Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t look like a rookie during their Wild Card Round game against the Cleveland Browns. He led the dominating victory with 16 completions for 274 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
Yet somehow, Pro Football Focus didn’t regard him as one of the top quarterbacks during the first round of the 2023 NFL playoffs. That’s why former Texans defensive end and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt took offense of the rankings.
This is what happens when you try to grade football players with an algorithm...
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 17, 2024
CJ Stroud's performance was “graded” a 77.8
And people treat this shit as gospel.
https://t.co/W0Xueha2uB
As quoted by Watt, Jordan Love got the highest grade at 92.5, while Matthew Stafford is second with 88.5. Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes are tied for third at 88.
Stafford had the most yards (367) of the four highest-graded quarterbacks. While he also threw two touchdowns, the Los Angeles Rams lost to the Detroit Lions. Meanwhile, Allen had 207 passing yards, 74 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns versus the seventh-seed Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mahomes had 303 total yards and a touchdown versus the Miami Dolphins. However, the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs were favored to win against their opponents, especially with their game played in cold weather.
Finally, Love had 16 completions out of 21 attempts for 272 yards and three touchdowns, translating into a 157.2 passer rating. Stroud had almost the same stat line except for his 274 passing yards, yet he received a 77.8 grade.
What gives? Only PFF knows.
But Stroud will pay no mind to these rankings as they visit the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round. A victory over the top seed puts the Texans in their first-ever AFC Championship Game, another astounding accomplishment to Stroud’s already impressive maiden NFL season.
-Lance Fernandez