C.J. Stroud criticizes Texans for lacking effort in 14-9 defeat to Rams

Texans Fall Short Against Rams in Season Opener

The Houston Texans struggled to find their rhythm in a 14-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Their quarterback, CJ Stroud, didn’t hold back in assessing his team’s lackluster performance.

“We didn’t do things right and honestly, we didn’t deserve to win that game,” Stroud remarked. “This type of thing can happen when you come out in the NFL and just not have the right mindset. Maybe we’re okay in the long run, but it’s definitely an eye-opener for us.”

Stroud is well aware that terms like “lollygagging” don’t really fit in the competitive NFL, but as a leader in just his third season, he recognizes what was lacking during the game.

At halftime, the Texans were barely keeping it close at 9-7, thanks to three successful field goals by Ka’imi Fairbairn. But in the second half, they totally fell apart. The Rams effectively shut them out, managing their own offense while the Texans couldn’t find a way to score.

Coming into this season, Stroud and the Texans were seen as a promising force, especially after impressive performances that had led them to victories in the past. However, a total of 265 yards on offense in this game was certainly below expectations after an AFC South title and a playoff run last year.

On the day, Stroud completed 19 of 27 passes for 188 yards with one interception. This marks the first time in his career he’s gone two consecutive games without throwing a touchdown, given that his previous playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs also ended without one.

He took some responsibility, saying, “I really appreciate the confidence we have as a team, but I can’t help but wonder, ‘Did I do enough?’ It’s important to prepare well and I know I need to improve to help everyone else out too, especially since it’s our first game of the year.”

Stroud, who burst onto the scene as NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 with 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns, saw his numbers dip slightly last season with 3,727 yards and 20 touchdowns. This wasn’t the start he was hoping for, said Stroud, but he remains optimistic. “There’s a lot of football to be played in 2025,” he mentioned. “It’s all about how we respond—do we roll over, or do we step up?”