The Houston Texans' season ended with a familiar thud in the divisional round, falling 28-16 to the New England Patriots. It marked a third straight road playoff loss under coach DeMeco Ryans, a stark contrast to their dominant wild-card win over Pittsburgh. The defeat was defined by costly errors and offensive struggles.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud had a career-worst night, throwing four interceptions in the first half alone. The turnovers put Houston in a deep 21-10 hole they couldn't escape, despite a defense that had been stellar. General manager Nick Caserio bluntly stated the obvious: "You can't turn the ball over five times in the divisional round."

This loss continues a troubling playoff trend for the Texans under Ryans. While they've been explosive in wild-card games, their divisional round offense has averaged just 13.3 points. Stroud's QBR in those losses sits at a dismal 41, highlighting a failure to elevate his game against top competition when the stakes are highest.

The offseason now begins with major questions about Stroud's growth and the offense's ability to perform in January. Houston's path to the AFC Championship Game remains blocked. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, finding a way to win on the road in cold weather is the next hurdle to clear.