Week 3 of the 2023 NFL Season concluded and the Texans finally achieved their first victory of the year by crushing the Jaguars, one of their AFC South divisional rivals, 37-17, at home. Without a doubt, for Houston and its fans it is pleasing to know that, although they are still a couple of years away from looking like contenders for the title, they are already at least in very good hands: those of rookie QB CJ Stroud, who has had a start to the race more than surprising, and here we will detail it.
The Texans cook up their first victory of the year
It’s time to admit it: although the Texans are far from looking like title contenders, they have proven to be more competitive than expected. In the first two weeks of the campaign they left a pleasant taste in their mouths against the Ravens and Colts, respectively, but the real blow of authority came only in this Week 3, when they surprisingly went to TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville and won by 37 -17 against the Jaguars on an afternoon where everything worked for the Houston team.
More precisely, RB Dameon Pierce, although he required 14 carries for 31 yards on the ground, contributed with a score; WR Tank Dell, the team’s third-round selection in the last Draft, exploded with 5 receptions for 145 yards and 1 TD; FB Andrew Beck returned a kickoff 85 yards to the intended zone; LB Blake Cashman had 2 passes defended and 1 INT in a great performance in this facet of the field; but, as was not expected, the star was rookie QB CJ Stroud.
CJ Stroud and a historic start to his career
Stroud, second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, finished against the Jaguars with 20 of 30 completions for 280 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to have at least 900 yards on the road. aerial, 4 touchdown passes and 0 interceptions in his first three games as a professional. “We selected the right guy, he is a leader. He is a phenomenal player and guy with God-given talent. Dude, he’s amazing,” commented his teammate, TE Brevin Jordan.
More specifically, Stroud currently has a total of 906 yards in three games played, joining a select list that only included QB Justin Herbert (931), of the Chargers, and QB Cam Newton (1,012). , NFL MVP in 2015. “I have great guys around me. I couldn’t do anything without them up front fighting, the receiver running the right route at the right depth, [el OC Bobby Slowik] calling the right plays at the right time,” Stroud said.
As if that were not enough, his high production in Week 3 came only after another historic performance in Week 2 against Indianapolis, when he threw for 384 passing yards, the second most in NFL history for a player under 21 years (Matthew Stafford, 422 yards in 2009); and also equaled the second-most yards by a rookie in Texans history (Deshaun Watson, 402 yards in 2017):
“The sky is the limit for CJ. He is a very humble young man,” said HC DeMeco Ryans, who earned his first victory as head coach this Sunday. “It all starts with the quarterback and we have a good one who is doing really good things. He has improved every week and that is what I like and admire about CJ. He is not satisfied. “He has been a leader for us as an offensive unit, and it is impressive to see a young man continue to improve and lead that group,” he concluded.
Without a doubt, everything mentioned makes anyone wonder: Why wasn’t Stroud the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft?
HC DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans
Should he have been the first pick in the 2023 Draft?
“The best thing that happened to the Houston franchise was us beating Indianapolis in the last game of last year,” said TE Brevin Jordan about the Texans who beat the Colts 32 in the final week of the 2022 season. 31. The above left the team with a 3-13-1 record and they lost the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which until before said victory belonged to them. It seemed like a tragedy then, but now it seems like a reward.
At the beginning of March, it was the Panthers who negotiated the first overall pick with the Bears and, after much noise after the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, in Carolina they took QB Bryce Young, who until now looks close to disastrous, establishing himself as one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL; Even QB Anthony Richardson (Colts), another first overall pick prospect, looks better than Young. Below are their numbers at this early start of the campaign:
Bryce Youngfirst overall pick: 42 of 71 completions (59.2%), 299 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, QB Rating of 81.1 (and already missed his first professional game due to an ankle injury) – C.J. Stroud second overall pick: 78 of 121 completions (64.5%), 906 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, QB rating of 98.0. Anthony Richardsonfourth overall pick: 30 of 47 completions (63.8%), 279 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, QB Rating of 78.2 (and he has already missed 1 game and three periods due to another concussion).
Without a doubt, after only three games of the season there is a clear winning team with its quarterback of the future: the Texans, although it seems a little early to say for sure, have found their franchise quarterback. And, everything seems to indicate, the Panthers will quickly and deeply regret having chosen to select Young over a Stroud who momentarily looks like the long-term leader they so much needed in Houston after the loss of Deshaun Watson.
Should CJ Stroud be the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft? What is the Texans’ ceiling this year? We read you in the comments below this article and on our social networks.
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2023-09-27 19:17:52
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