Stroud on pace to pass Mahomes, Luck in record books

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Texans' C.J. Stroud on pace to pass Patrick Mahomes, Andrew Luck in NFL record books

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 10/5/23

It’s safe to assume that Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has surpassed nearly everyone’s expectations four weeks into the season.

With a strong outing against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Stroud could pass the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Andrew Luck in the NFL’s record books.

The Ohio State alumnus needs just 273 passing yards to move past Mahomes (1,484) for the fifth-most yards through a QB’s first five games. He needs 277 yards to pass Luck (1,488) for the fourth-most and 285 to pass Marc Bulger (1,496) for third-most.

C.J. Stroud is the first rookie since the 1970 merger with 250 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns and 0 interceptions in 3 straight games. pic.twitter.com/NzoObo3zxt
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 1, 2023

All three marks are certainly attainable given Stroud has averaged 303 yards passing through the first four weeks. However, the Falcons have the league’s No. 5-ranked passing defense, allowing just 176.3 yards per game.

Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff is the only passer to muster more than 210 yards against Atlanta. Carolina's Bryce Young, Green Bay's Jordan Love and Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence were all held to 207 yards or fewer, with the former two held to 151 yards or less.

Stroud is also just 26 passes away from breaking the NFL record for most pass attempts to start a career without an interception.

.@CJ7STROUD has attempted 151 passes without an interception this season.

On Sunday, he can break the @NFL record for most pass attempts to begin a career without an INT:

1. Dak Prescott - 176
2. Tom Brady - 162
3. Kyle Allen - 159
4. Tua Tagovailoa - 152
5. C.J. Stroud - 151 pic.twitter.com/JTL7Z6Zxmu
— NFL345 (@NFL345) October 5, 2023

Should Stroud have a performance in line with the one he had in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts, in which he threw for 384 yards and two touchdowns, then he would pass Chargers QB Justin Herbert (1,542) for second on the list. Stroud needs 399 yards to break Cam Newton’s NFL record of 1,610 passing yards through his first five games.

Stroud is also on pace to break Luck’s record for passing yards as a rookie (4,374), which he set in 2012. At his current rate, Stroud is on track to throw for 5,151 yards, which would not only smash the rookie record, but would also be the ninth-most passing yards in a single season in NFL history.

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