Texans QB C.J. Stroud Makes Rookie Playoff History Against Browns
What more could Houston Texans fans ask of C.J. Stroud?
The rookie quarterback made history in the first half of Saturday's AFC wild-card round matchup against the Cleveland Browns, throwing for 236 yards and three touchdowns.
Stroud's 236 yards are the most thrown by a rookie in the first half of a playoff game since play-by-play was tracked beginning in 1991. The Texans are currently leading 38-14 over Cleveland in the closing minutes of the third quarter.
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Deep ball precision paved the way through the first 30 minutes for Stroud, who did not play in Houston's 36-22 loss against Cleveland on Christmas Eve due to a concussion. Trust off the edge also secured a score in the second quarter.
Stroud found Nico Collins for a gain of 38 yards to set up a field goal from Ka'imi Fairbairn. He later targeted John Metchie III for a 27-yard gain, pushing Houston into scoring range. Four plays later, Collins found the end zone on a 15-yard score with 11 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
That was the start, but far from the finish. Stroud evaded the sack on a play-action pass to Brevin Jordan in the flats. Jordan, a third-year tight end, did the rest for a 76-yard touchdown reception, the longest touchdown of the season for the Texans' offense.
Just before halftime, Stroud found Collins for a gain of 12 before targeting Dalton Schultz for a 37-yard score.
The Texans' offense has been dynamic with their playmakers. Collins leads Houston with five catches for 85 yards, but five other players have recorded at least one catch. Metchie has two catches for 37 yards. Devin Singletary has three catches for four yards.
The favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud finished the regular season completing 64 percent of his throws for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns against five interceptions.
Stroud became the fifth rookie passer in league history to throw for 4,000 yards, joining Andrew Luck, Justin Herbert, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston.
With a win, Houston would not only advance to the AFC Divisional Roud for the first time since 2019 but also secure their first-round pick for the 2024 NFL Draft. Cleveland traded three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks in exchange for Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson and a sixth-round pick.
