HOUSTON — As the games get bigger, C.J. Stroud just keeps getting better.
The rookie became the youngest quarterback to win an NFL playoff game after throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns, and the Houston Texans returned two interceptions by Joe Flacco for scores in a 45-14 rout of the Cleveland Browns in an AFC wild-card matchup Saturday.
“C.J. is the reason why we’re in this position,” first-year Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s special, a special young man. Special player. Continues to shine no matter how big the moment is.
“Our whole team is leaning on him and he has the shoulders to carry that weight.”
Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft last April, is also the highest-drafted rookie quarterback to win in the postseason. He picked apart Cleveland’s vaunted defense, throwing touchdown passes of 15 yards to Nico Collins, 76 to Brevin Jordan and 37 to Dalton Schultz.