The Houston Texans have been guided by their tenacious defense throughout the 2025 season. But entering the playoffs, they'll be turning toward C.J. Stroud to provide more offensive juice if they're going to make a run.
However, early in Monday's wild-card matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Texans' offense ran a disastrous play that resulted in a turnover.
A flea-flicker became a Stroud fumble, and Pittsburgh took over after Houston's blunder. Not long after, Stroud fumbled for a second time.
Here's a look at the Texans' rough flea-flicker play that became a turnover.
MORE: Live updates, highlights from Steelers vs. Texans
Texans flea flicker video
The Texans remained scoreless toward the end of the first quarter in Monday's wild-card game, looking to match a Steelers field goal on the road. On a first-down play, Stroud took the snap and handed the ball off to Woody Marks.
Marks pitched the ball back to Stroud for a flea-flicker, but there was never anything open for the Texans quarterback. The Steelers brought pressure, as Jack Sawyer got to Stroud and knocked the ball free on a sack.
It was a fumble regardless, but the ball came out of Stroud's hands and into Yahya Black's, as the Steelers defender secured the football quickly. The Steelers took over after the disaster of a play for Houston.
Fumble on the flea flicker! Steelers ball ‼️
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2026
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Ohio State LB forces the fumble on an Ohio State QB 😅
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2026
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In the second quarter, Stroud fumbled for a second time. T.J. Watt forced the turnover for Pittsburgh, poking the ball free as he tackled Stroud.
Two forced fumbles in the first half for the @steelers defense 💪
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2026
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BALL IS OUT AND TJ WATT HAS IT
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2026
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C.J. Stroud fumbles
Notably, Stroud's two lost fumbles against the Steelers were his first of the entire 2025 season. He did fumble the ball twice in the regular season, but neither of those resulted in turnovers.
In his career, including both the regular season and playoffs, Stroud now has 10 total fumbles, five of which have been lost. Per ESPN, Stroud's performance vs. Pittsburgh on Monday was his second career game with multiple lost fumbles, joining 2023 Week 10 at the Bengals.
Here's a look at Stroud's fumbling history, including the postseason:
| Season | Fumbles | Fumbles Lost |
| 2023 | 2 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 | 2 |
| Career: | 10 | 5 |
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