Peyton Manning drops truth bombs on CJ Stroud and Texans doubters
SPITTING FACTS
26 June
Peyton Manning has Stroud's back! Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.
Peyton Manning had some very interesting comments recently about CJ Stroud's perceived sophomore slump last season. Much of the skepticism, Manning believes, comes from surface-level narratives. The Texans went 10-7 in the regular season last year, a step back from the lofty expectations set after C.J. Stroud’s electric rookie year and Houston’s dramatic playoff push.
And while the offense didn’t maintain its early-season explosion under Bobby Slowik, people seem to be overlooking how that same Texans team ended the year: as one of the last four teams standing in the AFC — alongside the Chiefs, Bills, and Ravens.
Stroud has now won a playoff game in his first two seasons, while Manning didn't win his first playoff game until year six of his career.
With a new OC in house, and DeMeco Ryans leading the way, Manning likes what he's seeing from Stroud and the Texans moving forward.
It’s pretty cool watching Stroud take in praise from one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Manning gets it, and before long, the rest of the league and media will too.
Check out the video below to see the full conversation!
Peyton Manning on CJ Stroud at @FanaticsFest:
“He went to the playoffs in his 2nd year. He was 22. Let’s be careful saying it was a down year. I didn’t win a playoff game ‘til my SIXTH year. He’s 2 for 2.” pic.twitter.com/dtd9dU5Nj1
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) June 25, 2025
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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