How Texans OC Bobby Slowik has helped C.J. Stroud excel as a rookie - ESPN

HOUSTON — In the waning seconds against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9, Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik had a hunch.

The Texans were on the Buccaneers' 15-yard line trailing 37-33 with 10 seconds remaining. Based on his analytical data, Slowik knew Bucs coach Todd Bowles would be in Cover 4. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, who's also the defensive playcaller, runs a similar Cover 4-based defensive approach, so Slowik knew how to attack what he had seen countless times in practice.

Slowik dialed up a double post concept with receivers Noah Brown and Tank Dell lined up close to each other. Brown's objective was to occupy the safety and have Dell one-on-one with cornerback Carlton Davis III.

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When quarterback C.J. Stroud caught the snap, the defensive coverage unfolded precisely how Slowik anticipated, and Dell quickly got open for the winning touchdown. Stroud's final throw capped a historic afternoon. He set a rookie record for passing yards with 470 — passing Andrew Luck (433).

That was one of Stroud's most memorable throws in his rookie season, but it signified a playcaller and a player in lockstep.

«The most empowering thing for a coordinator is when you call the right play and get exactly what you want and the quarterback throws it on time — exactly where it needs to be,» Slowik told ESPN. «And that happens on repeat with C.J. It feels like almost never this year has there been a [play] where it was wide open and we missed it.»

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