In the season finale against the Colts, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud led the Houston Texans to a playoff berth, highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins on the Texans' first play. Stroud finished the game with 264 passing yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, marking his 22nd passing TD of the season. The Texans led 14-3 after Stroud found Andrew Beck wide open in the end zone, and they maintained their momentum to secure a 17-0 lead. Stroud's performance, which included a perfect 7/7 passing on the fourth-quarter drive that resulted in the game-winning touchdown, has been widely recognized as a standout moment for the rookie quarterback. Houston's odds to make the playoffs at the start of the season were +500, indicating the team's underdog status and the impressive nature of their achievement. Stroud was emotional after clinching the playoff berth, which is Houston's first since 2019, and he also added 20 rushing yards to his game totals.
C.J. Stroud: Leads Texans to postseason https://t.co/pyTMnkNGC4
C.J. Stroud was emotional after clinching a playoff berth in his first NFL season ❤️ Houston is heading to the postseason for the first time since 2019. (via @NFL) https://t.co/IWL7xhIfyh
C.J. Stroud and the Texans are heading to the playoffs 🚨 Houston was +500 to make the playoffs at the start of the season 🥳 https://t.co/Ygn4zHCrxB
.@wyche89 showing respect to C.J. Stroud for leading the Texans to the playoffs tonight🫡 https://t.co/vuEUVkbLAy
The emotions sink in for CJ Stroud as he officially clinches a playoff spot for Houston in his rookie season. The Texans have themselves a special one 🔥 https://t.co/1rpIOADodP
HOUSTON IS A PROBLEM‼️ The Texans are heading to the playoffs 🔥 https://t.co/ltYNldcKSD
C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins lead the way for a Texans playoff berth🙌 #HOUvsIND | #WeAreTexans https://t.co/ZFzNBinPPf
CJ Stroud on the Texans' 4th quarter drive that led to their game-winning TD 🎯 ◽️ 7/7 ◽️ 82 yards https://t.co/YNSUcHMTr9
C.J. STROUD LEADS THE TEXANS TO THE PLAYOFFS IN HIS FIRST SEASON IN THE NFL 😤 https://t.co/Jq4tF9UkFT
CJ Stroud and Nico Collins with the #Texans’ season on the line: Stroud: 20/26, 264 yds, 2 TDs, 0 INTs Collins: 9 recs, 195 yds, 1 TD Houston being in the playoffs is a great thing for football. This team is fun. https://t.co/dAAGCrTcmK
CJ Stroud just led the Texans to their first playoff birth since 2019 with a STATEMENT game against the Colts. Stroud is going to end the season as EASILY the best rookie QB from the 2023 draft class. • 20/26 (77%) • 264 passing yards • 20 rushing yards • 2 passing TD’s •… https://t.co/Pqwyqndk2k
C.J. Stroud and the Texans are headed to the playoffs 🤘 https://t.co/i6GGLQCFM3
IN HIS FIRST NFL SEASON, C.J. STROUD AND THE TEXANS CLINCH A PLAYOFF SPOT. 🙌 https://t.co/gHpiBKHtuG https://t.co/Mknyqblg2c
#Texans fired up for this one in pregame. C.J. Stroud in the middle of it https://t.co/gowtck1Orv
#Texans fired up for this one. C.J. Stroud in the middle of it https://t.co/7nn5jD87f2
Stroud finds Andrew Beck wide open in the end zone for the touchdown 🚨 Texans lead 14-3 https://t.co/oxceFRg4D2
C.J. Stroud throws 75-yard TD pass on Texans' first play https://t.co/Hz0Dz3kcyl https://t.co/rayB5YJ4CM
This is how the Texans decided to start the game. CJ Stroud to Nico Collins https://t.co/PPfztfVOQV
Houston Texans CJ Stroud his 1st play of the game with a 75 Yard TD. Stroud has his 22nd Passing TD https://t.co/njgXSfB3g1
C.J. STROUD LAUNCHES A 75-YARD TD 🚀 First play for the Texans offense 😳 (via @NFL) https://t.co/TNhEdPA5fe
CJ Stroud pulling up the season finale vs. Colts 👀 Can he lead the Texans into the Playoffs? (via @NFL) https://t.co/HCp83AY7Gr
17-0 Texans. My only issue with starting Stroud is he might not need to attempt too many second half passes.