C.J. Stroud Deserves To Be In The MVP Conversation Despite Texans' Record

C.J. Stroud is making a strong case for himself as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks this season, but the Houston Texans' slow start and 3-5 record have seemingly kept him out of the early MVP conversation.

After throwing five touchdown passes in Houston's win over the 0-8 Los Angeles Chargers, Stroud has put up numbers that deserve considerably more attention. Through the Texans' latest victory, he has completed 181 of 282 pass attempts for 2,251 yards, 16 passing touchdowns and just two interceptions. He has also added 100 rushing yards on 20 carries and another touchdown on the ground.

That put Stroud on pace for 4,783 passing yards and 34 touchdowns over a full 17-game season. If he can maintain this type of production, he would finish with one of the most impressive seasons of his young career.

What makes his performance particularly impressive is his ability to protect the football while still producing at a high level. With 16 touchdown passes against only two interceptions, Stroud has consistently given Houston opportunities without putting the ball in harms way, and that's all you can ask from your star quarterback.

According to Pro Football Focus, Stroud currently holds an 81.0 overall grade and a 78.1 passing grade, both ranking eighth among 35 qualifying quarterbacks. 

The five-touchdown performance against Los Angeles was another example of what Stroud can accomplish when the Texans' offense is clicking and when his playmakers are healthy.

The biggest obstacle to Stroud receiving legitimate MVP consideration, however, remains Houston's record and place in the AFC South race. Individual awards, especially the MVP, have historically favored quarterbacks whose individual performances translates into a winning record. Even when an elite signal caller is putting together an outstanding season from a statistical standpoint, a team's overall struggles can make it difficult to separate his season from the overall results.

It's an unfortunate situation for Stroud, especially considering the high expectations entering the season and how much he has done to keep the Texans competitive. Houston's offensive inconsistencies should not overshadow what the quarterback has accomplished individually.

There is still plenty of football left to play, and Stroud will have opportunities to strengthen his case as the season progresses. If he continues producing at his current pace while limiting turnovers, it will become increasingly difficult to overlook his numbers.

Stroud might not be receiving the same recognition as some of the other MVP candidates, but his performance warrants consideration. The Texans' record may influence the conversation, but it should not erase what has been an outstanding individual season from their franchise quarterback.