In a meeting marked by disappointment, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud took responsibility after a performance that meant the end of the season for his team. The 28-16 loss to the New England Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs left a bitter taste for the Texans. Stroud, who had one of the worst days of his career, threw four interceptions, the most in his professional career. With a completion percentage of 42.6%, the young quarterback accumulated 212 yards and a touchdown, in addition to registering a passer rating of 28, the lowest of his career. One of the interceptions resulted in a touchdown for the Patriots.
Despite the Texans’ defense allowing three touchdowns, the most since December 21st against the Las Vegas Raiders, Stroud’s performance was subject to analysis. According to NFL Next Gen Stats data, Stroud had a completion percentage below expectation, with -15.9%, the worst record for a starting quarterback in the divisional round in the last decade.
I feel like I let people down… It hurts, and I’m not used to this. I didn’t play my best game this year. But I’m going to respond, keep my chest up, my chin up, and I’ll keep fighting. If God is with me, who can be against me? I’m going to lean on that.
C.J. Stroud
Despite the four interceptions in the first half, coach DeMeco Ryans maintained his confidence in Stroud, dismissing the possibility of replacing him with Davis Mills. Ryans stated that Stroud is his guy and that he believed in his ability to improve in the second half.
Stroud’s turnovers were the most in the first half of a playoff game since Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence also recorded four interceptions in a 2022 wild-card matchup. Since the 1970 merger, players with four interceptions have a 3-35 postseason record. Since 2000, only Lawrence in 2022 and Russell Wilson in the 2014 NFC Championship managed to win despite being intercepted four times. After the defeat, Ryans expressed his support for Stroud, urging him to keep his head up. The coach’s message spread to the locker room, where defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and Stroud exchanged words of encouragement. Anderson, who achieved three catches and two forced fumbles, stated that Stroud is the best quarterback in the league. He highlighted the team’s support for Stroud and the importance of using the offseason to improve and grow. Stroud finished the postseason with two touchdowns and seven turnovers (five interceptions, two lost fumbles). He became the first player with that many turnovers in a single postseason since Carson Palmer had eight, also in two games, in 2015. Stroud also became the first player with five interceptions and five fumbles in a single postseason.After being named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, Stroud has failed to reach the same level of production. He finished the 2025 season with 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, a decrease from the previous season, where he accumulated 3,727 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. The Houston Texans now have a 0-7 record in the divisional round, including 0-3 under Ryans and Stroud.I’m just being careless with the ball. I have to fix that, and it’s something I know I can do. So I’m going to do it.
C.J. Stroud
