Stroud helped Houston recover from an 0-3 start to the season and lead the team to three wins in its next four games, but suffered a concussion early in a Week 9 loss to the Broncos. Mills came in and couldn’t find much traction on defense, going 17 of 30 for 137 yards.
He has since outperformed in two starts. In Week 10, Mills led a miraculous comeback, throwing for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and rushing for another to overcome a 29-10 deficit against the Jaguars entering the final frame. He then threw for 274 yards and a TD in a nail-biting 16-13 win over the Titans on Sunday that claimed his second game in as many starts.
Such heroics have moved the Texans to 5-5 and the No. 8 seed in the AFC, just outside the playoffs.
The Texans will need more of the same from Mills if they’re going to take down the Bills (7-3) to hold off the ever-dangerous Chiefs (5-5) and Ravens (5-5) in the ninth and 10th.
From there, Stroud will hopefully be able to resume starting duties — especially with a bit of a bye before a crucial Week 13 matchup with the AFC South-leading Colts.