C.J. Stroud's Record-Breaking Day Carries Houston Texans to Week 9 Win

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had the best game of his young career, and they badly needed it. Stroud set yet another rookie record in the impressive Week 9 win.

Congratulations, Houston Texans fans. You have yourselves a franchise quarterback.

A week after quarterback C.J. Stroud struggled to put up points against a winless Carolina Panthers team, he had the best game of his young career.

Stroud set a rookie record on Sunday, posting 470 passing yards. Every single one of them was necessary.

His final 75 yards came on Houston’s final drive. He completed each of his five passes, shredding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. Just 40 seconds after starting the drive, the Texans found themselves in the end zone with a lead.

Stroud drops back to pass on his record-setting day / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

“If you give me a little bit of time,” Stroud told his offensive line. “I will make them pay.”

That he did. Houston won 39-37.

Passing yards aside, Stroud was phenomenal on Sunday. He completed 30-of-42 passes and threw five touchdowns, including that defining game-winning drive.

He protected the ball well, executed in the quick game as necessary, and refound the explosives that eluded the Texans in last week’s loss. Against a talented defense and one of the more uniquely coached units in football, the rookie was the moment.

Week 9 wasn’t the first week Stroud set an NFL record, either. Before the New Orleans Saints gave Stroud the first interception of his career, no rookie had thrown more passes without a pick to start their career.

Once again, Stroud was electric and proved to be the most important part of a Houston victory. The best passer in his class isn’t just an encouraging young passer.

He has arrived, and the Texans are suddenly back in the AFC playoff picture.

Stroud has emphasized improving week-over-week and staying consistent despite the healthy dose of adversity that he’s faced. Those principles were exemplified against Tampa Bay.

His 0.47 expected points added per play was a 93rd-percentile performance, his total expected points added (24.8) ranked in the 98th percentile. He let it rip downfield consistently and completed more passes than expected too.

Stroud was the best player on the field on Sunday. The rookie wall has been dismantled and the Texans are the beneficiaries. Week 9 gave them one of those wins to hang hats on when things get tough, an unrelenting provider of confidence as the year rolls on.

He attributed his big day to the coaching staff, saying offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik hasn't treated him like the rookie he is.

“It’s been a blessing to work with those guys,” Stroud said.

He’ll look to carry that momentum into a Week 10 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals.