Wild Card weekend is taking on a different look for C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans, who will face Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers to close out the first week of the postseason and the AFC Wild Card Round.
Stroud is facing Rodgers for the second time in his career.
The Texans’ star is just as excited about facing off against the 10-time Pro Bowler, four-time First Team All-Pro, and four-time MVP on Monday.
C.J. Stroud Praises Aaron Rodgers Before Texans Visit Steelers
GettyAaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on before a game against the Cleveland Browns
Stroud and the Texans finished the regular season on a nine-game winning streak. However, they are the road team during the Wild Card for the first time, having won back-to-back AFC South titles coming into this season.
The Texans must go through Rodgers and the Steelers to reach the Divisional Round for the third straight season.
Stroud knows the veteran will not make it easy, lauding his counterpart’s body of work.
“I’m a big fan of Aaron. I love what he does. He’s been a heck of a player. I think he’s a top-three quarterback to ever touch a football. He’s done some really cool things in the sport. His mechanics are through the roof. His ability. Uses his pronation on his wrist and how he flicks the ball just dope, and I’m a big fan of his,” Stroud told reporters on January 8.
“I’m going to not be rooting for him on Monday night, but I think he’s a heck of a player, and I have a lot of respect for him. And he’s done it for a long time, and is even doing it at a high level at his age now in Year 21, or whatever it is for him. So, a lot of respect for him.”
Rodgers completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions during the regular season.
He will present a challenge for Stroud’s teammates on the Texans’ defense.
C.J. Stroud Takes Stock of Steelers’ Defense
GettyT.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Buffalo Bills.
Stroud and the Texans’ offense are facing a Steelers defense that ranked 17th in scoring and 26th overall during the regular season. They were stouter against the run (13th) than against the pass (29th).
However, Stroud knows they are dangerous no matter what the numbers say.
It starts up front, where pass rushers Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt are threats against even the best offensive tackles.
“They rush together. They’re going to push the pocket and burn the edge, and I think they do a great job even with their effort. They’re getting chips and things like that the whole game, and they’re still going very hard. So, I have a lot of respect for Highsmith and Watt, and their interior guys. I think their whole D-line is the heartbeat of their team. And then, you got Patrick Queen, who’s a dog and been a great player in this league for a long time. And then, Jalen [Ramsey], leading the guys in the back end,” Stroud said.
“Overall, they’ve done a really good job, and they make it hard, and they play really hard. So, it’s going to be a challenge. … I respect them to a high standard, and just how Mike Tomlin coaches those guys as well.”
Stroud’s comments on Rodgers and Tomlin echo Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans’ sentiments.
The Texans cannot be in awe against an accomplished duo like Rodgers and Tomlin, or of what the moment requires, the latter of which Stroud articulated regarding him using his legs.
“I don’t live in fear,” Stroud said about being hesitant to run after suffering a concussion that forced him to miss three games during the season. At least. I try not to. So, I think this game, if you think about getting hurt, you think about something happening, is when it usually happens. So, I try my best to just play fast and just protect myself as well, though.”
C.J. Stroud Sends Strong Message
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans looks on during warm-ups before facing the Las Vegas Raiders.
Stroud, who Ryans said on Thursday was “locked in” for this matchup, touted Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley for his success and growth as a play-caller, and their success as a unit, after a slower start to the season than anyone involved wanted or expected.
The QB, who previously said the Texans are peaking at the right time, knew it would take time.
“Everybody in this day and age wants microwave. They want to just throw something in the microwave, let it heat up fast, and be a new product. And that’s none of us. So, football is a oven-type of sport, or whatever you use–or crockpot, whatever,” Stroud said.
“We try to do our best to just block out the noise and just stay in our brotherhood and lean on one another.”
Texans QB C.J. Stroud Drops Honest Take on Aaron Rodgers, Steelers