HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) - Understanding that recency bias is most definitely a thing, I don't think I'd be remiss in calling Sunday's 39-37 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers one of the most exciting wins in the franchise's 22-year history.
There's plenty to reflect on after C.J. Stroud's unforgettable, record-breaking and downright heroic performance at NRG Stadium on Sunday.
Enjoy.
Slow start for Stroud and the offense - missed Tank Dell on first play of the game - easiest reception opportunity he's had all season and the pass was low.
A couple of plays later, Schultz fumbled a would be first down reception on a third-and-10, instead it gave the Bucs great field position on Houston's 42 yard line.
"Honestly, I thought the first half went okay," Stroud said when asked about the slow start. "The first drive, I threw the ball too low to Tank, and then third down, tried to make a play, and we got off the field. They had punched it out, and I told Dalton [Schultz] right after that, 'You're going to be big in this game. You're going to have to make a play. Don't put your head down for one second. Let's go.' He did it. He kept going. You see he came up huge on that third down red zone touchdown. He ran a great route."
That infectious mindset and positive outlook Stroud has just facilitated the resilience the Texans showed as a team Sunday.
The first play of their second offensive possession, Stroud went right back to Schultz. If you understand Stroud, it was probably the most predictable throw he made all day. If given the opportunity, he's going to allow his teammates, whom he fully trusts to make plays, make a play.
Stroud is a coach on the field, he builds his players up and they play for him as much, if not more than any coach or anyone else in a Houston Texan uniform.
Stroud's resilience, toughness and infectious will to win resulted in a record setting day.
He became the first rookie quarterback to throw for 470 yards in a game, surpassing the previous record set by Marc Bulger (453) in 2002 and the first rookie to ever do it with five touchdowns to boot.
Stroud also became just the sixth quarterback since 1937 to throw five touchdown passes in a single game since 1937.
The rookie signal caller finished 30-of-42 for 470 yards, five touchdowns and a 147.8 passer rating.
He spread it around Sunday, completing balls to seven different receivers, including three that amassed more than 100-yards in the game.
Noah Brown led all receivers with a career high 153 yards on six receptions, including a touchdown.
Tank Dell became just the third Texan in franchise history, joining Andre Johnson and Will Fuller to record multiple games of more than 100-yards receiving with his 114-yard, six catch day which included the game-winning 15-yard touchdown.
Dalton Schultz recorded his first career 100-yard game, hauling in a career-high 10 catches for 130 yards, including a touchdown.
Despite playing without veteran receiver Robert Woods for the second straight game and Dameon Pierce missing his first game of the season with an ankle injury, the Texans would not be denied Sunday afternoon with an aggressive pass-attack.
They converted eight plays of 20 or more yards in the pass game for the first time all season.
I'm not sure when that's happened last, but the fact that Stroud basically called his shot and the Texans did what they did in the pass game Sunday without ANY semblance of a run game - again - was pretty damn cold-blooded.
"Bobby was looking for us to answer the bell after we should have done way better against the Panthers, and he did a great job," Stroud said. "He told me, 'This game, you've got to go make plays. Be special. You're a special player. Go be special.' He put the ball in my hand, and I appreciate that because it's not always the most comfortable thing to do with a rookie quarterback.
"Honestly, they haven't been treating me like a rookie quarterback. They've been putting a lot on my plate, and I feel like I'm trying to handle it as best I can and work really hard to get the looks down, get the cans, alerts, everything. I really appreciate Bobby trusting us and going out there and making plays. So, shout-out to Bobby, called a great game."
Stroud, just weeks into his rookie season, has already been on the wrong side of the lines, having watched the Atlanta Falcons and Desmond Ridder march down the field to score and win late.
It was his turn this time.
Stroud saw how dejected the defense was, having just allowed Baker Mayfield orchestrate a 10-play 61-yard go-ahead touchdown drive to give the Bucs a 37-33 lead with just 46 seconds left.
He knew he had time and wanted to let Jonathan Greenard and his defense know what he'd do with it.
"They had scored, gave us 46 seconds left, and he was walking off the field," Stroud recalled. "Every time I walk off the field and I'm not feeling the best, I know the look, and he had that look. I made him stop, made him look me in my eyes, and I said, 'Hey, bro, I've got you.' They've done that for me, when my head was down, they went and got a stop and gave us the ball back, and we either did something with it or we didn't. This time, I wanted to let him know, just like you're here for me, I'm here for you."
