C.J. Stroud saves disastrous first half with huge 99-yard Texans TD drive in NFL playoffs opener

C.J. Stroud saves disastrous first half with huge 99-yard Texans TD drive in NFL playoffs opener

Just as the football-watching world was ready to count C.J. Stroud out, the Texans’ sophomore quarterback reminded everyone what he’s capable of.

For much of 2024, his age-23 season, Stroud flaunted wisdom and precision well beyond his years.

But his performance in the first half of the AFC wild-card round against the Chargers Saturday was an entirely different story. 

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) avoids a tackle by Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart (90) during the second quarter of Saturday’s AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Entirely different, up until a point.

With just a shade over 6:30 remaining in the second quarter, just after Chargers’ punter JK Scott booted the pigskin all the way down to the Texans’ 1-yard-line, Stroud woke up.

The Texans’ ensuing drive — 13 plays and 99 yards in 5:17 — culminated with a 13-yard hook up between Stroud and his favorite target from the regular season, Nico Collins, and Houston putting their first points of the contest on the scoreboard.

Nico Collins of the Houston Texans scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers. Getty Images

The touchdown pᴀss counted for six, but the highlight of the drive came a few minutes earlier when, facing a third-and-16 from his own 17-yard-line, Stroud found Xavier Hutchinson wide open 34 yards downfield. 

The coverage may have been lacking and the window may have been gaping, but it was a small miracle that Stroud, after fumbling the snap, had both the wherewithal and the composure to meet his receiver there. 

On their ensuing drive, the Chargers went three-and-out.

Stroud and company took back over with just 39 seconds remaining on the clock.

The Texans needed only 24. 

C.J. Stroud #7 and head coach DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans embrace on the field prior to their game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Getty Images

Stroud completed two pᴀsses for 13 yards and added another 27 on the ground to carry the Texans into field-goal range.

Ka’imi Fairbairn knocked through his attempt from 41 yards out, and the Texans took a 13-6 lead into halftime.

Stroud’s stat line from the first two quarters: 14-for-23 and 180 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Given how his signal-caller played for the first 22 minutes and change of the first half, Texans’ head coach DeMeco Ryans will certainly take it. 

“C.J. is authentic, he’s real,” Ryans had said earlier in the week, per the ᴀssociated Press. “It’s not only here, it’s in the locker room around the guys and that’s what leadership is to me. As you evolve as a leader, you just be authentic to yourself.

“You don’t have to make up anything or make up a speech or make up something to say to guys. C.J. is being C.J.”

Related Posts

Colts star Salvon Ahmed rushed to the hospital after illegal tackle by teammate in practice

Colts star Salvon Ahmed rushed to the hospital after illegal tackle by teammate in practice

Colts running back Salvon Ahmed had to be carted off the field and taken to the hospital after he was the victim of an illegal hip-drop tackle…

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams savaged by fans after embarrᴀssing practice video goes viral

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams savaged by fans after embarrᴀssing practice video goes viral

Caleb Williams has gone viral for all the wrong reasons after a humiliating practice video of the Chicago Bears quarterback surfaced on social media.  Williams, who is…

Fears emerge that Donald Trump could jeopardize NFL’s blockbuster deal with ESPN

Fears emerge that Donald Trump could jeopardize NFL’s blockbuster deal with ESPN

There are fears that Donald Trump could block the NFL’s multi-billion-dollar deal with ESPN, according to reports. Earlier this month, the NFL and ESPN agreed a blockbuster…

NFL star Deebo Samuel left fuming after interviewer spills secret live on air in painful exchange

NFL star Deebo Samuel left fuming after interviewer spills secret live on air in painful exchange

Commanders star Deebo Samuel was left shaking his head in disbelief after NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo accidentally revealed the wide receiver is battling a hand injury –…

Travis Kelce parties with rival NFL quarterback in new picture from his offseason

Travis Kelce parties with rival NFL quarterback in new picture from his offseason

They are about to resume their NFL rivalry but away from the field, Travis Kelce and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield have a budding friendship. Kansas…

Chiefs star breaks silence on impending jail sentence after causing crash on Dallas highway

Chiefs star breaks silence on impending jail sentence after causing crash on Dallas highway

Kansas City Chiefs star Rashee Rice insists he’s ‘completely changed’ since his hit-and-run crash on a Dallas highway that was captured in a viral video last year….