C.J. Stroud did it again.
For the second week in a row, Stroud led a game-winning drive in the final seconds to lead the Houston Texans to a victory. This time, he propelled the Texans past the Bengals for a 30-27 upset win in Cincinnati.
Back-to-back game-winning drives for @CJ7STROUD and the @HoustonTexans! pic.twitter.com/UO9PtFQkD6
— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
Getting the ball back with 1:33 left to play, Stroud led the Texans 55 yards down the field to set up a game-winning field goal by Houston kicker Matt Ammendola. A 22-yard connection between Stroud and fellow Ohio State product Noah Brown put the Texans in field goal range with less than 15 seconds to play.
What a play from Noah Brown in the clutch! https://t.co/G4bYRzPLiN pic.twitter.com/3OMYEBuX0R
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) November 12, 2023
One week after breaking the NFL rookie record with 470 passing yards and throwing a rookie record-tying five touchdown passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stroud’s performance was more imperfect against the Bengals. The Texans wouldn’t have even needed Stroud to lead a game-winning drive if he hadn’t made a rookie mistake by throwing a costly interception with a 10-point lead and under five minutes remaining on the clock.
Cam Taylor-Britt picks Stroud right back!
— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
: #HOUvsCIN on CBS
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kECSNGbyLL pic.twitter.com/ofb8FJodp8
But when the game was on the line, Stroud responded yet again, showing rare mettle for a rookie quarterback and not only cementing his status as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner but thrusting him into the league MVP conversation as well.
According to the Texans, Stroud is the only rookie quarterback in the last 40 years to lead game-winning drives in the final two minutes of regulation in back-to-back games.
C.J. Stroud BALLED OUT
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 12, 2023
Only rookie in the last 40 years to lead consecutive game-winning drives in the final 2 minutes of regulation pic.twitter.com/fSo9VTDLdt
Stroud finished the game with 23 completions on 39 attempts for 356 yards and one passing touchdown as well as an 8-yard touchdown run, after which he celebrated with an O-H-I-O to the Cincinnati crowd.
CJ STROUD. Dude is balling.
— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
: #HOUvsCIN on CBS
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kECSNGbyLL pic.twitter.com/HxzauRVvAW
O-H@CJ7Stroud pic.twitter.com/0hx2N5xqRm
— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
Being back in the Buckeye State made Stroud’s latest game-winning performance, which moved the Texans above .500 to 5-4 on the season, even more special.
“I love Ohio,” Stroud said in his postgame interview with CBS. “It’s my second home, man. It was an honor to be here, and I will always have love for the Buckeyes, so it was a blessing to be back in Ohio.”
"That was a great Bengals team... I'm a huge fan of Joe Burrow. It was an honor to play against him."
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) November 12, 2023
- C.J. Stroud with the most humble postgame interview you'll ever hear @Melanie_Collins | @HoustonTexans pic.twitter.com/smu4qyykXb
Brown was Stroud’s leading receiver for the second week in a row, setting a new career-high in receiving yards for the second week in a row as he caught seven passes for a whopping 172 yards.
