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HOUSTON Late in the first half of the Houston Texans’ wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers, with a 6-0 deficit and third-and-16 from their 17 points, quarterback C.J. Stroud mishandled the snap.
The play appeared on the verge of collapse. Instead, Stroud caught the ball, ducked under the rush, and found Xavier Hutchinson, who gained 34 yards.
The Texans rallied for a 32–12 victory, scoring a touchdown on that drive as the first of 23 consecutive points.
They will play the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday after making it to the divisional round for the second consecutive season.
Coach DeMeco Ryans gushed over his second-year quarterback and termed Stroud saving that play the game’s pivotal moment.
“That’s what it looks like when your best players step up and make the plays,” Ryans stated. “Playoff football is all about that. That’s what it means to be a major league player.
RELATED: The Houston Texans start their second consecutive postseason appearance, showcasing C.J. Stroud’s leadership
Stroud mishandled the snap, which made him angry even after he made the play. After the toss, though, he looked to his sideline and felt much better.
“And everybody was turned up, and that turned me up, because I was still kind of mad at myself,” he stated. “Those are the type of plays that change momentum, and a team can rally around plays like that.”
Along with an interception and a touchdown pass to Nico Collins, Stroud passed for 282 yards. He became one of the few quarterbacks to win postseason starts in each of their first two seasons, including Ben Roethlisberger of Pittsburgh, Joe Flacco of Baltimore, Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets, Russell Wilson of Seattle, and Brock Purdy of San Francisco.
Along with his 42 yards of running, Stroud had a career-long 27-yard run that helped set up a field goal that put the Texans ahead 10–6 at the half.
Unknown for his ability to scramble, Stroud made a joke about his “slow speed.”
He claimed that the long run gave him energy.
“I felt my joy coming back after I got up, and it’s just one the best feelings in the world,” said the man. “You simply show up after making a play, and your teammates follow suit. One of the greatest emotions in the world is that. That, I believe, energized our team. This postseason, I believe it will be beneficial for me to use my legs.
Ryans was ecstatic to see Stroud go above and above to lead his side to victory.
“That’s what you call (putting) the team on your back,” he replied.
After Justin Herbert had only thrown three interceptions all season, the Texans caught him a career-high four times. Eric Murray returned one for a touchdown after All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley had two picks. Joining J.J. Watt as the only rookies in franchise history to record an interception in a postseason game was rookie Kamari Lassiter, who also had the other interception.
Murray’s interception return for a touchdown was the fourth in the team’s playoffs history, while Houston’s four interceptions set a franchise record for a postseason game.
After making three mistakes on Saturday, the Texans will need to handle the ball better if they want to have a shot against the Chiefs.
Houston’s first offensive play ended with John Metchie fumbling after a reception. Joe Mixon lost a fumble early in the third quarter, and Stroud had an interception in the second quarter.
On Saturday, CB D’Angelo Ross excelled on special teams. He returned a blocked extra point for two points in the fourth quarter after blocking a punt in the first.
The PAT return was the first in NFL playoff history, and the blocked punt was the first in a postseason game since 2021.
LG On Saturday, Tytus Howard had two penalties and was sacked.
In the game on Saturday, there were no injuries among the Texans.
168 Houston’s rush of 168 yards After the 188 the team scored in its first-ever postseason game in 2012, Saturday’s were the second-highest in a playoff game in the team’s history. With 106 yards, Mixon set the standard for his ninth 100-yard performance of the year.
For the sixth time in their history, the Texans are in the divisional round; a victory would guarantee them a trip to the AFC championship game for the first time.
