Keys to Challenging the Texans’ Impressive Rookie Quarterback

C.J. Stroud is off to a historic start for the Houston Texans, but the New Orleans Saints defense looks to change that.

The adjustment from college to the league has so far been a comfortable one for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Stroud has been pressured on only 32.9% of his snaps. That is something head coach Dennis Allen and the New Orleans Saints defense would like to change on Sunday as they take in the NFL’s No. 11 ranked offense.

Stroud has proven to be no ordinary rookie quarterback through his first five games. Therefore New Orleans will look to do everything it can on the defensive side to cause confusion and discomfort for him. Pressure will be a start but the list to complicating things for the young passer only starts there.

Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Generating Pressure

While Stroud has not faced a lot of pressure (No. 10 in the list of 30 qualifying passers) it has had a massive impact on his game. Per Pro Football Focus, Stroud’s completion percentage plummets from 66.4% when kept clean to 48.1 when pressured. The same happens with his passer rating which drops from 113.2 to 60.3.

Stroud has yet to throw an interception through his first handful of games. But this may be the key to forcing the first of his career. The opportunities have been few and far between in his previous matchup tossing only 5 turnover worthy throws. The only game in which he has been tagged with more than one turnover worthy pass was in his Week 1 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, which is also the game in which he was pressured most often.

Pressure will certainly be a key difference-maker in this matchup.

Sep 10, 2023; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) celebrates tackling Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

Taking Away the Middle of the Field

Stroud has been one of the NFL’s most efficient passers over the middle of the field. Per Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, he ranks second behind only Brock Purdy in EPA per play when throwing between the numbers. EPA or Expected Points Added, measures the change in a team’s expect points scored before and after a play. When Stroud targets the middle of the field, good things happen for his football team.

However, when it comes to his efficiency outside of the numbers, the young quarterback has struggled. Stroud ranks No. 23. Forcing him away from where he has been most efficient will be important for the Saints defense. How have they fared in defending the middle of this field thus far this season?

So far, New Orleans has surrendered a 68.3% completion rate with one passing touchdown and one interception. Not a lot of production to be had in the area. From a yardage standpoint, they have allowed 427 passing yards. That is 7.11 yards per attempt which would hover around the current production of offenses like the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas Coty Chiefs and Washington Commanders.

Per Pro Football Reference’s passer rating calculator, these middle of the field stats would yield an 87.3 rating. A far venture from Stroud’s 118.0 rating when targeting the same area. This could be very impact element on the matchup. The return of Saints safety Marcus Maye is happening in good time. But with Stroud’s

focus on the short and intermediate areas, safety Tyrann Mathieu and linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner are going to be critical to the team’s success. As will slot cornerback Alontae Taylor.

Sep 18, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Maye (6) reacts in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Disguising the Defense

The Texans will run an offense that is reminiscent of the San Francisco 49ers’ Shanahan system. With current Houston offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik coming directly from San Francisco this off-season, it all tracks.

Two big tenets of the Shanahan system will be in full effect against the Saints and the defense must be ready to take advantage of a golden opportunities. Crossing routes and play action. Crossing routes factor in to the middle of the field conversation, but play action opens up another opportunity for the Saints and Allen to get creative.

If New Orleans can keep the Texans’ rushing attack from coming to life, they can focus their attention during play action passes on disguise. This would make it so that the Saints’ defensive look before the snap changes as Stroud ducks his head to execute and sell the play action, revealing a new look when he gets his eyes back downfield. This could force Stroud to hold the ball longer which would open opportunities to generate pressure.

It is easy to see how these three factors complement one another as well. Change the look to show the rookie quarterback something g he has not seen before, take away the middle of the field in that look to force him to hold the ball, which then creates a chance for the Saints’ pass rushers to get home. It all works perfectly on paper, but can New Orleans pull it all together on the field?

If they can, then everything else becomes about taking advantage of opportunities. If Stroud hurries a pass out and there is a chance to take it away, reel it in. If there is a loose ball, get to it. If the pressure gets through, get home. If New Orleans can capitalize on the opportunities it may be able to create for itself, things could set up well for a team looking to prove its consistency.