C.J. Stroud wants to make it clear that the Houston Texans ' effort level was unacceptable during Sunday's 14-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams . The franchise quarterback took his teammates to task following the season opener, blaming attitude and a bad week of practice on their performance.

"We didn't deserve to win that game because we didn't do the right things," Stroud said . "When you come out in the NFL lollygagging and going through the motions, that kind of happens. I think we'll be all right, but I think it's a good wakeup call for us."

The Texans managed three field goals on five first-half possessions to lead, 9-7, at intermission before two turnovers and a pair of punts doomed the offense in the second half.

After winning the AFC South last season, the Texans beat the

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