Texans 20, Dolphins 12
Q. Derek Stingley, two picks.
CJ STROUD: Yeah.
Q. Strip sack. Can you talk about the playmakers you have on defense? Seems like that side of the ball guys can also really change the game in a hurry.
CJ STROUD: Yeah, first want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for this opportunity to play on this great Sunday after a bye week against a really good Miami team.
Sting is one of a kind, bro. His ball skills and how he can play the ball in the air is the best I've ever seen in my life.
You know, like I'll compare him to Garrett Wilson who I played with in college and can track the ball in any way and twerk his body to catch it.
So he reminds me of him catching the ball and, honestly, trying to get him to play offense one of these days. I think he's that good with the ball in his hands, so I'm really happy for him and just proud of him and everything he's doing.
Q. Has he lobbied to play receiver or anything like that?
CJ STROUD: He doesn't really talk much, so, I always joke with him, but he doesn't really say. He just like mmm-mm. He don't say nothing. Not too many words out of Sting, but yeah.
Q. CJ, obviously you knew that this season was going to be tougher because you were playing a first (indiscernible) schedule and was whole lot more tape on you. But you're sitting here now at 9-5; (indiscernible) late afternoon game for the second year in a row; for the second year in a row you wrap up AFC South. How good of a feeling is that and how do you feel about where this team is sitting right now?
CJ STROUD: Yeah, I think we're at where we're at. I think we worked really hard to get to this point. You know, one thing that I'm learning is not to dwell on the past and to -- of course we wish that we won some closer games that we were in, but at the same time, those are the adversities that will take us over the hump.
I feel like today we took another step. To play for the division this early in December is kind of cool, and not have to wait until the very back end.
Yeah, man, of course want to win the division today, but if not, we go back next week and chop some more wood and carry some more water.
Q. CJ, I know probably point of emphasis like making sure you (indiscernible.) How important do you feel like that was? When did you feel like it was key to be able to do that a lot better today?
CJ STROUD: Yeah, you know, that was a focus of mine, that we have to learn how to score touchdowns off turnovers. But more importantly, just points in general. Just getting points. We were able to do that on every turnover, I think even the fake that we ran on fourth down, which I thought was a great call by Frank. Shoutout to Frank and them boys and Weeksy on the great snap.
You know, it's complementary football. You know. Our defense getting turnovers like that and be able to reward them, and I feel like we definitely could have been better in a lot of ways, but happy with the win and got to just move on.
Q. When you think back and reflect, what were the biggest challenges you've faced without Stefon?
CJ STROUD: Really just his energy is the main thing that pops out to me. Just who he is as a person, how much he loves the game, his preparation. You know, those are things that we all miss of him.
You know, I talk to him every week and try to just encourage him. That's not an easy thing to go through. But he's in good spirits. He's rooting us on. I have so much love for that dude, and hopefully I can play with him again.
I think we were just getting started. I'm just really, really, really proud of him and how he's growing just in his faith and just who he is, maturing just as a man. You know, sometimes those valleys do that to you, and I'm just proud of him to be able to respond like he is.
Q. CJ, of course now you're on a short week. Saturday got to Arrowhead and take on the Chiefs. 13-1 is their record, but as we all know, they have had really, really close games. You guys have a really good feeling about the possibility of going up there and grabbing a W away from them?
CJ STROUD: Yeah, I mean, a lot of respect for those guys. You know, two-time -- I mean, back to back champs. Mahomes is definitely the best in the league doing it at a very, very high level every year; somebody that I look up to.
You know, just excited to go and line up against him and have an opportunity to play in an environment like that. I heard it's crazy. I'm excited for it, but it's not ever going to be a cake walk. That dude is really good.
Kelce, somebody I really respect. Defense is very I would say underrated. Kept them in a lot of games and won a lot of games for them and helped them get turnovers and keep the offense to I think like under 20 points I believe.
A lot of respect for them and excited to have that challenge.
Q. And how do you feel like ya'll handled the switch with Titus at left guard and elevated Blake to right tackle as far as communication?
CJ STROUD: Yeah, I thought it went great. I thought with Titus not really practicing there all week, he stepped in and did the best he could. I thought he did really great. You know, I thought that was one of the best interior D-lines that we played this year. I think 92 is very underrated. Calais is like the Terminator. He's huge. He's like 6'7" and he's putting his hands up. He's really good.
So that interior does a really good job and their D-line coach, hats off to him. They do a good job of pick stunting and things like that. When the time was there, I felt like they did a great job picking those up and I was able to deliver in those instances.
But definitely think they did a great job. For Blake to step in as a young guy is amazing.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports