The Houston Texans won a thrilling contest on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 39-37 that brought their record to 4-4 and put rookie coach DeMeco Ryans firmly in position to make a playoff push over the next two months.
The win has brought visibility to a previously hapless Houston franchise, nearly guaranteed quarterback C.J. Stroud the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and changed the conversation on the place of the Texans franchise overnight. It was a nearly perfect win for Houston in both composition in outcome.
In fact, it was nearly story book perfect.
So many words to say about C.J. Stroud I’m not sure where to start.
The future is bright in Houston. So, so hilariously bright with that man at quarterback.
Special win for the rookie #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) November 5, 2023
If the idea of a Texans Cinematic Universe was previously a term used to mock a franchise that deluded itself into bad decisions, Sunday’s victory was one where the NFL script writers decided that Houston deserved a win of nearly unrealistic proportions.
To begin, the protagonist, or hero, emerged in an absolutely triumphant fashion. Stroud, the newest franchise quarterback for Houston, not only delivered a performance worthy of the mantle but gave one of the greatest quarterback performances in team history. He threw for 470 yards and five touchdowns while completing 30 of 42 attempts including a dazzling game-winning drive with under 50 seconds to play.
#Texans rookie C.J. Stroud finishes Sunday with a NFL single-game rookie passing yardage record with 470 yards and 5 TDs
And Houston gets a much-needed 39-37 win at NRG Stadium to get back to .500.
Special performance from No. 7.
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) November 5, 2023
Houston’s franchise player made a definitive statement that he was capable of serving that role and could be the caliber of player to carry the Texans back into relevancy. The hero of the story if there ever was one.
Next, the group assembled. Whether it’s the Fellowship of the Ring or the Avengers, there’s a point in every good story where the team assembles around their protagonist. Houston’s surrounding offensive cast had no problem doing that on Sunday.
GREAT STUFF – Dalton Schultz said CJ Stroud’s “ownership” of offense at his age isn’t “normal” & talks about his in-game adjustments, how impressive Slowik is for trusting him to execute #Texans pic.twitter.com/NMwOj0PWMq
— Shaun Bijani (@ShaunBijani) November 6, 2023
Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Dalton Schultz, and Noah Brown all caught touchdowns through the contest, with the latter three going over 100 receiving yards. The chemistry with Dell was apparent, as Stroud often looked at No. 3 on pivotal third downs and even the game winning touchdown.
“Tank, unbelievable explosive play there to their sideline, and then for those two to connect again with the touchdown,” Ryans said after the game. “That connection and that bond that I think Tank and C.J. have, it’s real. You see it off the field, on the field.”
Stroud himself was quick to credit his supporting cast for helping to bevy him to his historic performance.
“It’s just a matter of us being able to — all 11 — play together, protect, give ourselves time to make those plays,” Stroud said after the game. “And the receivers, when their number is called, it’s time for them to step up and make the play, and that’s what they did.”
Stroud had an appreciation for the way his cast of pass-catchers were able to deliver when called upon.
Said Stroud: “When their number was called today, they made big-time plays, whether it’s the catch and run aspect of it or being able to complete deep shots down the field.”
Hilarious for all the pre-draft concern about Tank Dell and how he'd managed press coverage… He's not seeing it
Dell saw off coverage (5+ yard cushion) on 63.2% of his routes yesterday that translated to 5 receptions for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns.
He's a problem #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) November 6, 2023
Of course, the win couldn’t have been truly cinematic without some shred of doubt thrown at the hero. That came in a definitive way when kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn was forced to exit the game with a quad injury. It not only hampered Houston’s ability to score in increments of seven, but it also meant they were unable to kick field goals for most of the game.
That was until, of course, they did.
Dare Ogunbowale, the team’s fourth string running back and largely a special teams ace, stepped up to kick a 29-yard field goal attempt and miraculously converted. It was the first non-kicker field goal since Wes Welker in 2004 and the kind of twist that nobody could have ever expected in Houston’s winning game script.
Ryans didn’t hold back from giving Ogunbowale his due credit.
“Dare, he stepped up big time for us,” said Ryans. “For him to be able to kick off as many times as he did, create some touchbacks, but also for him to kick the field goal. We were confident he could make it from there, and he proved us right. Credit to Dare.”
Ryans finished with emphatically stating that, “He’s truly the player of the game.”
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane….. it’s DARE OGUNBOWALE!!!!!
The Hero we didn’t know we needed! pic.twitter.com/G5amL0xJmF
— Patrick Storm (@PatrickStormHTX) November 7, 2023
It was an unbelievable twist that nobody would have believed if they’d been told before the game. The kind of team performance and in-game storylines that only happens in movies. Where does the piece of near cinema leave the Texans?
It looks like they may just have the cast to be a successful franchise, not the film kind but the organization type that thrives in the NFL. Stroud as the protagonist, with a team of unlikely heroes and some Ryans magic assisting in the perfect moments.
Fans can watch the sequel on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time when Houston goes on the road for Week 10 to face the Cincinnati Bengals. They may just need more movie magic.
