The Houston Texans triumphed over the Los Angeles Chargers with a decisive 32-12 victory in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs at NRG Stadium, securing their spot in the Divisional Round.
The game kicked off with the Chargers taking an early 6-0 lead, thanks to two field goals by Cameron Dicker. However, the Texans quickly rallied in the second quarter, overcoming an early interception by quarterback C.J. Stroud. Houston’s defense stepped up, as cornerback Kamari Lassiter intercepted a deep pass from Justin Herbert, helping shift the momentum.
Stroud connected with wide receiver Nico Collins for a 13-yard touchdown just before halftime, leveling the score at 6-6. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn then added two field goals, allowing Houston to take a 10-6 lead into the halftime break.
The Texans maintained their defensive prowess in the third quarter, preventing Los Angeles from scoring. Fairbairn’s 37-yard field goal extended Houston’s lead to 13-6, and an interception by safety Eric Murray set up a touchdown that pushed the Texans ahead 20-6.
In the fourth quarter, Fairbairn contributed another field goal to make it 23-6. The Chargers responded with an 86-yard touchdown pass from Herbert to Ladd McConkey, bringing the score to 23-12. However, Houston’s D’Angelo Ross secured a two-point conversion, increasing the Texans’ advantage to 25-12. Running back Joe Mixon capped the scoring with a 17-yard touchdown run, finalizing the victory.
This win showcased the Texans’ strong defensive strategy, particularly noteworthy as Herbert, who had only thrown three interceptions during the regular season, was intercepted four times in this game. The Texans eliminated the Chargers and look forward to continuing their playoff journey in the next round, displaying a blend of offensive resilience and defensive dominance that could propel them further in the postseason.
This hopeful narrative underlines the Texans’ ability to bounce back and make impactful plays when needed, emphasizing their growth as a competitive team in this playoff season.