Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud continues hot start with touchdown pass vs. Steelers

DJ Bien-Aime, ESPNOct 1, 2023, 01:37 PM ET
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The No. 2 pick stays hot to start his career.

Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud started the matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers by leading a 12-play, 69-yard drive capped by a 2-yard Stroud touchdown pass to wide receiver Nico Collins.

CJ to Nico for the @HoustonTexans TD 🙌

📺: #PITvsHOU on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Jq9JHUeqb6 pic.twitter.com/3lD8wYXuHM

— NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2023

The Texans’ offense marched down the field as it took only six plays to get into the Steelers’ red zone, highlighted by a 27-yard pass from Stroud to running back Dameon Pierce.

Stroud initially capped the drive with a 5-yard scramble for a touchdown on third-and-3 from the Steelers’ 3-yard line. But the call was overturned, and the referees threw a few flags on the next few plays.

The Texans’ offense had a false start. Stroud threw a touchdown to Pierce after the flag, but there was another flag. Two plays later, Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was flagged for defensive pass interference on a pass from Stroud to tight end Brevin Jordan.

Two plays later, a touchdown pass from Stroud, his fifth of the year versus no interceptions.