'The Time Is Now!': Texans QB C.J. Stroud Wants To Cap Off Stellar Rookie Season With Playoffs

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud looks to have an extremely bright future in the league, but he's not content to wait for his first taste of playoff action.

With one game to go, many would consider the Houston Texans' 2023 campaign a success already.

After all, the Texans have overcome three straight years of being a bottom-five team in the league to earn their first winning record since 2019. On top of that, their future looks much brighter than anyone could have imagined before the season, thanks to an outstanding rookie class highlighted by star quarterback C.J. Stroud.

However, the team isn't satisfied yet. Houston is just a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night away from clinching a playoff spot, and the Texans didn't work so hard just to not make the postseason. Although their future looks bright, the Texans aren't keen on waiting to get back to the playoffs.

C.J. Stroud / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

"The time is now," Stroud told reporters this week. "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."

While the Texans' playoff fate is in their hands, some help elsewhere could lift them to another huge milestone. A win over the Colts coupled with a Jacksonville Jaguars loss against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday would give Houston the AFC South crown, something almost no one thought was possible a few months ago.

For now, though, the Texans are just focusing on what they can control.

Playoff Berth Will Not Dictate Success or Failure for Texans

"As our guys said, we didn't come this far just to get this far," coach DeMeco Ryans said. "We have a lot to still play for that's ahead of us."

The Texans and Colts kick off from Lucas Oil Stadium at 8:15 p.m. ET in what is Houston's biggest game of the 2020s so far.