The Houston Texans’ 32-12 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Wild Card Weekend Saturday was a statement game for the Texans. Here are the key takeaways from their victory:
– Texans’ Defense Shines: The Texans’ defense was suffocating, pressuring Justin Herbert on 52.8% of his dropbacks and holding the Chargers to just 261 total yards ¹. They also tallied four interceptions and four sacks, with Kwamie Lassiter, Derek Stingley Jr., and Eric Murray all picking off Herbert.
– C.J. Stroud’s Resilience: Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had a rollercoaster game, but his ability to bounce back from mistakes was impressive. He finished 22-of-23 passing for 282 yards with one TD and one INT ². Stroud’s recovery from an early near-fumble sparked the Texans’ offense, and he never looked back.
– Joe Mixon’s Dominant Performance: Running back Joe Mixon was a workhorse for the Texans, rushing for 106 yards, including 67 in the fourth quarter ². His physical running style wore down the Chargers’ defense, and he capped off the game with a 17-yard touchdown run.
– Chargers’ Disappointing Offense: The Chargers’ offense was a letdown, with Justin Herbert throwing three interceptions and struggling under pressure ¹. Their running game was also nonexistent, with just 50 yards on the ground.
Overall, the Texans’ dominant defense and Stroud’s resilience were the key factors in their win. They’ll look to carry this momentum into the Divisional Round.
