An inspired performance from CJ Stroud and Eric Murray’s 38-yard pick six saw the Houston Texans roar into the Divisional round of the NFL Playoffs with a 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Wild Card weekend.
Stroud sparked himself and the subdued Texans into life at the end of an error-strewn first half when he salvaged a fumbled snap, initiating a drive that would end with him throwing a touchdown pass to Nico Collins.
The Texans would go on to score 23 unanswered points against the floundering Chargers, who saw quarterback Justin Herbert throw four interceptions, including a pivotal pick-six to Murray.
Ladd McConkey’s incredible 86-yard touchdown threatened to spark a Chargers fightback late in the fourth quarter, but their hopes were immediately extinguished when Cameron Dicker’s extra-point attempt was blocked and returned by the Texans cornerback D’Angelo Ross for two points.
Stats leaders
Los Angeles Chargers
- Passing: Justin Herbert, 14/32, 242 yards, 1 TDs, 4 INTs
- Rushing: J.K. Dobbins, 9 carries, 26 yards
- Receiving: Ladd McConkey, 9 catches, 197yards, 1 TD
Houston Texans
- Passing: CJ Stroud, 22/33, 282 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Rushing: Joe Mixon, 25 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: Nico Collins, 7 catches, 122 yards, 1 TD
What next?
The Texans will now advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs next weekend, where their most likely opponents are the back-to-back defending Super Bowl champion and No 1-seeded Kansas City Chiefs.
Wild Card weekend continues on Sunday evening when the Buffalo Bills host the Denver Broncos from 6pm, followed by the Green Bay Packers against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Monday night then sees Sam Darnold’s Minnesota Vikings take on the Los Angeles Rams, with kickoff at 1am in the early hours of Tuesday, live on Sky Sports.