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Looking at NFL quarterbacks, which ones could be ranked ahead of Houston Texans rookie C.J. Stroud right now?
There are a few standouts, like Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. Then there’s Josh Allen. The list seems surprisingly short, though, and this may not be the right time to compare Stroud. First, he and the Texans have more playoff football to focus on.
Houston’s dominating 45-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in the opening game of the NFL wild-card playoff round on Saturday was headlined by Stroud. His incredible rookie season has been a major storyline this year in the NFL.
Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud had a huge first half in the team’s wild-card playoff win over the Browns. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
In the latter part of the season, there was significant hype that the Browns’ top-tier defense made them a Super Bowl contender. Stroud, however, dominated that defense and sent the Browns home. Stroud tallied 236 yards and three touchdowns, and that was just in the first half. In NFL history, only nine rookies have had over 236 passing yards in an entire playoff game. He became the first rookie quarterback in NFL playoff history to throw three touchdowns in the first half. No Texans QB had ever thrown three touchdowns in a playoff game, and Stroud did it before halftime.
Stroud continues to impress. With every challenge, he seems to raise his level even further. Simply put, we’ve never seen a rookie quarterback like Stroud before.
C.J. Stroud shines in playoff debut
It wasn’t just Stroud who had the Texans off to a fast start, though. Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who will be a hot name in the coaching carousel, confused the Browns with a variety of misdirection plays. Stroud’s teammates made big plays, most notably Brevin Jordan taking a short pass, cutting inside and outrunning the defense for a 76-yard score. It was the second-longest touchdown by a tight end in NFL playoff history.
But Stroud executed everything at a high level, like he has done all season.
Stroud’s touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz was a great example of everything the Texans did right. Stroud rolled to his right, set up and threw back across the middle of the field deep to Schultz. The misdirection crossed up the Browns secondary. Then Stroud threw a perfect pass downfield for a 37-yard score.
That big play turned a close game into a 10-point Texans lead at the half. They never looked back.
Although praise was heaped on Stroud after a stunning first half, it was the Texans’ defense that made a couple of big plays to open up a huge lead. Or, perhaps it’s better to say Browns quarterback Joe Flacco gave Houston those big plays.
Texans D puts the game away
The Browns trailed 24-14 and Flacco had also been playing well when he made the one mistake that put Cleveland in a big hole.