C.J. Stroud sends clear message to team ahead of first win-and-in playoff game

C.J. Stroud and the Texans already have defied expectations this season, going from one of the worst teams in the NFL last year to a playoff contender.

But Stroud, the former Ohio State star and No. 2 pick of the NFL draft, doesn’t want to stop at contender. He wants to win it all. This year. Full stop. So don’t pat the Texans on the back, as yet. Wait to see what happens Saturday night when the Texans meet the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

“The time is now,” Stroud told reporters in Houston this week. “It’s not next year. It’s not the year after that — it’s right now. We have the opportunity to control our own destiny. I’m excited to do that.”

Yes, the Texans need a win over the Colts to earn at least a wildcard berth. If they win and the Jaguars also lose, Houston can claim the AFC South title. Conversely, if Indy wins, the Colts make the playoffs with former backup quarterback Gardner Minshew. If the Jaguars, who may be without starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence, win, then Jacksonville takes the division and either the Colts or Texans qualify as a wildcard.

This is all so new for Houston. The Texans are playing in primetime on Saturday. It’s the first time since mid-season 2022 that Houston isn’t playing in an early Sunday time slot. That shows how meaningful the game is. The NFL wants a big audience.

And if Stroud has a decent game, he’s likely the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year. He may get some competition from Rams receiver Puka Nacua. But it’s difficult to ignore Stroud’s stats and the Texans’ turnaround.

Stroud put up incredible numbers last time Texans played Colts

DeMeco Ryans, the former Texans linebacker, also is impressing as its rookie head coach.

“As our guys said, we didn’t come this far just to get this far,” Ryans said this week, “We have a lot to still play for that’s ahead of us.”

If they win, the reward is a possible trip to either Buffalo or Kansas City next weekend. But with the AFC playoff picture, there’s still too much left to happen before seedings are set.

The Colts beat the Texans at NRG Stadium back in September. It was Stroud’s only second-ever start. But he offered a glimpse of how his season could go. The Colts defense sacked him six times in their 31-20 win. However, Stroud completed 30 of his 47 passes for 384 yards and two touchdowns. He currently ranks ninth in the NFL in passing, throwing for 3,844 yards, with 21 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He missed two games in December because of a concussion. Otherwise, he already would’ve eclipsed 4,000 yards.

But that won’t matter if the Texans lose Saturday night. At least, that’s what Stroud is saying.