Stroud inspires Texans to blowout as Chargers capitulate in playoffs
0
0
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 and sacked four times.
Herbert had thrown just three interceptions in the entire regular season and had never thrown more than two in a game before facing a Texans secondary led by cornerback Derek Stingley, who had two interceptions. Rookie Kamari Lassiter had the other pick.
Ladd McConkey’s incredible 86-yard touchdown threatened to spark a Chargers fightback late in the fourth quarter, but their hopes fizzled out when Cameron Dicker’s extra-point attempt was blocked and returned for two points by the Texans cornerback D’Angelo Ross.
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
CJ Stroud threw one touchdown and 282 yards for the Houston Texans
Things looked bleak early on for the Texans, who fumbled on their first offensive play and were down 6-0 with a minute left in the first half after two unanswered Dicker field goals.
Deane Leonard intercepted Stroud early in the second quarter, but Lassiter picked off Herbert on the next play to give Houston the ball back as the defenses dominated the first half.
Stroud finally got something going for the Texans, a timely 34-yard gain after fumbling the snap proving the game’s turning point as he ended a 14-play, 74-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Collins.
