An electrifying performance by CJ Stroud, alongside Eric Murray’s 38-yard interception return for a touchdown, propelled the Houston Texans to a commanding 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers during the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs. With this victory, the Texans advance to the Divisional round, showcasing their potential as serious playoff contenders.
The first half started slow for the Texans, filled with turnovers, until Stroud salvaged a fumbled snap to ignite a crucial drive, culminating in a touchdown pass to Nico Collins. Following this momentum shift, the Texans unleashed a scoring spree, netting 23 unanswered points as the Chargers, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, struggled with four interceptions, including a significant pick-six from Murray.
Despite Ladd McConkey’s stunning 86-yard touchdown that appeared to spark a Chargers comeback in the fourth quarter, their hopes were dashed when Cameron Dicker’s extra-point attempt was blocked and returned by D’Angelo Ross for a defensive two-point conversion, further solidifying the Texans’ lead.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
- Chargers 3 – 0 Texans: Cameron Dicker 35-yard field goal
- Chargers 6 – 0 Texans: Cameron Dicker 39-yard field goal
Second Quarter
- Chargers 6 – 7 Texans: CJ Stroud 13-yard TD pass to Nico Collins
- Chargers 6 – 10 Texans: Ka’imi Fairbairn 41-yard field goal
Third Quarter
- Chargers 6 – 13 Texans: Ka’imi Fairbairn 37-yard field goal
- Chargers 6 – 20 Texans: Eric Murray 38-yard interception return TD
Fourth Quarter
- Chargers 6 – 23 Texans: Ka’imi Fairbairn 30-yard field goal
- Chargers 12 – 23 Texans: Justin Herbert 86-yard TD pass to Ladd McConkey
- Chargers 12 – 25 Texans: D’Angelo Ross defensive two-point attempt
- Chargers 12 – 32 Texans: Joe Mixon 17-yard rushing TD
Stats Leaders
Los Angeles Chargers
- Passing: Justin Herbert, 14/32, 242 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs
- Rushing: J.K. Dobbins, 9 carries, 26 yards
- Receiving: Ladd McConkey, 9 catches, 197 yards, 1 TD
Houston Texans
- Passing: CJ Stroud, 22/33, 282 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Rushing: Joe Mixon, 25 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: Nico Collins, 7 catches, 122 yards, 1 TD
What’s Next?
The Houston Texans are set to face the likely match-up against the back-to-back reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the upcoming Divisional Round.
Wild Card weekend continues with notable matchups, including the Buffalo Bills taking on the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers squaring off against the Philadelphia Eagles. Additionally, the Washington Commanders will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
As anticipation builds for the Texans’ next game, their playoff journey remains a thrilling story in this year’s NFL season.
