'We've Got to Have Confidence!' Houston Texans Rookie C.J. Stroud 'Excited' for Steelers
While a good amount of attention is going to be placed on retired Houston Texans star J.J. Watt Sunday, coach DeMeco Ryans and company still have a game to play.
In fact, with the Steelers riding a two-game winning streak, the Texans will have to put on their best show in order to come away with another victory, especially in front of a packed NRG stadium.
The energy will certainly be there, but in order to keep it up, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud will have to be, too. And he knows it.
Sep 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
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"This isn't the first time we're playing against really good defensive ends," Stroud said of the Pittsburgh Steelers' front line. "We've got to be weary of them, but at the same time, we've got to have confidence in what we're doing.
"They've got to play us, too."
Last week, Stroud led Houston to a 37-17 victory over Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars, posting 280 yards and two touchdowns on 20-30 total passing. His performance was a big part of the Texans' success, and even with the added pressure that comes with being a rookie starter, he isn't worried for himself or his offense.
"We're not just going to lay down and submit," Stroud said. "I'm looking forward to competing against those guys, but I've got do my part and play clean."
Luckily for Stroud, his teammates aren't worried, either.
"I wasn't surprised at all," Texans second-year safety Jalen Pitre said of Stroud's impressive performance against Jacksonville. "I see on a day-to-day basis what he can do. [I see] the amount of focus he has in and out of practice. It wasn't surprising to me that he was going to go out and make plays.
"I'm really excited for what he can do. I think he's just going to continue to get better."
As the Texans look ahead to their matchup against the Steelers Sunday afternoon, Stroud, Pitre and DeMeco Ryans' Texans will need to put on their best show in order to come away with another victory.
But if Stroud's mindset and leadership says anything about what the Steelers can expect, it won't just be a field day for them.
