Derrick Lewis has sparked debate by blaming celebrity associations for CJ Stroud‘s downturn, accusing Kim Kardashian and Amber Rose of placing a so-called curse on the Houston Texans quarterback after another playoff collapse.
The theory emerged days after the Houston Texans were eliminated, with frustration spilling beyond film study and roster talk, and into superstition, as Stroud‘s struggles reignited scrutiny of every factor around him.
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Just four days after the season ended, Stroud‘s divisional round showing against the New England Patriots became the backdrop, a 28-16 loss that exposed turnovers, stalled drives, and a quarterback unable to regain control.
As criticism mounted online, Lewis, a Houston native and longtime Texans supporter, offered a blunt and unconventional explanation, leaning into pop culture rather than play calling or protection issues as he explained what has to change for the team.
“We’ve got to see what’s going on with CJ,” Lewis said. “Ever since we seen him turn up with Amber Rose at the softball game a few years ago, and Kim Kardashian, I’m like… it might be a curse for him.”
Lewis‘ comment quickly spread, as fans debated whether distractions, pressure, or coincidence had anything to do with Stroud‘s uneven night.
Texans come up short in NFL Playoffs once again
Meanwhile the Texans‘ latest loss renewed hard questions about progress, as the team again exited in the divisional round under head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback CJ Stroud.
Despite regular season promise, the Texans have now fallen at the same stage three straight years, extending a franchise history that has never included a conference championship appearance.
Against the Patriots, Stroud completed 20 of 47 passes, throwing four interceptions, numbers that underscored how the offense unraveled under pressure at Gillette Stadium.
Stroud finished with 193 passing yards and one touchdown, while one interception was returned for a score, swinging momentum firmly toward New England.
On the other side, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye delivered when needed, tossing three touchdown passes and managing the game efficiently enough to advance.
Maye ended the night 16 of 27 for 179 yards, overcoming an interception and multiple fumbles, as New England reached the AFC championship game for the first time in seven years.
The Patriots‘ return marked their 16th conference championship appearance, their first since the 2018 season that ended with a Super Bowl title under Bill Belichick.
