C.J. Stroud completed 16-of-28 passes for 244 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the Texans’ 20-16, Week 17 win over the Chargers.

28 December 2025

Stroud scored his first touchdown of the day on the Texans’ opening drive, taking advantage of the clean pocket provided to him by his blockers by connecting with rookie WR Jayden Higgins for a 75-yard post-route touchdown. Stroud again took advantage of the Chargers’ preoccupied safeties, this time standing tall in the pocket as two pass rushers hurdled toward him, by connecting with rookie WR Jaylin Noel for a 43-yard post-route touchdown. Stroud nearly connected with Noel for a 26-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, but he was hit by a pass rusher mid-throw, resulting in a badly underthrown pass. The win earns the Texans (11-5) a playoff spot, though the AFC South standings have not yet been finalized, with the Jaguars (11-4) sitting in first. Stroud is a back-end QB1 against the Colts next week.