'MVP...MVP!' Fans Make Case For Texans QB CJ Stroud After Record-Setting Wild Card Performance
The game was over before the end of the third quarter, but the chants inside NRG Stadium from a sea of Houston Texans fans were only getting started.
With 10 minutes remaining in the game, C.J. Stroud took the bench and exhaled a sigh of relief. He had secured the first Texans' playoff win in four years as Houston watched the clock trickle down on a 45-14 outcome.
But from the stands, shouts came pouring onto the field. They started low but then began to grow.
Soon, it was a rallying cry to the voters who will determine which passer deserves to win the NFL's highest honor.
"MVP... MVP... MVP," the crowd bellowed down to No. 7, who became the youngest quarterback since Michael Vick in 2002 to win a playoff game.
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) celebrates with quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after a touchdown in a 2024 AFC wild card game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Home-field biases often carry weight, but the Texans fans might have a point. Stroud's heroics throughout the 2023 season served as a baseline for a seven-game turnaround and the most wins in four seasons. His efforts and maturation paved the way for Houston's return to the postseason.
"I understand the NFL is big on not handing the MVP to rookies but like you see what that dude just did to one of the best defenses in the NFL," tight end Brevin Jordan said. "The dude is a beast. I don't understand why he's not in the conversation for MVP.
"I honestly think he should be the frontrunner."
Postseason stats won't translate for a regular season award, but few passers put numbers like Stroud, who finished Saturday 16 of 21 for 274 yards and three touchdowns.
Stroud is one of five rookies to throw for 4,000-plus yards in their first season. He's top 10 in passing yards (4,108), passer rating (100.8) and yards per pass attempt (8.2). He's the first quarterback since Tom Brady and Joe Montana to lead the NFL in passing yards per game and touchdown-to-interception ratio in the same season.
If that's not enough, Stroud became the fourth rookie to throw for 200-plus yards and three touchdowns in a playoff game. What's the difference between Sammy Baugh, Dak Prescott, Brock Prudy, and Stroud? The first three needed four quarters to accomplish the feat.
Stroud joined the company with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz with just over a minute remaining in the first half.
"C.J. is the reason why we're in this position," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said postgame. "He's a special young man and special player and continues to shine. No matter how big the moment is, our whole team is leaning on him, and he has the shoulders to carry the weight. And he shows up week after week. ... No moment is too big for him."
Stroud became the first rookie quarterback to win a playoff game since Mark Sanchez in 2009. His 157.2 passer rating was the highest rating by a rookie passer in league history.
"Legendary man," receiver Nico Collins said. "He deserves it. He deserves everything for sure."
Cleveland's defense entered NRG Stadium holding opponents to a league-low 270.2 yards per contest. The secondary, headlined by Pro Bowler Denzel Ward and rising stars Greg Newsome III and Martin Emmerson, allowed an impressive 164.7 yards per game.
Those numbers are a thing of folklore. Stroud made them look like a tall tale instead. He completed four passes over 20 yards downfield and scored touchdowns from 15, 67, and 37 yards out.
"MVP man," defensive end Will Anderson Jr. said. "That's all I can say."
Anderson, who was selected one pick after Stroud in April, has been one of the quarterback's biggest supporters since hearing his name called. On Saturday, he even began calling for his rookie teammate to take home the hardware along with the fans.
"For him to be a rookie and to have the success that he's having right now and leading this team at such a young age," said Anderson. "All the guys just wanting to play for him and him showing in and out every game of what he can do and his ability, he's a special young man."
