Who Should I Start? Trey Lance or C.J. Stroud

Monday, January 6, 9:09 AM

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance was under center on Sunday as a starting quarterback for the first time since Week 2 of 2022. The inexperienced signal caller had a solid day, completing 20-of-34 passes for 244 yards and carrying the ball six times for 26 yards. Lance played well but struggled to convert in the red zone, with four drives ending in field goals and one ending as a turnover on downs. On the first quarter drive where Dallas failed to convert on fourth down, Lance missed running back Rico Dowdle in the end zone on what should have been an easy pass. The Cowboys ultimately fell 23-19 to the Commanders, but Lance put together a solid audition as he is slated to hit free agency in the spring.

Saturday, January 11, 8:10 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud shook off an awful first-half interception to finish 22 of 33 passing for 282 yards and a touchdown in helping his team defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 in the Wild Card Round. The sophomore quarterback also ran for 42 yards, which included a 27-yard scramble in the second quarter, his longest run of the season. Despite three offensive turnovers, Houston's offense was able to do more than enough in the second half to earn a postseason victory for the second straight year. Stroud completed passes to eight different receivers, but connected with Nico Collins seven times for 122 yards and a touchdown against L.A. The victory sealed Houston's place in the next round, where they will play an opponent to be decided on Sunday.