Julia StumbaughJanuary 12, 2025
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C.J. Stroud believes Saturday’s playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers was just the beginning of the Houston Texans’ run.
The Texans will now advance to the divisional round for the second straight postseason with Stroud under center and head coach DeMeco Ryans calling defensive plays.
“I think we played full, complementary football today, from offense to defense to special teams,” Stroud said after the Texans’ 32-12 wild-card playoff win.
Stroud continued: “That’s just a testament to the head coach we have, the faith that he puts in us to keep going, the city we represent. Everything is really just coming together at the right time. I really feel like this is the start.
“I’m really just amazed of the environment in there, as well. But I really believe that we’re just getting started, and hopefully we continue to get this momentum rolling.”
The Texans fell into an early six-point deficit on Saturday night, and the Chargers threatened to extend their lead when they picked off Stroud early in the second quarter.
But the Houston defense responded with an interception of their own to get the ball back on the next play.
The Texans ran into trouble again late in the second quarter, when a fumbled shotgun snap went bouncing away from Stroud inside the 10-yard line.
Stroud avoided a sack, found the ball, and got it to Xavier Hutchinson for a 34-yard gain.
The quarterback ended up leading the Texans on a 99-yard touchdown drive which gave Houston the lead for the first time in the game.
“Those are the type of plays that change momentum, and that’s when a team can rally around plays like that,” Stroud said
Ryans concurred, telling reporters: “That’s the play that sparked our entire team.”
Houston Texans @HoustonTexansUNREALLLL THROW FROM CJ7 🤯
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The Texans defense were the biggest stars of the Saturday night win. The pass rush forced Justin Herbert to throw a career-high four interceptions, while the run defense held the Chargers to just 50 yards in the loss.
Stroud and the Texans were bounced by the Baltimore Ravens during their trip to the divisional round last year. Houston will hope for better results as the team gears up for a second playoff game next week.
