BEST OF THE BEST
What irrefutably separates Texans’ CJ Stroud from his QB peers
Jan 16, 2024, 12:26 pm
Is Stroud the best QB in the playoffs? Composite Getty Image.
We love our quarterback in Houston. And for good reason. C.J. Stroud is lighting up the league and led the Texans to a 45-14 absolute demolition of the Cleveland Browns in the post-season wild card. It's all good.
But let’s be real. We’ve all watched thousands of football games. We’re not giddy high schoolers. We've seen bubbles burst in Houston.
That's why I’m not saying that Stroud is as good as the NFL’s brightest star quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts and others.
I’m saying that Stroud is better!
I’m not talking careers, or 10 years ago or 10 years from now. I’m saying right now, last week and next Saturday in Baltimore where the Texans will face the No. 1 seed Ravens.
Give me Stroud over any quarterback still alive in the playoffs. And that includes the Ravens' odds-on favorite for league MVP Lamar Jackson.
You don’t need to google NFL passer statistics. All you need is two eyes. Have you ever seen a quarterback throw a more accurate pass than Stroud does? Or make all the right moves like Stroud? Who squeezes the most of his and his teammates’ abilities? Who has taken this Texans team and the city of Houston to a place nobody dared to dream a season ago?
Last weekend, Stroud and the Texans faced the favored Cleveland Browns, their heralded pass defense and seasoned, grizzled quarterback Joe Flacco in the AFC wild card. Flacco was one of the most successful post-season quarterbacks ever. Stroud was … you might have heard he’s a rookie. Everything is the first time for him.
Flacco entered NRG Stadium as a 38-year-old veteran. In some parts of the country, and definitely on the Maury Povich Show, he was old enough to be Stroud’s father.
When the smoke cleared, Flacco was a beaten mall walker throwing dying quails and multiple pick-sixes. He looked like someone needing to call an Uber to escape a dangerous part of town.
Meanwhile all Stroud did was throw for 274 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a shimmering 157.2 passer rating. Or as we’ve come to know it, just another day at the office for Stroud. He barely made it to the fourth quarter before head coach DeMeco Ryans pushed the pity button and pulled him.
Stroud is the model of precision efficiency. Throws touchdowns. Doesn’t throw interceptions. Dinks and dunks. Hurls bombs. It’s fun to watch on TV when the screen shows Stroud releasing the ball and we cut to Camera 2 to find a Texans receiver tracking the pass like NORAD.
In the Texans’ playoff-clinching game, he effortlessly unloaded a long-distance missile to Nico Collins on the first play of the game, the ball spiraled 60 yards in the air, like they were playing catch in the backyard.
What Stroud doesn’t do is almost as important. You don’t see him risking injury for an extra yard that isn’t critical. You don’t see him risking interceptions by flinging the ball backwards over his head to avoid a sack. You don’t see him making dumb decisions. You don’t hear him boastin’ and braggin’ like a crazy person on ESPN.
He just doesn’t do stupid.
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The Astros didn’t leave Seattle with a series win, but they may have gained something just as important: a reminder that resilience still runs deep in this group.
After a grueling extra-inning loss on Saturday, one that included the loss of Isaac Paredes to a hamstring injury, Houston regrouped on Sunday and hammered the Mariners 11-3. Christian Walker provided the turning point with a much-needed go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, while Taylor Trammell added a two-run double and a solo shot of his own. With Chas McCormick back from the injured list but still finding his footing, Trammell is quickly making his case as the best option in center field moving forward.
Manager Joe Espada continues to juggle a lineup that’s been in constant flux. Rookie Cam Smith, who had a clutch two-run double in Sunday’s win, has struggled as of late, going just 2-for his last 24. While his ability to get hits in clutch situations has been extremely valuable, the lack of a consistent spot in the batting order may be taking its toll. Giving Smith a stable home in the cleanup spot, even temporarily, might be a helpful reset.
Then again, the cleanup role hasn’t been kind to everyone.
Last night, Christian Walker, batting 4th, went 0-4, 2 K
- Walker for the season, batting 4th: .167 BA, .498 OPS
- Both are MLB worst (min. 75 AB batting 4th, 51st of 51)
- His 210 AB batting 4th are 6th most in MLB
- He's hitting .317 w/ .887 OPS when batting anywhere but 4th
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 19, 2025
Walker has been markedly less effective when hitting fourth this season, a trend that continues despite his strong Sunday performance. Sometimes, the data is clear: the four-hole might not be for him. He's literally been the worst cleanup option in baseball this season. Hit him fifth.
Behind the plate, Victor Caratini continues to impress, while Yainer Diaz is back in a cold stretch. Since the break, Diaz is just 1-for-14, raising questions about his timing and confidence as the summer grind deepens.
On the mound, the biggest developments are happening off the field. Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti both completed three-inning rehab outings with Double-A Corpus Christi, while Luis Garcia threw two innings in a rehab start with Low-A Fayetteville. The trio’s return could mark a major turning point for the Astros, especially as Lance McCullers continues to struggle in his own comeback. McCullers lasted just 2 2/3 innings in Saturday’s loss, allowing four runs and showing little of the form that once made him one of the rotation’s anchors.
There’s been hesitancy to replace McCullers with someone like Arrighetti while he’s still building back arm strength, but the argument grows thinner each time McCullers falters. If healthy, even a three- or four-inning version of Javier or Arrighetti could give Houston more consistency at the back of the rotation.
Despite the weekend loss, the Astros still hold one of the best offenses in baseball, second in batting average, 12th in OPS, and 11th in slugging. The pitching staff remains stout, ranking sixth in ERA and second in WHIP. This team is far from unraveling.
With reinforcements on the way and a lineup that’s still capable of putting up crooked numbers, the Astros aren’t panicking. If anything, Sunday’s blowout win showed they’re ready to weather whatever’s next.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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