EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — C.J. Stroud and his teammates from the Houston Texans were left reeling after their 21-13 defeat to the New York Jets on Thursday night. The loss stung deeply, especially since it came against a team struggling through a five-game losing streak.
“It’s disheartening to come out in a prime-time game and face such embarrassment,” Stroud expressed. “We must improve in numerous aspects, and that responsibility starts with me. There are crucial plays I need to execute and throws I need to make.”
In the game, Stroud managed to connect on only 11 of his 30 attempts, accumulating 191 yards, all while playing without key receivers Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins. Stroud also faced significant pressure, being sacked a staggering eight times throughout the match. “If victory is our intention, this isn’t the way to achieve it,” Stroud added. “We must learn to take charge instead of merely going along with circumstances.”
This match marked the beginning of a demanding stretch for the Texans, as they are set for two more prime-time games in the following weeks—first against the Lions at home on November 10, followed by a clash with the Cowboys on November 18. “We need to improve our execution, stop the blame game, and understand this isn’t conducive to winning,” Stroud pointed out. “We have the potential to be a strong team, but we need to fully embrace the coaching strategies and exhibit leadership to drive change.”
Stroud emphasized, “This is not the conclusion for us; however, it does serve as a critical wake-up call that we need to get our act together.”
Initially, the Texans put points on the board with a 3-yard touchdown run by Joe Mixon late in the second quarter. They held a 10-7 lead through three quarters but faded in the final period. A pivotal reception by Garrett Wilson and a stellar performance by Aaron Rodgers ultimately secured the win for the Jets, halting their losing streak.
“We were clearly the better team, which makes this loss even more frustrating,” lamented right tackle Tytus Howard. “We allowed the game to slip away from us, especially in the second half. Our intensity diminished after halftime.”
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans expressed concern regarding the performance of the offensive line, especially after Stroud was pressured 11 times during the contest. The quarterback was even slow to leave the field after being taken down by Solomon Thomas just before halftime. “I’m unsure about what’s happening with our front line,” Ryans remarked. “We’ll review the game film. Giving up eight sacks is unacceptable, and every passing situation felt disorganized. This isn’t good enough; we need to rectify these issues.”
Stroud has faced a total of 30 sacks this season, ranking second in the NFL, next only to Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson, who is out for the year. “We cannot afford for our quarterback to be hit that often,” Ryans added. “It’s vital for us to adjust our approach moving forward.”
After a lackluster offensive start, the Jets found their groove in the second half. Wilson’s spectacular one-handed catch propelled New York ahead at 14-10 early in the fourth quarter. A subsequent 37-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Davante Adams solidified the Jets’ lead at 21-10 with just under three minutes remaining.
“When it came to contested passes in the second half, we fell short,” Ryans stated. “We had the same opportunities as in the first half; they capitalized, and we didn’t.”