Chargers vs. Texans takeaways: C.J. Stroud gives Houston a puncher’s chance. In the opening matchup of the NFL postseason, the Houston Texans secured their place in the next round with a decisive 32-12 wild-card victory against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium on Saturday.
This victory propelled the Texans into the AFC divisional round for the second consecutive year, while the Chargers continued their struggles in playoff scenarios.
Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways from this matchup.
In a commanding performance against the unfortunate Chargers, Stroud exhibited confidence and control over Houston’s offense. He completed 22 of 33 passes for 282 yards, along with one touchdown and one interception. This win marked a significant milestone for Stroud, making him only the sixth quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of his first two seasons.
Stroud excelled particularly when targeting the middle of the field. According to Next Gen Stats, he was 13 of 16 for 223 yards and a touchdown on in-breaking routes. His 13-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins was notable, as it represented Collins’ ninth touchdown on such routes since 2023, tying him for fourth in the league.
Stroud’s success was complemented by a balanced offensive effort, with running back Joe Mixon contributing 119 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Defensively, the Texans were relentless, forcing four turnovers, blocking a punt, and returning a blocked extra point for two points. They also recorded four sacks and nine quarterback hits.
The Texans demonstrated a dominant performance under head coach DeMeco Ryans, who must be particularly pleased with his quarterback’s display. Competing in a conference featuring MVP candidates like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, along with the reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, Stroud’s impressive showing against the Chargers indicates that the Texans may hold their own against the top teams in the AFC. However, replicating this performance in potentially cold conditions on the road will be essential.
“Our best player stepped up and made big plays when we needed to win this game,” Ryans stated. “None other than C.J. I just want to make sure he gets the love he deserves.”
On the other hand, Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert, regarded as one of the most skilled throwers in the league, now faces a 0-2 postseason record. Despite new head coach Jim Harbaugh guiding the Chargers to an 11-6 regular-season record, the team could not escape its troubling playoff history. While Herbert struggled, it is important to note that the team’s lack of top-tier receiving talent, following the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, contributed to the offensive challenges. Instead, Harbaugh prioritized enhancing the offensive and defensive lines in his inaugural season.
