The Wild Card weekend in the NFL has officially concluded, leaving behind a clear message, the Houston Texans possess what is arguably the most suffocating unit in the league in their defense. There is an old saying that defense wins championships, and the Texans’ 30-6 demolition of the Pittsburgh Steelers provided all the evidence needed to back that up. Houston entered the postseason as the hottest team in football on a nine-game winning streak, and they played like it.
The defense accounted for two touchdowns on its own, the first was a Sheldon Rankins fumble recovery after a strip-sack by First-Team All-Pro Will Anderson Jr., and the second was a game-sealing pick-six by Calen Bullock. If Aaron Rodgers decides to hang up his cleats this offseason, his final pass in the NFL would have been that interception, a haunting exit for one of the all-time greats and a certain first-ballot Hall of Famer.
C.J. Stroud Outshines Dak Prescott as the Face of Texas Football
The stage is now set for a high-stakes showdown this Sunday as the Texans travel to face the New England Patriots. This marks Houston’s third consecutive trip to the Divisional round, a testament to the incredible synergy between quarterback C.J. Stroud and head coach DeMeco Ryans. In their three seasons together, this duo has gone a perfect 3-0 in Wild Card games, showing a level of poise that usually takes a decade to cultivate.
The shift in power within the state of Texas is now undeniable. Stroud’s three playoff wins in just three years already surpass the two postseason victories Dak Prescott has managed over a ten-year career with the Cowboys. He has also tied the three wins of Lamar Jackson, despite Jackson having an eight-season head start. While much is made of the elite defense supporting him, Stroud has proven to be an exceptional leader and arguably the most mature young quarterback to enter the league in years.
There is a reason he was the second overall pick in 2023, and he continues to silence any remaining doubters with his play in January. He has effectively put the Dallas Cowboys in his shadow, delivering the kind of postseason results that have eluded the “America’s Team” for nearly thirty years. As the Texans head to Foxborough, Stroud is no longer just a promising young talent;, he is the undisputed king of Texas football.
Texans Aim their First AFC Championship Behind Stroud
The challenge now shifts to taking the next monumental step: leading the franchise to its first-ever AFC Championship game appearance, and potentially, a trip to the Super Bowl. The road through New England is never easy, but this Texans team feels different than previous iterations.
In the playoffs, experience and momentum are everything, and while Stroud is technically one of the younger starters left, his 3-0 Wild Card record suggests he is already a veteran in the moments that matter most. His ability to protect the football and keep the offense on schedule allows his defense to remain aggressive, making life impossible for whoever is lining up across from them.
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