C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans pulled off a stunning win with a game-winning drive over the Cincinnati Bengals. Stroud was dynamic, orchestrating a second consecutive game-winning drive after completing one last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He has established himself among the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. In the win against the Bengals, Stroud threw for 359 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also had a rushing touchdown. Stroud has put himself in the MVP conversation as a rookie, which is unreal. He has led the Texans to a 5-4 record, and they are in the thick of the playoff picture in the AFC.

Houston was expected to be one of the worst teams in the league as the young roster developed. However, Stroud has come in as an NFL-ready player and has established himself as a top-ten quarterback.

With Stroud leading the charge, Houston could do something special in his rookie season. Let's break down why the C.J. Stroud-led Texans are a legit AFC contender.

CJ Stroud Texans with crown

CJ Stroud is the real deal

Stroud is putting up astonishing numbers in his rookie season. He has thrown for 2,626 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. He has also rushed for two touchdowns. One of Stroud's most impressive traits is his ball security. Many young quarterbacks struggle to take care of the football, resulting in turnovers. Stroud has been very composed in his rookie campaign, knowing when to take shots downfield and when to throw the ball away.

Stroud's composure as a rookie is unheard of and has helped the Texans be in the mix for a playoff spot. Houston is second in the AFC South and only one game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars. They could make a push to win the division if they finish out the season strong. The Texans could still make the playoffs if they don't steal the division. Houston currently occupies the 7th seed in the AFC, which would have them as the last playoff team.

However, it will be a tough fight to clinch a playoff spot. The AFC playoff race is extremely close, and multiple good teams will miss the playoffs. The Texans' advantage is having a top-ten quarterback who has shown he can win games. Stroud's play down the stretch will be pivotal to Houston making it to the playoffs in his rookie season.

Texans win close games

Although Houston is a young team, they have been great at winning close games. They have won two straight games that came down to the final drive. Stroud has proven to be a clutch player and is not afraid of the moment.

The Texans were without wide receiver Nico Collins, who has been Stroud's top target. That didn't affect Stroud, as he threw for over 350 yards, connecting with Noah Brown for 175 yards, Dalton Schultz for 71 yards, and Tank Dell for 56 yards. These targets led the way for Houston in the win over Cincinnati. When Collins returns, the passing attack will be even more explosive and difficult for defenses to contain.

Having confidence in close games is pivotal in the playoffs. Playoff games often come down to the wire, and having a quarterback like Stroud who is confident in those is key. This win over the Bengals should give them even more confidence, as Cincinnati is one of the premier playoff teams in the AFC. They have gone to back-to-back AFC Championship Games and went to the Super Bowl in 2022.

Stroud and the Texans have arrived as AFC contenders with a win over one of the best AFC teams. They could make some noise in the playoffs despite having a young roster with their rookie quarterback, Stroud, leading the charge.