C.J. Stroud steered the Houston Texans into the postseason with a 23-19 triumph over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.
The rookie quarterback rose to the occasion in a crucial primetime game, completing 20 of 26 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Following the monumental victory, Stroud celebrated with his family.
A photo shared by NFL Network’s Bridget Condon captured a touching moment as Stroud embraced his mother in the Lucas Oil Stadium tunnel. Reflecting on the moment, Stroud expressed, “When I look up and see her praying, it just gives me a sense of comfort. If my mama is praying for me, it’s got to do good.”
Stroud concluded a remarkable regular season with a nearly flawless performance. In a tied game during the fourth quarter, the No. 2 pick orchestrated a 12-play, seven-minute drive that culminated in a game-winning touchdown run by Devin Singletary.
After a challenging 3-13-1 season last year, the Texans, led by their new franchise quarterback and first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans, are playoff-bound.
Ryans commented on Stroud’s exceptional performance, stating, “C.J. doesn’t surprise me. We talked about it earlier in the week with C.J. being special in these big-time moments when you need it most, to step up and make plays. He’s done it time after time throughout the entire year. It’s not surprising. That’s who he is. He’s one of the best passers in this league.”
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In 15 games, Stroud amassed 4,108 passing yards with 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions. The 22-year-old enters Sunday with the NFL’s fifth-highest passing rating (100.8) among quarterbacks who played at least 10 games.
Saturday’s clutch performance positions Stroud as a strong contender in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race, potentially surpassing Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. More importantly, it ensures that Stroud’s inaugural campaign isn’t concluded yet. The Texans have the chance to win the AFC South and host the Cleveland Browns next weekend if the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans. If Jacksonville wins, Houston will begin their playoff journey on the road.
