CJ Stroud finding his confidence after first two starts
The Houston Texans are 0-2 for the first time since 2020 and winless after two weeks for the third time in four years, but something feels different this time around. The Texans and their fanbase are beginning to believe they've found their long awaited franchise quarterback in rookie CJ Stroud. It's still extremely early to […]
The Houston Texans are 0-2 for the first time since 2020 and winless after two weeks for the third time in four years, but something feels different this time around.
The Texans and their fanbase are beginning to believe they've found their long awaited franchise quarterback in rookie CJ Stroud.
It's still extremely early to begin discussing that possibility, but there's no denying the strides the second-overall pick has made in his first two career starts.
In his first career start Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, Stroud's numbers looked solid however, the team failed to reach the endzone and instead only scored on three field goals.
In Week 2's loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Stroud managed to get his unit into the endzone not once, but twice. Stroud finished the game with 384 passing yards and two touchdowns and has still yet to record an interception.
The Texans signal caller looked exceptionally strong in the second-half. Down 28-10 at halftime, it's easy for a quarterback to roll over and accept defeat. Stroud, however, came out of the break still swinging.
It was quite the display as 271 of Stroud's 384 yards came in the final two quarters, but the deficit was ultimately too much to fully rally from. The result was a 31-20 loss but the game prove to have much more energy than the previous loss.
Despite dropping the second game of the season, Stroud still isn't worried about the future outlook of the team this season. Instead, his confidence remains at a high level.
"I'm excited," Stroud said. "I'm not happy right now, of course, because we lost, but I definitely think that we've done a lot of good things on the offensive side of the ball and the defensive side of the ball, as well…"
"But once we play together as a team, watch out, man. I definitely think this team is ready to win, and we've just got to put it together – offense, defense, special teams coming together as one. So, I'm excited.”
Things should begin to look up for this new squad the more experience they gain playing together in the weeks ahead. Stroud has seemingly already latched on to his favorite target in wide receiver Nico Collins.
The duo have combined for 13 receptions for 226 yards and a touchdown in two games. Collins' 146 yards against the Colts in Week 2 marked a career-high and was also the first time he's ever eclipsed 100 yards receiving in a game.
Rookie Tank Dell emerged as another exciting option for Stroud in the passing game in Week 2 with his seven receptions for 72 yards and his first career touchdown. Pairing the two young weapons with veteran receiver Robert Woods gives Stroud a solid and versatile trio to work with on offense.
Once the rushing attack in Houston, that currently ranks 29th in the league with 62.0 yards per game, picks up the pace the Texans offense can truly blossom. From there, it's up to head coach DeMeco Ryans to improve his defense that's currently averaging 28 points allowed per game.
The recipe is there to show some progress in Houston, and it seems like it won't take much longer for it to arrive with their new quarterback.
Featured image via: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
