11 September 2023 , 18:42
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Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud says he simply needs to "make more plays" as he reflected on his first NFL regular season game.
Stroud was the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft for the Texans and is the team’s starting quarterback in his rookie season. The 21-year-olf from Ohio State replaces Davis Mills as the first-choice QB in Houston but did not have the best start to his career.
Sunday saw the Texans lose 25-9 to the Baltimore Ravens in the Week One opener at the M&T Bank Stadium. Stroud completed 28-44 total passes, ending with 242 passing yards with zero touchdown passes and interceptions.
His opposing quarterback, Lamar Jackson, also did not complete a touchdown pass for the Ravens. All three scores came from rushing touchdowns with Justice Hill scoring twice and JK Dobbins scoring once.
Stroud avoided an interception but he did lose the ball in a fumble with 9:04 remaining in the fourth quarter and the game 22-9. The Texans were on their own 47-yard line in their own half at the time of the play, but the play led to the Ravens scoring a field goal and securing the victory with relative ease.
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Stroud spoke to reporters after the game to give his thoughts on what was his NFL debut. The rookie quarterback gave an honest account of where he feels he needs to improve in order to be a success after making the step up from college football with Ohio.
“Having the opportunity to play my first NFL football game against a great team like Baltimore – [they have] a great defense and a special player like Lamar Jackson,” Stroud told reporters after the game on Sunday.
“I felt like of course, it wasn't what we wanted. Got to just be better overall myself. I have to make more plays.
“We just, really have to get it out on time [and] be better in and out of the huddle. We had some positive things, but we just have to keep going from here and keep getting better."
Stroud’s next taste of NFL football will be next Sunday for the Texans’ home opener against the Indianapolis Colts. After falling to 0-1 after Week One, Stroud will be even more determined to get his first win as an NFL quarterback.