C.J. Stroud leads Texans on unbelievable game-winning drive in second consecutive game
A 38-yard field goal sealed the win on Sunday for the Houston Texans against the Cincinnati Bengals. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud led the Texans on a game-winning drive for the second consecutive week after an interception gave the Bengals a chance to come back with 3:41 remaining.
With less than two minutes to play, Stroud began the final drive with an incompletion but then threw three completions in a row to three different receivers. The effort got the Texans within field goal range with kicker Matt Ammendola and the kick sailed through to put Houston up 30-27 with no time remaining.
The rookie quarterback is showing everyone why he should have been the No. 1 quarterback taken in the 2023 Draft as he’s led the Texans to a 5-4 record. Last week, Stroud led the team to a 39-37 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Against the Bengals defense, the former Buckeye went 23-for-39 for 356 passing yards and a touchdown. He also had one interception late in the game and took one sack. Stroud added another touchdown with his legs in the fourth quarter – an eight-yard scamper. After the score, the rookie hit the “O-H” in Ohio as a nod to his alma mater.
Stroud nearing next rookie milestone
Last Sunday, he delivered yet another incredible performance, throwing for 470 passing yards and five touchdowns. That set the NFL single-game passing yardage record for rookies.
Like last week, Stroud favored his connection with former Cowboys wideout Noah Brown. Brown finished the game with seven catches for a whopping 172 yards. Last week, the wide receiver hauled in six catches for 153 yards and a touchdown.
Stroud’s performance against the Bengals earned him high praise from NFL insider Adam Schefter. Schefty tweeted: “CJ Stroud has entered the MVP conversation.”
Former player and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark tweeted: “If you’re having MVP conversations and the name Stroud isn’t a part of them then you’re talking to people who don’t know a thing about great QB play!”
The rookie’s stats this season are skyrocketing lately. He has 2,626 passing yards this season, which is the third-most through QB’s first nine starts in league history. He trails only Justin Herbert in 2020 (2,699) and Andrew Luck in 2012 (2,631).
The Texans have a homestand through the next few weeks. They’ll host the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Denver Broncos before traveling again in December to New York to take on the Jets.