Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats

The NFL Wild Card Round game on January 11, 2025, between the Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats was a thrilling playoff matchup that had fans buzzing. The Texans pulled off a commanding 32-12 victory at NRG Stadium in Houston, advancing to the AFC Divisional Round. This game was a rollercoaster of standout performances, costly mistakes, and a dominant second half by Houston that turned the tide. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just curious about what went down, this article breaks down the key player stats, game highlights, and what made this matchup unforgettable—all in a way that’s easy to read and understand for everyone. Let’s dive into the numbers and the moments that shaped this epic clash!

Game Overview: Texans Dominate in a Wild Card Upset

The Chargers, with an 11-6 regular season record, were favored by many to win against the 10-7 Texans, especially with Jim Harbaugh’s revitalized squad. However, Houston’s balanced offense and relentless defense flipped the script. The first half was competitive, with the Chargers leading 6-0 for much of it, but a late touchdown drive by the Texans shifted momentum. The second half was all Houston, as they outscored Los Angeles 22-6, capitalizing on turnovers and big plays to secure the win.

Key team stats tell the story:

• Total Yards: Texans 429, Chargers 261

• Turnovers: Texans 3, Chargers 4

• First Downs: Texans 20, Chargers 15

• Time of Possession: Texans 34:25, Chargers 25:35

Houston’s defense, led by stars like Derek Stingley Jr. and Eric Murray, exposed the Chargers’ vulnerabilities, while quarterback C.J. Stroud and wide receiver Nico Collins sparked the offense. On the other side, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had a rare off-day, and the team struggled to find rhythm. Let’s break down the individual performances that defined this game.

Quarterback Breakdown: Stroud Shines, Herbert Struggles

C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans)

C.J. Stroud, the Texans’ second-year quarterback, showed why he’s considered one of the NFL’s rising stars. Despite a shaky start with an interception and a fumble by teammate John Metchie, Stroud settled in and led a game-changing 99-yard touchdown drive just before halftime. His poise under pressure was evident, especially when targeting wide receiver Nico Collins, where he achieved a perfect 158.3 passer rating.

Stroud’s Stats:

• Completions/Attempts: 22/33 (66.7%)

• Passing Yards: 282

• Touchdowns: 1

• Interceptions: 1

• Key Moment: A 13-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins late in the second quarter gave Houston a 7-6 lead they never relinquished.

Stroud’s ability to recover from early mistakes was crucial. After a fumbled snap at Houston’s 1-yard line, he threw a 34-yard pass to Xavier Hutchinson, sparking the 99-yard drive that ended with the Collins touchdown. His 37-yard pass to Collins earlier in the drive showcased his arm talent and decision-making. Stroud also converted a critical 4th-and-1 rush for 2 yards in the fourth quarter, keeping a drive alive that led to a touchdown.

Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers)

Justin Herbert, known for his strong arm and cool demeanor, had a day to forget. The Chargers’ quarterback threw more interceptions in this game (4) than he did in the entire regular season (3), a shocking stat that defined the outcome. Houston’s aggressive pass rush, led by Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., pressured Herbert on 19 of 36 dropbacks (52.8%), leading to four sacks and nine additional hits.

Herbert’s Stats:

• Completions/Attempts: 14/32 (43.8%)

• Passing Yards: 242

• Touchdowns: 1

• Interceptions: 4

• Sacks: 4 for a loss of 31 yards

• Key Moment: A pick-six by Eric Murray in the third quarter, returned 38 yards for a touchdown, gave Houston a 20-6 lead that broke the game open.

Herbert’s lone highlight was an 86-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late. His interceptions, including two by Derek Stingley Jr. and one tipped off tight end Will Dissly, were costly. Herbert later took responsibility, saying, “I let the team down. You can’t turn over the ball like that and expect to win”.

Running Backs: Joe Mixon Carries the Load for Houston

Joe Mixon (Houston Texans)

Joe Mixon was a workhorse for the Texans, especially in the second half, where his physical running style wore down the Chargers’ defense. Despite losing a fumble—his first in over 1,000 touches—Mixon redeemed himself with a strong performance, particularly in the game’s final stages.

Mixon’s Stats:

• Carries: 25

• Rushing Yards: 106

• Touchdowns: 1

• Key Moment: A 17-yard touchdown run with 3:47 left in the fourth quarter sealed the 32-12 victory.

Mixon gained 91 yards on 19 carries in the second half alone, breaking tackles and keeping the clock moving to preserve Houston’s lead. His ability to grind out yards on a 13-point lead helped the Texans control the game’s pace.

Chargers’ Running Game: J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards

The Chargers’ running game was nearly nonexistent, as Houston’s defensive front, led by Hunter and Anderson, stuffed them early. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards struggled to find room, forcing the Chargers into a one-dimensional offense reliant on Herbert’s passing.

Combined Stats for Dobbins and Edwards:

• Carries: Limited (exact numbers not specified in sources, but minimal impact noted)

• Rushing Yards: Minimal

• Key Moment: None, as the Chargers leaned heavily on passing due to early run game struggles.

The lack of a balanced attack put extra pressure on Herbert, contributing to his turnover-heavy day.

Wide Receivers: Nico Collins Steals the Show

Nico Collins (Houston Texans)

Nico Collins was Stroud’s go-to target and set a Texans playoff record with his receiving performance, surpassing DeAndre Hopkins’ 118-yard mark from 2019. His connection with Stroud was electric, especially on the 99-yard drive that changed the game’s momentum.

Collins’ Stats:

• Receptions: 7

• Receiving Yards: 122

• Touchdowns: 1

• Key Moment: A 13-yard touchdown catch just before halftime gave Houston a 7-6 lead, and his 37-yard reception earlier in the drive set it up.

Collins’ ability to make contested catches and gain yards after the catch made him a nightmare for the Chargers’ secondary. His performance was a testament to his breakout 2024 season and his chemistry with Stroud.

Ladd McConkey (Los Angeles Chargers)

Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey was a bright spot for the Chargers despite the loss. He emerged as Herbert’s primary target, especially on the 86-yard touchdown that briefly gave Los Angeles hope in the fourth quarter.

McConkey’s Stats:

• Receptions: Not fully detailed, but noted as primary target

• Receiving Yards: At least 86 (from the touchdown play)

• Touchdowns: 1

• Key Moment: The 86-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, though the extra point was blocked and returned for two points by Houston’s Ross.

Unfortunately, McConkey got little help from teammates. Second-year wide receiver Quentin Johnston, for example, had no catches on five targets, including a critical 4th-and-2 play where he ran a route short of the first-down marker against Derek Stingley Jr..

Defensive Standouts: Texans’ Secondary and Pass Rush Shine

Derek Stingley Jr. (Houston Texans)

All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was a game-changer, living up to the Texans’ goal of forcing three turnovers per game. He grabbed two of Herbert’s four interceptions, including one late in the fourth quarter that sealed the Chargers’ fate.

Stingley’s Stats:

• Interceptions: 2

• Key Moment: His second interception, a 16-yard return in the fourth quarter, ended any hope of a Chargers comeback.

Stingley’s coverage was stellar, particularly on the 4th-and-2 play where he shut down Quentin Johnston, forcing an incomplete pass.

Eric Murray (Houston Texans)

Safety Eric Murray delivered the game’s defining moment with a 38-yard pick-six late in the third quarter, giving Houston a 20-6 lead. It was his first career touchdown and a play the Chargers never recovered from.

Murray’s Stats:

• Interceptions: 1

• Touchdowns: 1 (38-yard pick-six)

• Key Moment: The pick-six that broke the game open, capitalizing on a high pass from Herbert to Ladd McConkey.

Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. (Houston Texans)

The Texans’ pass-rushing duo of Danielle Hunter (12.0 sacks in the regular season) and Will Anderson Jr. (11.0 sacks) made life miserable for Herbert. They combined for constant pressure, contributing to the four sacks and nine hits on the quarterback. Their ability to flip sides kept Chargers’ offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt on their toes.

