C.J. Stroud's big day gives Texans their first win and strengthens his case for a contract extension

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - When the Houston Texans lined up in a victory formation around 4 p.m. Sunday at Nissan Stadium, the concept almost seemed foreign. 

The Texans hadn't won a game since last January earlier - not a regular-season game or even one of their three exhibitions in August.

But Sunday, that finally changed. 

The Texans defeated the Tennessee Titans 26-3 in what was a complete performance in all three phases - offense, defense and special teams. 

The guy at the forefront of the offense's performance was quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has played well this season despite the team's injuries. 

If the Texans (1-4) are back after their win over the Titans, they can thank their quarterback, who was outstanding Sunday. 

He completed 26 of 34 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown. He also added a 2-yard rushing TD - his first of the season. 

"C.J. did an outstanding job of making play after play when we needed it," coach DeMeco Ryans said. "He was dealing, throwing the ball to everyone who was open, making really good decisions with the football." 

His brilliance especially showed on third down, where he was 7-of-8 for one TD and a 141.7 passer rating (A perfect passer rating is 158.3). 

Even when the Texans failed to score touchdowns in the first half because of unnecessary penalties, Stroud methodically moved the ball downfield and put them in position to score when the running game was struggling.

But there were two third-down conversions in the third quarter that best illustrated his brilliance, and also explains why general manager Nick Caserio will likely have to agree to pay more than $64 million per year for the quarterback next offseason. 

This throw by C.J. Stroud and catch by Kayshon Boutte 👏 @HOUvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+ Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/ivlTYQE2fM

- NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026

One happened on third-and-11 with 11:53 left in the third quarter. Stroud was being pressured from the left side by Titans defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons, so he rolled right, kept his eyes downfield and hit wide receiver Kayshon Boutte for a 23-yard first down while on the run. He placed it only where Boutte could catch it. That play helped extend the Texans' drive, which they later turned into a touchdown on a Stroud run. 

The other play happened on the Texans' next drive. Houston was facing a third-and-8 from the Tennessee 9-yard line. Stroud was again flushed out of the pocket, this time having to run to the left side. As he contorted his body to face the end zone, he threw a laser of a pass to wide receiver Jaylin Noel for a 9-yard TD that gave the Texans a 26-3 lead and put the game away for good. 

Jaylin Noel with the receiving touchdown for the Texans https://t.co/9nog9C8Sya

- NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 11, 2026

Stroud is performing in spite of an average offensive line and a wide receiver situation that was once in tatters when Nico Collins missed two games with a hamstring injury. 

"He's playing amazing," said Collins, who finished with five catches for 56 yards. "He's playing confident, which he always does. We know he's the best in the world. And he knows he's the best in the world."

His performances this season are a far cry from where he was at the end of the 2025 season, when the Texans lost in the divisional round of the playoffs for the third consecutive year. 

Stroud threw four costly interceptions in that loss to the New England Patriots, then had to wait several months for this season while everyone picked apart his game and psychoanalyzed his state of mind. 

His teammates staunchly defended him, pointing to what he had done in the past. And since returning this season, Stroud has shown why the concerns were overblown. 

Statistically, this is the best five-game start of his four-year career. Stroud has 1,402 passing yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions and a 64.3 completion percentage. 

"The dude is playing lights-out - he's playing at an MVP level," tight end Brevin Jordan said. "But honestly for me, I don't expect anything else. The way he shows up every day on a consistent basis for the last four years, his process is spot on."

Jordan said Stroud has a group chat with the receivers and tight ends. And each week, he'll send them clips of the opponents and the different looks they expect to get from the opposing team. 

Jordan said oftentimes they've been able to exploit those looks. 

"His process is unbelievable, so for me, I'm not surprised with how he is playing," Jordan said. 

TEXANS 26, TITANS 3

First Quarter

Ten_FG Slye 30, 10:39. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 4:21. Key Plays: Dike kick return to Tennessee 30; Ward 23 pass to Ridley; Pollard 14 run. Tennessee 3, Houston 0.

Hou_FG Fairbairn 45, 2:22. Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 5:13. Key Plays: Marks 12 run; Stroud 14 pass to Schultz on 3rd-and-2; Stroud 18 pass to Hutchinson; Stroud 1 pass to Marks on 3rd-and-14. Houston 3, Tennessee 3.

Second Quarter

Hou_FG Fairbairn 35, 13:33. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 3:11. Key Play: Stroud 12 pass to Collins. Houston 6, Tennessee 3.

Hou_FG Fairbairn 26, 6:56. Drive: 9 plays, 34 yards, 5:11. Key Plays: Hansen 19 interception return to Tennessee 41; Stroud 11 pass to Marks; Stroud 16 pass to Hutchinson; Stroud 13 pass to Noel on 3rd-and-19. Houston 9, Tennessee 3.

