C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans a Different Team Than Baltimore Ravens' Week 1 Fodder

The Baltimore Ravens may play host to the Houston Texans for the second time this season. The Texans' Wild Card win ensures they aren't the same team from September.

The Baltimore Ravens have a right to name themselves the best team in football. They’ll have up to three games to prove it. That starts in the Divisional Round where – depending on Monday’s action – Baltimore could play host to the Houston Texans.

They did so to begin the season, welcoming quarterback C.J. Stroud to the league in Week 1. The Ravens won comfortably, 25-9, while limiting the rookie to 242 yards and no touchdowns.

Sep 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) attempts a pass as Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Rayshad Nichols (91) rushes during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium / © Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore has the talent to blow out any team in the league, but overlooking the AFC’s fourth seed is a mistake. Simply put, the Texans are a much better team than they were four months ago.

Of course, no one has made as much of a difference as Stroud. His ascent to one of the best passers in the sport has accelerated Houston’s rebuild and cemented his status among the most exciting players in the sport.

His regular season – likely ending in an Offensive Rookie of the Year award – is complete with 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions. His ability to remain aggressive downfield while keeping the ball safe has turned him into a difference-maker.

He isn’t alone, though. After nine sacks in Houston’s first six games, the defense found 37 in the final 11 games. Rookie Will Anderson’s growth, along with the continued success of edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, has helped the defense improve with each week. Head coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized rushing together rather than rushing as individuals – it paid dividends down the stretch.

Perhaps most important is the Texans’ newfound ability to play multidimensional on offense. Stroud was put at a disadvantage when Houston went the first half of the season with a non-existent run game. However, running back Devin Singletary usurped control of the backfield from Dameon Pierce and has been off to the races ever since.

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Since the start of November, only San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has more rushing yards than Singletary’s 715. The offense, in turn, has been more balanced and taken the weight partly off of Stroud’s shoulders.

The Texans have gotten better as the season progressed and are hitting their stride at the right time. After handling the Cleveland Browns 45-14 in the Wild Card Round, Houston is as dangerous as any of Baltimore’s potential foes in the AFC circuit.