Tag: C.J. Stroud

Chiefs-Texans Week 16: Offense, defense and special teams snap counts

The Houston Texans fell short of securing a 10-win season on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs on the road.

A hurt Houston roster heads home for the holiday season.

The Texans might be headed to the playoffs, but they’ll be short-handed on their run following the injuries suffered in Saturday’s 27-19 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

Second-year wideout Tank Dell was carted off the field with what’s been ruled a dislocated kneecap injury after hauling in a 30-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud in the third quarter.

Dell, who was on pace for his second 100-yard outing of the regular season, is expected to be out for the remainder of the year.

“We know how much he meant to this team,” Texans wide receiver Nico Collins said of Dell. “But losing one of your brothers, man, it hurts. Speedy recovery for my dog. Mentally, he’s going through it, but we have to keep stepping, keep climbing for him.”

On Houston’s first possession of the second half, Stroud found Dell at the back of the end zone to cut Kansas City’s lead to 17-16. As he went down, fellow receiver Jared Wayne collided with Dell’s lower leg.

Dell immediately grabbed his leg but otherwise barely moved. He was placed in an air cast and was lifted into the back of an ambulance for further evaluation.

After the game, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said that Dell would stay behind at the  University of Kansas Hospital for further testing. Surgery has not been ruled off the table as of this moment.

“All our thoughts and prayers are with Tank right now,” Ryans said. “You guys can see what he means to our entire team.”

Dell wasn’t the only Texans player to leave early Saturday afternoon. Defensive back Jimmie Ward was carted off in the second quarter with a foot injury and did not return.

Offensive lineman Shaq Mason left on the fourth play of the opening drive with a knee injury and did not return. He’s expected to undergo an MRI once the team returns to Houston.

Here’s the snap count for every player in Saturday’s showdown at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Texans return home to face off against the playoff-bound Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day at 3:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast locally in Houston and globally as part of a two-game deal with Netflix.

C.J. Stroud’s emotional reaction to Tank Dell’s injury breaks hearts

The Houston Texans quarterback was visibly upset following Tank Dell’s potential season-ending injury on Sunday

It was a somber scene at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell was carried into the ambulance for what was ruled a severe knee injury.

Fans couldn’t stomach the play. Quarterback  C.J. Stroud, meanwhile, let his emotions finally peak through.

Dell, who suffered a season-ending leg injury last December, had just caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Stroud to put the Texans down by a point against the Kansas City Chiefs. As he hit the turf, the second-year receiver collided with teammate Jared Wayne and Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie on his descent.

Teammates knew immediately that Dell was hurt and needed medical assistance. The aftermath was difficult to watch, as visibly upset Texans players prayed over Dell while he was being attended to.

Stroud, in particular, looked quite distraught and began to cry. Cameras caught teammate Joe Mixon consoling the quarterback after the play as Dell was being placed in a brace to keep pressure on the knee.

On the field, Dell and Stroud are a dynamic duo. Off it, they’re close friends who consider each other “brothers.”

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said that Dell would stay overnight for further evaluation at a local hospital on what’s being ruled a “significant” knee injury. He was one of three players to leave Saturday’s 27-19 loss against Kansas City on a short week of practice.

Dell was having one of his best games of the regular season, hauling in six passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. He was on his way to a second 100-yard outing before leaving with a knee injury.

The Texans are already without wideout veteran Stefon Diggs, who tore his ACL in October and will likely be without Dell for their run to the postseason. The gut-wrenching incident is a reminder of the humanity that resides in the game’s outcome.

Stroud is human. Anyone in that moment would act accordingly.

Houston returns to NRG Stadium Stadium to take on the Ravens on Christmas Day.

Chiefs improve to 14-1 with 16th straight one-score victory

The Chiefs contine to roll through opponents

The Kansas City Chiefs get it done any and every way.

On Saturday, the AFC West champs toppled the Houston Texans, 27-19, at Arrowhead. The victory improved KC’s record to 14-1 and was its 16th straight in one-score games.

Despite a high ankle sprain, Patrick Mahomes threw for 260 yards and a touchdown. He rushed for 33 and a score, too. That’s accounting for almost 300 yards of offense on at least one bad wheel.

C.J. Stroud threw two touchdown passes but was picked off twice.

