Houston Texans Coach DeMeco Ryans Defends C.J. Stroud After Interceptions Endanger Win

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans wasn't shy about his support for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, even after his three-interception performance in Week 11.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, for the first time in his professional career, put his team in danger of losing by throwing multiple interceptions. Fortunately for the rookie, his defense found a way to continuously stop the Arizona Cardinals in a 21-16 win.

After the game, Stroud compared himself to prolific three-point shooter Steph Curry, in that his confidence wasn’t going to be diminished by a few bad decisions. He’s been aggressive and wildly successful through his first half-season, and a couple of turnovers weren’t going to change that.

In the two weeks prior, Stroud had orchestrated game-winning drives to cap off incredible performances. This time, his team, and his head coach, DeMeco Ryans, picked him up.

Stroud watches a replay in the first quarter of Week 11's game against Arizona / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

“For us as a team, we have each other’s back,” Ryans said. “That’s what it’s all about … Everybody playing together, everybody being tight. That’s what it’s about. That’s how you become a really good team.”

The Texans do, in fact, look like a really good team. Timely performances and the emergence of young stars have put Houston at 6-4 and a game out of first place. In Week 12, they’ll host the 7-3 Jacksonville Jaguars in a fight for the right to call themselves leaders of the AFC South. Having already won the first contest in Jacksonville, sweeping the series would be a huge boost to the Texans’ playoff aspirations.

Of course, Stroud will look to put the ball in harm’s way less often, while retaining the athleticism that makes him so potent. Ryans elaborated on his quarterback’s mentality and overall performance.

“The only way you continue to get better. You learn from your mistakes, and you continue to attack it,” Ryans said. “And that’s how I want C.J. to approach the game. I want him to approach the game with an ‘attack first’ mindset, and we’re not going to hold back just because he made mistakes.

In Week 11, Stroud completed 27-of-37 passes for 336 yards, two touchdowns, and three picks. Aside from those three misfires, he was incredible. In and out of structure, he remained poised and accurate, two of the traits that have repeatedly flashed through 10 games.

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It would be unfair to call Sunday’s performance hitting the rookie wall, and it is abundantly clear how Houston feels about its quarterback. After the start he’s had, it’s going to take a lot more than interceptions in a win to diminish that optimism.

“We’re in a position that we’re in because of his play,” Ryans concluded. “And we’ll continue to lean on him.”