“You Want to Be the Villain”: CJ Stroud Unleashes the Winning Mentality That Made Joe Burrow Run For His Money

CJ Stroud is in a class of his own nowadays. After tackling the Buccaneers which made him an instant legend last Sunday, the Texans QB proved to be the difference against the Bengals as well. He marginally outclassed Joe Burrow which helped his team to clinch the victory 27-30. The crucial win maintains the pressure on division leader Jaguars.

But the post-game press conference was an interesting one. Stroud thanked the fans for their support when they were supposed to be the ‘villains’. He then thanked the almighty Jesus for remaining on their side. And the rookie QB also credited one important for the teams’ effective performances.

An overwhelmed CJ Stroud reveals the winning mentality

The Texans edged out the Bengals after a close-fought battle. Joe Burrow fell short of Stroud despite giving his best, as the latter engineered the final quarter field goal drive that secured the win. The Rookie QB of The Year frontrunner accounted for 356 yards for 23/39 compared to Burrow’s 347 yards for 27/40 and moved into the second place of passing leaders in the season.

Stroud is arguably the most exciting rookie QB in the regular season. Talking to the press conference after the game, Stroud had a lot to say. He started by praising god for being their savior. “Yeah man, all glory and praise of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 

Then he reflected on their performance, insisting it’s the factor holding them up over a formidable opponent like the Bengals. “I mean it’s hard to win in NFL and it’s a great Bengals team over there. But I think we came up with a mindset that we won’t be denied and that was huge for us”. That further gives us an insight into what drives the quarterback to perform at the top level consistently.

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Later, Stroud had something even more interesting to say. The QB playfully remarked his squad as ‘villain’ of the game and compared it to a masked robbery. Well, the rookie QB does bring an A-game every time he gets into action.

CJ Stroud thanks the fans for supporting their ‘villainy’

Turns out, Stroud was expressing his gratitude to the fans for their support in away games like the Bengals one that took place at the Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati. He further vowed to continue their run and wished the tickets completely sell out.“A lot of Texans out here too… I really hope next week we play the Cardinals, man y’all pull up and we pack that thing out… I really want to see a sold-out Stadium… At this point, I think that’s what we’re ready for and that juice that y’all bring man”, Stroud urged the fans to continue their support.

“We play with 100% energy and even in the negative, like coming to the away game, you want to be the villain and put on your mask, you rob with your brothers and you’re going to make plays.” As Stroud rightly pointed out during the press conference, the athlete loves his teammates to death and the way he backs his squad during a pressure play explains the situation to the T.  Stroud’s field goal during the last game was another depiction of Stroud’s image as one of the most exciting rookie quarterbacks this season. The 22-year-old threw for 356 yards and led a clean drive over the final 93 seconds in the game against the Bengals, sliding towards a game-winning 38-yard field goal.

Stroud has reached the best form of his career so far in his rookie season. With already 4 losses, can the QB’s heroics send the Texans to the playoffs? That’ll be the most interesting answer to search for. The Texans next face the Cardinals on November 19, Sunday. A win here would move them one step closer to the Jaguars, closing the playoff distance.

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