The last time the Texans took the field at NRG Stadium, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens rolled to the tune of 432 yards and 31 points.
Saturday, in the AFC wild-card round, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert — and really, Los Angeles’ offense as a whole — could find hardly an inch to breathe.
Between that stout defensive work and C.J. Stroud’s good-as-ever play under center, the Texans thumped Houston, 32-12, and booked their second trip to the divisional round in as many years.
Justin Herbert is sacked by Will Anderson Jr. during the second half of the Texans’ 32-12 AFC wild-card win over the Chargers on Jan. 11, 2025. AP“Our defense, they dominated today,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said after the game. “And that’s who we want to be. They played our brand of football.”
Despite a slow start, Houston’s signal-caller finished with a solid state line, going 22-for-33 with 282 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
“It hasn’t always been easy this year,” Stroud said. “But this is just another thing that we can use to motivate us even more.”
Herbert, for his part, found plenty of fodder for motivation next season.
Eric Murray (23) celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown during the second half of the Texans’ AFC wild-card win over the Chargers. APAfter being intercepted only thrice all season, the Chargers quarterback had three passes picked off in the wild-card game’s first 48 minutes — then threw a fourth during garbage time in the fourth quarter.
“I let the team down,” Herbert said. “You can’t turn over the ball like that and expect to win. I put the team in a tough position there with four turnovers like that.”
One of those interceptions — Herbert’s third of the evening — cornerback Eric Murray snagged at the tail end of the third quarter and returned for a touchdown to extend the Texans’ lead to 14.
The Texans’ defensive rout extended to special teams, too, most notably in the fourth quarter when Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker’s extra-point attempt was blocked and returned by cornerback D’Angelo Ross to add another two points to Houston’s lead.
Head coaches Jim Harbaugh and DeMeco Ryans meet on the field after the game. Getty ImagesDespite all these triumphs, it was, perhaps, the turnover on downs the Texans forced early in the third quarter — when it was still a four-point ballgame — that represents the high point of the team’s defensive work on the evening.
Los Angeles came into the game averaging 213.5 yards through the air per game and another 110.7 on the ground.
On Saturday, though, Houston held their opponent to just 261 total yards. The Chargers’ total of 12 points represented less than half their season average (23.6).
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, who won a national championship with Michigan in Houston last January, took the blame for the loss.
Joe Mixon celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the Texans’ AFC wild-card win over the Chargers AP“They were the better team today,” he said. “All respect to them. Not being the better team today, I’m accountable for that. That’s on me.”
Houston found success on the defensive side of the ball by bringing heat early and often, as the Texans sacked Herbert four times for a total of 31 yards. On the ground, the Chargers were held to just 2.6 yards per carry.
On Los Angeles’ lone trip to the red zone — Herbert and company’s first drive of the game — the Texans held them to a field goal.
— with AP