Chargers’ Defense: Derwin James Jr. and Alohi Gilman

The Chargers’ defense had moments of brilliance early, with safety Alohi Gilman forcing a fumble on John Metchie’s first catch, recovered by Derwin James Jr.. James also nearly had an interception on Stroud, but the call was reversed on review. However, the defense faded in the second half, unable to stop Houston’s big plays or Mixon’s ground game.

Special Teams: A Rare Two-Point Play

Houston’s special teams added a unique highlight when kicker Cameron Dicker’s extra-point attempt after McConkey’s touchdown was blocked and returned by Ross for a defensive two-point conversion, making the score 25-12. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn was reliable for the Texans, hitting a 41-yard field goal before halftime and a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter to extend Houston’s lead.

Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats Game-Changing Moments

• Texans’ 99-Yard Drive: Stroud’s 34-yard pass to Xavier Hutchinson and 37-yard pass to Nico Collins set up a 13-yard touchdown to Collins, flipping a 6-0 deficit to a 7-6 lead.

• Murray’s Pick-Six: Eric Murray’s 38-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the third quarter gave Houston a commanding 20-6 lead.

• Mixon’s Dagger: Joe Mixon’s 17-yard touchdown run with 3:47 left put the game out of reach at 32-12.

• Herbert’s Struggles: Four interceptions, including two by Stingley and one pick-six, marked a career-worst day for the Chargers’ quarterback.

Why the Texans Won

Houston’s victory came down to three key factors:

1. Defensive Dominance: The Texans’ defense forced four turnovers, including three interceptions in the second half, and pressured Herbert relentlessly. Coach DeMeco Ryans praised his unit, saying, “Our defense, they dominated today. That’s who we want to be”.

2. Clutch Offense: Stroud and Collins connected for big plays, while Mixon’s second-half running controlled the clock and sealed the game.

3. Chargers’ Mistakes: Herbert’s four interceptions and the team’s inability to establish a run game made it impossible to keep up with Houston’s second-half surge.

Why the Chargers Lost

The Chargers’ promising 2024 season ended with a thud due to:

1. Turnovers: Herbert’s four interceptions were a stark contrast to his regular-season efficiency, costing the team any chance of a comeback.

2. Lack of Balance: With no running game to speak of, the Chargers became predictable, allowing Houston’s pass rush to tee off on Herbert.

3. Injuries: Linebacker Denzel Perryman (elbow) and cornerback Cam Hart (shoulder) didn’t return after first-quarter injuries, weakening the defense.

What’s Next?

The Texans advance to the AFC Divisional Round for the second straight year, awaiting their opponent based on other wild-card results. For the Chargers, it’s back to the drawing board under Jim Harbaugh, who took responsibility for the loss, saying, “They were the better team today. That’s on me”. Despite the defeat, the emergence of Ladd McConkey and the team’s 11-6 regular season offer hope for 2025.

Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats Table

Here’s a quick reference table summarizing key player performances:

Player	Team	Key Stats
C.J. Stroud	Texans	22/33, 282 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 158.3 passer rating targeting Collins
Justin Herbert	Chargers	14/32, 242 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT, 4 sacks
Joe Mixon	Texans	25 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble
Nico Collins	Texans	7 receptions, 122 yards, 1 TD (Texans playoff record)
Ladd McConkey	Chargers	At least 86 yards, 1 TD (86-yard catch)
Derek Stingley Jr.	Texans	2 interceptions, 16-yard return on second INT
Eric Murray	Texans	1 interception, 38-yard pick-six
Ka’imi Fairbairn	Texans	41-yard FG, 37-yard FG
Cameron Dicker	Chargers	35-yard FG, 39-yard FG, blocked XP returned for 2 points by Houston’s Ross

Final Thoughts

The Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats was a tale of two halves. Houston’s ability to overcome early mistakes, capitalize on turnovers, and dominate the second half showcased their playoff resilience. For the Chargers, it was a tough end to a promising season, with Herbert’s uncharacteristic performance serving as a reminder of how fine the margins are in the postseason. Whether you’re a Texans fan celebrating the win or a Chargers fan looking forward to next year, this game was a thrilling start to the 2025 NFL playoffs.