How Will Houston Texans Quarterback C.J. Stroud Approach Elite New York Jets Defense?
No Week 14 game will feature a wider gap in quarterback play than the Houston Texans and New York Jets.
Houston rookie C.J. Stroud has set the league on fire on his way to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and, potentially, the playoffs. On Wednesday, New York revealed third-year passer Zach Wilson will be taking the snaps under center—just days after it was reported that he was “reluctant” to start.
The Zach Wilson era is all but over in New York, but he proclaimed that he’ll be letting it rep and having as much fun as ever before with the limited snaps he has left. He’ll be doing so against a Texans defense that has proven capable of rushing the passer and creating turnovers.
Houston Texans QB Stroud looking to deliver a pass against the Denver Broncos.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Yet, about half of Sunday’s slate will be made up of games with greater spreads than Houston’s -3.5. That surprising line can be traced almost entirely back to the Jets’ strong defense. The unit ranks second in the league in success rate (39.5 percent) and third in passing yards per game, allowing just 176.6.
New York gave elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen fits while proving to be one of the league’s stingier units. Despite horrific offensive performances, the defense has stayed locked in and ready to bring opposing passers down to the level Jets fans have grown used to.
Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized Stroud playing within his fundamentals as a key to having success on Sunday.
“When he’s playing really well, we want him playing in rhythm,” Ryans said. “With the way the Jets get after it, you have to play on time. We have to be on the details and that starts with the receivers and quarterbacks being in sync.”
The quickest way for New York (4-8) to remain competitive with a superior Texans (7-5) team is to incite chaos. Persistent pressure and taking advantage of mistakes can lead to turnovers and short fields for a Jets offense that badly needs them. Their ability to generate consistent pressure with four, whether it be on the outside with athletic edge rushers or up the middle with tackle Quinnen Williams, makes life difficult for opposing passers.
Stroud has looked like a veteran for the vast majority of his rookie campaign, but a defensive coach like Robert Saleh is hungry to get his chance to crack the neophyte.
Regardless, it seems Ryans and his quarterback are on the same page.
“It’s about playing with timing,” Stroud said. “When it is time to extend things, that’s what I have to do. I have to be on my “A game” to that kind of timing and progressions and escaping only when I need to.”
To Stroud’s credit, few retain the ability to stay composed under pressure as he has shown. A quick look at his feet while he evades pressure reveals how sound his entire process is.
Losing rookie receiver Tank Dell certainly makes Week 14 tougher to handle, but Houston has the opportunity to play itself back into contention in the AFC South. Expect the Texans’ success to hinge on how well they can avoid the Jets’ disruptions and elite talent.
Kickoff for Sunday’s action is at noon (CT) on CBS.
