Texans upset Chargers in WILD playoff win
The Houston Texans were massively underestimated coming into the Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers, with the majority of bettors taking the Chargers to win by a long shot.
Though the Texans got off to a sluggish start with the score sitting at 6-0 with the Chargers ahead for most of the first half, they ended up making an epic comeback to destroy the Chargers 32-12starting in the final minutes of the first half.
*game highlights below this post
The moment the Texans came back with a vengeance
Down 6-0 late in the second quarter, the Texans were all the way back at their own 1-yard line, and quarterback C.J. Stroud fumbled a snap, but recovered it and made a 34-yard bullet pass to wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson that was the start of the Texans’ comeback. He later sent a 37-yard pass to WR Nico Collins and capped off the 99-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Collins.
The Texans went on to score 23 unanswered points before Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert managed to throw an 86-yard touchdown pass to WR Ladd McConkey just after getting sacked twice in a row. Unfortunately, that glory didn’t last long. Kicker Cameron Dicker’s extra point attempt was blocked and returned by D’Angelo Ross for two points.
During all this, the Texans also forced Herbert, who only threw three interceptions all season, to throw FOUR interceptions throughout the game. Safety Eric Murray ran his back 38 yards for a pick-six, which L.A. never recovered from. Running back Joe Mixon’s 17-yard touchdown run made it impossible for the Chargers to come back, and the game ended with a fourth pick from Herbert, which was deflected off his receiver, to really seal the deal.
What’s next?
The Chargers were hoping for Herbert’s first playoff win and their first since 2018, but new coach Jim Harbaugh will have to try again in his second year.
The Texans will move on to the Divisional Round. They await the result of tonight’s games to see who their opponent will be.
STATS
Chargers
Chargers QB Justin Herbert completed 14 of 32 passes for 242 yards and one touchdown. He threw four interceptions, one of which was returned for a TD and was sacked 4 times for a loss of 31 yards. WR Ladd McConkey had nine receptions on 14 targets for 197 yards and one touchdown. Kicker Cameron Dicker made both his field goal attempts.
Khalil Mack contributed two sacks and Joey Bosa had one. Daiyan Henley and Alohi Gilman accounted for 10 tackles each. Deane Leonard made one interception.
Texans
Texans QB C.J. Stroud finished with 22 of 33 completions for 282 yards and one touchdown and threw one interception and was sacked three times for a loss of 21 yards. He added six carries for 42 yards. Running back Joe Mixon had 25 carries 106 rushing yards and one touchdown. WR Nico Collins had seven receptions on nine targets for 122 yards. Ka’imi Fairbairn made all three of his field goal attempts.
Eric Murray recorded seven total tackles and the two-point defensive touchdown. Will Anderson Jr. and Mario Edwards Jr. both contributed 1.5 sacks each and Denico Autry accounted for one. Derek Stingley Jr. made two interceptions and Eric Murray and Kamari Lassiter each made one.
Jennifer Bubel
