The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to make their return to NRG Stadium for the first time since Week 9 of the 2023 season, in a Monday Night matchup against the Houston Texans.
One of the highlights from that thrilling 39-37 victory over Tampa Bay still brings a smile to the face of Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.
The Bucs, seeking their first-ever win at NRG Stadium, had the Texans on the ropes after taking a 37-33 lead with less than a minute remaining in the game.
Strategizing for a comeback victory under those parameters is hard enough for a veteran head coach who has been in the position for years. Still, it becomes more difficult for one who was coaching in only his eighth career game.
After watching Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield lead his team on a 10-play, 61-yard drive that resulted in a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cade Otto to regain the lead, Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud looked at the clock and began to play every scenario in his head on how he could lead his team to victory.
Stroud, the second overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, who was orchestrating a career-best second half against the Tampa Bay defense, only needed the opportunity to have the ball in his hands one last time.
With the game on the line, Stroud matched Mayfield’s previous performance with a six-play, 75-yard drive that ended with fellow rookie wide receiver Tank Dell celebrating in the end zone after a 15-yard touchdown play to give the Texans a 39-37 lead, which would be the final score.
Stroud’s final stat line for the game was 470 passing yards, five touchdown passes, and no interceptions.
Texans WR Tank Dell Celebrates Touchdown Pass From QB C.J. Stroud Photo Credit - Thomas Shea“I understand that the 2023 game was an outstanding game, probably one of the most memorable games of my head coaching career,” said Ryans during his press conference on Tuesday. “It was just unbelievable to have such back-and-forth play. The way Baker [Mayfield] played in that game made some big-time plays. Down the stretch there, they were able to score on us in the red zone, and we got the ball back.
“We let them score quick enough, so we have a little time left for C.J. [Stroud] and the offense to drive down the field. I just remember that drive; it’s such a memorable drive. He hits a couple passes short, then we hit Tank [Dell] on the big seven route towards their sideline, and then come back the next play, and then we hit Tank in the end zone. What a memorable play, one that always resonates in my mind, just when you see rookies who made the plays they were able to make at that time. You knew we had something special in those guys.”