Stroud: Texans' 2nd-half collapse vs. Lions is 'on the offense'

Quarterback C.J. Stroud took responsibility for his role in the Houston Texans' 26-23 loss Sunday to the Detroit Lions, after his team squandered a 16-point halftime lead.

"Definitely should have won this game," Stroud said, according to ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime. "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 really on the offense."

Houston's defense intercepted five passes from Lions quarterback Jared Goff during the game. After scoring all 23 of their points in the first half, the Texans were shut out in the second half. Jake Bates kicked a 52-yard field goal to seal the victory for Detroit. Sunday's contest marked the second time that a team lost after recording five interceptions and leading by at least 15 points since 1933, per Bien-Aime.

Stroud threw for 164 yards and touchdown in the first half to help the Texans jump out to an early lead. He completed only 39% of his pass attempts in the second half, which included a pair of third-quarter interceptions.

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

Second-half woes have been common for the the Texans, who haven't scored a touchdown after halftime since Week 6. Houston's been outscored by opponents by 59 points after halftime (31st in NFL).

While the loss "stings" for running back Joe Mixon, he remains optimistic the Texans can solve their closing issues going forward.

Houston (6-4) will look to halt its two-game losing skid against the Dallas Cowboys (3-6) on Monday Night Football next week.