LOOK AT THE TEXANS NOW
Texans prepare for divisional round as C.J. Stroud's superlative rookie season continues
Jan 17, 2024, 2:04 pm
The Ravens host the Texans on Saturday. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images.
Virtually no one expected the Houston Texans to make the playoffs this season, much less win after they got in.
Playing in the postseason for the first time in four years, the Texans are heading to the divisional round after a 45-14 dismantling of the Cleveland Browns.
A year ago, Houston won just three games, netting the No. 2 overall pick in the draft that the team used to select quarterback C.J. Stroud out of Ohio State. Stroud had plenty of talent, but he hardly was expected to turn the franchise around instantaneously.
Look at the Texans now.
“Everybody counted us out. ... Houston versus the world,” Stroud said. “It’s cool just to be able to be playing at a high level right now. It’s not about what people say.”
Right now, the NFL world is raving about the 22-year-old Stroud after he threw three touchdown passes in his playoff debut to become the youngest quarterback to win a postseason game.
Stroud picked apart Cleveland’s No. 1-ranked defense on Saturday, piling up 236 yards passing and throwing TD passes of 15, 76 and 37 yards before halftime as Houston built a 24-14 lead.
Coach DeMeco Ryans said Stroud has improved every week and that he showed no moment is too big for him.
“When you have a young player who can shoulder the load of your team and the way the team is behind him, the confidence that he gives our entire team, it’s so cool to watch because he’s such a special player,” Ryans said. “I know he’s had a special season, and we’re looking forward to keep moving on.”
After Stroud put the Texans on top with his stellar first half, Houston’s defense finished things off after halftime. Steven Nelson and Christian Harris returned interceptions for touchdowns on consecutive drives in the third quarter.
“Those are big-time plays,” Ryans said. “One of our focuses coming into the game was to attack the football. But to attack it and to go score, that changes the game for us.”
The Texans are the seventh team in NFL history to have multiple pick-6s in a playoff game and the first since Seattle did it against Washington on Jan. 5, 2008.
WHAT’S WORKING
Stroud was 16 of 21 for 274 yards Saturday. The Texans were so dominant that he sat down for good with about nine minutes left. His 157.2 passer rating was the best by a rookie with at least 20 passing attempts in a game in NFL history.
Stroud was helped by an offensive line that kept superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett and the rest of Cleveland’s defense from getting to him. The Texans didn’t give up a sack and Stroud was hit just once.
“We’re playing our best ball as of right now these last two weeks, last three weeks really, and that’s really what you want,” Stroud said.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
After a game such as the Texans had Saturday, it’s difficult to identify many flaws. But Houston allowed receptions of 45 and 47 yards in the first quarter against the Browns before shoring up its pass defense.
The Texans will need to eliminate those big plays if they hope to succeed against Baltimore this week.
STOCK UP
WR John Metchie, who missed his entire rookie year last season undergoing treatment for leukemia, had three receptions for a career-high 44 yards and added a 9-yard run against Cleveland.
“I’m really proud of him for his journey and all that he’s been through,” Ryans said. “No one’s been through it tougher than him. ... Nobody works harder on their craft than Metchie and it was good to see the success come from it in our first playoff game.”
STOCK DOWN
RB Dameon Pierce, who ran for 939 yards as a rookie last season, had three carries for zero yards Saturday as Houston continues to use Devin Singletary as its primary running back.
INJURIES
WR Noah Brown was placed on the injured reserve Monday after injuring his shoulder Saturday. ... LB Denzel Perryman injured his ribs in the third quarter against Cleveland. ... DE Jerry Hughes missed Saturday’s game with an ankle injury and it’s unclear if he’ll return this week.
KEY NUMBER
45 — The Texans scored their most points in a playoff game in franchise history and tied for the third most in any game in their history. It was the most they had scored since a 45-21 victory over Tennessee on Nov. 30, 2014.
NEXT STEPS
The Texans will play in the divisional round for the fifth time in franchise history on Saturday at top-seeded Baltimore, and will try to advance to the AFC title game for the first time.
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The 2025 season hasn't gone according to script for the Houston Astros. Injuries, slumps, and a retooled roster have left fans asking whether this version of the Astros is underwhelming—or if, given all the turmoil, they might actually be overachieving.
When Houston dealt Kyle Tucker, a franchise cornerstone, the move raised eyebrows. Tucker was a consistent producer and an anchor in right field. In return, the Astros received infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and third baseman now outfielder Cam Smith—players who didn’t bring the same star power but offered versatility and upside.
Paredes has delivered as advertised. He’s brought steady production at the plate and the ability to play a solid third base. While he may not be with the team beyond 2027 if the front office sticks to its recent pattern of letting players walk in free agency, his presence right now is stabilizing an otherwise inconsistent lineup.
Then there’s Cam Smith, who might be the real key to this deal. After a slow start and questions about whether he or Zach Dezenzo was the better option in right field, Smith has surged. Over the past 30 days, he’s hit north of .300 and shown signs of becoming a long-term fixture. The biggest question now is positional: Is he Houston’s future in right field, or could he eventually slide over to third base if/when Paredes departs? That decision will ripple through future roster planning and could define how this trade is remembered.
In the meantime, however, he’s shown flashes of being a quality everyday player. But it’s not uncommon for young hitters to take a step back after an initial surge. The Astros need him to keep proving it, but the potential is unmistakable.
Underwhelming or overachieving?
Elsewhere on the roster, the results are mixed. Players like Jake Meyers and Victor Caratini, who came into the season with modest expectations, have performed admirably. Meanwhile, stars like José Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Díaz have underperformed, leaving the offensive output uneven. Add in the extended absence of Yordan Álvarez and the loss of three-fifths of the starting rotation, and it's fair to say Houston has had more than its share of adversity.
King of the hill
One area where the Astros have arguably found a diamond in the rough is Bryan King. With a 1.52 ERA in 2025, King has passed the eye test as a potential long-term solution in high-leverage relief situations. He’s been more than capable, building on a solid 2.39 ERA in 2024. His performance has solidified his place in the bullpen, and he’s taken on ownership of his role. However, it’s important for the Astros to temper expectations, especially after the lessons learned from the Rafael Montero signing. King looks like the real deal, but he still has a ways to go before being considered a true elite option out of the 'pen.
What should we make of the Alex Bregman quad injury?
Bregman’s injury doesn’t really change the conversation around whether the Astros should have extended him. If anything, it highlights the complexity of roster decisions. Houston could’ve kept Bregman, shifted Paredes to first base, and potentially avoided spending big on Christian Walker. But injuries are part of the game—Yordan Álvarez has missed nearly half the season, and no one’s suggesting the Astros should regret signing him. Kyle Tucker missed significant time last year, too, and he’s about to land a massive contract. Players get hurt. That’s baseball.
Moving forward
While the Astros have struggled with injuries and inconsistent performances, they have managed to remain competitive—perhaps even overachieving given the circumstances. The team's depth, the surprising performances from certain players, and the emergence of promising new talent have allowed them to hold their ground, currently possessing a Wild Card spot in the AL if the season were to end today.
There's so much more to discuss! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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