A C.J. Stroud flu recreation? Sick and with the chills, Texans QB throws for five TDs to beat Chargers

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – When C.J. Stroud awoke in his lodge mattress Sunday morning in downtown Los Angeles, he was nonetheless feeling below the climate. 

All week he had been coping with some form of sickness that he stated gave him chills and “all of the issues.” 

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He stated he barely practiced Thursday. 

No matter he had, it was nonetheless with him. 

But, some six hours later, he went on to have among the finest video games of his profession. 

Stroud, who was taking part in in entrance of family and friends close to his hometown of Rancho Cucamonga, threw for a season-high 384 yards, a career-high 5 touchdowns and only one interception in Houston’s 44-22 rout of the Los Angeles Chargers (0-8) on Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium.

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The 44 factors scored had been a season excessive for the Texans’ offense, which has usually delivered time and time once more, particularly on the street. 

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The Texans improved to 3-5 on the season. It was the kind of efficiency that can put Stroud within the MVP dialog if he can proceed taking part in this fashion. It’s the kind of efficiency that can have some suggesting that the Texans could make a run in direction of the playoffs. 

“He actually offers that confidence to the whole staff,” coach DeMeco Ryans stated of Stroud. “When the defensive guys, they see him up making performs, everybody is worked up. Everybody is aware of the kind of vitality, the kind of momentum that that brings to our whole staff when he is making these performs and he is carried out all of it yr.”

The Texans are presently 1 ½ video games behind the Patriots for that last wild-card spot with 9 video games remaining. They face the Browns, who’re additionally 1 ½ video games forward of them, subsequent Sunday in Cleveland. 

However primarily based on their upcoming schedule, and the way Stroud is taking part in, something is feasible, particularly if the protection can achieve some momentum too. 

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Although the efficiency from the protection wasn’t good, Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the NFL’s worst offense was a step in the precise route.

The Texans tied a franchise document with eight sacks on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. Additionally they compelled two turnovers – an interception by cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and a fumble.

However the offense, which had 485 yards of complete offense, was the story of this recreation. And it began with Stroud, who turned simply the fourth quarterback youthful than 26 years outdated with a minimum of 350 passing yards and 5 landing passes in a number of video games, becoming a member of Patrick Mahomes, Dan Marino and Matthew Stafford.

The opposite recreation Stroud achieved that stat line was throughout his 2023 rookie season, when he threw 5 touchdowns in an exciting 39-37 win over the Bucs. 

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Had it not been for his interception within the second quarter, Sunday’s efficiency might need been higher. 

Stroud was dealing and it was by no means extra evident than the 63-yard landing move he threw to Tank Dell with 4:37 left within the second quarter.  

Dell stated that they had run that play in apply this previous week and it labored – besides Nico Collins was the goal then. 

However offensive coordinator Nick Caley determined to place Dell in that spot, hoping to benefit from his pace and construct momentum in Dell’s second recreation again two years after struggling a significant knee harm. 

Dell ran a double transfer, getting Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson on his again hip. Stroud then positioned a move completely into Dell’s outstretched arms, avoiding Jackson who tried to deflect it. Dell then raced 35 yards downfield into the tip zone for his first rating in 23 months. 

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“The ball placement on that play was insane,” Ryans of the throw. “Excellent ball placement, and Tank simply ran beneath it. Big play for us.” 

The Texans would go on to attain 28 consecutive factors within the second and third quarters earlier than Los Angeles’ subsequent rating. 

Stroud had assist from his receivers, too. Kayshon Boutte led the Texans with 125 yards and two TDs, his greatest recreation since he was traded to Houston previous to the season. Dell had 105 yards and a landing. And Collins had 4 catches for 55 yards and a TD. 

“Lights-out,” Dell stated of Stroud. “And we received his again and he is aware of he has loads of receivers on the market who he can belief.”

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“We will preserve constructing on this, and seven (Stroud) – y’all see it day in and time out.” 

