An inspired 38-yard performance from CJ Stroud and Eric Murray propelled the Houston Texans into the divisional round of the NFL playoffs with a 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Wild Card weekend.
Stroud lit himself up and brought the beaten Texans back to life at the end of an error-strewn first half when he saved a fumbled snap, starting 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 a struggling Chargers team, which saw quarterback Justin Herbert throw four interceptions, including a pivotal pick six to Murray.
Ladd McConkey’s stunning 86-yard touchdown run threatened to spark a fight for the Chargers late in the fourth quarter, but their hopes were immediately dashed when Cameron Decker’s extra point attempt was blocked and Texans cornerback D’Angelo Ross returned it for two points.
Statistics leaders
Los Angeles Chargers
- Scrolling: Justin Herbert, 14/32, 242 yards, 1 TDs, 4 INTs
- haste: JK Dobbins, 9 carries, 26 yards
- Receiving: Ladd McConkey, 9 catches, 197 yards, 1 TD
Houston Texas
- Scrolling: C.J. Stroud, 22/33, 282 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
- haste: Joe Mixon, 25 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: Nico Collins, 7 catches, 122 yards, 1 TD
What’s next?
The Texans will now advance to the divisional round of the playoffs next weekend, with their most likely opponents being the back-to-back Super Bowl champions and top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs.
Wild Card weekend continues Sunday night when the Buffalo Bills host the Denver Broncos from 6 p.m., followed by the Green Bay Packers vs. the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On Monday night, Sam Darnold’s Minnesota Vikings will take on the Los Angeles Rams, with kickoff at 1 a.m. in the early hours of Tuesday, live on Sky Sports.
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