Being drafted in the second round of this year's draft (#34 overall) out of Iowa State, wide receiver Jayden Higgins seems to have finally begun to blossom as a playmaker in Houston's offense. 

He certainly has contributed on a consistent basis prior to this past Sunday, having at least one reception in 12 of 13 games played (zero in week seven vs. the Seattle Seahawks). In fact, the Texans are actually 7-0 in games where Higgins either has at least four catches or a touchdown reception. 

However, Sunday's primetime matchup vs. the Kansas City Chiefs might have elevated the perception of Higgins from just a beneficiary of positive circumstance to an actual "go-to" weapon for quarterback C.J. Stroud when the moments are at their largest. 

Although Higgins had neither four catches nor a touchdown catch in the contest, he had two gigantic receptions in the fourth quarter that epitomized "clutchness" in allowing Houston to keep Kansas City's offense off the field and secure the 20-10 victory. 

His first moment came on 3rd and 17 at the 13:35 mark in the fourth. Stroud had just lost 11-yards on a second down sack by Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis and was yet again facing a crowded pocket on the very next play. He stepped through the mass of bodies, spotted Higgins downfield at the sticks and fired a pass that found the former Cyclone.

Higgins made the catch, twirled around and then had the awareness to reach for the first down marker. Though the possession didn’t lead to points, it allowed Houston to escape the shadow of their goal line and send out punter Tommy Townsend to pin the Chiefs deep on the other side of the field.

His second moment came one offensive possession later, after Chiefs head coach Andy Reid audaciously made the call for quarterback Patrick Mahomes to attempt a pass on 4th and 1 at their 31-yard line to try and keep possession against the NFL's #1 defense.

The pass was incomplete, and Houston's offense had been gifted an opportunity to slam the door on Kansas City. 

With about 9:02 left in the quarter, Stroud called for the ball on a 3rd and 3, intending to pass. Chiefs pass rusher Chris Jones broke inside the offensive line and pressured Stroud out of the pocket.

Then, while fading to his right, Stroud rifled an eight-yard pass to a waiting Higgins at the first down marker to continue the drive and procure the victory on a five-yard touchdown run by running back Dare Ogunbowale three plays later.

Wide receiver Nico Collins historically has received the bulk of the "gotta have it" throws when Stroud has found himself in trouble and needing a momentum-shifter in the receiving game. Higgins is slowly creeping into that same conversation with how many times the Texans have called his number in those same scenarios. 

The more Higgins shows up for his team like he did Sunday night, he will continue to build that trust with Stroud and help provide a truly intimidating receiving tandem for defenses to have to plan for more diligently. 

Former "Undisputed" and "First Take" analyst Skip Bayless helped to popularize the term "clutch gene" during his heyday on television. It mainly had its origins in Lebron James-centric banter, but it's meaning transcended the game of basketball. 

Simply put, it's the ability for a player to come through when the pressure is at its highest, their team needs them the most and in a way that helps to define their "sports legacy." 

It's way too early to talk career arc or legacy for Higgins, but what we can say is that Higgins is well on his way to carving out a significant place in Houston sports lore if his development continues trending in the same upwards direction. 

Do you think Higgins has a chance to truly be a dominant presence opposite Nico Collins in Houston's offense? Let us know in the comment section below and on the official Texans Roundtable X account, @Texans_RTB!