The Texans lost Tank Dell during the game when he suffered a serious injury to his left knee while catching a 30-yard TD pass in the third quarter.

The Chiefs need one win in their last two games to clinch home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs.

Tank Dell stretchered off in ambulance with left knee injury after making touchdown catch

Houston Texans WR Tank Dell with apparent serious knee injury on play he caught touchdown pass

Frightening moments at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud in the third quarter.

While making the catch, Stroud was hit by a fellow Texan wideout and injured his left leg/knee.

A cart was brought on the field but an ambulance was then on the field to take Dell for treatment. His left leg was immobilized and put in a brace.

Stroud was emotional on the sidelines after the injury.

WATCH: Texans WR Tank Dell scores TD vs. Chiefs

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass, but may be out for a while after suffering a scary injury.

The Houston Texans found the end zone but it came with a price.

On 2nd-and-7, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud went to the air on a deep play-action shot and connected with second-year receiver Tank Dell for a 30-yard score against the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, while making the catch, Dell had a Kansas City defensive back and Texans wide receiver inadvertently collide with his knee.

Dell remained down for a long period until the stretcher came out to cart him off the field.

Stroud was visible distraught after the play. Houston has already lost offensive lineman Shaq Mason and defensive back Jimmie Ward for the game, but Dell’s injury may be a season ender.

The Texans have already ruled out Dell for the remainder of the game.

Dell had his electric rookie season cut short with a leg injury. In 13 games in 2024, Dell had 45 receptions for 569 yards and two touchdowns.

Dell was in the midst of one of his best games of the year against Kansas City, catching six passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.

WATCH: Texans QB C.J. Stroud takes lead over Chiefs with TD pass

The Houston Texans have a 10-7 lead over the Kansas City Chiefs thanks to a touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz.

C.J. Stroud might have an interception on his stat line, but he just made up for it to take the lead at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Houston Texans second-year quarterback found tight end Dalton Schultz for a 10-yard touchdown pass on first-and-goal to make it a 10-7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. It marked the second touchdown reception in three games.

Here’s a video of the play, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter/X page:

Stroud made some really good throws over the last two drives, including a pair of first-down conversions to Tank Dell. For the most part, he’s been protected without offensive guard Shaq Mason.

The Texans can secure a 10-win season on Saturday with a victory over the AFC favorites.

Houston Texans schedule: Are the Texans playing today?

Are the Texans playing today? Here’s a look at the schedule and the games to come. 

Will the Houston Texans take the field today in Week 16 of the NFL football schedule?

After securing the AFC South division title, Houston hits the road to take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium for what could be a potential AFC postseason preview.

With a win, Houston inches a step closer to securing a higher seed in the AFC postseason picture. They would also need help from the Baltimore Ravens against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who play later on Saturday afternoon.

Should both teams win, that would set up a winner-take-all spot for the No. 3 seed in the AFC on Christmas Day at NRG Stadium.

After a holiday hoedown against the Ravens, the Texans hit the road on Jan. 6 to take on the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Should the Texans win out, they’d finish with a 12-5 record, marking their best record since 2012.

At 9-5, the Texans currently lead the AFC South by three games.

Watch Chiefs vs. Texans live on Fubo

Houston Texans 2024 schedule

  • Week 1: at Indianapolis (W, 29-27)
  • Week 2: vs. Chicago (W, 19-13)
  • Week 3: at Minnesota (L, 34-7)
  • Week 4: vs. Jacksonville (W, 24-20)
  • Week 5: vs. Buffalo (W, 23-20)
  • Week 6: at New England (W, 41-21)
  • Week 7: at Green Bay (L, 24-22)
  • Week 8: vs. Indianapolis (W, 23-20)
  • Week 9: at New York Jets (L, 21-13)
  • Week 10: vs. Detroit (L, 26-23)
  • Week 11: at Dallas (W, 34-10)
  • Week 12: vs. Tennessee (L, 32-27)
  • Week 13: at Jacksonville (W, 23-20)
  • Week 14: Bye
  • Week 15: vs. Miami (W 20-12)
  • Week 16: at Kansas City
  • Week 17: vs. Baltimore
  • Week 18: at Tennessee
  • Record: 9-5

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All 32 NFL quarterbacks (including C.J. Stroud) ranked by Total QBR entering Week 16

Here’s where Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud stacks up among other passers in QBR entering Week 16.

