Quarterback C.J. Stroud said that his confidence was as “high as ever” after the Houston Texans’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks on “Monday Night Football” in Week 7. In Week 8, Stroud played like it, making it clear how he sees himself in the NFL.
The Texans defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-15, in a contest that saw them win the time of possession battle 41:22 to 18:38 and gain a season-high 475 total net yards of offense.
Stroud logged his first 300-yard game of the season, too.
C.J. Stroud Sends Message on Standing Among NFL QBs
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans prays after a game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Stroud completed 30 of 38 pass attempts for 318 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception in the Texans’ win over the 49ers. He also finished his first game without a sack taken since his rookie season.
With that, Stroud made it clear that he still views himself among the “top” QBs in the league.
“I would say I played solid. Always things to clean up. But I’m happy with how I played, and I’m always going to stay confident. And even when I lack confidence … I got God confidence,” Stroud told reporters on October 26. “I’m not always going to be perfect. I’m not always going to be the best, but I will die on that field if I have to. I love playing this game. I respect this game. My preparation, I take it serious every week.
“I know what I can do. I know I’m a top guy in this league when I’m rolling, so. But I just got to keep that going.”
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans praised Stroud’s effort and said that is what they need.
“When C.J.’s locked in, … you just see the energy, the vibe of our entire sideline just changes, right? Because everybody’s looking for the quarterback for that leadership, and it’s just about nothing special or nothing grand. It’s just about him just remaining disciplined as a quarterback. Doing exactly what he’s supposed to do on every given play,” Ryans told reporters after the contest.
“When he does that, and he makes great decisions, and with the O-line working the way they worked today, that’s what you see, man. One of his best games ever, all right? The way he operated today, it was very clean football, and I’m proud of where he is. We just have to continue to stay with this every week.”
Execution ‘Key’ for Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans makes adjustments before the snap against the San Francisco 49ers.
Stroud is up to 1,623 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions on 66.8% completion this season. More importantly, Stroud and the short-handed Texans have won three of their last four outings, with this one being their first against a team with a winning record.
Stroud said that simplifying things down to a play-by-play basis “makes the game a little easier” because winning those moments leads to winning the game.
He said the Texans did that from the outset and will look to keep it going.
“The teams who win are the ones who can execute on Sundays. So, I think that’s the key,” Stroud said. “We can take it up to another notch … because I do think we’re a focused group. I do think we have a crazy amount of effort. You can see how hard we play everybody. Now, it’s just the execution from Xs and Os-wise and trusting what the coaches are doing and putting the positions we’re in. So, I definitely think that that is where we need to take the next step, and did that today.”
Stroud and the Texnas entered the contest ranked 23rd in the pass game. One win against a depleted 49ers team does not erase that. It can, however, serve as a launching point for the rest of their season after a 2-4 start.
C.J. Stroud: Texans’ ‘Destiny in Front of Us’
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans reacts after defeating the San Francisco 49ers.
Stroud said the “key,” specifically as they prepare to face the Denver Broncos in Week 9, is practicing “great” and applying that to the field on gamedays.
“I think our destiny is in front of us. And whatever we do week in and week out is going to be what we – it really is what we can control. We control what we control. That’s preparation, practice, hard work, dedication, relentless effort, swarming. And I think as we continue to do that, we’ll be able to get some more dubs.”
Stroud also showed appreciation for the Texans’ fans.
“Appreciate the support, appreciate the love. I just want to be able to give my all every week. And sometimes I do it, sometimes it doesn’t look as great. But I appreciate everybody and their love, and I love Houston. I love living in the city. I love just the camaraderie and the community that I’m in. And I’m just so grateful to be here and be in this position.
“Our fans, they’re showing up and they’re doing their thing. And I appreciate that, because that really does help. Even in Seattle, they were they were all out there. Then today, thought we were loud, and that always helps. So, shout out H-Town and the Texans.”
Those remarks are fitting for Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 draft by the Texans, who will be extension-eligible after this season.
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