TEXANS 44, CHARGERS 22

First Quarter

Hou_Hutchinson 17 move from Stroud (Fairbairn kick), 10:16. Drive: 9 performs, 73 yards, 4:44. Key Performs: T.Smith kick return to Houston 27; Stroud 19 move to Collins. Houston 7, L.A. Chargers 0.

LAC_FG Dicker 52, 6:14. Drive: 10 performs, 34 yards, 4:02. Key Performs: Mitchell kick return to L.A. Chargers 32; J.Herbert 10 move to Kolar; J.Herbert 10 move to T.Harris on Third-and-5; Vidal 6 run on Third-and-9. Houston 7, L.A. Chargers 3.

Hou_FG Fairbairn 56, 3:12. Drive: 9 performs, 26 yards, 3:02. Key Performs: Hutchinson kick return to Houston 36; Stroud 6 move to Hutchinson on Third-and-6; Stroud 12 run. Houston 10, L.A. Chargers 3.

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Second Quarter

LAC_FG Dicker 33, 8:13. Drive: 9 performs, 36 yards, 5:20. Key Performs: J.Herbert 7 move to Gadsden on Third-and-4; Mitchell 11 run. Houston 10, L.A. Chargers 6.

LAC_FG Dicker 43, 5:11. Drive: 6 performs, 14 yards, 2:12. Key Performs: Henley 18 interception return to Houston 38; Mitchell 11 run. Houston 10, L.A. Chargers 9.

Hou_Dell 63 move from Stroud (Fairbairn kick), 4:28. Drive: 3 performs, 68 yards, 00:43. Key Play: T.Smith kick return to Houston 32. Houston 17, L.A. Chargers 9.

Hou_Boutte 12 move from Stroud (Fairbairn kick), :31. Drive: 7 performs, 76 yards, 00:34. Key Performs: Stroud 14 move to Schultz on Third-and-10; Stroud 15 move to Harrison; Stroud 35 move to Boutte. Houston 24, L.A. Chargers 9.

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Third Quarter

Hou_Collins 13 move from Stroud (Fairbairn kick), 8:16. Drive: 10 performs, 80 yards, 4:33. Key Performs: Stingley 0 interception return to Houston 20; Marks 14 run; Stroud 15 move to Boutte on Third-and-1; Stroud 28 move to Schultz; Stroud 8 run on Third-and-7. Houston 31, L.A. Chargers 9.

Fourth Quarter

Hou_Boutte 63 move from Stroud (Fairbairn kick), 14:12. Drive: 5 performs, 89 yards, 2:02. Houston 38, L.A. Chargers 9.

LAC_Johnston 58 move from J.Herbert (move failed), 12:47. Drive: 4 performs, 60 yards, 1:25. Key Play: J.Herbert 10 move to Gadsden. Houston 38, L.A. Chargers 15.

Hou_FG Fairbairn 31, 8:50. Drive: 9 performs, 62 yards, 3:57. Key Performs: T.Smith kick return to Houston 25; Stroud 32 move to Dell. Houston 41, L.A. Chargers 15.

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LAC_D.Davis 15 move from Uiagalelei (Dicker kick), 4:19. Drive: 11 performs, 71 yards, 4:31. Key Performs: Vidal kick return to L.A. Chargers 29; Kolar 3 run on Third-and-1; Hampton 32 run. Houston 41, L.A. Chargers 22.

Hou_FG Fairbairn 41, 2:20. Drive: 8 performs, 21 yards, 1:59. Key Performs: Dicker onside-kick returned by Stewart for 0 yards; Demercado 11 run on Third-and-1. Houston 44, L.A. Chargers 22.

A_67,590.

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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING_Houston, Marks 18-70, Stroud 2-20, Demercado 6-16, Mills 2-(minus 2). L.A. Chargers, Hampton 13-60, Mitchell 7-33, Vidal 7-30, J.Herbert 1-7, Johnston 1-5, Kolar 1-3.

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PASSING_Houston, Stroud 21-35-1-384, Mills 1-2-0-7. L.A. Chargers, J.Herbert 13-23-1-193, Uiagalelei 2-7-0-24.

