Without Nico Collins or Christian Kirk in the lineup, quarterback C.J. Stroud logged a completion to nine different pass-catchers on the day for over 300 yards and two touchdowns. It came out to be one of his and the offense's best performances of the season so far, and of course, led to a winning effort.

C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are on the right side of a critical update before facing the Denver Broncos.

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.

“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.

The Seahawks’ going away from their tendencies helped their cause. Stroud said the Seahawks atypically ran a Cover 0 blitz with the Texans backed up and behind the chains. He said that “caught us off guard,” and noted the loud environment, but that they have had similar situations in back-to-back games and could lead to “bigger plays” if fixed.

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

So here I go again, about to use the “finest hour” framing of an elite performance by a Houston Texan, and I want you to know, I am about to do this with honesty and authenticity. Here goes — Sunday’s win over the San Francisco 49ers was C.J. Stroud’s finest hour as the quarterback of the Houston Texans.

C.J. Stroud delivered in a big way for the Houston Texans against the San Francisco 49ers and spoke candidly afterward.