C.J. Stroud Named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 5

As the Houston Texans’ offensive line play in 2024 began to rapidly crumble in the middle of last season, and C.J. Stroud, when he wasn’t running for his life, was getting his block knocked off, the big concern for Texans fan was the effect on Stroud. Was the punishment he was sustaining going to turn the 2023 Rookie of the Year into a shell of his rookie form? 

After the 2024 season ended, the Texans made sweeping changes on the offensive side of the ball, most notably replacing their offensive coordinator, their offensive line coach, and most of the offensive line itself. And through three games in 2025, things looked the same as 2024, if not worse. 

Stroud’s press conferences became more about litigating his body language than curiosity about the games themselves. Questions about whether Stroud should be the long term answer at quarterback became commonplace on social media and talk radio. 

Then, thankfully, the Titans arrived to Houston in Week 4. The Texans won, 26-0. After that, the Texans stormed Baltimore last weekend to take on a Ravens skeleton crew, and throttled them, 44-10. Along the way, Stroud seemed to regain his 2023 groove, specifically against Baltimore, throwing for 244 yards, four touchdown passes, and no interceptions. 

As a result, for the third time in his NFL career, Stroud was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, for his performance in that win over the Ravens:

Stroud’s four passing touchdowns tied for the most in the NFL in Week 5, while his passer rating ranked second across the league. On top of his passing exploits, Stroud registered the longest run of his career on a 30-yard scramble, eventually finishing that drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to WR Nico Collins. 

Stroud led the Texans’ offense to a 44 point outburst, tied for the third-most of any team in the NFL this season and the most points by any team in Week 5. It was the most points scored by a Ravens opponent in Baltimore in the history of their franchise, and most importantly, Stroud led the Texans to their franchise’s first ever road win against the Ravens. 

With three Player of the Week Awards, Stroud now ties Kris Brown, Jacoby Jones, and Arian Foster for fifth most in franchise history, and trails only Matt Schaub (4), Ka’imi Fairbairn (4), Deshaun Watson (5), and J.J. Watt (7) for the most all time in franchise history. 

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