In his second outing since returning from a three-game absence, C.J. Stroud guided the Houston Texans to a critical win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
The third-year QB did not mince words about the significance of the result.
Stroud is one of several key Texans players who have had to miss time this season, their first under rookie offensive coordinator Nick Caley, and he spoke candidly about what this team meant for Houston in the immediate aftermath.
C.J. Stroud Shares Strong Comments After Defeating Chiefs
GettyPatrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs and C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans embrace following a game.
“It’s big time. Ending our season here last year, and kind of had that bad taste in our mouth. We were all motivated to win this game and do the right things to win the game. So, that’s a blessing,” Stroud told reporters on December 7.
“Always things to clean up. And offensively, we got to be better in the second half. But I thought we played hard. And in December, you want to get wins, and that’s all that really matters.”
The Chiefs defeated the Texans in the 2024 AFC Divisional Playoffs.
That game saw Stroud play efficiently, but also under duress for most of the night. It was the same story on “Sunday Night Football,” but Stroud and the Texans flipped the script to notch their eighth victory of the season.
The Texans got after Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, only sacking him twice, but also intercepting 3 of the two-time MVP’s passes, including in the fourth quarter.
Stroud finished with 201 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions on 48.4% completion.
C.J. Stroud Calls Out Issues With Pressure
GettyGeorge Karlaftis #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans.
noted his responsibility in the Texans’ struggles with the Chiefs’ blitz packages during the contest. Stroud absorbed 3 sacks, marking the ninth time in his 10 outings under center for the Texans this season in which he has been taken down multiple times.
“We just got to be better with IDing it better and me throwing our hots, and just trying to make plays. And, got to be better on first down; that’s really the key,” Stroud said.
“If we can get to third-and-shorts and third-and-mediums, that helps us out.”
Stroud has now thrown for 2,181 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions on 64.3% completion this season. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans praised Stroud for his efforts against the Chiefs.
“C.J. made a lot of nice plays for us throughout this game. I’m proud of the way he led for us. And no matter how it looked, he led, he put us in a good spot to make some plays for us,” Ryans told reporters postgame. “He made a lot of good plays for us.”
DeMeco Ryans to C.J. Stroud: Use Athleticism More
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans reacts against the San Francisco 49ers.
Ryans also urged Stroud to utilize his athleticism more after he used it successfully against the Chiefs.
“When C.J. can move and escape the pocket, that’s what a lot of defensive guys who go against him, they – that’s his strength. He has to utilize that even more. He see the plays that he can make when he can escape the pocket. Whether it’s running the ball or keeping his eyes downfield to make big throws, he just – he has a really good knack for finding the guys down the field and making plays,” Ryans said.
“I like it when he escapes the pocket because I know it’s going to be a positive play.”
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