"Not really. People kinda lose their mind. We knew what we had the whole year. I really never lost faith. I think we're a heck of a team. Just like everybody loves us now, they can hate us in a week," Stroud said on Wednesday.

Q: The Texans started the season slowly, losing the first three games of the year. However, they enter the weekend on a six-game winning streak. What’s been the difference between the first half of the season and the second half?

The Houston Texans had an exciting start to the 2023 NFL Draft. With the No. 2 overall pick, they took C.J. Stroud. And then right back with the No. 3 pick, they snagged Will Anderson. Both have shown signs of stardom, particularly this season for Anderson.

The Texans, currently standing at 9-5, are one game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars for first place in the AFC South. Currently hanging on to the seventh and final seed in the AFC, a win against the Raiders would give them a 97 percent chance of clinching a playoff berth. With a loss, that chance drops down 15 percent.

It was a performance that gained the attention of Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones during his post-game presser, crediting the Texans quarterback for making some tough passes throughout the night that made it an extra challenge for Kansas City's defense.

Expert recap and game analysis of the Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals NFL game from December 14, 2025 on ESPN.

HOUSTON — QB1 is back for the Houston Texans. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, who missed the last three games while in concussion protocol, will start Sunday in a critical division showdown with the first-place Colts in Indianapolis. It’s a game you can watch ...