CJ Stroud is not one for bright lights.
But the lights he played in Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium were the brightest he's ever seen.
Stroud has certainly played in some big games, including multiple games against Michigan during his tenure. Ohio, or the College Football Playoff semifinals against Georgia in the Peach Bowl. He has performed under the bright lights of Lucas Oil Stadium before, like during an impressive pitching session at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
But Saturday night was different. Last regular season game of his rookie season in the NFL. Everything is at stake. houston texans.victory over the road indianapolis coltsAnd then there's the possibility of a playoff berth and a home berth. As soon as we lose, the offseason begins.
Houston fans didn't have to wait long for Stroud to make the first big play of the night.
After the Colts marched down the field on their opening possession, Stroud and the Texans offense took the field for their first possession of the night before making a field goal to take an early 3-0 lead. Ta.
A few seconds later, the Texans led 7-3.
The Texans got everything they wanted from this play and more. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slawik uses his personnel to his advantage on this play, as Houston lines up with 13 offensive personnel (three tight ends, one running back and one wide receiver). In response, the Colts play hard, deploying a 4-on-3 defensive front and four defensive backs in the game.
The Colts may be expecting some runs given their personnel, but Slowik dials up the play-action shot play of Nico Collins, the only wide receiver on the field. Collins will run post routes, and as the Colts move into quarter and quarter coverage, Collins will look to counter cornerbacks who play with outside leverage and help inside.
But the helper defenders will also be looking to score, and they'll also have an eye on the offensive backfield. This gave Collins a chance to get over the top of the defense, and Stroud slammed him down for a 75-yard touchdown.
An early touchdown gave the Texans the lead, but Stroud probably saved some of his best throws to prepare for the game's closing act.
When the game was decided at 17 in the fourth quarter, Houston faced 2nd and 14 near midfield with less than 10 minutes left. At this point, it's worth a quick reminder of Stroud's pre-draft evaluations, particularly the Georgia team's evaluations prior to his appearance in the Peach Bowl. Ohio State faced questions about his athleticism and his ability or even willingness to create plays outside of the structure.
That appeared to be an issue he addressed against the Bulldogs, but the question lingered after the combine. Stroud answered these questions last spring in Indianapolis, while also calling himself “Ball placement specialist.”
I couldn't help but think of Stroud's arguments when he made these arguments:
Although the Colts rushed with only four men, they managed to collapse the pocket around Stroud, forcing Stroud to try to create space to escape the throw. Late on the down, after spinning out of pressure first away from the pocket and then back into it, Stroud made a backfoot throw into space.
At first, you might think he's trying to throw this away. But he's trying to connect with Collins, who operates beyond the field. Somehow, somehow, this works. Collins tracks down the throw and the Texans get another down.
Seems pretty creative to me.
That throw was good, but the next throw a few plays later might have been even better. Stroud and Collins reconnect as the Texans face a second-again situation.
This time, the Colts applied five-man pressure, sending slot cornerback Kenny Moore II from right end. With both pressure from the right edge and pressure to the face, Stroud has no choice but to stand in the pocket and take the hit. But before he could take that hit, he launched a perfect throw to Collins on a post route with enough speed to beat the safety in the middle of the field.
First goal, Texans.
Houston would ultimately score the game-winning touchdown on the next play. And while Stroud had to sweat on the Colts' final drive of the game, it was time to celebrate.
The Texans and their rookie quarterback were headed for the playoffs. Stroud completed 20 of 26 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. He finished the season with just five interceptions, an impressive debut for a rookie passer.
On Sunday, Stroud and the rest of the Texans are scheduled to watch the game. jacksonville jaguars, have a chance to become AFC South Champions by the end of the day. The day may end that way, or it may not. But either way, Houston and its rookie quarterback will be one of only 14 teams left alive tomorrow morning with a chance to win football's ultimate prize.
Stroud will likely see more bright lights along the way, but given what he saw on Saturday night, he seems more than up for the challenge.
