The Houston Texans faced a challenging start in their divisional round playoff match against the New England Patriots on January 14, 2024, with quarterback C.J. Stroud struggling significantly in the first half. Stroud threw four interceptions, completing only 10 of 26 passes for 124 yards and one touchdown, leaving the Texans trailing 21-10 at halftime.
Stroud’s performance drew comparisons to historical playoff struggles. His four interceptions tied him with eight other quarterbacks for the most thrown in a playoff game since Jake Delhomme of the Carolina Panthers threw five in 2008. According to FOX Sports Research, this marked just the second instance since 1991 where a quarterback has thrown four interceptions in a single playoff half, the last being Trevor Lawrence in January 2023.
The game began with a promising start for the Texans, as Stroud connected with his receivers, securing a 10-7 lead after a touchdown pass. However, the momentum quickly shifted. Three of Stroud’s four interceptions occurred after this touchdown, severely jeopardizing the Texans’ chances. The first interception came when Stroud overthrew Christian Kirk, allowing Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis to make the easy catch.
The second interception proved pivotal. Following a defensive stop, Stroud was hit while attempting a pass, resulting in a floating ball that Marcus Jones intercepted and returned for a 26-yard pick-six, flipping the scoreboard to 14-10 in favor of the Patriots. The third interception occurred when a pass intended for receiver Xavier Hutchinson bounced off Hutchinson’s hands and into the grasp of safety Craig Woodson.
Stroud’s fourth interception was perhaps the most detrimental. As the Texans approached the Patriots’ 48-yard line near the two-minute warning, he aimed for Hutchinson but instead found Davis once more, further plunging the Texans into a deeper hole.
Despite the disheartening first half, the Texans opted not to replace Stroud after halftime. He returned to the field and managed to guide the Texans to a scoring drive that culminated in a field goal, narrowing the Patriots’ lead to 21-13. However, this drive was not without its own drama. Stroud faced near disaster again when a potential fifth interception went incomplete after a tip from Jones.
As the Texans regrouped, the game served as a reminder of the challenges faced by young quarterbacks in high-pressure playoff scenarios. Stroud, who had only thrown eight interceptions throughout the regular season, encountered a stark contrast in this crucial match, raising questions about his ability to perform under playoff intensity.
The Texans’ playoff aspirations now hinge on their ability to bounce back from this first-half debacle, learning from the mistakes made against a formidable Patriots defense. The team will need to rally around Stroud as they prepare for future challenges, aiming for improvement and resilience in their pursuit of a championship title.
