Behind C.J. Stroud's Return, Texans Inch Closer To Postseason

With C.J. Stroud back in the saddle, the Houston Texans remain in the AFC Playoff hunt.

HOUSTON -- Brevin Jordan said he had run the play a handful of times during practice leading up to Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. He even ran the same route — a low inside dig — on the game's first play. 

But with first-and-10 deep inside Tennessee territory, Bobby Slowik wanted to see if the offense could capitalize on six points instead of settling for three. Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud told Jordan they'd rerun the play before the huddle broke. 

This time, Jordan didn't miss his chance to cross the pylon before the celebration started. 

"I'm just grateful they trusted me to call [the play]," said Jordan postgame. "There's nothing like getting in the box."

The only thing better than scoring a touchdown is securing a win. The 12-yard reception would have been enough to defeat Tennessee's woeful offense, though Houston put up 16 more points en route to a 26-3 win over the Titans in the home finale at NRG Stadium. 

Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan reaches out across the pylon for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at NRG Stadium  :: Denny Simmons / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK

Jordan's trip to the end zone wasn't the only thing to return on Sunday, as Stroud's presence alone changed the attitude of the offense back to its former glory. Under Case Keenum, the Texas offense sputtered. 

Stroud, who finished 24 of 32 for 213 yards and a touchdown, wasn't perfect, but the Texans weren't looking for that. Instead, the team was in need of consistency. 

Challenge complete on all three phases. 

"I felt like I was back to normal by my first drive," Stroud said. "The first pass we completed and from there on I felt fine. I felt great. I was seeing it really well and was making the right reads. 

"We had a good plan of getting me back in the drive of things."

Jordan, who finished with two catches for 19 yards, mentioned how having the right 11 players out on the field does wonders for a team's persona. When one player adds a little extra in practice, players rally behind them into battle. 

For Jordan, Stroud is the "extra" player. From little details in practice to conversations in the huddle, he's the engine that keeps the offense moving. 

"That's my dog," said Jordan. "We were so happy to have him back." 

Stroud, the inside favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, only knows success in Houston. Jordan, who's closing in on his third year, knows defeat and far too much of it. 

The Texans, who secured their first winning season since 2019, won more games this past fall than in Jordan's first two seasons combined. Houston's also averaging 23.8 points per game, nearly eight points higher than Jordan's previous two years with Tyrod Taylor and Davis Mills splitting reps. 

C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr. Lead Texans to Victory Over Titans

Jordan understands how big Week 18's matchup against the Indianapolis Colts is to playoff seeding and what a win could do for the franchise's future. He credits the "swarm mentality" as part of the culture shift internally. 

"There's really no words for this," said Jordan. "I'm just so hyped. The last two years have been tough for everybody in this locker room, but to be in this position and possibly go to the playoffs, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."