At a Glance
- 20-16 victory gives Texans a third straight playoff berth.
- C.J. Stroud scores two long touchdowns on Houston’s first two drives.
- Houston’s defense forces multiple sacks on Justin Herbert and intercepts Stroud twice.
Why it matters: The win locks a franchise-first three-year playoff streak and keeps the AFC West title within reach.
The Houston Texans secured a 20-16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, snapping the Chargers’ four-game winning streak and earning the Texans a third consecutive playoff spot-the first time the franchise has achieved such a run.
Stroud’s Explosive Start
C.J. Stroud opened the game with two long touchdown passes, giving Houston a 14-0 lead before the Chargers could respond. His first throw was a 75-yard strike to Jayden Higgins, and he followed with a 43-yard completion to Jaylin Noel, both against broken coverage. The Chargers had allowed only one touchdown pass of 40 or more yards in their last 15 games.
- 75-yard TD to Jayden Higgins
- 43-yard TD to Jaylin Noel
Defense and Turnovers
Houston’s defense forced sacks on Justin Herbert on the first two possessions and recorded a third-and-out on three of the Chargers’ first four drives. Stroud finished 16 of 28 for 244 yards and two interceptions, while Herbert went 21 for 32 for 236 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and was sacked five times. Derwin James Jr. intercepted Stroud in the second quarter, but the Chargers only managed a 27-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker on the turnover.
| Player | Team | Yards | TDs | INTs | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroud | Texans | 244 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Herbert | Chargers | 236 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| James Jr. | Chargers | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Key Moments and Injuries
Cameron Dicker missed a field goal from under 40 yards for the first time in his career before halftime, leaving the Chargers trailing 14-3. Ka’imi Fairbairn added 41- and 44-yard kicks for Houston, while Omarion Hamption’s 5-yard touchdown run made it 20-16. Injuries included CB Kamari Lassiter (knee) leaving in the second quarter and later returning, and RB Hassan Haskins evaluated for a head injury in the fourth.
Key Takeaways
- Texans clinch a historic three-year playoff streak.
- C.J. Stroud’s early TDs set the tone for the game.
- Houston’s defense disrupted the Chargers’ offense with sacks and interceptions.
The win locks a historic three-year playoff streak for the Texans and keeps the AFC West title within reach, while the Chargers face a tough finish to the season.
