The most feel-good story in the NFL this season continues to feel better. It has been a shaky season for the NFL in terms of drama, compelling storylines, and star players. Injuries have ravaged the quarterback position, robbing the game of some of the biggest stars. Despite the lackluster play on the field, the league continues to crush the competition in the ratings and cement its hold as America’s favorite sports league.
Luckily for the league, there have been a number of players entering in recent years at high-profile positions that actually help better the league’s image. Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, and Pat Mahomes are some good-guy players who take on meaningful roles in the development of the league post-Brady. Down in Houston, it may be time to make way for the newest, brightest young star.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has taken the league by storm since becoming the second overall pick out of Ohio State. The rookie, who is the overwhelming favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, took a hopeless franchise and turned it into a legitimate Super Bowl contender in one season. Making him stand out even more is his willingness to profess his faith before a national audience.
Saturday, as the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs kicked off a mad dash to the Super Bowl, Stroud once again wowed fans as he became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game in league history. Stroud smoked the Cleveland Browns vaunted defense for 274 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-14 rout of the AFC North team in a wild-card matchup Saturday.
Head Coach DeMeco Ryans said: “C.J. is the reason why we’re in this position. He’s special, a special young man. Special player. Continues to shine no matter how big the moment is. Our whole team is leaning on him and he has the shoulders to carry that weight.”
Stroud bested his childhood idol, Mike Vick, in becoming the youngest to win a playoff game. Vick did the deed in 2002 when his Falcons beat Bret Favre and the Green Bay Packers. Stroud said later: “It’s been a heck of a year and I thank God, I can just go another week with my teammates. This is like a dream come true. I’m super blessed to be considered with a great name like Michael Vick, who was my favorite quarterback growing up. And hopefully I can make it two (wins).”
The win ended the Cinderella run of the Cleveland Browns and veteran Joe Flacco. The 38-year-old veteran was on his couch just a scant few weeks ago before Cleveland signed him out of desperation. The move paid off, as Flacco was arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the league down the stretch.
Unfortunately for Cleveland fans, the team likely won’t have the money to lure Flacco back, and this Cinderella story may have to wait several seasons before it can happen again. For C.J. Stroud and Texans fans, the glass slipper is on one foot, now to see if they can complete the fitting with a Super Bowl run.
Featured image credit: By Tennessee Titans – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfdILA1XCgU (4:37), CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=129251370
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