While the broader NFL community didn't get an up-close glimpse at C.J. Stroud's potential greatness until the Houston Texans' late-season playoff push, football fans in the Bayou City likely knew they had something special on their hands by Nov. 12, 2023.
Coming off a thrilling 39-37 victory over Tampa Bay, in which Stroud led a game-winning touchdown drive in the final seconds to cap his 470-yard, five-touchdown performance, the Texans found themselves facing late-game adversity once again. Houston had just blown a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead to a streaking Cincinnati Bengals squad when Stroud led his team onto the field.