Hou_FG Fairbairn 53, 1:15. Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 4:29. Key Plays: Stroud 20 pass to Collins; Stroud 2 pass to Noel on 3rd-and-10. Houston 12, Tennessee 3.

Third Quarter

Hou_Stroud 2 run (Fairbairn kick), 6:37. Drive: 18 plays, 74 yards, 8:23. Key Plays: T.Smith kick return to Houston 26; Stroud 2 run on 3rd-and-1; Stroud 23 pass to Boutte on 3rd-and-11; Stroud 2 run on 3rd-and-1; Stroud 6 pass to Collins on 3rd-and-2; Stroud 13 pass to Hutchinson. Houston 19, Tennessee 3.

Fourth Quarter

Hou_Noel 9 pass from Stroud (Fairbairn kick), 14:09. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 3:01. Key Plays: Marks 12 run; Stroud 18 pass to Hutchinson. Houston 26, Tennessee 3.

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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING_Houston, Marks 15-62, Montgomery 5-11, Stroud 6-5, Noel 1-1. Tennessee, Pollard 14-52, Mullings 1-3, Ward 1-2, Spears 2-0.

PASSING_Houston, Stroud 26-34-0-261. Tennessee, Ward 23-36-1-170.

RECEIVING_Houston, Collins 5-56, Noel 5-41, Hutchinson 4-65, Marks 4-23, Boutte 3-38, Schultz 3-30, Moreau 2-8. Tennessee, Spears 9-28, W.Robinson 6-53, Dike 3-28, Ridley 2-33, Ayomanor 1-17, Tate 1-6, Bellinger 1-5.

PUNT RETURNS_Houston, Noel 2-21. Tennessee, None.

KICKOFF RETURNS_Houston, Noel 1-22, T.Smith 1-22. Tennessee, Dike 6-147.

TACKLES-ASSISTS-SACKS_Houston, Al-Shaair 6-5-0, Blankenship 5-2-0, Hansen 3-2-0, Anderson 3-1-3, Lassiter 3-1-0, Hunter 3-0-1, Rankins 2-2-0, Togiai 1-7-0, Pitre 1-2-0, Ramsey 1-2-0, Robinson 1-0-0, Clowney 0-2-0, Crumedy 0-2-0, McDonald 0-2-0, Murray 0-1-0. Tennessee, Burgess 5-3-0, Barton 3-3-0, Hill 3-2-0, Simmons 3-1-0, Taylor 3-1-0, Adams 2-7-0, Gray 2-4-.5, Oliver 2-2-0, Elliott 2-1-0, Flott 2-1-0, M.Robinson 1-2-0, Thomas 1-2-0, Martin 1-0-1, Franklin-Myers 0-2-.5, Johnson 0-2-0, Faulk 0-1-0, Harris 0-1-0, Stackhouse 0-1-0.

INTERCEPTIONS_Houston, Hansen 1-19. Tennessee, None.

MISSED FIELD GOALS_None.

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OFFICIALS_Referee Alex Kemp, Ump Brandon Ellison, HL Matthew Griebel, LJ Rusty Baynes, FJ Sean Petty, SJ Jim Quirk, BJ Scott Helverson, Replay Julie Johnson.

Last offseason, Stroud's agent David Mulugheta and Caserio had discussions about a potential contract extension that would have put him in line with several of the top quarterbacks, but not the highest. 

But the two sides couldn't come to an agreement on his average salary per year and his guaranteed money. 

One league source with knowledge of the discussions said  "it was difficult to say," whether the two sides were actually close to making a deal. 

But his performances this season have already made him more money. 

He's been the one constant on offense, despite the various injuries they've dealt with at receiver. 

"I just think my focus," Stroud said of what's allowed him to play well this season. "I think I've been very focused on things I can control. It's very cliche, and easier said than done, but a lot has happened." 

"(Jayden Higgins) going down, injuries - Braden (Smith) going down - things happen that you can't control, you've just got to keep going. I've just been doing my best to rely on my faith, family, my loved ones and really just enjoying it at the same time."

Now Collins is back, Dell is nearing a return, and the Texans just made a trade with the Cardinals for wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., a former Ohio State teammate of Stroud's who was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft - an indication that they are all-in this season and still intent on trying to win a Super Bowl. 

The Texans have dug themselves a massive hole, but Sunday's win was a first step in that process. 

And if they can combine better defensive performances with Stroud's stellar quarterback play, anything can happen. 

"I'm super grateful, I'm having fun doing it, and I just want to execute and put my team in a position to win," Stroud said. "The more I think I can do that, the more I think we can win."

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This article originally published at C.J. Stroud's big day gives Texans their first win and strengthens his case for a contract extension.