In a shocking playoff performance, C.J. Stroud faced a nightmare first half against the New England Patriots. The young quarterback struggled significantly, throwing four interceptions before halftime. Despite his turmoil, the Houston Texans only trailed 21-10 at the break, leaving fans and analysts bewildered by Stroud”s struggles.
Stroud completed just 10 of 26 pass attempts in the first half, accumulating 124 yards alongside one touchdown and the four turnovers. Remarkably, this tally of interceptions equaled half of his total for the entire regular season, where he threw only eight picks across 14 games. The pressure applied by the Patriots” defense clearly rattled him, and he was unable to respond effectively.
Fans took to social media to voice their disbelief at Stroud”s performance, with many suggesting that the Texans should consider switching to backup quarterback Davis Mills for the second half. One fan expressed frustration, stating, “The Texans have to go to Davis Mills in the second half. Can”t move forward with Stroud. This is still a winnable game.” Another pointed out the defense”s resilience, noting, “Stroud has 7 turnovers in six quarters and the Texans” defense has only given up 20 offensive points in those six quarters.” Support for the defense was evident, as fans recognized the challenges they faced throughout the season.
The Texans” playoff hopes were overshadowed by Stroud”s dismal outing, which left many questioning whether he could bounce back in the second half. Observers noted that it was challenging to remain upset with the defense, as they had frequently been put in difficult situations this season.
As the game progressed, the situation for Stroud and the Texans remained precarious, with fans anxiously watching to see if the young quarterback could recover from his first-half debacle. The performance raised concerns about his ability to perform under pressure, especially in critical playoff scenarios.
