Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates with wide receiver Robert Woods (2) and wide receiver Tank Dell (3) after a touchdown during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

During the offseason, there was no lack of hate, vitriol and utter ignorance thrown at Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. After the team’s unceremonious exit from the 2025 NFL playoffs, many fans, talking heads and know-it-alls blamed Stroud for everything from losing the game against the New England Patriots to dooming the franchise for all eternity.

As the old adage goes, the quarterback gets too much praise and too much shade.

There’s no real point in rehashing all the data-points that Stroud was far from the only reason Houston didn’t advance to the AFC Championship last year.

However, it is fun to look at his current 2026 season and say a hearty “told you so” to all the haters who said he sucks. Ha!

NFL Communications

OFFENSE: QB C.J. STROUD, HOUSTON TEXANS

Stroud completed 24 of 34 pass attempts (70.6 percent) for 312 yards and three touchdowns for a 116.3 passer rating in Houston’s 34-31 win against Jacksonville at Wembley Stadium. He was the only quarterback with a passer rating of 115-or-higher in Week 6. Stroud is one of four quarterbacks this season with at least 300 passing yards, three touchdown passes, a completion percentage of 70-or-higher and a passer rating of 110-or-higher in a single game.

This is Stroud’s fourth Offensive Player of the Week award. He becomes the third Texans player to earn the honor at least four times, joining Deshaun Watson (five-time winner) and Matt Schaub (four).

Stroud joins Eddie George as the only former Ohio State players to win Offensive Player of the Week four times.

QB C.J. Stroud earned his fourth career AFC Offensive Player of the Week honor after completing 24-of-34 (70.6%) passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns in a Week 6 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. https://t.co/DidmeqWTay pic.twitter.com/mtvZCvPHzp
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) October 21, 2026

C.J. Stroud’s stats are definitely elite so far in 2026. Not only has Stroud overcome the naysayers, he’s won over the wider world of NFL talking heads and casual fans, forcing himself into the MVP conversation this season.

Watching his highs and lows, we see:

better pre-snap reads

better adjustments

an elevated understanding of what the defense is doing

some really slick mis-direction (via pump fakes, head shakes and body aiming)

improved release time.

And best of all, his response to adversity has taken an upswing, possibly due to Andre Johnson’s criticism of how he handled it in the past.

C.J. Stroud on his mindset after leading the Texans to a 34-31 win over Jacksonville on @nflnetwork :

“I tried to choose joy. I made a mistake, but that didn’t end it for us. Our defense held them to three and they gave me the ball back.”

On what was working offensively:… pic.twitter.com/iOleCdZwjt
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) October 18, 2026

Heading into this weekend’s matchup with the seemingly revitalized New York Giants, history is not in Stroud’s favor.

The Texans are 1-5 vs the G-Men all time, having lost the last 5 straight. However, they’ve not seen the NFC East team since November of 2022, a season we’d all love to forget.

Giants QB J.J. McCarthy, drafted as the savior of the Minnesota Vikings, put on a passing clinic last weekend. If Demeco Ryans can’t get this defense to stop operating like a wet paper bag, McCarthy might have another career game this weekend.

However, the current Texans offense is a far cry from the 2022 version. And Stroud will have Nico Collins, Jalin Noel, Marvin Harrison Jr., Kayshon Boutte and TANK DELL to play catch with this weekend.

That’s right, after nearly 2 years, lightning bolt in cleats receiver Tank Dell returns to the field this weekend.

And, as much as I’ve not been enamored with Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley, he is growing as both a coach and a play caller. If he’s thinking what a lot of people are thinking, Dell’s first game back will see the speedster blow the top off the defense, create distractions and open up opportunities for Collins, Harrison Jr. and the rest of the receivers.

The Giants have a stingier passing defense (190 yards per game) than their rushing D (135.5 ypg) so far, but they haven’t seen Stroud and his healthy receiving targets yet. And, these stats are likely due to a less than robust passing attack from Big Blue until McCarthy caught fire last week.

A home game, with Stroud on a roll, a “Greatest Show on Turf – Texas Edition” passing attack and a stadium decked out in Battle Red? This has all the makings of another 300+ air yards affair for the good guys.

To the opening question: Will the Giants unmask C.J. Stroud? the answer is a resounding no.

Prediction: New York Giants vs Houston Texans

At the end of the day, J.J. McCarthy is a long way from becoming C.J. Stroud. Unfortunately, the Texans defense has regressed to the mean, meaning McCarthy will still have plenty of big play opportunities. In the end, the wide receiving corps of Houston keeps their QB in the MVP talks.

New York Giants – 31

Houston Texans – 42

CJ Stroud with a profound answer on handling the ups & downs.

“My joy comes from the lord. For me it starts with gratitude, being grateful to be here. God didn’t have to choose me. I want to be a person who’s a light. I’m grateful for it all, the good and the bad.” pic.twitter.com/sz5a1tMzhi
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) December 12, 2025

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