At a Glance
- The Houston Texans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16.
- Houston clinched a playoff berth and eliminated the Indianapolis Colts.
- C.J. Stroud scored two early touchdowns, and the Texans’ pass rush sacked Justin Herbert five times.
Why it matters: Houston secures a postseason spot, reshaping the AFC South race and setting up a showdown with the Jaguars for the division title.
In a Week 17 matchup that felt like a playoff preview, the Houston Texans routed the already-qualified Los Angeles Chargers 20-16, locking in their own postseason berth and knocking the Indianapolis Colts out of contention.
Game Highlights
C.J. Stroud exploded early, throwing two deep touchdowns in the first quarter to give Houston a 14-0 cushion. The Chargers’ defense tightened in the second half, but the Texans’ elite defense held them to only 16 points. Stroud finished with 244 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while the Texans’ pass rush forced five sacks on Herbert.
- C.J. Stroud – 244 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
- Justin Herbert – 5 sacks, 35 yards lost
- Omarion Hampton – 29 rushing yards on 14 carries
Key Players and Impact
The Texans’ run game stalled, with Hampton gaining just 29 yards on 14 carries, averaging 2.1 yards per attempt. Herbert led the Chargers’ rushing attack with 37 yards on six carries. Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker missed a field goal and an extra point, costing the team four points – the same margin as the final score.
| Metric | Texans | Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 20 | 16 |
| Sacks on Herbert | 5 | – |
| Rushing Yards | 29 (Hampton) | 37 (Herbert) |
| Field-goal misses | 0 | 1 |
| Extra-point misses | 0 | 1 |
With the Colts eliminated, Houston now needs a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars to secure the AFC South title and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Key Takeaways
- Houston’s victory over the Chargers clinches a playoff berth and eliminates the Colts.
- C.J. Stroud’s early TDs and the Texans’ pass rush were decisive.
- Chargers’ kicker Dicker’s missed kicks cost the team four points.
The Texans’ win sets the stage for a critical showdown with the Jaguars, while the Chargers must regroup after a costly loss that highlighted gaps in their offense and special teams.
