Lone Star Shootout: Stroud’s Last-Minute Drive Sinks Dolphins 42-38
Key Takeaways
- Final Score: Houston Texans 42, Miami Dolphins 38.
- The MVP: C.J. Stroud threw for a franchise-record 405 playoff yards and 4 touchdowns.
- The Turning Point: Will Anderson Jr.’s strip-sack of Tua Tagovailoa with 0:45 remaining ended Miami’s comeback bid.
- The Speed: Tyreek Hill and Nico Collins combined for 350+ receiving yards.
HOUSTON — Defensive coordinators, look away. This was offensive football at its absolute peak.
In a game that felt more like a video game than a playoff contest, the Houston Texans outran, outgunned, and ultimately outlasted the Miami Dolphins 42-38. The victory didn’t just light up the scoreboard; it cemented C.J. Stroud’s status as the league’s next great postseason killer.
Stroud vs. Tagovailoa: The Air Show
Miami struck first and struck fast. De’Von Achane took the opening screen pass 75 yards to the house, silencing NRG Stadium before fans had even found their seats. But Houston didn’t blink.
Stroud responded with a barrage of deep balls that stretched Miami’s secondary to its breaking point. He found Tank Dell for a 60-yard bomb in the second quarter and connected with Nico Collins for two contested touchdowns in the red zone.
“We knew they were going to score,” Stroud said. “We just had to score one more time than they did.”
The Final Minute
Trailing 38-35 with 2:10 on the clock, the Texans took over at their own 25. What followed was a masterclass in clock management and precision passing.
Stroud went 6-for-6 on the drive, dissecting the Dolphins’ zone coverage. With 52 seconds left, he rolled right and fired a laser to Dalton Schultz in the back of the end zone for the go-ahead score.
Miami had one last gasp, but Will Anderson Jr. had other plans. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year bull-rushed the right tackle and chopped the ball from Tua Tagovailoa’s hand as he wound up for a Hail Mary. Game over.
By The Numbers: Offensive Overload
- C.J. Stroud: 32/40, 405 Yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs
- Tua Tagovailoa: 360 Passing Yards, 3 TDs, 1 Fumble Lost
- Tyreek Hill: 8 Receptions, 180 Yards, 2 TDs (Still the fastest man alive)
- Nico Collins: 10 Receptions, 145 Yards, 2 TDs
Divisional Round Set: Buffalo Bound
The Wild Card round is officially closed, and the bracket is locked. With the victory, the Texans (No. 4 seed) pack their bags for the freezing cold.
They will travel to Orchard Park to face Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round. It will be a battle of elements: the dome team from Texas vs. the snow warriors of New York.
