Young Texans quarterback CJ Stroud continues to amaze, to the point where a performance from the 66-year-old is within reach. While he’s still a long way from being in the bag, he’s in the conversation for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award, something no rookie in league history has achieved other than the immortal Jim Brown in 1957.
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Just think about it… CJ Stroud and Jim Brown in the same sentence were in the pure realm of deception just a few months ago. No longer!
Brown, who died last May, barely three weeks after Stroud was selected by the Texans, remains one of the game’s greatest legends to this day. He was voted Most Valuable Player three times and was named to the First All-Star Team eight times.
The point here is certainly not to write that Stroud will be as big as Brown. The young man has to eat a lot of crusts before being compared to such a great figure. But the fact is that after 10 weeks of activity, he is clearly one of the favorites to win the Most Valuable Player title.
It’s a title only a rookie has come close to since Brown in 1998, when Vikings receiver Randy Moss finished in the top three in voting. Otherwise it’s nothing before and after.
Good arguments
The Texans center is currently leading his peers with an average of 291.8 yards per game. Yards aren’t the most representative statistic of a quarterback’s play, but you should know that the last rookie quarterback to rank first in yards per game was one Davey O’Brien. .in 1939.
What’s most impressive is how jealously Stroud is with the ball, with just two interceptions in 318 passes attempted. We are talking about an excellent interception rate of 0.63% of his passes, which would be a record for a rookie (the record belongs to Dak Prescott, 0.87% in 2016).
If he maintains his incredible pace, Stroud will also collect 28 touchdown passes, which would be the second-best total behind Justin Herbert’s 31 in 2020.
Even better: Stroud isn’t satisfied with successful passes. According to NextGen Stats, he has already accumulated 1,513 yards on passes that were at least 10 yards from the line of scrimmage, a league high. In terms of blitzing, he is also the most efficient quarterback at 9.6 yards per pass.
Strong at the right moment
Despite his young age, Stroud is already considered a leader among the Texans. Getty Images via AFP
To be considered the most valuable player, a player must perform well in critical moments.
This season, Stroud leads the league in completions, yards and conversions on third and fourth downs. He also ranks in the top two in yards and touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Obviously, Stroud can still hit the wall that hits so many rookies as the season progresses. If the Texans are eventually pushed out of the playoffs, his candidacy will be difficult to consider.
Currently, Stroud is the young leader of the league’s most improved team with a record of 5-4. Considering the Texans have an overall record of 11-38-1 over the last three seasons, that’s enough to make you choke on your coffee or beer.
It’s still unlikely, but if Stroud keeps up the pace and wins the MVP award against all odds, Jim Brown would be the first to be proud and not turn in his grave.
Abrupt end for Burrow
On the other hand, it’s impossible not to feel for the Bengals, who learned Friday that their top quarterback Joe Burrow’s season just ended due to a torn wrist ligament.
This team had already made life extremely complicated for itself, and now its chances of participating in the playoffs with Jake Browning are almost nil.
It’s frustrating for the Bengals, but also for fans of good football. Burrow joins Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Deshaun Watson and Anthony Richardson on the list of ready starters for the year. The product in the field suffers.
