C.J. Stroud Has Not Been the Problem for the Struggling Texans

The Houston Texans are 0-4, but C.J. Stroud is becoming increasingly difficult to blame for the team's disastrous start.

Stroud delivered one of his best performances of the young season Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, completing 21 of 31 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns in Houston's 34-30 loss. He finished with a 92.3 overall offensive grade from Pro Football Focus and a 92.0 passing grade.

The numbers tell a pretty clear story.

Stroud completed nearly 68% of his passes, averaged 11.2 yards per attempt and did not turn the ball over. He consistently created explosive plays through the air and connected with Nico Collins seven times for 118 yards and two touchdowns in Collins' return from a two-game absence.

And yet, the Texans still walked away without their first win of the season.

That is becoming the most frustrating part of Houston's season. Stroud has not been perfect, but he has repeatedly been one of the team's most dependable players while other parts of the roster have failed to hold up their end of the bargain.

Against Dallas, Stroud put Houston in position to win.

The Texans held a 30-27 lead with just over two minutes remaining after an 87-yard touchdown drive. Stroud was instrumental in getting the offense down the field, and Houston ultimately needed just one defensive stop to secure the win. Instead, Dallas drove 74 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 40 seconds remaining.

That is not a game that should fall primarily on Stroud.

He also had to carry an offense that has not been able to establish much of a rushing attack. Houston's running backs combined for just 46 yards on 16 carries, forcing the passing game to shoulder much of the offensive workload.

Stroud still produced.

That has been the theme throughout the first four weeks. He has now thrown for at least 274 yards in three of Houston's four games, while he has yet to throw an interception this season. His performance against Dallas was his second game surpassing 300 yards, and his 126.7 passer rating was easily his best mark of the season.

The Texans obviously have problems that need to be addressed. At 0-4, there is no way around that. But putting the blame on Stroud would overlook what he has actually done on the field.

If Houston is going to turn this season around, Stroud's play gives them something to build around. The Texans just need the rest of the team to start matching it.