Tag: Texans C.J. Stroud

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.

Watch: Texans QB C.J. Stroud throws game-winning TD pass vs. Jaguars

C.J. Stroud’s late heroics secure the Houston Texans’ third victory of the young season.

C.J. Stroud is inevitable.

The second-year Houston Texans quarterback never lost composure despite being under duress against a Jacksonville Jaguars pass rush. He remained calm in the pocket and delivered quick, clean strikes.

And because of it, the Texans are sitting 3-1 entering Week 4.

Stroud found running back Dare Ogunbowale for a 1-yard touchdown with 18 seconds remaining to give the Texans the eventual 24-20 win over the AFC South foe. It marked the only points of the second half for the Texans, who welcome the Buffalo Bills next Sunday afternoon.

After getting a crucial third-down stop, the Texans drove 69 yards in nine plays to set up inside the red zone. Stroud found Nico Collins for his 12th catch and a pickup of 26.  He connected with Dalton Schultz inside the red zone for a first-down pickup for six yards.

And Stroud was aggressive with his legs. He ran for first down to open the drive. Stroud also evaded the pressure to his Ogunbowale twice for short-yard gains.

Stroud finished the afternoon 27-of-40 for 345 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 17 yards and a pair of first downs.

Houston is currently 2-0 at NRG Stadium to enter the 2024 season.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has top-selling jersey in the NFL

Move over Patrick Mahomes as Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud is now the face of NFL jersey sales.

C.J. Stroud is currently the top athlete in the city of Houston following a breakout rookie season with the Houston Texans. Go through any tailgate outside of NRG Stadium and No. 7 will be well represented. 

Apparently, Stroud’s impact has reached national status entering Week 3 of the 2024 season. 

The Texans quarterback tops the list of jersey sales, according to the NFL Players Association. On Wedensday, the NFLPA released the top 50 jersey-sellers from March through May.

Stroud, who last season won Offensive Rookie of the Year after guiding the Texans to their first division title in four seasons, surpassed Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was second. The two-time MVP has carried the title of top seller since his breakout campaign in 2018. 

Much like on the gridiron, Mahomes has competition to remain the top option. 

Now, it must be noted that Stroud’s jersey sales might have benefitted from Houston changing its jerseys in the offseason for the first time in franchise history. Some records could be from the old kits worn in 2023. 

Others likely are from a new era and look surrounding the Texans in 2024. 

Detriot Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow rounded out the top five. Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. appeared on the list at No. 24 following his dominant first year. 

https://twitter.com/TexansCommenter/status/1836386124932997426

While the Texans might be the biggest risers in the AFC, they only have two representatives in the top 50. Detriot, a fan favorite from last season, saw the most growth with six, including running back Jahmyr Gibbs (No. 8), quarterback Jared Goff (No. 19) and tight end Sam LaPorta (No. 44). 

Maybe next season, the Texans will have the same cast of talent with Nico Collins, Danielle Hunter, Tank Dell, Derek Stingley Jr. and Azeez Al-Shaair joining the mix. 

Texans OC Bobby Slowik gives QB C.J. Stroud small request heading into regular season

C.J. Stroud has been dominant with the Houston Texans, but offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik has a piece of advice

C.J. Stroud has been the epitome of a perfect teammate, student and quarterback since the Houston Texans drafted him No. 2 overall pick in April of 2023. 

Sometimes, perfect doesn’t always mean ideal, which is why offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik has a small request for the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

During a recent appearance on the Green Light podcast with former NFL defensive lineman Chris Long, Slowik praised Stroud’s willingness to go above and beyond past the film room. Since his time at Ohio State, Stroud — as Slowik puts it — has the drive to be “the best at everything.” 

That includes making sure he doesn’t make the same mistake twice in a game or practice. Slowik mentioned that Stroud always seems to be studying the tape, going over every minor detail to avoid a major mishap on Sundays. 

“He’ll be up watching film, and this isn’t even game-plan time,” Slowik said. “We’re talking right now in training camp. He’s sending texts to receivers, to coaches, to everybody. From film of clips of how he wants to make some adjustments, things he’s thinking through the course of plays.” 

While studying has its perks, so does rest, which is why Slowik offered a word of advice to the still budding star. 

“It’s like 11:30 p.m., man,” Slowik joked. “Go to sleep. Go to sleep C.J., come on man.”

Stroud certainly could use a few extra hours of sleep, but he proved he could ball out with little rest in 2023. Last season in 15 games, he threw for over 4,000 yards and led the NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio, along with passing yards per game. 

He also became the youngest passer in NFL history to win a playoff game after securing a 45-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round. Stroud also was named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate after all of his success. 

While the Texans have long-term questions about the franchise, Stroud isn’t one of them. He seems poised to build off a dominant rookie season while guiding Houston to its first potential Super Bowl title starting this fall. 

And winning a Lombardi Trophy might be the only way Stroud finally gets a great night’s sleep.