Quarterback C.J. Stroud did not mince words following the Houston Texans’ disheartening 31-2 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday.
“Sometimes you go out there and lay an egg,” Stroud acknowledged. “It’s not easy to say that, but that’s what happened. We didn’t play well from the first play to the last.”
The AFC South champion Texans (9-7) managed only a safety in what became their most lopsided loss of the season, drawing boos from the home crowd throughout the second half.
“That’s nothing that we represent, nothing that we talked about all year,” said wide receiver Robert Woods. “It’s just an embarrassment to show up like that. That’s not the Texans’ way or mentality.”
Defensively, the Texans struggled significantly, allowing a season-high 251 rushing yards. Ravens running back Derrick Henry led the charge with 147 yards, while quarterback Lamar Jackson added 87 yards, surpassing Michael Vick for the NFL career rushing record for quarterbacks.
“This game comes down to guys making plays, and they had two exceptional playmakers in Lamar and Derrick Henry,” said head coach DeMeco Ryans. “They made plays, and that was the game.”
With the playoffs just a week away, the loss raises concerns for the Texans. Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. emphasized that the issues stemmed not from a lack of effort but from persistent mistakes.
“It’s embarrassing,” Anderson stated. “That’s not playoff football. Everyone in this locker room knows that, from the top to the bottom. We have to do better, and as leaders, we must hold each other accountable.”
Rookie Kamari Lassiter recorded a safety in the first half, dropping Henry for a 4-yard loss, which brought the score to 10-2. Following a 45-yard kickoff return by Dameon Pierce, the Texans failed to capitalize, with Joe Mixon stopped short on a fourth-and-3 attempt.
Stroud finished the game with 185 passing yards but faced relentless pressure, being sacked five times and throwing an interception. Mixon was limited to just 26 rushing yards as the Texans suffered their second consecutive defeat. The team also struggled to find its rhythm following the season-ending injury to dynamic receiver Tank Dell.
Mixon declined to comment postgame, but Stroud took responsibility for the loss. “Terrible on my behalf, probably one of my worst games,” he admitted. “I came out flat and didn’t lead the offense the way I should have.”
Despite the setback, Stroud remains optimistic about the team’s future. “I’m sure a lot of people have had this type of game before,” he said. “It’s necessary to wake you up, and that’s what it’s going to do for me and this team.”
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