RECEIVING_Houston, Boutte 4-125, Dell 4-105, Collins 4-55, Hutchinson 3-29, Schultz 2-42, Harrison 2-20, Demercado 1-8, Marks 1-4, Ogunbowale 1-3. L.A. Chargers, Mitchell 3-34, Kolar 3-31, T.Harris 3-6, Gadsden 2-17, Johnston 1-58, Lambert-Smith 1-50, Davis 1-15, Vidal 1-6.

PUNT RETURNS_Houston, T.Smith 1-10, Dell 2-1. L.A. Chargers, None.

KICKOFF RETURNS_Houston, T.Smith 4-97, Hutchinson 1-28. L.A. Chargers, Vidal 4-98, Mitchell 1-27, Davis 1-25.

TACKLES-ASSISTS-SACKS_Houston, Pitre 6-0-0, Al-Shaair 4-5-0, Stewart 4-1-1, To’oTo’o 4-1-0, Bullock 3-2-0, Stingley 3-1-0, Rankins 3-0-2, McDonald 3-0-0, Togiai 2-2-0, Clowney 2-1-2, Anderson 2-0-2, L.Corridor 2-0-1, Hunter 1-1-0, Jones 1-1-0, Lassiter 1-1-0, Hansen 1-0-0, Woodaz 1-0-0. L.A. Chargers, Henley 4-6-0, Molden 4-2-0, Mickens 4-1-0, Nonetheless 4-1-0, Jefferson 3-2-.5, Hart 2-2-0, Wax 1-7-0, Mesidor 1-1-0, Tart 1-1-0, Jackson 1-0-0, Shelley 1-0-0, Tomlinson 1-0-0, Eboigbe 0-2-0, Murphy 0-1-.5, Caldwell 0-1-0, Mack 0-1-0, Phillips 0-1-0, Tuipulotu 0-1-0.

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INTERCEPTIONS_Houston, Stingley 1-0. L.A. Chargers, Henley 1-18.

MISSED FIELD GOALS_None.

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OFFICIALS_Referee Alex Moore, Ump Terry Killens, HL Dana McKenzie, LJ Tom Eaton, FJ Mearl Robinson, SJ Anthony Jeffries, BJ Terrence Miles, Replay Jamie Nicholson.

One of many extra spectacular issues about Stroud’s efficiency Sunday was that it got here in opposition to a great Chargers protection. The Chargers’ offense has been horrendous, however the one factor holding them collectively has been their protection. 

Coming into this recreation, the Chargers had given up simply eight landing passes by eight weeks. 

However that actually wasn’t the case Sunday. 

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Stroud picked them aside. He was surgical. Three of his landing passes had been thrown solely the place the receiver might catch it. 

“Balling,” Collins stated, whereas nodding his head repeatedly. “Calm. Collected. Chief. You already know the vibes.”

Courting again to Stroud’s rookie season, the Texans are 7-0 when Stroud throws for 3 or extra touchdowns in a recreation, together with 2-0 this season. 

For the primary time since his second season, the Texans’ entrance workplace has surrounded Stroud with weapons he can throw to this offseason. Happily, most of them have stayed wholesome this yr and it has had a direct correlation to Stroud thriving. 

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That and his offensive line, which allowed only one sack Sunday. 

Stroud is among the many NFL’s leaders in passing yards per recreation and he is statistically having the perfect season of his profession – even higher than his Offensive Rookie of the Yr season. 

“Actually, I am getting extra alternatives and I am making the most of them,” Stroud stated. 

When requested if this was his “Michael Jordan flu recreation,” a reference to the Chicago Bulls’ legend’s Sport 5 efficiency within the 1997 NBA Finals, Stroud, who occurred to be sporting Jordan model gear, laughed. 

“Not there but, however possibly sooner or later,” Stroud stated, his voice sounding nasally. 

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This text initially printed at A C.J. Stroud flu recreation? Sick and with the chills, Texans QB throws for five TDs to beat Chargers.