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C.J. Stroud sets NFL rookie passing record in wild comeback win over Buccaneers

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•11/05/23
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Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has already been having an unbelievable year for the franchise. He’s already established himself as the team’s signal-caller of the future with his exceptional play early in his rookie campaign. On Sunday afternoon, he delivered yet another incredible performance, throwing for 470 passing yards and five touchdowns. That set the NFL single-game passing yardage record for rookies. Not only that, Stroud led the Texans on an improbable game-winning drive with less than a minute remaining.

Here’s the game winning touchdown toss to Tank Dell.

Stroud was spectacular, completing 30 of his 42 attempts, while not throwing any interceptions. The 470 passing yards were easily the most passing yards by any quarterback in the NFL on Sunday.

He found freon pumping through his veins in the final minute of the game. With just 46 seconds on the clock and his team trailing 37-33, Stroud managed to march the Texans on a six play, 75-yard drive to win the game in heart-stopping fashion, 39-37.

He connected with rookie receiver Tank Dell for the game-winning touchdown pass with just six seconds left in the game. With the win, the Texans moved to 4-4 on the 2023 season.

The Texans had three pass catchers haul in over 100 receiving yards on Sunday: Noah Brown (six catches, 153 yards, one touchdown), Dalton Schultz (10 catches, 130 yards, one touchdown), and Tank Dell (six catches, 114 yards, two touchdowns).

Stroud’s 470 passing yards in one game is already more than several NFL legends ever had in a single game, including: John Elway, Brett Farve, Troy Aikman, Randall Cunningham, Andrew Luck, and several others.

The Buccaneers also got a good performance on Sunday from Baker Mayfield, who completed 21 of his 30 passing attempts for 265 yards, while tossing in two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Sunday isn’t the first time Stroud has made history this season. Earlier in the year, Stroud completed the most pass attempts without an interception in league history. After Stroud’s accomplishment, legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers praised the former Ohio State standout’s game.

According to FanDuel, Stroud is a -140 favorite to win the NFL Rookie of the Year award. Nonetheless, Stroud can’t get ahead of himself. Sitting at 4-4, the Texans must continue to fight for a winning record.

On Sunday, Stroud and Co. will look to carry their momentum forward as they square off against the Cincinnati Bengals at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on CBS.

On3’s Grant Grubbs also contributed to this article.