C.J. Stroud guided the Houston Texans to the postseason with Saturday’s 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
The rookie quarterback delivered in a must-win primetime game, completing 20 of 26 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. After the monumental victory, Stroud celebrated with family.
NFL Network’s Bridget Condon shared a photo of Stroud embracing his mother in the Lucas Oil Stadium tunnel.
“When I look up and see her praying, it just gives me a sense of comfort,” Stroud said. “If my mama praying for me, it got to do good.”
CJ Stroud with his mom postgame. He said “when I look up and see her praying it just gives me a sense of comfort. If my mama praying for me it got to do good.” pic.twitter.com/sPmVk2D7qO
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) January 7, 2024
Stroud capped out a stupendous regular season with a nearly flawless performance. With the game tied during the fourth quarter, the No. 2 pick orchestrated a 12-play, seven-minute drive culminating in a game-winning touchdown run by Devin Singletary.
After going 3-13-1 last season, the Texans are playoff-bound beyond their new franchise quarterback and first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans.
“C.J. doesn’t surprise me,” Ryans said, per ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime. “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.”
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 could give Stroud a final push over Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race. But more importantly, it ensures his inaugural campaign isn’t finished.
The Texans will 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 open on the road.