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.

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

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, right, runs with the ball as San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Mykel Williams defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Houston. Credit: AP/Eric Christian Smith

"Confidence just comes from right doing your job the right way executing it on the practice field doing it seeing the success from doing it the proper way doing it the way your coaches are asking you to do it,

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

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 Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) is congratulated by teammates Aireontae Ersery (79) and Tytus Howard (71) after throwing a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Houston. Credit: AP/Eric Christian Smith

“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.

Unsurprisingly, based on how the game had gone, the 49ers went three-and-out on their third offensive possession of the game. The ten plays the 49ers had gone without a first down had been the longest the Niners had gone without a first down under Kyle Shanahan.

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