C.J. Stroud decided to teach these whippersnappers a lesson in Week 5, and it earned him the third AFC Offensive Player of the Week honor of his career.
H7M. pic.twitter.com/2CzVlKbDlC
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 8, 2025
Before the Houston Texans faced the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday — and before his 24th birthday on Friday — Stroud went viral for calling himself old.
"I feel like I'm getting old," Stroud said. "I'm not as quick as I used to be. I was watching my high school stuff a couple days ago, I was like 180 (pounds) and I was rolling. But not no more."
Stroud looked spry as he and the Texans dominated the Ravens on Sunday. Stroud threw four touchdown passes — as many as he had incompletions — while leading Houston to a 44-10 win in Baltimore. He also showed off his mobility, rushing for 30 yards on his lone attempt and nearly taking it in for a score.
Just gonna leave this right here. pic.twitter.com/GHI98upL71
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 5, 2025
After the Texans' victory, Stroud clarified his comment from earlier in the week, explaining that he was joking.
"I was just playing. I was in a joking way when I said that, but I think I showed a little athleticism today," Stroud told CBS Sports. "I ain't been out on the edge in a minute, so I thought I maybe should have got in, but I'm just happy my O-line was blocking great. They gave me an edge, and I took off. I'm feeling fast again."
Stroud’s performance was a promising sign for the former Ohio State star, who has battled inconsistency since winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023. This season, he’s completed 102 of 144 passes (70.8%) for 1,076 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions while leading Houston to a 2-3 record.
The Texans are off this weekend before returning to action on Monday, Oct. 20, against the Seattle Seahawks — a matchup that will feature Stroud and one of his favorite Ohio State targets, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who’s off to a hot start in his third season with 34 receptions for 534 yards and two touchdowns through five games.
