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    C.J. Stroud Cements Star Status, Astounds Fans as Texans Beat Browns in NFL Playoffs

    zach bacharContributor IJanuary 14, 2024

    HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 13: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans drops back to pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of the AFC Wild Card playoff game at NRG Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
    Cooper Neill/Getty Images

    C.J. Stroud's incredible rookie season continued on Saturday as the Houston Texans defeated the Cleveland Browns in the wild card round by the final score of 45-14.

    Stroud dissected a Browns secondary that ended the regular season with the No. 1 pass defense in the NFL. He finished the afternoon with 274 yards and three touchdowns to go along with zero turnovers. 236 of his yards came in the first half alone.

    The former No. 2 overall pick spread the ball all over the field, completing passes to seven different receivers. His top target was Nico Collins, as the 24-year-old reeled in six of his seven targets for 96 yards and a touchdown.

    Despite falling in an early 14-10 hole in the second quarter, Stroud helped Houston score 14 consecutive points before halftime to open up a double-digit lead. The Texans' defense closed out Cleveland's offense in the second half, returning two interceptions for touchdowns in the third quarter.

    NFL @NFL

    Two pick-6's within two minutes.<a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HoustonTexans</a> defense changed this game. <a href="https://t.co/In9Tctpsw0">pic.twitter.com/In9Tctpsw0</a>

    Stroud received MVP chants in front of a raucous Houston crowd, becoming the youngest starting quarterback to win a playoff game in NFL history. Fans were amazed by his stellar performance.

    C.J. Stroud Cements Star Status, Astounds Fans as Texans Beat Browns in NFL Playoffs
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    NFL @NFL

    Stroud strikes again 🚀<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CLEvsHOU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CLEvsHOU</a> on NBC<br>📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/jM781VisSx">https://t.co/jM781VisSx</a> <a href="https://t.co/gduspoao8V">pic.twitter.com/gduspoao8V</a>

    Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

    CJ Stroud tied the rookie record for most passing TDs (3) in a playoff game in just ONE HALF 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/tXOnsDiHkl">pic.twitter.com/tXOnsDiHkl</a>

    NFL @NFL

    Not bad for your first playoff game. 🤷‍♂️<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CLEvsHOU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CLEvsHOU</a> on NBC<br>📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/jM781VisSx">https://t.co/jM781VisSx</a> <a href="https://t.co/YcDG6p1B8I">pic.twitter.com/YcDG6p1B8I</a>

    Ryan Clark @Realrclark25

    CJ Stroud is the best rookie QB I have ever seen!! PERIOD

    PFF @PFF

    CJ Stroud in his first half of playoff football: <br><br>🔺11/16<br>🔺236 YDS <br>🔺3 TDs / 0 INTs <br>🔺151.0 PASSER RTG <a href="https://t.co/8b8I8PFy6B">pic.twitter.com/8b8I8PFy6B</a>

    Jayden @JayD__5

    cj stroud.. put on!💯

    Field Yates @FieldYates

    CJ Stroud in his first career playoff game: <br><br>16-of-21, 274 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns <br><br>Absolute star

    Mike Greenberg @Espngreeny

    With this performance, and at least one more game to come, CJ Stroud has probably locked up the greatest rookie season any quarterback has ever had. <br><br>Marino, Dak, Ben, Russ, RGIII, all great. But what this kid has done tops them all. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Texans</a>

    Grant Paulsen @granthpaulsen

    CJ Stroud is a star. Huge arm, pocket presence, seems to have elite off-field traits. He's changed everything for the Texans. When you hit on a QB the world changes. <br><br>He was the No. 2 pick in the draft last season.

    Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

    C.J. Stroud is the first rookie quarterback drafted in the first round to win a playoff game since 2009, when Mark Sanchez did it with the New York Jets.

    Vince Wilfork @wilfork75

    This cj stroud will be a problem his whole career!!! The next great QB!wouldn't be surprised houston goes deep into playoff

    NFL on CBS 🏈 @NFLonCBS

    C.J. Stroud's NFL Playoff debut:<br><br>💥 3 pass TD (ties rookie playoff record)<br>💥 157.2 QB Rating (4th highest in playoff history)*<br><br>*Minimum 15 pass attempts <a href="https://t.co/a9NuG6dF3u">pic.twitter.com/a9NuG6dF3u</a>

    Pat McAfee @PatMcAfeeShow

    CJ Stroud is 45 years old… gotta be. What a phenom

    Dez Bryant @DezBryant

    CJ Stroud is Him!

    LeBron James @KingJames

    BEEN HIM!!! H-TOWN got 1 of them ones!

    Tracy Wolfson @tracywolfson

    I don't care where he went to college, Stroud is just so impressive. Haven't done a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Texans</a> game in a while but I have a feeling we will be heading there a lot more in years to come.

    The Texans decided to keep Stroud on the sidelines after the team built up a 31-point lead in the fourth quarter, with backup signal-caller Davis Mills entering the game. Houston mustered 356 yards of offense against a team that allowed just 270.2 yards per game in the regular season.

    In the Texans' first appearance in the playoffs since the 2019 season, the team will be advancing to the divisional round. It's safe to say that the future is bright in Houston with Stroud under center.