The Houston Texans suffered a setback in a 24-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday that throttled them again right into a mosh pit of five-loss groups within the AFC. Nonetheless, not all losses are created equal. Wins are utilized as a quarterback stat too frivolously, however all through his rookie season, CJ Stroud has proven how otherwise he’s constructed. He’s been knocked down a peg from the blistering scorching begin the place he produced a rookie report for landing yards and most go makes an attempt with out an interception to start a profession, however he nonetheless walks on rarified air.
Sunday was a microcosm of how a lot coronary heart CJ Stroud’s obtained in him. And I’m not speaking in regards to the completely choreographed landing celebration homage to Child Boy the Texans endzone manufacturing performed out after his speeding rating within the second half.
The Jags knocked Stroud round like they had been Jody and Sweetpea within the park. However Stroud by no means flinched. His potential to take a lick and carry on tickin’ needs to be evaluated by Sport Science, if that’s nonetheless a factor. It is smart when you look at his backstory. Stroud isn’t your typical Ohio State quarterback. At each degree, Stroud has been something however a certain factor. In highschool, he was a late bloomer who rose up the rankings after a robust exhibiting at a Nike sponsored occasion earlier than his junior 12 months towards the highest prep quarterback prospects within the nation.
A 65-yard deep bomb to Tank Dell on the Texans opening drive was wiped away by a pre-snap unlawful formation penalty. The day was filled with performs that had been inches away from including a Winto the Texans win column. It’s one factor to make these performs in September, main by just a few touchdowns, however he rose above the mixed strain from the Jags front-seven and a tense battle for playoff positioning heading into November.
His first landing of the night was solely probably as a result of he pirouetted exterior the pocket, scrambled and gave Dell an early Secret Santa reward within the endzone. Dell’s seventh landing of the season made them solely the primary quarterback-receiver duo in NFL historical past to attain that many in a single season.
Trailing by 10 factors late, Stroud constantly made performs towards the division-leading Jaguars protection that ought to have resulted in a Texans protection. The specter of Stroud operating opened up Nico Collins for an untouched gallop into the endzone.
On the ultimate drive, Stroud was dropped for a 15-yard loss, then instantly fired a laser to Collins that picked up 17. Even with out these performs, Stroud threw for over 304 yards, two touchdowns, not together with a 3rd rating on the bottom and 47 yards scrambling. His knack for purchasing time and selecting up first downs whereas getting battered by the Jaguars go rush was awe-inspiring. The Jaguars manhandled Stroud all through the fourth quarter, however each time he obtained knocked down, he activated hero mode and fired again with a strike to maintain Houston alive.
In the end, the Texans ran out of steam on a last play through which Stroud prolonged the play behind the road of scrimmage, however was unable to search out an open receiver. Confronted with a fourth-and-12, DeMeco Ryans opted to aim a 56-yard subject purpose that may push the sport into time beyond regulation. Ammendola’s kick hit the crossbar, however the Texans shouldn’t dangle their heads.
Contemplating the stakes, it’s unimaginable to keep in mind that Stroud was going throw for throw with Trevor Lawrence. Two years in the past, Lawrence was a phenom and the undisputed primary total choose all through the draft analysis course of. His rookie season was an entire mess. Stroud has revitalized the Texans after the calamity of a corporation they resembled on the finish of Deshaun Watson’s tenure. Houston’s child boy is rising up quicker than anybody anticipated. If any younger rookie starter can bounce again, it’s CJ Stroud.
Comply with DJ Dunson on X: @cerebralsportex