C.J. Stroud Reflects on Tough Loss: 'I Let People Down'

Stroud's Disappointing Playoff Performance

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud faced the media with a heavy heart after one of the worst outings of his career, where he threw four interceptions and led the Texans to a 28-16 loss against the New England Patriots. As the season ended abruptly for Houston, Stroud shouldered the blame, stating, "I just feel like I let people down. ... It hurts, and I'm not used to it."

A Season of High Expectations

Stroud's regression this year was palpable, going from Offensive Rookie of the Year accolades in 2023 to finishing the 2025 season with 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. This stark contrast has left many wondering if he can return to the form that once had fans and analysts alike singing his praises.

Stroud's Performance Under Pressure

"I didn't play my best this year. But I'm gonna respond, keep my chest up, my chin up high and I'm gonna just keep battling forward. If God is before me, who can be against me?"

Despite the dire stats, the defeat wasn't solely Stroud's fault. His offensive line struggled, and the defense allowed three touchdowns—a surge that has been rare this season.

Historic Context of Stroud's Struggles

Stroud's four interceptions in a playoff game mark a rare occurrence. The last time a player threw this many picks in the first half of a playoff game was Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence in a 2022 wild-card match-up.

Coaching Confidence

After the game, Head Coach DeMeco Ryans reassured Stroud, asserting that he never considered benching him for Davis Mills: "C.J. is our guy. I believed that he could come back out in the second half and flip it. And he did. We had some positive drives there in the second half."

Encouragement from Teammates

Teammates rallied around Stroud, with defensive end Will Anderson Jr.. providing uplifting words, stating that Stroud is "the best quarterback in the league hands down." The bond among players is evident, as they showed unity even in the face of disappointment.

Moving Forward

As the Texans' season concludes with a 0-3 record in playoff appearances under the Ryans-Stroud duo, the franchise is faced with pressing questions about its future. Stroud himself aims to learn from this experience and improve upon it. After all, football is as much about resilience as it is about strategy, and I'm excited to see how he comes back from this setback.

With the offseason upon us, all eyes will be on Stroud and the Texans as they seek to overcome the heartbreak of this playoff exit. Will they adapt, evolve, and learn from this painful experience? Only time will tell.