H OUSTON -- According to C.J. Stroud, he's one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL when he's dealing. And against the San Francisco 49ers, Stroud delivered what coach DeMeco Ryans called one of Stroud's "best games ever" in the Houston Texans ' 26-15 win Sunday.

After the Texans beat the 49ers, DeMeco Ryans would shout out quarterback C.J. Stroud, citing one of his best games ever.

“Played amazing, man,” said wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson, who caught five passes for 69 yards and one touchdown on a well-timed, 30-yard pass in the third quarter that boosted the Texans’ lead to 23-7. “That’s what 7 is like. You can say whatever you want about C.J., but when you need him the most, man, he’s gonna show up.

One of Stroud's biggest flaws is his tendency to retreat backwards out of muddy pockets, making bad plays worse. Last year, only Aidan O'Connell, Anthony Richardson and Bo Nix averaged more yards lost per sack. This year, he is dead last in the category at 9.3 yards lost per sack.

C.J. Stroud is having a day and he has the Iowa State trio to thank for it. The Houston Texans are up 23-7 after Stroud connected with wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson for a 19-yard score in the third quarter, capping off a 12-play, 94-yard drive while taking nearly six minutes off the clock.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud tiptoes up the sideline on a 13-yard scramble against the San Francisco 49ers.

Instead of having to settle for another field goal, C.J, Stroud and Xavier Hutchinson hooked up to put the 49ers in a deeper hole.

Houston coach DeMeco Ryans had high praise for C.J. Stroud after his performance in Sunday's win over San Francisco. “One of his best games ever,” Ryans said. Stroud threw for a season-high 318 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Texans to the 26-15 victory.