Things Change... For Good
When it was all over, the scoreboard read 32-12 - the Texans stunning the Chargers and moving into the divisional round with perhaps their most surprising and satisfying playoff win ever.
The day began with Houston playing bend-but-not-break defense, allowing a field goal on the opening drive. Then, another field goal in a sudden change situation after a turnover.
The offense was stuck in a ditch. Nothing seemed to work. A second quarter pick was negated by Kamari Lassiter's first career interception. But the ensuing drive stalled. After getting the ball back, the Texans started a drive at the Houston one yard line.
That's when things changed for good.
Eight plays later, on 'third and too many' from the Houston 17, the snap got by C.J. Stroud. He chased it down and threw a pass that we'll be talking about for a long time – a 34-yard dart to Xavier Hutchinson that kept the drive alive.
Two plays later, he found Nico Collins for a 37-yard gain and eventually found him on for a 13-yard TD to grab the lead.
It was like the sun coming out after a deep freeze. Momentum had turned and was picking up steam. After a Charger three-and-out, Stroud ignited a field goal drive, scrambling for 27 yards to get the Texans in range.
After the run, C.J. got up, pumped, emotional – the crowd and the sideline went crazy. It was like signaling to the universe 'we are back!'
Ka'imi Fairbairn made the field goal as the Texans hit the break, up four.
Big 4th Down Stop
Dark clouds reappeared on the opening drive of the third quarter as Joe Mixon fumbled, following a 41-yard pass play to Collins. You knew the offense was 'back.' But could they avoid the mistakes that might thwart victory?
The ensuing Charger possession stalled at the Houston 34-yard line. The Chargers went for it on 4th and two. Derek Stingley Jr., who eventually would snare two picks, stopped Quentin Johnston from getting the first down. It was a pivotal play.
Houston earned a field goal on the next drive – a big plus considering a would-be interception by Derwin James was taken off the board. On the following Charger drive, Eric Murray took an interception to the house and the party was on.
Hounding Herbert
Four picks off Herbert were beyond impressive. And Mixon rebounded from his fumble with a rousing 106-yard day and a game-icing 17-yard touchdown. Collins ended up with a Texans playoff-best 122 yards on seven catches.
Will Anderson Jr. and Mario Edwards Jr. had 1.5 sacks a piece. This was a dominating defensive performance and, as it turned out, a tremendous offensive performance, to score 23 of the 32 points against the best point-prevention unit in the NFL.
Now it's on to the next round with a chance to go where they've never gone before. It's their sixth opportunity to find a path to the AFC Championship game. And no one will say they cannot do it – not after doubting them on Wild Card weekend.