WEEK 11
MY CHOICE
From Cincinnati to Baltimore BENGAL
MY DECISIONS
Dallas, Carolina (1 p.m.) COWBOYS
Pittsburgh to Cleveland (1 p.m.) BROWN
Chicago to Detroit (1 p.m.) LIONS
LA Chargers at Green Bay (1:00 p.m.) CHARGER
Arizona to Houston (1 p.m.) TEXAN
Tennessee at Jacksonville (1 p.m.) JAGUARS
Las Vegas to Miami (1 p.m.) DOLPHINS
NY Giants at Washington (1 p.m.) COMMANDERS
Tampa Bay to San Francisco (4:05 p.m.) 49ERS
NY Jets at Buffalo (4:25 p.m.) BILLS
Seattle at LA Rams (4:25 p.m.) SEAHAWKS
Minnesota at Denver (8:20 p.m.) VIKINGS
MY CHOICE
Philadelphia at Kansas City (8:15 p.m.) Chiefs
*Teams furloughed: Patriots, Colts, Falcons, Saints
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS: 7 out of 14 (50%)
OVERALL THIS SEASON: 96 out of 150 (64%)
SELECTION OF NEWSPAPER
Dallas Cowboys (6-3) vs. Carolina Panthers (1-8)
Poor panthers
Dak Prescott is having his best moments of the season. Getty Images via AFP
Over the last three weeks, Dak Prescott has thrown 11 touchdown passes and completed 72.7% of his passes. For 1082 yards. The Panthers don’t have many qualities, but one of them is that they are sixth against the pass this season. Five times they limited their rivals to fewer than 200 yards. In return, they gave up more than 130 yards on the ground seven times. This is perhaps a match where Tony Pollard will shine more than Prescott. Regardless, the Panthers’ chances are bleak. Cowboys at 14
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) vs. Cleveland Browns (6-3)
A SECOND CHANCE
After a difficult first start to his career, Dorian Thompson-Robinson gets a second chance. Getty Images via AFP
Since the Browns will be without Deshaun Watson for the remainder of the season, they will rely on rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson rather than PJ Walker. It’s risky knowing he fell victim to three interceptions in his only start. This time, however, he will have the advantage of being prepared and in better control of the situation. The Steelers secondary conceded five aerial plays of more than 20 yards last Sunday. The Steelers narrowly beat the Browns earlier in the season thanks to two defensive touchdowns. It won’t happen twice. Browns at 3
Chicago Bears (3-7) vs. Detroit Lions (7-2)
RETURN FIELDS
After four weeks off, Justin Fields returns to competition. Getty Images via AFP
For the Lions, this isn’t as important as this game might seem. Bears quarterback Justin Fields is back, having appeared to be finding his way before injuring his thumb. We can’t underestimate a young, thought-to-be dead center who is literally betting on his future and deserves to be noticed across the league. The Lions have given up an average of 30 points since Week 7, a league high and something they need to fix. The Lions still have too much offensive power. Lions at 8
Los Angeles Chargers (4-5) vs. Green Bay Packers (3-6)
RUSSIAN MOUNTAINS
Christian Watson and the Packers’ receivers are struggling to stand out. Getty Images via AFP
The Chargers are still taking us on rides and counting. From one week to the next they turn. The Packers still don’t expect a receiver capable of stepping up and helping quarterback Jordan Love step up. Ultimately, Christian Watson seems to be nothing more than a quick trader and the rest of his gang are traders of hope. It’s a shame that the attack is neutral because the defense neutralizes the pass well (7th). Watch the Chargers: If Keenan Allen doesn’t play, things get complicated… Chargers at 3
Arizona Cardinals (2-8) vs. Houston Texans (5-4)
MURRAY IN FIT
Kyler Murray looked good in his return to action. Getty Images via AFP
Kyler Murray had an invigorating effect on the Cardinals’ offense in his comeback on Sunday. However, he will notice that the Texans’ defensive front will capitulate to him more quickly than the Falcons’. Murray is in a strange position because the Cardinals are taking a risk by talking and looking at other quarterbacks early in the draft. Unless he continues to play so well that he jeopardizes this strategy. You see, we always find an interesting point at the end, even among the cards. Texans at 5
Tennessee Titans (3-6) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3)
NO RIGHT TO MISTAKES
After the 49ers thaw, Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars need to get their act together. Getty Images via AFP
If the Jaguars thought they were comfortably on autopilot, they might as well put their foot down after last Sunday’s volley against the 49ers. The Texans are suddenly breathing down their necks in the South Division. Trevor Lawrence is slow to get going after his exceptional end to the season last year with just nine touchdown passes. The Titans, who have the worst offense in the league, need miracles from Will Levis and Derrick Henry. Jaguars at 6
Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) vs. Miami Dolphins (6-3)
Misleading numbers
The Raiders’ defense has played well in recent weeks, but the opponent has been weak. Getty Images via AFP
You have to pay attention to appearances. The optimists will say that the Raiders’ defense has allowed just three touchdowns in the last 35 opposing offensive sequences. Realists will respond that it helps enormously if these sequences are the work of the undrinkable Jets and Giants. The Dolphins’ offense promises to be a little more explosive than the previous two cheaters. The Raiders have been playing more relaxed since the departure of Josh McDaniels, but reality will hit them. Dolphins at 13
New York Giants (2-8) vs. Washington Commanders (4-6)
I am pleased…
Brian Daboll is running out of solutions for the Giants. Getty Images via AFP
There is no hope left for the Giants and head coach Brian Daboll’s mission is to avoid any division in the locker room. Under his leadership, the Giants have lost six games by at least 14 points this season, which is frankly embarrassing. Their record against teams in their division since last year is 2-7-1, but the two wins and the draw came against this weekend’s opponent, the Commanders. Except Tommy DeVito makes us curl up and cry. Orders by 7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) vs. San Francisco 49ers (6-3)
THE REAL NINERS
Deebo Samuel makes big plays for the 49ers. Getty Images via AFP
The 49ers welcomed the return of Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams to the offense last week, as well as Brock Purdy. The quarterback hadn’t missed any action, but didn’t seem to be himself lately. He’s alive and well, and the Buccaneers are 31st against the pass. They did just fine in that regard against the Titans, but comparing the Titans’ aerial game to the Niners’ is blasphemous. Baker Mayfield isn’t playing badly, but he won’t have time to think. 49ers par 9
New York Jets (4-5) vs. Buffalo Bills (5-5)
ERROR TEAMS
Jets receiver Garrett Wilson finds it long. Getty Images via AFP
The Jets have held their rivals to an average of 18 points over the last seven weeks and their record over that span is 3-4, highlighting the ferocity of the offensive unit. Take time to digest this: In their last 55 offensive sequences, the Jets have scored two touchdowns. So that means that even if the Bills are struggling right now, even if they fired their offensive coordinator, even if Josh Allen increases the number of turnovers, their offense can’t be dirtier than the Jets’. NO? Invoices by June 6th
Seattle Seahawks (6-3) vs. Los Angeles Rams (3-6)
POSSIBLE SURPRISE
Kenneth Walker will try to win against the Rams. Getty Images via AFP
Funny things often happen when the Seahawks play the Rams. Remember, the Rams won handily 30-13 earlier in the season. In fact, the Rams have won six of the last nine meetings between the two division rivals, and the Seahawks’ last two wins came when Matthew Stafford was out. Stafford returns to his position this week after a one-game absence. Carrier Kenneth Walker will still take control of the Rams’ porous defense against the run. Seahawks up 4
Minnesota Vikings (6-4) vs. Denver Broncos (4-5)
HARD DUEL
Joshua Dobbs has become one of the most inspiring stories of the season. Getty Images via AFP
The best way to beat the Broncos this season is to punch them in the face. They have already given up more than 135 yards on the ground five times. The Vikings are one of the league’s biggest stories, but their ground attack doesn’t do much. However, having Josh Dobbs as the quarterback makes it better in that regard because he adds an earthly dimension, which is saying a lot for an astronaut. The Broncos’ pass defense has tightened up and the Vikings are hoping to get back to Justin Jefferson…Vikings with 2
Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2)
SUPER BOWL REVENGE
Quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes Photograph Getty Images via AFP
Eagles and Chiefs on Monday night, what more could you want? Both teams are probably at the top. Both teams beat three teams with winning records. Both teams can win games in any way possible. The Chiefs’ offensive line will have its hands full and the receivers are a perpetual question mark, but it’s always difficult to dismiss Patrick Mahomes’ impact. And of course driver Andy Reid, who is 4-0 against his former team and 21-3 after a bye week. Chiefs at 4