While Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are leading, the Texans’ C.J. Stroud is putting pressure on them
Every remarkable, unanticipated ascent tale begins with a modest beginning. Maybe C.J. Stroud should give the Baltimore Ravens some credit for that.
Stroud was humbled when he arrived in Baltimore for the first game. Despite throwing for 242 yards, a Ravens defense that sacked him five times made the task of a No. 2 overall selection making his career debut seem unjust.
Nevertheless, he created enough opportunities for the Ravens defense to believe that, despite their success against the rookie, they were fortunate to have acquired him at such an early age.
Patrick Queen, a linebacker, described Stroud as “that guy,” who would go on to become a fantastic quarterback.
Maybe not even Queen could have imagined such an abrupt surge. With any luck, this season’s hero trip will not end when Houston takes on Baltimore on Saturday under the leadership of the most likely offensive rookie of the year. After destroying the league’s best pass defense in a 45-14 thumping of the Cleveland Browns, Stroud broke the record set by his idol, Michael Vick, to become the youngest quarterback to win an NFL playoff game.
The possibility of former franchise quarterback Joe Flacco visiting Baltimore during the playoffs while representing an AFC North foe was difficult to accept, so in a way, the Texans relieved the Ravens of a particular type of trauma.
If Flacco posed a threat from the past, Stroud does so from the league’s potential future. He’s on the rise; prior to injury-related game absences, he was a strong MVP candidate in a race that seemed to be headed toward Lamar Jackson.
Even though Jackson is at the top of the NFL, Stroud is not far behind. He shown that he is not frightened of the moment in his playoff debut.
“I think that’s just who I am as a person,” Stroud remarked following his wild card victory. “Since I was a young child, I have been this way. My folks are back there. They are aware. In my family, I’ve always been the youngest. Being the one who gets teased or something has always made me resilient.
There will inevitably be fair or unfair comparisons made between Jackson and Stroud this week. However, their styles are very dissimilar. The fact that Stroud excels at downfield passing, an area where Jackson has struggled throughout his career, is one thing that Baltimore should be worried about this week in the film room.
With Stroud’s powerful arm, Houston hasn’t held back in the slightest when moving the ball downfield. Because of his excellent rapport with Nico Collins (1,297 yards), Stroud is among the league’s greatest passers at attempts of 20 yards or more, according to NextGen Stats. In the regular season, he only threw five picks against 23 touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to handle the ball well. He is unable to launch from the pocket like Jackson can.
In the biggest games, Stroud has shown remarkable calmness. Even before to his postseason success, he assisted Houston in winning a crucial game in Week 18, and he hasn’t thrown an interception in his last six games.
“We’re in this situation because of C.J.,” coach DeMeco Ryans stated on Saturday. “He is unique. Special player and young man who never quits, no matter how big the occasion. He is the team leader and has the responsibility to lead by example by consistently showing up each week.
Jackson has been a great asset to Baltimore, but the postseason has not been as easy. In the playoffs, he is 1-3 and has thrown five interceptions compared to three touchdowns. Even while he’s been driving in the
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