Texans QB C.J. Stroud Sends Strong Message About Broncos Before Matchup

The Denver Broncos are not sneaking up on any opponents. So, it is not surprising to hear C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans, Denver’s Week 9 opponent, speaking candidly about the challenges that the Broncos present for opposing offenses like his.

Stroud and the Texans have won three of their last four outings, and they were a playoff team last season.

The Broncos present a formidable test, but they will need their vaunted pass rush to show up.

C.J. Stroud Praises Broncos Pass Rush Before Texans Game

Stroud met with the media on Wednesday after the Texans’ first practice of Week 9 as they prepare for the Broncos.

The Broncos lead the NFL in sacks this season, and Stroud had been sacked multiple times in every game this season before last week. Similarly, the Broncos have recorded multiple sacks in every game but Week 2.

Stroud is aware that outside linebackers Nik Bonitto and Johnathon Cooper can wreck games.

“They have a really good rush. Starts on their edge with Bonitto and Coop. They do a good job playing relentless, and just – they don’t give up. They play really tough, and the interior, they have really good interior guys as well. So, they’re really good line,” Stroud told reporters on October 29.

“Playing hard right back [is how the Texans slow the pass rush]. Scheme, trying to do some things to help our guys up front. So, yeah. I think it’ll be a good matchup.”

Stroud has completed 66.8% of his passes for 1,623 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions this season. It will be up to those interior linemen – namely starters John Franklin-Myers and Zach Allen and top backup Malcolm Roach – to flush Stroud toward Bonitto and Cooper.

Texans HC DeMeco Ryans Praises Broncos

Stroud was not alone in his high praise for the Broncos. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans echoed his quarterback’s sentiments about Bonitto and Cooper, as well as the Broncos’ interior defensive linemen.

Ryans also put the onus on the Texans’ offensive line to keep the Broncos at bay.

“The Broncos rush group is a really good group. All five guys they have are really good on the edges. I say Bonitto is a really good speed rusher,” Ryans told reporters on Wednesday. “There’s not many guys like that in the league who have the explosiveness and the first-step quickness that he has, which has allowed him to get a few sacks.

“It’s going to take a ton of effort, ton of work to get it done. But we just have to play our technique. Don’t overthink it. Just play our technique. Really strain to get them blocked up front, knowing that they’re a really solid group, and really solid in the inside as well. They’ll play a five down front. It’s just everybody across the board is going to have to win their one-on-one matchup.”

Despite being the road team, the Broncos are 1.5-point favorites against the Texans as of October 30, per Vegas Insider.

That is notable since the Broncos will be without All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II for this contest and several more. The Broncos will get linebacker Dre Greenlaw back from a one-game suspension, though, which should help muddy the waters for Stroud on medium passes.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. opens up about having to replace Cam Skattebo in Giants lineup

Since this past Sunday, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and other New York Giants players have discussed how the club lost a "spark" and positive energy when first-year running back Cam Skattebo suffered a gruesome dislocation of his right ankle, a fractured fibula and a ruptured deltoid ligament. 

That said, some have seemingly forgotten that a Giants side that was already without star wide receiver Malik Nabers (torn ACL and meniscus) now won't have its leading ball-carrier through Week 18. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, presumed Giants RB1 Tyrone Tracy Jr. opened up about attempting to replace Skattebo in the lineup. 

Tyrone Tracy Jr. knows he can't be Cam Skattebo for Giants

"To be honest with you, I'm not going to try to be anyone else but Tyrone Tracy Jr.," he explained, per the Giants' website. "That's because that's all I can be on the football field. And I think that God has blessed me enough to go out there and just be myself."

ESPN stats show that Skattebo ended Week 8 leading the 2-6 Giants with 101 carries, 410 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. To compare, Tracy is third on the team with 159 yards and a single score that he tallied across 45 rushes. That's good for an average of 3.5 yards per carry.

As a rookie, Tracy accumulated 839 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 192 attempts. The 2024 fifth-round draft pick also contributed 38 receptions for 284 yards and a score last season. On Wednesday, Dart challenged his teammates "to pick it up" regarding the boost Skattebo had given the club this fall. 

"I'm not going to try to really bring any extra energy," Tracy continued. "I'm just going to go out there and do what I can to put my team in the best situation possible. Whether it's running, catching the ball in the backfield, or blocking. Or really just being a cheerleader on the sideline when the defense is up or whatever. Whatever I've got to do to put my team in a great situation, I'm going to do that."

Have Giants lost faith after devastating injuries?

Giants fans are understandably fearing the worst regarding the rest of the campaign now that Skattebo and Nabers won't play again before September 2026 at the earliest. On Wednesday, Tracy indicated he and others in the locker room aren't giving up on this season. 

"We all have the same faith," Tracy added during his comments. "...We all understand that what we've got and what we have in this locker room is all we need. We don't need anyone else to come and get us a win. We can really do it ourselves. I think we've shown that as well. We showed that we have what it takes. We just have to do it day in and day out."

Tracy will have an opportunity to impress when the Giants host the San Francisco 49ers (5-3) this coming Sunday. As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had Big Blue as a 2.5-point underdog for that matchup.   

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