Cold. Blooded.
For the third straight game the Texans defense has held their opponent to less than 90-yards rushing. DeMeco Ryans' defense limited the Buccaneers to just 81 yards rushing on 31 carries for a paltry 2.6 yards per attempt.
With all of the fireworks by both the Texans and Bucs offensively, it can be tough to find the hood in a defense that allowed 37 points and the go-ahead score with less than a minute left in the game. However, I think a few Texans deserve their props.
Safety Jalen Pitre had a fantastic pass deflection on the third quarter, preventing the Bucs from connecting on what would've been an explosive play to get them into the red zone. The Bucs settled for a 49-yard field goal instead.
Linebacker Blake Cashman recorded 10 tackles, including two for a loss. He's playing the best football of his career and is easily the Texans most reliable player in the group.
Second-year pro, Christian Harris responded after a rough start. After allowing a big play early to Bucs running back Rashaad White, Harris settled in and seemed to think less and react more. Harris finished with five tackles, one for a loss and a pass deflection. He's a fast and physical player that continues to make strides, particularly at defending backs in the flat.
Defensive back Tavierre Thomas was in on a couple of big third-down stops in the second half which stifled Bucs drives and limited them to field goals. He finished with nine tackles, including one for a loss.
Seldom used rookie receiver Xavier Hutchinson had a nice 12-yard run on fake-reverse handoff (whatever it was, it was gimmicky and I loved it) that got the Texans into the red zone during a drive that began late in the third quarter and ended with the Texans scoring a touchdown early in the fourth. The nine-yard connection from Stroud to Schultz gave the Texans a brief 30-23 advantage.
For Hutchinson, it was one play, but no matter how big or small a role someone plays, when their number is called, they're expected to perform and he did his job on his lone touch in the game.
Texans defensive tackle Khalil Davis recorded his first career sack. He tallied four tackles in the game, including a tackle for loss and one pass defensed.
Back up running back and special teams ace (in more ways than one now) Dare Ogunbowale kicked his first career field goal, a CLUTCH 29-yard field goal to put the Texans up 33-30 with 8:45 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Ogunbowale also became the first non-kicker to make a field goal in a regular season game since Wes Welker did it as a member of the New England Patriots in 2004.
Will Anderson recorded his first sack since week one, bringing his season total to two. The rookie finished the game with three tackles and a quarterback hit.
CJ Stroud became the first rookie in NFL history to pass for at least 470 yards and throw five or more touchdowns in a single
game.
Tight end Dalton Schultz's 130-yard performance marked the first time he'd eclipsed 100-yards in an NFL game and his 10 catches were a career-high as well.
I tried.
I'll die on the hill that rookie receiver Tank Dell changing his jersey number from 13 to 3, resorting back to his old high school number, was a missed marketing opportunity.
That 713 connection would've been cool.
But, Stroud to Dell in the red zone for a 15-yard go-ahead touchdown with six seconds remaining WON the most exciting game for the Texans in their history on Sunday and that's all that matters.
The connection is special.
Stroud took us through the final moments of the game-winning drive as only he can.
"Bobby (Slowik) did a great job of feeling the tempo of the game, feeling what we probably needed, and had a play we hadn't worked on since training camp," Stroud explained. "I know that Tank's route was nasty. I didn't get to watch it. I just threw it. But, I just had to take care of the safety. They were in quarters. Once the safety was by the inside route, I threw the outside route, and his job was to beat the corner, and the Texans win.
"That drive, man, it was special. That's something in this league I'm learning – you've got to be great in two-minute, and, for me, I just want the ball. Just give me the ball, call the play, and I'm going to go make a play. I'm happy with the win."
The injuries continue to mount. Entering week eight, only the Cleveland Browns had incurred more injuries than the Texans.
While the Browns took a couple of blows in their 27-0 victory over the Cardinals, having lost receiver Marquise Goodwin and left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. to injuries, the Texans are the likely front runners now for the most banged up squad in the league.
Safeties Jimmie Ward (hamstring) and MJ Stewart (shoulder) both got banged up on back-to-back plays Sunday, while defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway (ankle), linebacker Jake Hanson (hand) and receiver John Metchie all suffered injuries as well.
