Player of the Week: C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud Stats Explode
C.J. Stroud
Coleridge Bernard Stroud IV (C.J.)
Houston Texans7
22 years old
190cm
USA
QB
Ohio StateFrom the time he was drafted second overall by Houston last April, former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud has proven that no moment is too big. Stroud showed that throughout the regular season in leading Houston to an unexpected AFC South title, and he did so again on Saturday as the Texans turned their attention to the NFL playoffs.
Stroud completed 16 of 21 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns in Houston’s 45-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Saturday’s Wild Card opener at NRG Stadium. The Texans, 2-point underdogs, averaged 8.1 yards per play against the NFL’s top-ranked defense and finished with 356 yards.
Now 11-7, Houston awaits its opponent for next weekend’s Divisional Round. The Texans are slotted to play on the road Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC/ESPN+.
What should bettors expect from Stroud? For a better idea, let’s break down C.J. Stroud’s stats.
C.J. Stroud Stats
Stroud got off to a fast start against Cleveland, and he never really slowed down. The Texans scored on four of their six first-half possessions, with three of them ending on touchdown passes from Stroud. Stroud hit Nico Collins for a 15-yard touchdown in the first quarter and also hooked up with Brevin Jordan and Dalton Schultz for scoring plays of 76 and 37 yards, respectively.
At 22 years and 102 days, Stroud passed Michael Vick (22, 192) as the youngest quarterback to ever win an NFL postseason game.According to NFL stats, the former No. 2 overall pick also became the highest-drafted rookie quarterback to do so.
Stroud threw for 236 yards and all three of his touchdowns in the first half, springing Houston to a 24-14 lead. He finished with a completion rate of at least 75% for the third straight game and matched his most passing yards since Dec. 3 against Denver.
Stroud has also now gone six straight games without an interception. He’s thrown for nine touchdowns over that span, during which the Texans are 4-2.
Odds Outlook
Stroud has been the overwhelming favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and there’s no reason to doubt he’ll win the award. The NFL completed its voting prior to the start of the playoffs, with the awards set to be announced Feb. 9 (three days before Super Bowl LVIII).
Stroud’s now listed as high as -5000 across sportsbooks, with nobody else remotely in sight. Rams receiver Puka Nacua, who set NFL rookie records for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486), has the second-shortest odds at +900.
Following its upset of Cleveland, Houston saw its Super Bowl odds soar from +4000 to +1700. The Texans still have a lot to overcome to see through that fruition, starting with a possible trip to No. 1 seed Baltimore in the AFC Divisional Round, but DeMeco Ryans’ team keeps defying the odds. Remember, the Texans — with a new coach/quarterback combo — opened as a +1000 longshot to win the AFC South.
Prior to Stroud, only one rookie quarterback (Brody Purdy) since 2012 had won his NFL playoff debut. That certainly didn’t faze Stroud, who has distinguished himself as one of thetop NFL playersat his position.
Regardless of their opponent, the fourth-seeded Texans figure to be an underdog again next weekend. No stranger to that role, the Texans are 7-3 ATS and 6-4 OU. They’ve covered in 10 of their 18 games overall.
The Houston Texans quarterback has put his hand up for both Rookie of the Year and MVP, as C.J. Stroud stats suggest.
The rookie comes off a massive performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he’s all the talk of the NFL.
Justifying High Pick
The number two pick in the NFL Draft leads the Texans to a much better record than most expected.
His performance last week had everyone checking live NFL stats, and he capped it off with a game-winning drive.
He led the Texans to a 39-37 victory, which included throwing for 470 yards and five touchdowns, and his longest passing play went for 75 yards.
It was a complete performance, as the C.J. Stroud stats show, and his overall rating was 147.8, the highest of his fledgling career.
Even opposing quarterback Baker Mayfield had kind things to say.
“C.J. Stroud doesn’t look like a rookie to me,” Mayfield said. “He’s so impressive, looks like a polished NFL quarterback. So, hats off to him. He played extremely, extremely well today.”
It’s a much-needed boost for the Texans, who were struggling to find a decent quarterback. The win on Sunday gives them hope, and it starts with Stroud.
A Dream Rookie Year
NFL player odds for Rookie of the Year have shortened significantly for Stroud, and he looks to have one hand on the trophy.
It has been an incredible start to his career, throwing 14 touchdowns and only one interception, which is the most impressive aspect.
Rookie quarterbacks usually try to do too much, but he has composure, and that was evident in the win against the Buccaneers.
After being behind with only 48 seconds left on the clock, Stroud led his team downfield to set up the game-winner.
His overall quarterback rating is 62.2, which ranks just 12th. However, the former Ohio State Buckeye is easily outperforming most senior quarterbacks in the NFL.
Our NFL prop bets have Stroud winning ROTY, and he’s also a chance for NFL MVP, especially if he keeps his interception stats down.
C.J. Stroud stats won’t always tell the full story, but he’s doing a great job keeping the Texans in the playoff hunt.
Projected Stats are Unreal
It’s a simple formula used for projected C.J. Stroud stats, but he’s expected to finish the 2023/24 season with 30 touchdowns and two interceptions.
That would guarantee him MVP honors, and although he’s likely to have more interceptions, throwing 30 touchdowns isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
The 22-year-old has already thrown for 2,270 yards, and there are no signs they will shut him down.
With the Texans in playoff contention, expect Stroud to make more game-changing plays, and they don’t have the hardest upcoming schedule.
They play the Bengals next, which is difficult, but they also face Arizona, New York Jets, Tennessee, and Indianapolis. Those are winnable games, and Stroud should make his mark.
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