Things appeared bleak for the Texans in Week 9 when Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield orchestrated an iconic 10-play, 61-yard drive capped by a 14-yard touchdown pass to Cade Otton, giving Tampa Bay a 37–33 advantage.
However, Mayfield was not the only signal-caller making plays in the closing seconds. With the game on the line, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud delivered. The rookie led his offense on a six-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Tank Dell to give Houston a 39–37 victory.
Although Stroud has encountered some struggles in his first NFL season, fans were thrilled with his final touchdown pass along with his poise and command of the Texans’ offense in a late-game situation.
CJ STROUD FOR THE WIN TO TANK DELL.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 5, 2023
5 TDS FOR STROUD. pic.twitter.com/QYLt7gax8E
"CJ Stroud did poorly on the S2 test."
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 5, 2023
Stroud's response: "I’m not a test taker; I play football."
... And guess what? He's really good at it.
What a performance.
(📸 @The33rdTeamFB) pic.twitter.com/TsxCnkvlpj
TEXANS WINNNNNNNNNNN
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 5, 2023
CJ STROUD IS A LEGEND IN THE MAKING
🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/jVbksKt1pJ
THE TEXANS DID IT! CJ STROUD IS ABSOLUTELY NUTS
— Footballism (@FootbaIIism) November 5, 2023
pic.twitter.com/xwf895WppL
CJ STROUD
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) November 5, 2023
STAMP THAT SHIT
YOU HIM BROTHA
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR?
I MEANT TO SAY MVP!
Goodness CJ Stroud!!!! What a game for the Rook!! 470 yards passing and 5 TDs including the game winning drive with 46 seconds to go. Demeco got him a great one!
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) November 5, 2023
Wow, Houston Texans with a remarkable comeback.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) November 5, 2023
CJ Stroud breaks the single game rookie passing record with 470 pass yards and 5 TDs including game winner to Tank Dell. Hit the squabble. pic.twitter.com/uMOzOXBpW3
PUT SOME RESPECT ON TANK DELL NAME AS WELL!!!
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) November 5, 2023
I TRIED TO TELL YOU. CJ Stroud is a Top 10 QB. Rookie record 470 passing yards, 5 TDs and the GAME WINNING DRIVE. pic.twitter.com/whe38JtJYJ
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) November 5, 2023
Stroud threw for 470 yards on 30-of-42 passes with five touchdowns and zero interceptions. He broke the single-game rookie passing yards record while also tying the mark for the most passing touchdowns in a single game with his performance on Sunday.
Dell also registered a career-high six receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Houston (4–4) will return to action next Sunday in a road matchup against the Bengals (4–3).
