Photograph: Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Before this year’s draft, most experts had CJ Stroud as the most NFL-ready quarterback available. That may have been a historic understatement. At the moment, Stroud is the clear-cut offensive rookie of the year favorite and has helped turn the Houston Texans into a playoff contender.
The Texans had the second pick in the 2023 draft after going 3-13 the previous year. After the Carolina Panthers made the safe choice of selecting Bryce Young at No 1, Houston made the obvious move of selecting Stroud with the idea that he could start immediately. Oh boy, could he, it turns out! After Sunday’s 30-27 road win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Texans are now 5-4 and in pole position for the final AFC wildcard spot.
To their credit, the Bengals didn’t make it easy – and Houston are not a perfect team. After the Texans took a 20-7 lead, Joe Burrow’s second-half magic helped Cincinnati tie the game 27-27 late in the fourth quarter. The Texans needed some luck to survive: Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd dropped what would have been a surefire touchdown that would have put them ahead, but instead they merely kicked the field goal to even out the score. Stroud then led his team on a game-winning drive that ended in Matt Ammendola’s field goal.
It wasn’t an overwhelming victory, but the Texans were in a position to win because Stroud compiled 356 passing yards on the day, with both a passing and a rushing touchdown. All told, Stroud already has 2,626 passing yards in just nine games, third-most in NFL history for a rookie QB. He has thrown 15 touchdowns so far this season, but even more impressive is the fact that he’s thrown just two interceptions. One of those came today late in the game, but the poise he showed to lead his team to victory said everything about his leadership.
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While Stroud has shown himself to be NFL-ready, even the most prepared…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/houston-stroud-ryans-transformed-post-081027879.html
Author : The Guardian
Publish date : 2023-11-13 08:10:27
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