The rookie quarterback did it again.
Despite a lengthy injury report, including the loss of top wideout Nico Collins and running back Dameon Pierce, and a hostile road environment, the Houston Texans pulled out a statement 30-27 win over the AFC powerhouse Cincinnati Bengals.
It wasn’t a perfect contest as the offense turned the ball over three times and the defense began to finally hemorrhage late in the contest against quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals dynamic passing game. However, the positives far outweighed the negatives. The defense picked off Burrow twice in the game and running back Devin Singletary became the Texans first 100-yard rusher of the 2023 season.
It’s Week 10 and Stroud is flashing “If he’s doing this by Year 3 he could be a star” plays that came up in draft prospect profile.
The mobility and play extension is already phenomenal #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/uoeX0P2Rgk
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) November 12, 2023
Nothing was more impressive than C.J. Stroud’s performance.
Here are some of the most impressive statistics from Stroud’s dominant outing.
1. Volume Statistics keep coming
Stroud is on pace for a record-setting rookie season and that continued against the Bengals. His simple stats show yet another highly productive quarterback contest:
23/39 for 356 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
The Ohio State product is on pace to throw for 4,960 yards, which would shatter the previous rookie record from Justin Herbert. He also has a chance to threaten Herbert’s 31 passing touchdown record. This level of dominance from a rookie is rare, rare company. It’s fair to begin lumping Stroud with the likes of Herbert, Cam Newton, Andrew Luck and other historic rookies.
2. Successful with play-action
The Texans have struggled to add a successful running element to their game this season but Singletary seemingly broke through on Sunday. To no surprise, Stroud was able to be a huge beneficiary ofthat effort during play action sequences. His numbers off play action:
9/14 for 169 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
Houston’s ability to manipulate the defense and capitalize led to Stroud’s only passing touchdown of the contest and allowed the offense to convert massive chunk plays down the field. It’s a recipe they’ll hope to continue.
3. Stroud dominant on first down
There was gnashing of teeth amongst the Houston fanbase for the first 8 weeks of the season that offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik was too predictable on first down. Last week, against the Tampa Bay Bucaneers, Slowik relented and let Stroud do more. This trend of successful first down passing continued on the road:
7/11 for 87 yards and 1 touchdown
Another great day of passing for C.J. Stroud on first down:
7/11, 87 yards and 1 touchdown
We're watching offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik lean further into his rookie quarterback in real time and his team is reaping the benefits #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) November 12, 2023
Stroud’s dynamic ability on early downs is helping to keep Houston’s offense unpredictable and makes them one of the most dangerous units in the NFL. It’s easy to envision Slowik will likely continue to rely on this.
