Picture this: a rookie quarterback and a first-year coach leading the Houston Texans to the playoffs after a remarkable turnaround from last place to first in the AFC South. Sounds like something out of a Hollywood script, right? Well, believe it or not, this wild scenario became a reality for C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans.
Joining an elite group of NFL history-makers, Stroud and Ryans became just the fifth pair of newcomers to guide their team to the postseason in their inaugural season. The only other teams to achieve this feat were the 2012 Colts with Chuck Pagano and Andrew Luck, the 2009 Jets with Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez, the 2008 Falcons with Mike Smith and Matt Ryan, and the 2008 Ravens with John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco. However, what sets the Texans apart is the fact that they clinched the division title instead of relying on a wild card spot.
