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C.J. Stroud, in the biggest game of his NFL career so far, on the road, on the Houston Texans’ first play from scrimmage, threw it about 60 yards downfield.
And if Stroud handed the ball to Nico Collins, he couldn’t have been much more accurate. The pass went for a 75-yard score that set a tone and helped put the Texans in the AFC playoffs as at least a wild card.
Nothing seems to bother the Texans rookie quarterback. Nobody should have been waiting around for confirmation of Stroud’s immediate stardom, but we got it Saturday. With a playoff spot on the line, Stroud made an immediate statement with a long touchdown pass to Collins on the Texans’ first play of the game.
Stroud made some huge plays as the Texans beat the Colts 23-19 to clinch a playoff spot. The Texans will win the AFC South title if the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, or a wild-card ticket if Jacksonville wins.
In a huge spot for a rookie, Stroud completed 20 of 26 passes for 264 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Stroud also led a drive that ended with a go-ahead touchdown with 6:20 left. Indianapolis drove downfield and was in the red zone in the final two minutes, but Gardner Minshew missed a short pass to Tyler Goodson on fourth-and-1 — it hit Goodson in the hands but was well behind him — and that practically ensured Houston was going to the playoffs. The Colts are eliminated from the postseason hunt with the loss.
The Texans finished the regular season 10-7. There are many reasons for their shocking, rapid ascension, but the main reason is their record-breaking rookie quarterback.
C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans reacts after a touchdown pass during the first quarter against the Colts. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
C.J. Stroud, Texans start fast
It wasn’t just the throw on Collins’ early touchdown. Stroud also made the right read. As ESPN’s Troy Aikman pointed out, once the Colts’ safety inched up to keep an eye on tight end Dalton Schultz, that opened up the deep post to Collins.
Collins has been an emerging star this season, and he can beat a cornerback deep. He also has the quarterback who can deliver the ball. It was the first time this NFL season that a team scored a touchdown on its first offensive play of the game, according to ESPN.
The play-call also says a lot about Stroud. The Texans coaches weren’t playing it safe with a rookie quarterback on the road in a win-or-else game. They trust Stroud like he’s already a superstar quarterback. And he is.
Stroud didn’t dominate the entire game. The Texans struggled for much of what amounted to a playoff game and felt like one. But Indianapolis struggled too, especially in the first half.