Two years into the C.J. Stroud-DeMeco Ryans era, and the Houston Texans have 19 wins, two playoff appearances, two division titles and one NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award to show for it.
After a record-setting rookie season in which he threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions, Stroud took a bit of a step back in Year 2, but he still put up an impressive 3,910 total yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season.
Though he only played one series in Sunday’s 23-14 win over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium, Stroud completed all six of his passes for 50 yards and a touchdown, setting the tone for a dominant win.
That victory got the Texans to the 10-7 mark, which turned out to be a bit of history. The Texans announced on X after the game that Stroud and Ryans accomplished something only three other QB-head coach duos have ever done.
“Following today’s win, QB @CJ7STROUD and Head Coach DeMeco Ryans become the third QB/HC duo in @NFL history to reach the 10 win mark in each of their first two seasons with the team,” Texans PR tweeted.
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Houston won four of its last six down the stretch last season to get to 10 wins. This season, it jumped out to a 6-2 start and won just three of its last five games.
“Back-to-back years of undefeated on the road in our division, back-to-back years of division champs, back-to-back years of 10 wins, so great job by everybody in here,” Ryans said during his postgame locker room speech. “Really proud of everyone, as always. … This is what you play this game for, to have an opportunity to play postseason football. We here. We don’t know who we’re playing yet…but it really don’t matter.”
If the Raiders lose to the Chargers in the late game on Sunday, the Texans will host the Chargers next weekend. If the Chargers lose to the Raiders, the Texans will host the Pittsburgh Steelers.
