"Rigged a-- game", "He sucks": NFL fans stay divided as Chiefs pick off CJ Stroud twice before halftime

NFL fans erupted in a heated debate after the Kansas City Chiefs intercepted Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud twice in the first half of their Week 16 matchup. A controversial roughing the passer call against the Texans, which negated a defensive touchdown, further intensified the discussion.

The game's officiating sparked immediate outrage from Texans supporters. Meanwhile, another faction of fans targeted Stroud's performance, highlighting his interceptions and perceived regression since his early season success.

The rookie quarterback's troubles began early when he overthrew Nico Collins into double coverage. Jaden Hicks capitalized on the error, setting up Kansas City's opening TD drive. Later, with Houston in field goal range, Stroud forced a throw under pressure that landed in Trent McDuffie's hands.

Fans' fury over the officiating reached its peak after Derek Barnett's roughing call. What could have been a momentum-shifting defensive TD instead became a Chiefs scoring drive.

"Rigged a** game," one fan tweeted.

"Chiefs got the refs and the devil on their side," another fan said.

"If Patrick Mahomes had gotten sandwiched like C.J. Stroud did just now, the refs would have called roughing the passer — and given the Chiefs an untimed down," a fan wrote.

As the game progressed, fans zeroed in on Stroud's decision-making and accuracy issues.

"He sucks. End of story," one fan said.

"There hasn't been enough talk about how much C.J. Stroud has regressed this season," another fan commented.

"The C.J. Stroud regression is very real," a fan wrote.

Mahomes efficiency contrasts CJ Stroud's mixed bag

NFL: Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs - Source: Imagn

Between the turnovers, CJ Stroud showed flashes of brilliance. He connected with Dalton Schultz for a 10-yard TD, scrambling right to escape George Karlaftis's pressure.

The controversial roughing the passer call ignited further discussion. Kansas City capitalized on the call, scoring on Kareem Hunt's 3-yard TD run during that drive.

The halftime statistics highlighted the QB's contrasting fortunes. Mahomes showed no signs of his ankle injury, completing 13 of 20 passes for 127 yards. He added 27 rushing yards and a TD for an 82.7 rating.

Despite connecting with Tank Dell (five catches, 68 yards) and Nico Collins (five catches, 45 yards), Stroud's two interceptions dampened his 149-yard, one-TD performance. His 60.2 rating reflected these struggles as Kansas City scored 10 unanswered points to take a 17-10 lead at halftime.