Texans fans slam C.J. Stroud after QB struggles massively vs. Ravens amid sophomore slump - "He is simply not the guy"

C.J. Stroud struggled to get going on offense as the Texans lost 31-2 to the Ravens in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season on Christmas Day. After the Saints were shut out by the Packers last week, this was the second time all year that a team failed to score any offensive points. That it came at home was even more galling for Houston, with Kamari Lassiter's safety on Derrick Henry the only time they troubled the scoreboard.

C.J. Stroud has led the Texans to the playoffs yet again this year but his performance in his sophomore year has been a comedown from his rookie season. This performance against the Ravens, though, was the nadir.

He completed 17 of his 31 passes, often missing open receivers. His total passing production was 185 yards and he picked up seven yards on a solitary run. He had no touchdowns, was picked once, and finished with a passer rating of 59.2. If we factor in the 37 yards he lost due to being sacked five times in the game, he finished with 148 yards of passing offense. Davis Mills, who came in to relieve him in garbage time, had one completion and finished with a higher passer rating.

Houston fans were disappointed by how they were let down on Christmas and the consensus was that Stroud is not the quarterback he was last season. Here are some of the reactions from X/Twitter.

There were expressions of bafflement at how C.J. Stroud has struggled this season after he won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2023. Here are some more reactions from the social media platform.

"Here’s where I’m at with CJ Stroud: He’s had a terrible sophomore season. The supporting cast has let him down but he’s also not playing well. I’m still high on his long-term outlook because I refuse to believe this is who he is. I’m still a believer in his talent" - said one.

"I dont know what happened to Cj [sic] Stroud but he's been the problem for a while now. Even with Bobby being bad at his job, its plays there to be made and 7 isn't making them" - complained another.

"Wow, what happened to CJ Stroud" - was the simple question from a third.

Comparing C.J. Stroud's stats from his rookie season with the Texans to now

The stats also show the alarming decline that Stroud has faced in 2024 compared to last season. Last year, he had 4,108 passing yards. He only has 3,492 yards after today's game against the Ravens. Unless he has a 600-yard game in Week 18, this will be a significant regression.

He also has 19 passing touchdowns compared to the 23 he had last season. Given that he has not thrown four touchdowns in a game all season, he will likely undershoot that mark, too. He has 11 interceptions already compared to the five he threw in total in 2023. The comedown for the Texans quarterback has been brutal in his second year, and Houston fans need to hope he overcomes the slump in the playoffs.