To advance to their first AFC title game in over a decade, the Baltimore Ravens knew they’d somehow have to get under C.J. Stroud’s skin. Two-time First-Team All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith took matters into his own hands. With mixed results.
In a new mic’d-up video courtesy of NFL Films and Inside the NFL, Smith tried to spook Stroud as he ran out of bounds on a scramble. When Smith clarified his intentions, all Stroud could do was laugh, as he was clearly unfazed by the star defender’s attempt to rattle him.
That, of course, didn’t stop Smith from pulling out the stops to throw Stroud and the Houston Texans’ offense off:
Roquan Smith and C.J. Stroud were going back and forth with the trash talk. 😂@insidetheNFL | @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/0KPurKZlT4
— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2024
Ultimately, Smith got the last laugh as the Ravens throttled the Texans 34-10. Stroud didn’t even pass for 200 yards or throw a single touchdown pass, either. Smith’s mind games might not have worked in this specific moment, but the Ravens’ defense coming to play shut Stroud down anyway.