C.J. Stroud 'special' as Texans get wild-card revenge on Browns - ESPN

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans took their Week 16 loss to the Cleveland Browns personally and defeated them in their wild-card matchup 45-14, led by a historic day for quarterback C.J Stroud.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans called Stroud «special,» as the No. 2 pick in last year's draft tied the NFL record for most touchdown passes (three) by a rookie in a playoff game.

«C.J. is the reason why we're in this position,» Ryans said postgame. «He's a special young man and special player and continues to shine. No matter how big the moment is, our whole team is leaning on him, and he has the shoulders to carry the weight. And he shows up week after week… No moment is too big for him. He has had a special season and we're looking forward to keep moving on.»

Stroud and Ryans became the third rookie coach-quarterback duo since 1950 to win a playoff game. Stroud was the first quarterback drafted in the top two of the draft since 1967 to start and win a playoff game in his rookie season. He also became the youngest to win a playoff game, passing Michael Vick.

«Super excited for this team and the city of Houston,» Stroud said. «I'm just blessed to be in the position I am… I put in a lot of hard work, and my teammates do too, and it's cool to see the fruits of your labor come to be true. I'm super blessed to be considered with a great name like Michael Vick, who was my favorite quarterback growing up. I'm super blessed, and hopefully, I can make it to two [wins].»

This matchup was a rematch from Week 16 when the Texans lost 36-22, and the players didn't forget as a song blasted in the Texans' locker room before the game.

«The song we were playing when we walked in was that 'Get Back a Motherf---er,'» Texans tight end Brevin Jordan told