January 18, 2026, Foxboro, Massachusetts, USA: Texans quarterback C.J. STROUD 7 walks off the field after the NFL, American Football Herren, USA Divisional Round Playoff game between the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans on January 18, 2026 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won, 28-16. Foxboro USA - ZUMAc201 20260118_zap_c201_089 Copyright: xScottxColemanx
January 18, 2026, Foxboro, Massachusetts, USA: Texans quarterback C.J. STROUD 7 walks off the field after the NFL, American Football Herren, USA Divisional Round Playoff game between the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans on January 18, 2026 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won, 28-16. Foxboro USA - ZUMAc201 20260118_zap_c201_089 Copyright: xScottxColemanx
Jan 19, 2026, 8:50 AM CUT
C.J. Stroud takes the blame after a disappointing performance in a loss against the Patriots
The Houston Texans' season came to a halt against the New England Patriots, and Quarterback C.J. Stroud would want to forget this game ever happened, producing a disappointing performance.
He expressed his honest opinion in the postgame press conference and refused to mince his words. “Looking back at the season, I can’t be anything but grateful to the teammates I have, the coaches I have. I just feel like I’ve let people down… Not happy with that you know? It hurts.”
Stroud finished the 28-16 loss with 212 yards, a touchdown, and four interceptions, all of which came in the first half.
The 24-year-old admitted that, despite the defence performing well, he was, in fact, careless with the ball. But what hurt the Texans more was multiple forced turnovers.
Stroud was sacked three times by the Patriots' defence. One interception turned out to be costly for him and Houston, as Marcus Jones completed a 26-yard return touchdown in the second quarter.
Despite Stroud's disappointing game, coach DeMeco Ryans said he never considered benching the 2023 No. 2 pick.
Head Coach DeMeco Ryans backs C.J.Stroud
Head Coach DeMeco suffered third straight divisional playoff elimination. However, he didn’t blame quarterback C.J. Stroud for it.
“C.J. is our guy, I believed that he could come back out in the second half and flip it. I believed that he could play better. And he did that in the second half, he did play better. We had some positive drives in the second half. I believed that he would do that and he did that.”
This season, Stroud hadn’t been upto the mark, throwing for just over 3000 yards and scoring 19 touchdowns in the regular season. He conceded five interceptions in the postseason, just three fewer than the number he conceded in the regular season (8).
The 2026 season is going to be crucial for the young quarterback. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract. However, the Texans do have a club option for 2027. Stroud would like to make the most of the opportunity and hopes for a big extension.
Written by
Kalp Thaker
Edited by
Oajaswini Prabhu