C.J. Stroud gives Browns defense a different challenge now that he's back at QB for Texans
BEREA — Greg Newsome II saw the Houston Texans less than three weeks ago when the Browns beat them on Christmas Eve. However, the Browns cornerback knows he didn't really see the Texans.
Certainly it won't be the Texans team the Browns see Saturday afternoon in an AFC wild card game in Houston. Not with quarterback C.J. Stroud back playing for the Texans.
“I mean, a lot different," Newsome said this week. "I mean, C.J. is one of, not just the best rookie quarterback, but he's one of the best quarterbacks in the whole entire NFL. So he presents a lot of challenges for us, but I think we're up for the challenge.”
That challenge may be the difference between the Browns (11-6) advancing to the divisional round or starting the offseason. It's quite possible Stroud, who earned his second AFC Offensive Player of the Week award Wednesday, is one of the five best quarterbacks their top-ranked defense has faced this season.
Stroud has been the odds-on favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year for at least two months now. That's even after missing two games, including the Browns' 36-22 win in Week 16, because of a concussion he sustained during a Week 14 loss to the New York Jets.
The former Ohio State standout who was the No. 2 pick in last April's draft has been sensational over his 15 starts. He led the league in touchdown-to-interception ratio with 23 touchdowns to five interceptions, the younger player in NFL history to do so, and his 4,108 passing yards are third-most by a rookie in league history.
"He's awesome," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. "I remember watching him early because we had some crossover tape and getting ready to play Baltimore. I know he played in — that was his first game, and I think even in that game, you saw some plays and some throws where you knew right away that kid was really, really talented."
The Browns, instead of Stroud, saw a combination Case Keenum and Davis Mills. Those two combined to complete 26 of 49 passes for 178 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and were sacked three times.
Stroud has not thrown an interception since a three-pick game in Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals. It's arguably the only truly bad game he's had, injuries notwithstanding.
The care with which Stroud delivers the ball started from his first snap, as he set an NFL record by going 192 pass attempts to start his career before finally throwing an interception. His first came in a Week 6 win over the New Orleans Saints.
"I think when it's all said and done, the fact that he's passed for as many yards as he has without turning the ball over is really impressive for a young guy," Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said Wednesday. "Usually the cost of doing business if you're going to throw for a lot of yards is you also turn the ball over a lot. It's been impressive what he's been able to do. We're going to have to play tight coverage. We're going to have to stay after him in the pass rush."
On the other side is a Browns defense that posted the fourth-most interceptions this season with 17. Only the Chicago Bears (22), San Francisco 49ers (21) and Baltimore Ravens (18) had more.
The Browns cornerback trio of Denzel Ward, Newsome and Martin Emerson Jr. have eight of those picks. Emerson has four, while Ward — chosen to his third Pro Bowl — and Newsome each have two.
"It'll be huge, but we just got to do our assignment and hopefully we can force some turnovers and create those," Ward said. "Like I said, he's a very accurate quarterback and it is going to be tough. But I think we could do it though."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns defense faces difference test with C.J. Stroud back for Texans
