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Ben Arthur
AFC South Reporter
WIth C.J. Stroud back, the Texans looked pretty much how we expected.
It’s why it’s tough to bet against them getting into the playoffs. It’s why they could be dangerous if they do get in.
“I felt like I got back to my normal self really kind of fast,” Stroud said.
The No. 2 overall pick, who returned Sunday after a two-game absence due to a concussion, guided the Texans (9-7) to a 26-3 blowout of the Titans (5-11) at NRG Stadium. Stroud completed 75% of his passes for 213 yards and a touchdown, posting an impressive 102.7 passer rating.
It’s not just that Stroud played well against the miserable Titans. It’s that he didn’t appear to show any rust. He showed the same veteran-like composure under duress as he did in his 13 games prior to his absence. When pressured Sunday, he completed all six of his passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, 8.0 yards per attempt and a 139.6 passer rating, according to Next Gen Stats.
While the production near the end zone wasn’t great — Houston went 1-for-3 inside the 20 against Tennessee’s No. 2-ranked red-zone defense — the overall rhythm and flow that the Texans offense had missed with Case Keenum and Davis Mills under center was back.
The team’s 13-play touchdown possession in the first half spanned 94 yards, with Stroud going 7-for-8 for 50 yards, including the 12-yard score to tight end Brevin Jordan. The rookie was still efficient in the short and immediate passing game despite the Titans’ success taking away the deep ball.
“Went to the right spot with the football. He made great decisions all day,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He was calm. He was confident in the moment. Just the confidence factor — what he does for our entire team. He raises everyone’s level of confidence because everybody knows the type of player that he is, right? He’s a big-time playmaker. He continues to show that week after week.”
And as we’ve seen so many…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/with-c-j-stroud-back-texans-look-like-playoff-team-in-win-over-titans
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Publish date : 2023-12-31 22:13:54
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