C.J. Stroud keeps answering the pressure in Houston, and Sunday morning’s 34-31 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars gave the Texans another loud reminder that their quarterback is looking more and more like the real thing.
Stroud was under a bright spotlight entering this season. His play had dipped badly over the two years after his historic rookie campaign, and plenty of people had started to wonder whether he was really the long-term answer in Houston. When the Texans approached him with a long-term extension, he passed and bet on himself instead.
So far, that gamble is paying off. Through six games, the former No. 2 overall pick has piled up 1,714 yards and nine touchdowns, and he kept the momentum rolling against one of the league’s better defenses.
Against Jacksonville, Stroud threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns. He also tossed his first interception of the season, but he didn’t let that slow Houston down. When the game was there to be won, he led the Texans on a sharp two-minute drive to finish the job.
Stroud was already playing at a high level this year, but he looked even smoother and more assured in his first game with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Houston picked up the former No. 4 overall pick from the Arizona Cardinals last week, and he made an immediate contribution in his debut with the team. Harrison caught three passes for 34 yards, and every one of them moved the chains.
The Texans are now 2-4, and the offense keeps climbing to a higher level. For Houston to turn itself into a real AFC threat, the defense has to get back to its 2025 form.
The Texans are two games behind the division lead while digging out of the 0-4 hole they created for themselves. If the defense catches up while Stroud keeps playing like this, Houston will suddenly look like one of the tougher teams in the conference.
In Other News...
Jaguars Just Sent A Clear Message On Brian Thomas Jr
The Jaguars have made their stance on Brian Thomas Jr. pretty clear, even with other NFL teams showing interest in the young receiver. Despite a limited role in the offense this season, Jacksonville is not entertaining trade talks for Thomas, according to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic, and the move says plenty about how the team views his place in the long-term plan.
For a roster trying to position itself as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, keeping a player with Thomas upside matters more than dangling him for short-term help. The decision leaves the Jaguars choosing continuity over a possible market-driven move, and it suggests they see enough value in holding onto him even if his volume has not yet matched the outside attention. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Fans Will Notice A Different Broadcast Team In London
The Texans and Jaguars will take their matchup to Wembley Stadium in London for Week 6, giving the game a different kind of stage and a different kind of viewing experience for fans back home. It will also come with a fresh broadcast crew, as Bob Wischusen and Louis Riddick are set to handle the call for the international game.
For viewers used to hearing the same voices week after week, the change is a notable one, especially in a game that will air at 9:30 a.m. ET. It will be the first NFL broadcast of the season for both Wischusen and Riddick, adding another small wrinkle to a morning matchup that already stands apart on the league calendar. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Rookie Receiver Is Earning A Bigger Role For One Clear Reason
Josh Cameron has already done enough in his first five games to get Jacksonvilles coaching staff paying closer attention. The sixth-round pick has caught eight of 12 targets for 117 yards and two touchdowns, while also chipping in on special teams, and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has been quick to point to more than just the box score. What has stood out is the rookies physical tools and the speed with which he has started to grasp the Jaguars offense.
For a young receiver, that kind of trust usually comes from handling the details, and Cameron has given the staff reason to believe he can do more than line up in one spot and run a simple route tree. Udinski has praised Camerons ability to learn multiple receiver positions and make the subtle route adjustments that depend on defensive coverage, which is often the difference between staying on the field and watching from the sideline. In a room where versatility matters, that understanding could be the clear path to a bigger role. [Read more 🡒]