The Houston Texans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 at home in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs. Houston’s defense struggled the last time they played at home surrendering 31 points to the Baltimore Ravens in a rout. The unit rebounded on Saturday to stifle a Chargers offense that had played its best football to end the regular season. They put forth one of the best defensive performances in recent memory.
Houston’s defense sacked Chargers Quarterback Justin Herbert four times and forced four turnovers. It was a complete team effort, and the Houston Texans looked like a different team than the one that struggled to end the regular season. Will Houston be able to carry this momentum into their next playoff game?
Houston Texans Started Slow But Responded
The Chargers were more prepared to begin this contest as their first two drives resulted in field goals for a quick 6-0 lead. LA’s offense sputtered in the red zone though keeping them from beginning the game with a larger lead. Houston’s opening drive resulted in a fumble giving LA the ball at the opponent’s 30 but the Chargers could not capitalize.
Houston’s offense looked lifeless for most of the first half as this game seemed destined to be 6-0 Chargers after two quarters. Then, Houston Texans Quarterback C.J. Stroud put together a spectacular drive. Houston went on a 13-play 99-yard drive to score the first touchdown of the game. Following a quick Chargers punt, Stroud was able to drive Houston into field goal range to take a 10-7 lead into the half.
The Texans received the kickoff to begin the second half and quickly fumbled, but the Chargers turned it over on downs to give the ball back to Houston. Stroud was lucky on the next drive as an acrobatic interception by Safety Derwin James Jr. was overturned following a lengthy review. Houston took advantage of this break to kick a field goal and extend their lead to 13-6 with a little over four minutes left in the third quarter.
Texans Pile On Late In the Game
Disaster struck for Herbert and the Chargers as he threw a pick-6 to Safety Eric Murray to give the Houston Texans a 20-6 lead. Things went from bad to worse for Los Angeles as Herbert threw another interception, his third of the game, to give Houston the ball in tremendous field position. The Chargers defense stood firm and held the Texans to a field goal extending their lead to 23-6.
After back-to-back sacks on Herbert, he connected with rookie Wide Receiver Ladd McConkey for an 86-yard touchdown. The good feelings were short-lived for Los Angeles as they had the PAT blocked, and the Houston Texans returned it for a touchdown to lead 25-13.
Houston remained aggressive and converted a fourth down on a Stroud QB sneak to maintain possession and chew the clock. The Houston Texans went for it on fourth down later in the drive and Running Back Joe Mixon took it to the end zone for a 17-yard rushing touchdown. That was the final nail in the Chargers coffin as they trailed 32-12 with 3:42 remaining. Herbert tried pushing the ball down the field and tossed his fourth interception to cap off one of the worst games of his career. Houston ran out the clock to clinch the upset victory.
Final Thoughts
It was a solid first year for Jim Harbaugh, but the way today’s game transpired will put a damper on the season. LA’s defense forced three turnovers in the game, but they were undercut at every turn by their offense. Herbert had a miserable game overall finishing 14-of-32 for 242 yards with 1 touchdown and 4 interceptions.
Herbert finished with a career-worst 40.9 QB Rating. After throwing three interceptions during the regular season, he tossed four today against the Houston Texans. LA’s offense never found its footing this evening, and it led to their season ending on a sour note.
