The Houston Texans continued their investment in C.J. Stroud this week.
The Texans are a passing team. Despite their investment in the run game this offseason, Stroud is the way they move the ball. Stroud is the way they score points. While the defense fails to live up to their hype, Stroud is resurrecting his profile among the league’s top signal callers.
Weeks ago, Stroud asked for more aggression. His requests were answered.
Did he ask for his college teammate to help further the ability for the Texans to strike through the air?
“I just asked for them to include me in things like that since I got here,” Stroud said this week. “I was just appreciative that they gave me an opportunity to even explain who I thought he was, the player I thought he was. I really don’t have like that type of push or say so.”
Stroud was modest, but he absolutely has the pull to bring a player like Marvin Harrison Jr. to Houston. It would make sense that the franchise quarterback, playing like a franchise quarterback again, would make that request. It was a Stroud-motivated move one way or the other. Specific request or not. Good for him if he did, and well done by the Texans to get a player Stroud thinks can keep him rolling.
The discussion about this year’s Texans, even from yours truly, was that Stroud needed to manage the offense. The defense would handle most of the hard work. Don’t mess it up. If Stroud is good, plan the parade.
Stroud has been excellent. The Texans are 1-4. The rushing attack isn’t there. He’s near the top of numerous passing categories. The defense is nowhere near the top. Stroud has taken leads. The defense has given them away.
It’s well within Stroud's rights to ask for more.
Especially as his play makes it more likely he stays.
The two sides talked about the contract before the season. It would’ve been a number outside the top quarterbacks for Stroud if he signed. The Texans, evidenced by their slow steps to the negotiating table and the offer they were willing to make, were skeptical. Both sides were right to wait.
The Texans had leverage before the season; now it’s Stroud’s. Extending Stroud is getting easier to do by the day.
Speaking of agents, Harrison finally hired one a few weeks ago. While he didn’t hire Stroud’s agent, he did hire agents from the same agency. Surely just a coincidence.
Stroud’s hot start has to continue. He’s the most reliable part of this team. He’s checked every box since he started training camp. Harrison should help him check more. Now if everyone else holds up their end of the bargain, maybe the Texans will go where they were supposed to be headed.
One Player to Watch
The right tackle for the Texans is the player to watch. Trent Brown has started in every game, but he’s had some shaky moments. This is the first game the Texans have had Braden Smith available. The Jaguars have the best edge rush duo the Texans have faced. While C.J. Stroud has been excellent, there has still been too much pressure. A leaky right side, from Brown or Smith, could ruin the passing attack.
One Matchup to Watch
Woody Marks starts at running back this week. The Jacksonville Jaguars have the best run defense in football. They haven’t allowed a 40-yard rusher this season. Marks has been explosive and decisive when he’s gotten the ball. He’s forcing missed tackles (he has the 17th most missed tackles forced among running backs). Marks averaged over four yards per carry last week. If the Texans can run the football well, in addition to their passing attack, they could really put pressure on a solid Jaguars defense.
One Stat to Watch
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the AFC’s best red zone defense. They allow touchdowns on just a third of the possessions. The Jaguars will allow plenty of yards, but they keep teams out of the end zone. The Texans have struggled in the red zone, but have been slightly better the past three games. They must punch it in against the Jaguars to get the win. C.J. Stroud’s excellent red zone pass to Jaylin Noel last week was a thing of beauty. More of that, and the Texans can get the win in London.
Score Prediction
The Houston Texans win 24-20. The Jacksonville Jaguars are missing their starting left tackle. That is a terrible thing to be missing when staring down this Houston Texans pass rush. Trevor Lawrence has played well, but C.J. Stroud is better. The Jaguars have the best offensive player in this game with Parker Washington, but even he won’t be enough if the Texans move the ball through the air. It’s a close one, but the Texans make it two in a row.
Yepper....
GO TEXANS!!!!