five red-zone possessions. Washington reached the red zone twice but came away without a touchdown or field goal. The contrast was just as sharp on third down: Houston converted 8 of 14 attempts, while the Commanders finished 1 of 11.

Houston complemented its passing production with 107 rushing yards. Marks handled a game-high 16 carries and led the Texans with 65 yards, including a 17-yard run. David Montgomery contributed 26 yards on nine attempts and scored Houston's lone rushing touchdown.

"There was room for everybody to contribute," Collins said. "C.J. kept working through the offense, and when the ball came our way, we wanted to turn those chances into something positive. Finishing drives the way we did gives us a good standard."

Washington found more room on the ground than through the air, finishing with 155 rushing yards compared with 114 passing yards. Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the Commanders' rushing attack with 58 yards on 12 carries. Marcus Mariota added 56 yards on four attempts, including a game-long 44-yard run.

The passing game never established the same rhythm. Mariota completed 13 of 28 attempts for 114 yards, with a longest completion of 13 yards, and finished with a 42.8 passer rating. Chigoziem Okonkwo was Washington's leading receiver with four catches for 43 yards.

"We had some production on the ground, but we didn't sustain enough offensively," Mariota said. "Third down and the red zone have to be better. Against a team putting points up, empty possessions make the margin difficult to overcome."

Houston's defense recorded four sacks and an interception. Derek Stingley Jr. accounted for the interception, returning it 18 yards, and also contributed half a sack. Washington's defense finished with two sacks but did not force an interception.

The Texans also converted their only fourth-down attempt. Washington went 3-for-4 on fourth down, but its broader efficiency problems remained: only 13 first downs, one successful third-down conversion and no points from two red-zone visits. Houston, meanwhile, paired Stroud's three touchdown passes with Montgomery's rushing score and pulled away for a 21-point victory.

For Houston, the result stopped a two-game losing streak and restored the form of a team that entered the week with nine wins. Washington came in at 5-7 after a victory but was unable to follow it with another.

Up Next

The Texans will return home in Week 15 to host the Jacksonville Jaguars, looking to build on the win. The Commanders will remain home and turn their attention to the Atlanta Falcons as they try to rebound from the loss.