Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been one of the best stories in the NFL this season, and the youngster is on pace to set a major NFL record.

Through his first 12 games this season, Stroud has thrown for 3,540 yards, which leads the league. He is on pace to total 5,015 yards this year, which would shatter the NFL record for most single-season passing yards by a rookie. Andrew Luck currently holds the record after registering 4,374 yards with the Indianapolis Colts back in 2012 (h/t Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk).

Even more impressive is the fact that Stroud is on pace to break the record by his 15th game. Luck achieved his mark in 16 contests.

Most recently, Stroud went 16-for-27 with 274 yards and a game-winning touchdown during a win over the Denver Broncos this past weekend.

In addition to his yardage total this season, Stroud has recorded 20 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 63.4 percent of his passes. He also boasts a passer rating of 101.4. Most importantly, Stroud has led the Texans to a 7-5 record thus far and has them smack dab in the middle of the AFC playoff picture.

The 22-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Ohio State, was selected by Houston with the second overall pick of the NFL Draft back in April.

The Texans were not expected to contend for much of anything this season, so the fact that C.J. Stroud has them in playoff contention has also placed him firmly in the MVP conversation.

Houston is currently on the outside looking in of the AFC playoffs, holding the No. 8 seed. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns are all ahead of the Texans. They are all 7-5 as well, but they are in front of Houston by way of the tiebreaker.

The Texans will head on the road to take on the New York Jets next Sunday.

Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.