As former No. 2 overall picks in the NFL draft, quarterbacks C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans and Zach Wilson of the New York Jets were having seasons that stood in complete contrast to one another heading into Sunday’s rainy matchup in East Rutherford, N.J.
While C.J. Stroud was piling up rookie passing records each week for the playoff-contending Texans, Wilson has suffered through a nightmarish season since replacing the injured Aaron Rodgers in Week 1 and had been benched for ineffective play.
Yet Sunday, with Wilson back leading the Jets’ offense, he and C.J. Stroud surprisingly flipped the script in the Jets’ 30-6 thumping of the Texans. While Wilson put together the best game of his career to help the Jets end a five-game losing streak, Stroud experienced his worst in the NFL.
Struggling with a depleted receiving corps and the Jets’ stingy defense, C.J. Stroud completed 10 of 23 passes for a season-low 91 yards and was sacked four times before being knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter and ending up in concussion protocol.
With 6:43 left in the game, Stroud was hit by Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams as he was completing a pass, and the back of his head appeared to bounce off the turf. He was taken to the blue medical tent and then to the locker room for further evaluation. Backup QB Davis Mills entered the game for Stroud and could only connect on one of his four passes.
C.J. Stroud playing with limited resources
Before the game even started, C.J. Stroud, the NFL passing leader with 3,540 yards, was already missing rookie receiver Tank Dell, who’s out for the season, and tight end Dalton Schultz, who sat out his second straight game with a hamstring injury.
To make matters worse, the Texans then lost receiver Nico Collins to a calf injury in the first quarter. Stroud was only 6-of-12 for 28 yards in the first half, with 13 yards coming on Collins’ lone reception before leaving the game.
Stroud, a breakout star who ranks second overall in fan voting for the Pro Bowl, is still on pace to surpass the all-time NFL passing record for rookies, held by Andrew Luck with 4,374 yards. And he already owns rookie records for most passing yards in a game (470) and for most pass attempts without an interception to start a career (191).
We’ll find out later in the week if Stroud is able to get out of concussion protocol and play next Sunday at Tennessee. But regardless, the Jets’ game showed how Stroud’s performances — and the Texans’ playoff hopes — could be severely compromised going forward if they continue to lose playmakers.
Zach Wilson on fire in Jets’ victory
As for Zach Wilson, he looked like a much different quarterback than the one who had been benched for two games and was ranked 33rd in QB rating.
After a scoreless first half, Wilson was nearly flawless as he led the Jets on two straight touchdown drives. Although he fumbled on the Jets’ next possession, he then directed four consecutive scoring drives that resulted in 16 points.
He finished 27-of-36 for a career-best 301 yards, with two TD passes and a 117.9 QB rating, also the best mark of his three-year career.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that Jets head coach Robert Saleh wanted to give the starting job back to Wilson, after the failed experiment with Tim Boyle, whom they released after two disastrous starts.
Wilson was reportedly reluctant to start again for the Jets, although the young quarterback pushed back on that report and then went out and played like he wanted the job.
With four games remaining, the Jets (5-8) only have a one-percent chance at making the playoffs, so Sunday’s victory did little to help their chances. Wilson’s effort was at least an encouraging sign for the Jets, even if he’s only keeping the position occupied until Aaron Rodgers is well enough to return from his Achilles injury, most likely next season.