The Houston Texans had to overcome a mid-game lull that threatened to undo all of the good their scorching hot start did, but they managed to take down the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17, securing themselves a future beyond the regular season.
Additionally, the Texans did it in historic fashion.
From C.J. Stroud’s two early touchdowns to the defense harassing Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert all day, the Texans did what they have done all season: swarm to a win.
C.J. Stroud Sparks Historic Day for Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans looks on after beating the Las Vegas Raiders.
On the Texans’ first and seventh plays from scrimmage, Stroud found rookie wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, respectively, for touchdowns, sparking a message from the organization.
“CJ7 makin’ HISTORY,” the Texans posted on X during the game, as Stroud climbed to third in franchise history in TD passes.
Stroud and Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans also joined some exclusive company.
“#Texans DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud are the fourth head coach quarterback tandem to make playoffs in each of their first three seasons together, joining #Browns [HC] Paul Brown-Otto Graham, #Ravens John Harbaugh-Joe Flacco #Colts Chuck Pagano-Andrew Luck,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on December 27.
This, naturally, also marks the first time in Texans franchise history that they have been to the postseason in three straight years. It did not stop there, though, as both Higgins and Noel also made history on the day.
Texans Rookie Duo Makes More History Together
GettyJaylin Noel #14 of the Houston Texans reacts after a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens.
Higgins and Noel were already a historic duo, having been drafted out of the same school in the same class.
They added to their resumes on Saturday.
Texans PR posted on X that Higgins’ 75-yard TD reception was the longest ever by a Texans rookie, while he and Noel became the second such twosome to each record 40-plus yard scoring catches in the same game, let alone the same or opening quarter, per NFL Plus.
The Texans were not just taking care of business in this game, or even for just themselves, in this game, though.
Texans Clear Up AFC Playoff Picture
Harry How/GettyJustin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers during warm-ups before a game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Not only did Stroud and the Texans secure their spot in the postseason field, but they also eliminated the Colts from contention.
That is notable because the Texans will host the Colts in Week 18.
The Colts now have nothing to play for outside of playing the role of spoiler. But with a 45-year-old QB in Philip Rivers, Indy could also turn to backup–and rookie–Riley Leonard as QB1 to get another glimpse of him in action before the offseason.
It would be a daunting task to ask him to do that against the Texans’ No. 1-ranked defense, which sacked Herbert 5 times on Saturday.
From the Texans’ perspective, the game could be a tune-up opportunity for the postseason.
Moreover, the Texans’ win over the Chargers handed the Denver Broncos the AFC West crown for the first time since 2015, when they won the Super Bowl. Stroud and the Texans, though, surely hope this postseason berth leads to the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance.
Their defense has the stats, and their offense showed how explosive they can be. If they can find consistency for the postseason, Stroud and the Texans could deliver.
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