Woody Marks scored a touchdown for the Houston Texans after a bad snap went between the legs of CJ Stroud. Was the fumble on purpose?
That is up for debate.
Some NFL fans, including the league’s social media admin, think it was accidental. I am pretty sure it was a designed play but I cannot say for certain because if it didn’t work it would’ve been a disaster.
The snap went between CJ Stroud’s legs.
Houston lined up on the goal line on third down against the Arizona Cardinals with a 10-point lead during the first quarter. It snapped the ball on offense with only one player in the backfield.
However, the snap did not go to the quarterback.
The ball flew right past CJ Stroud between his legs. He immediately turned back in panic as if he had to try and recover a fumble while the defense crashed the middle. It was a loose ball. The ball hit the ground.
Fortunately, running back Woody Marks was right there to recover. The snap landed right at his feet. He picked up the fumble, briefly surveyed his options and exploded through the C-gap for a touchdown.
Watch the ball. Watch Stroud’s reaction.
Watch the ball 👀#ProBowlVote + Woody Marks
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 14, 2025
📺 : @nflonfox pic.twitter.com/6oCS7y2oBy
Just how the Texans drew it up. Or did they?
Was this a designed play for Woody Marks?
I saw the touchdown in real-time and immediately assumed it was intentional. Offensive coordinator Nick Caley is a creative play-caller. This was one of his most unique play designs. The ball was snapped through Stroud’s legs to Woody Marks on purpose, or at least I thought.
The NFL seems to think otherwise. Its caption for the touchdown made it seem like an accident.
“The bad snap works in the Texans’ favor as it goes right to Woody Marks for a TD!”
Hm. Maybe it wasn’t on purpose.
If you look closely, Stroud does indeed look flustered as soon as the ball goes between his legs. Maybe it was real panic. I don’t think so. A player who is legitimately concerned about losing a fumble at the goal line would likely try to dive on the loose ball. Or, at the very least, get in Marks’ way as the running back tried to fall on the loose ball himself.
Stroud and Marks both stayed composed. Marks ran it in for a touchdown.
Was this a designed play? Was it an accident? We’ll likely find out after the game. Or maybe Caley will keep it a secret.