Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud relies on faith after first playoff exit – Andscape

BALTIMORE – Many outstanding athletes have that one thing that motivates them throughout their careers when they chase victory.

As for quarterback Tom Brady, he was selected 199th overall in the NFL Draft. As for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, he wasn't drafted first. For NBA legend Michael Jordan… it was a lot of things.

For Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, it could be driven by draft positions, personal slights or just a general desire to win. But he's also driven by his faith, something he'll rely on after his team fell 34-10 to the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs on Saturday.

“That's what I lean on through thick and thin,” Stroud said of his Christian faith after the game. “I know I'm upset right now, but I'm really lucky considering this year and this opportunity that we had today to play in front of millions of people.”

While Stroud didn't lead the Texans to a single touchdown drive on Saturday — the only touchdown came in the second quarter on a punt — he was the same balanced, consistent quarterback he has been all season. He completed 19 of 33 passes for 175 yards but did not make the typical mistakes expected of a rookie starting in his second ever postseason game: no interceptions, no fumbles and Stroud was never sacked despite being pressured.

It can be said that Stroud outperformed his counterpart Lamar Jackson in the first half, which ended in a 10-10 draw.

With the running game lacking (12 rushes for just 31 yards), Stroud was eluding defenders, escaping the pocket, waiting for his receivers to open up, and connecting on multiple third downs to extend drives.

Stroud kept his composure until the game was out of reach, rarely looking shaky even when the Texans made costly mistakes: several dropped passes, a missed 47-yard field goal by kicker Kaimi Fairbairn at the end of the second quarter, and 11 penalties that cost the team 70 yards (the Ravens committed only three penalties for 15 yards). Jackson, on the other hand, was visibly frustrated with his teammates before halftime, raising his hands when fouls were made.

“It would be inappropriate for me to say that,” Jackson said, referring to what he said to his teammates in his halftime speech.

But Stroud's composure was consistent with the way he had been all season leading a team that ESPN predicted would win just seven games to finish 10-7 and clinch the AFC South, not to mention the 45-14 rout he helped put up over the Cleveland Browns. In the first round of qualifying on January 13.

Whether it's Saturday or any number of games this season – including This play Against the Cincinnati Bengals – Stroud showed the kind of Brady-like poise that makes you think of the Super Bowl. Time and time again, Stroud faced scenarios where a first-year starter — let alone a rookie — should falter, and he didn't.

“Proud of him, proud of his determination and confidence all year,” Texans coach Demico Ryans said of Stroud, who finished the regular season with 4,108 yards and 26 total touchdowns. “He was the guy who broke our team down, he's the captain of our team, and I'm so proud of him, proud of how he's developed as a player and as a leader. He's a joy to watch. He's a really great young man, and the sky's the limit for him and what he can do in his career.”

Less than an hour after the final whistle, Stroud said it was difficult to answer whether this season had ultimately been a success, as one loss in college could be seen as a failure. But he doesn't want to harp on negativity.

“we [came] “In short, so you can't look back like, 'Dang, we're not doing anything special,' you of course have to look back and smile through it all.” “But at the same time, it's like, 'Dang, man, what if?' That's the worst feeling, just regret. What if I did this? What if I did that? Just learning the experiences.”

This season has tested and taught Stroud a lot, but he said it was his faith that led him all the way, regardless of the wins and losses.

“I'm so blessed with the people I get to interact with every week this year, and I'm truly grateful to God for how much He has brought me,” he said. “I've grown as a person and as a man of God in so many different ways, so I'm really fortunate for that.”

The Texans' season didn't end with a Super Bowl upset, but it showed the world what Stroud can do as one of the league's budding stars. This is no coincidence, no gimmick, and no luck. Stroud is very good.

Saturday's loss won't have any lasting impact on that.

“I am truly grateful to God for all the opportunities he has blessed me with,” Stroud said. “I'll just rely on him, I know this isn't the end for me, it's more football for me and I'm excited about that.”