Houston Texans second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud saw his passer rating drop following a 20-12 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 15.  His Total QBR rating of 48.3 remained intact among all 32 passers.

Stroud’s season-long rating remains in good standing entering the final four games of the regular season, but he still ranks among the bottom half of passers at No. 23 overall.

Stroud’s traditional passer rating this season is 87.8, which ranks 22nd.

Unlike a traditional passer rating, the Total QBR “incorporates all of a quarterback’s contributions to winning, including how he impacts the game on passes, rushes, turnovers and penalties,” according to ESPN.

The metric takes into account scenarios that a traditional passer rating overlooks and considers “a team’s level of success or failure on every play to provide the proper context and then allocates credit to the quarterback and his teammate to produce a clearer measure of quarterback efficiency.”

With that context in mind, here’s a look at how Stroud stacks up against the NFL’s other starting quarterbacks this fall entering Christmas weekend.

NFL QBs ranked by Total QBR after Week 15

  1. Michael Penix: 95.3
  2. Josh Allen: 79.3
  3. Lamar Jackson: 76.0
  4. Joe Burrow: 74.0
  5. Kyler Murray: 68.3
  6. Jayden Daniels: 67.9
  7. Matthew Stafford: 66.4
  8. Jordan Love: 66.3
  9. Jared Goff: 65.6
  10. Jalen Hurts: 65.4
  11. Brock Purdy: 65.2
  12. Patrick Mahomes: 64.6
  13. Tua Tagovailoa: 61.2
  14. Sam Darnold: 60.2
  15. Drake Maye: 58.7
  16. Justin Herbert: 56.5
  17. Baker Mayfield: 56.1
  18. Russell Wilson: 55.3
  19. Aaron Rodgers: 53.9
  20. Mason Rudolph: 53.4
  21. Bo Nix: 52.2
  22. Geno Smith: 52.1
  23. C.J. Stroud: 49.8
  24. Caleb Williams: 48.1
  25. Anthony Richardson: 46.5
  26. Drew Lock: 45.3
  27. Bryce Young: 44.0
  28. Spencer Rattler: 42.0
  29. Aidan O’Connell: 40.7
  30. Cooper Rush: 36.3
  31. Mac Jones: 34.1
  32. Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 16.

Fresh off winning the AFC South division title for the second straight season, Stroud will look to improve his Total QBR rating when the Texans travel north to take the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16.

Analysis: Texans inch closer to division title with win over Dolphins

The Houston Texans are a victory away from back-to-back 10-win seasons following Sunday’s outing against the Miami Dolphins.

The Houston Texans did their job. Will the Denver Broncos help them out?

Nico Collins caught two touchdown passes from C.J. Stroud while the Texans’ defense forced four turnovers, including two fourth-quarter interceptions by Derek Stingley, to secure a 20-12 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at NRG Stadium.

“Stingley is playing just unbelievable football right now,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said.

Should the Broncos beat the Colts out west, Houston would secure its second division title under Ryans in as many years.

Stingley. who could be the dark horse to win the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year honors, iced the game with 1:23 remaining with a pick against Tua Tagovailoa on a pass intended for Tyreek Hill.

Earlier in the game. Houston capitalized on another Tagovailoa turnover, this time caused by a stip-sack from Will Anderson Jr. Tim Settle recovered the ball and returned it to the Miami 26. Four plays later, Stroud connected with Collins for a 6-yard score.

The duo would find the end zone again with 11 minutes remaining in the third quarter after Dare Ogunbowale picked up 35 yards on a fake punt.

Stroud threw for 131 yards and two touchdowns. He also finished with a 106.6 passer rating, a season-best since Week 6’s win over the New England Patriots.

Houston’s ground game was limited behind Joe Mixon being shaken up by a hard hit during the second quarter. He finished with 23 rushing yards, but led the offense with five receptions for 33 yards.

Tagovailoa tried to lead a comeback down by 14 thanks to an 11-play, 73-yard drive capped off with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith on fourth down. Miami could have been within a touchdown, but Jason Sanders’ kick went wide left, leading to an 8-point margin.

