Does C.J. Stroud Have 'Recipe for Playoff Success' for Texans? 1 Game To Find Out

Does Rookie QB C.J. Stroud Have 'Recipe for Playoff Success' for Houston Texans? 1 Game To Find Out

The path - for far too long littered with the obstacles of foolishness, incompetence and scandal - is now clear.

Thanks in large part to the arrival of rookie first-round quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Houston Texans have the look and the feel of an NFL playoff team.

Now all that is left to do is to ... be one.

FanStreamSports.com

"The time is now," Stroud said after NFL Week 17 Sunday, which saw him lead the team's 26-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans. "It's not next year. It's not the year after that. It's right now. We have the opportunity to control our own destiny. I'm excited to do that."

'Time Is Now': Stroud Fulfilling Promise Amid Postseason Race

Texans fans who harbor some wait-and-see skepticism have earned that right. It's been four years since this franchise was a winner, and it's been never and a day since it's been a champion.

The foibles of Deshaun Watson and Jack Easterby and so many others did not occur all that long ago. But C.J. and rookie coach DeMeco Ryans and this new cast of characters are making it seem so.

Texans To Face Colts On Saturday Night For AFC Playoff Berth

And now? If Stroud and Ryans lead the Texans to a Week 18 victory against the Indianapolis Colts, Houston - now 9-7 - will clinch a spot in the postseason.

Rookie of the Year? Coach of the Year? Team of the Year? Stroud said what Houston did in this most recent win, with success on both sides of the ball, is "a recipe for success.”

And now one more win can prove that Houston has its recipe ... and can begin now its playoff path.