At a Glance
- Texans beat Chargers 20-16 to clinch their first triple-playoff streak.
- Rookie QB C.J. Stroud throws two TDs in the opening drives.
- The win secures a playoff berth for the 11-5 Texans.
Why it matters: The victory sets a new franchise record and locks Houston into the postseason, keeping playoff hopes alive.
Texans are riding a surge as the playoffs approach, having snapped the Chargers’ four-game winning streak and securing a spot in the AFC South race. The 20-16 win over Los Angeles marks the first time the franchise has earned three straight playoff berths.
Playoff Momentum
The Texans finished the season 11-5, winning their eighth consecutive game- the longest streak since nine straight in 2018. Coach DeMeco Ryans praised the team’s effort.
DeMeco Ryans said:
> “It’s what you fight for during the season, for an opportunity to be in the playoffs and go win it all. We earned that. It wasn’t given to us. Our guys went out and earned it.”
Key Game Highlights
Stroud’s two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers, giving Houston a 14-0 lead. He connected on a 75-yard pass to rookie Jayden Higgins and a 43-yard throw to Jaylin Noel. Noel reflected on the streak.
Jaylin Noel said:
> “To do something like that in this league is not easy. Any time you can stack wins like this is special and we just want to keep it going. The coaches are pushing us to get better and everybody in the locker room is pushing to get better.”
The Chargers’ defense allowed only one long TD pass in their last 15 games. Safety Derwin James Jr. commented on the loss.
Derwin James Jr. said:
> “You’re not going to beat nobody in this league spotting them 14 (points).”
Herbert, playing with a broken left hand, finished 21 of 32 for 236 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and was sacked five times. He also threw two interceptions in Houston territory.
Daiyan Henley, frustrated by the loss, offered his thoughts.
Daiyan Henley said:
> “That’s what hurts the most. We just didn’t do it. We didn’t have enough, but we’ll take the loss now and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
- Stroud: 16 of 28, 244 yards, 2 INTs, 2 TDs early
- Herbert: 21 of 32, 236 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 5 sacks
| Player | Completions | Attempts | Yards | TDs | INTs | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.J. Stroud | 16 | 28 | 244 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Justin Herbert | 21 | 32 | 236 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
Injuries & Next Games
- CB Kamari Lassiter (knee) left in the second quarter, returned later.
- RB Hassan Haskins evaluated for a head injury in the fourth.
The Texans will finish the regular season against Indianapolis, while the Chargers head to Denver.
Key Takeaways
- Texans secure first triple-playoff streak in franchise history.
- Rookie C.J. Stroud delivers two TDs early, setting the tone.
- Chargers’ defense struggles to stop big plays, highlighted by safety Derwin James Jr.‘s comments.
The win not only cements Houston’s playoff fate but also underscores the impact of a strong defense and explosive offense in the NFL’s high-stakes environment.
