Rob Gronkowski didn’t wait long to put C.J. Stroud on blast after the Texans’ Week 1 loss to the Bills.
On the latest “Gronk and Jules Show” video posted on YouTube Monday, the former Patriots star singled out Stroud’s final-play mistake in Houston’s 36-31 defeat to Buffalo, calling for the quarterback to show more in pressure-packed moments.
“It was very CJ Stroud, and Stroud ended the game in the most Stroud way possible, once again,” Gronkowski said. “He needs to prove himself in big situations and the big-time moments.”
Stroud finished 26 of 38 for 274 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against Josh Allen and the Bills. But the clean passing line didn’t save Houston, because he also lost the ball twice, including the strip-sack on the game’s final play that sealed the loss.
The setback only adds more attention to a bigger storyline around Stroud and the Texans. According to Adam Schefter in a Saturday post on X, Houston and Stroud have tabled contract talks for the season. That means how he performs this year could have a direct effect on what kind of deal he gets next.
For now, Stroud is 0-1 in the kind of clutch spot Gronkowski is talking about. There’s still a long way to go, though, and plenty of time for him to settle things down. The Texans’ defense also has questions after giving up 36 points in the opener, despite being viewed as the team’s top unit.
By the end of the season, the picture should be clearer: top-tier extension, middle-of-the-road deal, or maybe even a different road entirely.
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Bills Get A Late Scare With One New Weapon
DJ Moore gave the Bills plenty to feel good about early in their Week 1 matchup with the Texans, piling up five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown before a lower-leg injury sent him to the sideline. For a Buffalo offense looking to add another reliable piece, his impact was immediate, and it showed why the Bills were eager to feature him in a meaningful role right away.
Moore later returned to the field, which at least softened the concern after a brief scare, even though the team has not offered a specific diagnosis. For Buffalo, the larger takeaway is obvious: when one of its newest weapons is healthy enough to keep playing, the offense looks a lot more dangerous, and the next update on his status will matter as the Bills move deeper into the week. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Allen Did His Part But Bills Have A Bigger Problem
Josh Allen did plenty to keep Buffalo afloat in the first half against Houston, accounting for three touchdowns and putting the Bills in front 24-21 at the break. Two of those scores came on the ground, a reminder of how much Allen has broadened his impact while also moving him alongside Frank Gore and Ottis Anderson for 20th all-time in rushing touchdowns.
Even with Allen humming, the bigger issue was on the other side of the ball. Houston still found the end zone three times before halftime, and that left defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard with a clear problem to sort out after the break. Buffalo could hardly ask for more from its quarterback in the opening half, but unless the defense tightened up, all of Allens work was in danger of being wasted. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Fans Hit With Brutal Game Day Problem Right At Kickoff
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The league acknowledged the issue on social media and said it was working to fix the outage, but that did little to ease the frustration in homes and bars across the country. Some users also reported problems with NFL Sunday Ticket, though that service is separate and it was not immediately clear whether those glitches were connected, adding another layer of confusion to a day that was supposed to be all about football. [Read more 🡒]