Two late interceptions sealed the deal for Tagovailoa, who was credited with a season-high four turnovers. Miami (6-8) played without starting tackles Terron Armstead and Kendall Lamm. Tagovailoa threw for 196 yards, 143 of which came in the second half.

A scare occurred midway through the third quarter as Dolphins Grant DuBose was carted off after colliding with rookie defensive back Calen Bullock. Tagovailoa tried to lead DuBose out, but the receiver’s head violently hit the turf.

“There’s been some positive feedback related to some head and neck imaging,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “He will stay here overnight, and we’ll find out more by (Monday).”

Bullock was given a flag for unnecessary roughness for hitting a defenseless receiver on the play.

DuBose remained on the field for more than 10 minutes. Emergency medical assistance from trained personnel was required, which resulted in them having to cut off his jersey and a neck brace was put on him while he was taken to an ambulance.

The team said he was in stable condition and being taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Danielle Hunter inched closer to making league history with his 1.5-sack performance. He needs a half-sack from now until the end of the regular season to join the 100-career club before the end of the regular season.

Injuries

Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and didn’t return.

Texans tight end Cade Stover was ruled out before kickoff after having an emergency appendectomy Saturday night.

Texans defensive Foley Fatukasi injured an ankle in the second quarter and did not return.

Stat of the Game

Once the Texans moved Stingley over to covering All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill, the game was close to over. The third-year defensive back limited Hill to one catch for 15 yards.

For the afternoon, Hill finished with two receptions for 36 yards.

“It’s a good opportunity going against somebody that’s the face of the NFL,” Stingley said. “So anytime you get to go out there on the field, it’s just a good time, just time to have fun.”

Up Next

The Texans travel to Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City might be short-handed without star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is considered week-to-week after suffering an ankle injury in Sunday’s win against the Cleveland Browns.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

All 32 NFL quarterbacks (including C.J. Stroud) ranked by Total QBR

Here’s where Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud stacks up among other passers in QBR entering Week 15.

Houston Texans second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t play in Week 14, meaning his Total QBR rating of 53.0 remained intact among all 32 passers.

Stroud’s season-long rating remains in good standing entering the final four games of the regular season, but he still ranks among the bottom half of passers at No. 22 overall.

Stroud’s traditional passer rating this season is 87.8, which ranks 22nd.

Unlike a traditional passer rating, the Total QBR “incorporates all of a quarterback’s contributions to winning, including how he impacts the game on passes, rushes, turnovers and penalties,” according to ESPN.

The metric takes into account scenarios that a traditional passer rating overlooks and considers “a team’s level of success or failure on every play to provide the proper context and then allocates credit to the quarterback and his teammate to produce a clearer measure of quarterback efficiency.”

With that context in mind, here’s a look at how Nix stacks up against the NFL’s other starting quarterbacks this fall.

NFL QBs ranked by Total QBR after Week 14

  1. Josh Allen: 76.7
  2. Joe Burrow: 74.1
  3. Lamar Jackson: 73.8
  4. Jayden Daniels: 72.6
  5. Kyler Murray: 71.6
  6. Brock Purdy: 68.5
  7. Jameis Winston: 76.0
  8. Matthew Stafford: 65.6
  9. Jalen Hurts: 65.2
  10. Patrick Mahomes: 64.6
  11. Jordan Love: 64.2
  12. Jared Goff: 63.6
  13. Derek Carr: 63.2
  14. Tua Tagovailoa: 63.1
  15. Sam Darnold: 59.0
  16. Drake Maye: 58.6
  17. Russell Wilson: 57.1
  18. Justin Herbert: 57.0
  19. Bo Nix: 56.2
  20. Kirk Cousins: 56.2
  21. Geno Smith: 53.7
  22. C.J. Stroud: 53.0
  23. Baker Mayfield: 51.9
  24. Aaron Rodgers: 51.4
  25. Bryce Young: 50.9
  26. Anthony Richardson: 48.4
  27. Caleb Williams: 46.4
  28. Aidan O’Connell: 40.2
  29. Will Levis: 30.5
  30. Cooper Rush: 30.4
  31. Mac Jones: 29.3
  32. Tommy DeVito: 16.0

Coming out of his bye week, Stroud will look to improve his Total QBR rating when the Texans host the Miami Dolphins in Week 15.