By Cory Lozier
GAME RECAP:
The Houston Roughnecks’ 2025 season opener was a game to forget, as they were dominated by the St. Louis Battlehawks, losing 31-6. From the very beginning, it was evident that the Roughnecks were in for a rough night. While both teams started with similar early drives, it didn’t take long for the mistakes to pile up for Houston, and they were never able to recover.
St. Louis started their first possession with a solid run by Jacob Saylors, but a strong defensive stop by the Roughnecks left Saylors inches short of the first down. It looked like the Houston defense could set the tone early, but that momentum quickly fizzled out. Houston’s first drive was disastrous. On their second play, which was their first pass attempt, the ball intended for Tight End Cam Sutton was tipped by a defender and intercepted.
Houston’s offense sputtered, plagued by penalties, turnovers, and missed opportunities. The Roughnecks were only able to manage a single touchdown in the 4th quarter, when they finally got on the scoreboard with 2:24 remaining in the game. Despite the late score, it was a hollow consolation as they were already trailing by a large margin. Houston ended the game with just 170 total yards, one score, and two turnovers—a stat line that reflected their overall struggles.
THE REASON THEY LOST:
The biggest reason for Houston’s lopsided loss was the sheer volume of mistakes that the team made. While the Battlehawks executed efficiently, Houston found new ways to undermine themselves at every turn. Whether it was offensive holding penalties wiping out positive plays, seemingly routine catches being dropped, or inaccurate throws leading to interceptions, the Roughnecks could not avoid the mental and physical errors that hindered their game.
The first interception of the game, set the tone for Houston’s offensive woes. From that point onward, it was as if the team couldn’t catch a break. The offense looked out of sync, with quarterback Anthony Brown struggling to make quick decisions under pressure. Several times, he was forced to throw the ball away or failed to see open receivers, leading to stalled drives and frustration. On top of that, the offensive line couldn’t provide sufficient protection, resulting in constant pressure on the quarterback and a non-existent running game.
Another major issue for Houston was the penalties. Multiple holding calls negated what could have been positive yardage. These costly penalties not only erased gains but also contributed to the growing frustration. It’s hard to sustain any offensive rhythm when you’re constantly digging yourself out of a hole created by mistakes.
In contrast, the Battlehawks were able to capitalize on their opportunities. St. Louis executed clean plays, and their offense was methodical and efficient. They didn’t hurt themselves with penalties or mistakes and took advantage of Houston’s blunders, which made all the difference in this one-sided game.
WHAT CAN THEY IMPROVE ON:
There’s a lot to address before Houston’s next game, and the first area of concern is the offensive line. The line failed to protect the quarterback consistently, allowing him to be pressured and hurried throughout the game. This constant disruption caused the offense to become one-dimensional, as they couldn’t establish any real success in the run game. If Houston wants to succeed in future games, the offensive line needs to provide better pass protection period.
Equally important is the discipline of the offensive line while playing in the trenches. Committing penalties—especially holding calls—at critical moments is a morale and momentum killer. That kind of self-inflicted damage makes it incredibly difficult to sustain any kind of offensive success. The Roughnecks will need to clean up their penalties and focus on being more disciplined at the line of scrimmage in order to keep drives alive.
However, the offensive line’s struggles aren’t solely to blame for the loss. Quarterbacks will always face pressure, and when that happens, they need to make quick, smart decisions. As mentioned in the Week 1 Shakedown, there were concerns about the quarterback play, and Houston’s offense showed exactly why. QB Anthony Brown had a rough debut, especially when it came to taking care of the ball. He failed to demonstrate the consistency needed to lead his team. In a league where mistakes can be costly, taking care of the football becomes a priority.
Finally, the Roughnecks’ receiving corps has to be more reliable. Dropped passes and missed opportunities hurt the offense’s ability to move the ball. Building chemistry between Brown and his receivers will be crucial for Houston’s success going forward.
NEXT UP:
The Houston Roughnecks will hit the road for their week two matchup against the Arlington Renegades on April 6th, 2025. Roughnecks will face similar hurdles as the Renegades put on quite the show in their opener. With a 12 PM EST kickoff, Houston will look to bounce back from their season-opening loss and shake off the mistakes that plagued their performance. It’s a must-win game for Houston as they look to establish momentum in the early stages of the UFL season.