Analysis

The story of the game was the Texans' inability to protect Stroud. The second-year QB was brought down eight times, three times by George Karlaftis alone, and Stroud needed help getting off the field after the last sack late in the fourth quarter while apparently dealing with a foot or ankle injury. He did return for the final play however, a kneel-down with seven seconds left, so Stroud would seem to be OK. His overall body of work took a step back from his rookie campaign, and Stroud completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 3,727 yards and a 20:12 TD:INT over 17 regular-season games while also being sacked 52 times -- 14 more than in 2023. Injuries to his wide receiver corps played a role in Stroud's regression, but expect Houston to focus on upgrading his protection this offseason as well.

Analysis

Stroud took some time to get the offense moving, as a lost fumble by John Metchie and an interception ended a few of Houston's drives early on. However, Stroud hit his stride on a possession late in the second quarter, connecting on long passes of 34 and 37 yards before delivering a 13-yard touchdown to Nico Collins. That was his only score of the game, but Stroud put together an efficient performance the rest of the way to earn the second postseason victory of his career.

Analysis

The Texans entered Week 18 locked into the fourth seed in the AFC, so Stroud played for only one drive. He ended a disappointing season in strong fashion, completing four of his passes to Nico Collins -- including a two-yard touchdown. Stroud and the Texans will now await a home matchup against either the Steelers or Chargers in the first round of the playoffs.

Analysis

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans acknowledged Stroud is dealing with soreness, as many NFL players are at this point of the season. The quarterback practiced Monday, and while he looks like he'll be available to play Sunday, Houston is locked in as the fourth seed for the AFC playoffs and can't improve its position. Though Ryans suggested that all players healthy enough to suit up will play -- including Stroud -- the Texans could turn the game over to backup players at some point during the contest.

Analysis

Stroud never seemed to settle in at any point during the Week 17 contest, missing a handful of short passes to open receivers that doomed several offensive drives. The sophomore quarterback was forced to miss one play at the end of the first half after losing feeling in his throwing arm following a sack, and while he returned to action for the next play, he wasn't able to get much going the rest of the game. The Texans have already locked up first place in a weak AFC South division, but Stroud and most of the team's key offensive starters are likely to play at least a couple drives in Week 18 against the Titans as the team looks to establish some momentum heading into the playoffs.

Analysis

Stroud bounced back from an interception on the opening drive by driving the Texans into the red zone before settling for a field goal on the second possession and finally breaking through for a 10-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz on the third drive. He was picked off again late in the first half, which helped the Chiefs take a 17-10 lead into the locker room. Stroud then threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Tank Dell in the third quarter, on which Dell suffered a serious knee injury, which left the quarterback visibly distraught. Houston's offense seemed shaken the rest of the way and didn't get particularly close to tying the game down the stretch despite it being a one-score game the entire fourth quarter. Stroud will have to get by with limited talent at wide receiver behind Nico Collins on Christmas against a beatable Baltimore secondary.

Analysis

Stroud salvaged a performance that featured his second-lowest passing yardage total of the season with a pair of six-yard touchdown passes to Nico Collins in the second and third quarters, respectively. Otherwise, the talented second-year signal-caller scuffled against an aggressive and talented Dolphins defense that sacked him four times. Stroud has a pair of multi-touchdown-pass efforts within a three-game span for only the second time all season heading into a Week 16 Saturday afternoon road showdown against the Chiefs.

Analysis

Stroud put together a solid performance that saw him spread the ball around to seven different targets and put together his first interception-free effort in the last four games. Stroud connected with Dalton Schultz from 22 yards out early in the fourth quarter for his only touchdown of the game, and he's now thrown for at least 232 yards in four consecutive contests while generating a 4:5 TD:INT in that same span. Stroud and the Texans next host the Dolphins for a Week 15 matchup Sunday, Dec. 15 following a Week 14 bye.

Analysis

Stroud took advantage of excellent field position to throw for a 19-yard touchdown on his first pass attempt of the game. He continued his strong start by connecting with Nico Collins and Tank Dell for explosive gains of 54 and 39 yards while also connecting with Collins for a five-yard touchdown pass -- all of which came prior to halftime. However, Stroud was sacked four times in the second half and picked up just 98 passing yards on 16 attempts, leading to a disappointing loss. Positively, Stroud threw for multiple touchdowns for the first time since Week 5.