During the Christmas Day NFL games, C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans were dominated by Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. In the 31-2 loss, the Texans failed to score a single point on offense, getting on the board solely due to a defensive safety.
Stroud played poorly and his team lost a standalone game, giving social media the kindling it needed to criticize Houston. When an offseason clip of Stroud disregarding one of Baltimore’s young stars hit the timeline, it quickly added ammunition to those trolling the Texans.
What Did C.J. Stroud Say About Kyle Hamilton?
In that lip, Stroud can be seen dismissing the abilities of star Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton.
The quarterback joined Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons on his podcast, “The Edge,” and was asked to build a hypothetical lineup. When Stroud’s pick at tight end, Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, was lined up against Hamilton, Stroud turned an imaginary scenario into real-life motivation.
“No disrespect to my guy,” Stroud prefaced. “Kyle Hamilton? Guarding Travis Kelce? Did you see what happened in the playoffs?”
No disrespect to CJ Stroud but Kyle Hamilton just picked him off
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 25, 2024
However, after Wednesday’s game, it is evident that Stroud’s words came back against him.
On the first drive of the third quarter, Stroud was intercepted by Hamilton on a pass intended for Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson. Already losing 17-2, the interception sealed Houston’s fate.
What’s Next for Stroud and the Texans?
It has been a disappointing season for the Texans and their star quarterback. Heading into the year, Houston was considered a Super Bowl contender due to its offensive additions and the prospect of Stroud developing into a superstar.
However, season-ending injuries to wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell have hurt the offense, and Stroud looks far less imposing than he did as a rookie. Despite still being in first place in the AFC South, the loss sent the Texans to 9-7. The loss locked them into the AFC’s fourth seed.
Many expected the former No. 2 pick to follow up his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign with an MVP-level season. His second season has shown that development isn’t always linear. Through 17 weeks, Stroud has accumulated 3,677 passing yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The loss, of course, does not disqualify Houston nor prevent it from beating Baltimore in January. But it does indicate that the Texans have major adjustments to make if they are going to capitalize on preseason Super Bowl hype.